With the Bulls & Blackhawks seasons both underway, the United Center has been hopping of late. And as the UC goes, so do the nearby bars. Obviously, we expect this trend to continue all season, so we put together a list of the best places to hang out before, after, and during the games. Here are the 5 Best Bars Near the United Center.
5) Hawkeye’s Bar and Grill
1458 W Taylor St
Hawkeye’s award-winning homemade chili is the perfect choice to warm yourself during the colder days. Tuesday nights are trivia nights, and they feature $1.50 burgers. It has the largest selection of wine & spirits on this list, and the bar’s beer list is nothing to sneeze at either. Their garden sidewalk café is a nice change up from the typical bar atmosphere, and they offer way more food than your typical bar menu.
4) The Beer Bistro
1061 W Madison St
High-quality beer in a laid back atmosphere is the name of the game at The Beer Bistro. You won’t find a more extensive beer list in the area, period. With more than 150 choices, a UC shuttle, and some kick-ass burgers, we’re giving The Beer Bistro high marks all around. In short, this place is a craft beer paradise, which is right up our alley.
3) Park Tavern
1645 W Jackson Blvd
The fact that Park Tavern offers $3 drafts for every Bulls & Blackhawks home game instantly propels it up the list. Combine that with the bar’s free rides to and from the United Center, and we’re already drooling at the possibility of heading back for round two. Even if you don’t end up going to the game, this bar has enough specials to keep them in your regular bar rotation. The food is a far cry from what you’d find at a typical bar, and the casual, urban contemporary atmosphere is refreshing.
2) WestEnd
1326 W Madison St
33 TVs, an incredible food menu, and shuttles to and from the UC make WestEnd one of the most preferred spots in the area. Add in more specials than you could possibly remember off the top of your head, and WestEnd’s true value starts to shine through. There are multiple bars within it to take a seat and grab a drink while you watch the game, and the service is second to none.
1) The Ogden
1659 W Ogden Ave
The Ogden markets itself as a chef-driven sports bar, and honestly, that sums it up perfectly. Great (and we mean great) food is a staple here year-round. Plus, the Ogden is THE bar to watch Hawks games, and not just home games either. The Official Roadwatch takes place here, and special guests like Gene Honda and the Ice Crew make appearances from time to time. It has an extensive drink menu with 50+ beers and killer cocktails. The atmosphere here during Hawks games is absolutely electric, and given the team’s recent success, it’s even crazier than you’d imagine.
