Where Chicagoans go to watch soccer
Comments Off 
Posted under: Beer, Manchester United, Sports & Entertainment
While most Chicagoans are still sleeping off Friday and Saturday night hangovers, a loyal group of soccer enthusiasts gather at bars like North Center’s Globe Pub, 1934 W Irving Park Road, to watch “the beautiful game”. Expats and natives alike pack in – six-hour time difference be damned – to look on as their favorite English Premier League, Major League Soccer and La Liga teams duke it out in age-old rivalries.
Arsenal vs. Stoke
Up bright and early for the 8 a.m. Arsenal vs. Stoke match, financial markets professional Fernando Adler spent some time before kickoff relaying the troubled history between the North London and Straffordshire clubs to a friend.
“They don’t come out to play soccer at all. At all,” Adler explained. “They’re only out there to foul. They are the opposite of Arsenal, the antithesis of Arsenal.”
Originally from Argentina, Adler spent some time working in London, where he became an obsessed Arsenal fan. Though it’d be easier for him to watch at home, he makes the trek to the Globe for the exciting atmosphere.
“This place is awesome,” Adler said. “I think, because it’s kind of a pain to watch these matches, you get more of a hardcore group here, which is nice. Like, people here cry [over games].”
Adler isn’t the only expat who enjoys the Globe.
“Usually when I come in here, more than half of the people are not from the United States. You have English, you have Irish, you have people who have lived in England. A lot of Africans.”
Gary Winters, one of the pub’s owners – and a disgruntled Arsenal fan – also spoke to the Globe’s diverse crowd.
“Liverpool fans usually have the whole back area filled up when they play” Winters said. “And they often lose. And United has a pretty good following. Usually there’s also a whole load of Germans back there.”
Winters spent most of Arsenal’s frustrating match (they lost 3-1) joking around and screaming at the TVs with friends Doug Mraz and Rich Balabuzko.
“Arsenal supporters are by far the best tippers and by far the funniest,” Winters joked.
“And most handsome!” Mraz added.
To quell the disappointing result, the three treated themselves and a few lucky patrons to champagne in celebration of St. Totteringham’s Day, one bright spot in Arsenal’s otherwise painful season.
Manchester United vs. Chelsea
As the bar filled with Chelsea and Man United fans, architect Ani Tipnis and waitress Rose Salvi, both Liverpool fans, prepared to root for Chelsea to beat their team’s biggest rivals.
“It’s not that I want Chelsea to win. I just want United to lose,” noted Tipnis, who’s originally from India.
They shared a table with Roxanne Provence, a public school teacher, and Dili Yang, a grad student, who are both somewhat saddened Arsenal fans who stayed to watch, hoping Arsenal’s London rival Chelsea could thwart United’s chances of winning a record 19 league titles.
Two hours later, however, their prayers were left unanswered after United’s Nemanja Vidic scored the second goal that secured his team’s 2-1 victory over a lackluster Chelsea.
United fans cheered. Chelsea fans headed for the door while Collin Carter, a telecommunications account manager, sat at a now empty table waiting for the La Liga match to begin.
A supporter of both Barcelona and Manchester United, Carter, who was born in Jamaica and has been coming to the Globe since 1999, was clearly happy with the win. “It’s been a good season,” Carter said, with a smile.
Though fans of bitter rivals, Tipnis and Carter, a Scouser – Liverpool backer – and a Red – Manchester backer, – enjoyed some friendly post-match banter, further proof that the Globe isn’t your average football pub.
“It is truly a world bar, in my opinion,” Tipnis said. “You’ll make good friends here.”
Our favorite places to watch our favorite teams
Comments Off Posted under: Beer, Chicago Bulls, Sports & Entertainment, Sports & Entertainment (Non Front Menu)
Some are winning and some are losing, but at least they’re playing.
Chicago has three major teams currently in the hunt for greatness, and with spring finally blooming, there are plenty of places to watch the Bulls battle for Eastern Conference supremacy (and the White Sox and Cubs battle for .500 records).
Check out this edition of the Chicago Loopster for a comprehensive list of some of the best places in the city to watch your teams get their win on. And if you’re in the mood to do a little bit of celebrity-watching at halftime, take a look at our list of Chicago’s top celebrity hangouts.
Additional information courtesy of CBSChicago.com.
BULLS
Victory Liquors – 2610 N. Halsted St., www.victoryliquors.com
With an 84-by-164-inch TV plastered to the wall and three separate rooms for those who prefer to watch in a calmer atmosphere, this Lincoln Park/DePaul bar is a perfect place to cheer on D-Rose and the Bulls in the company of plenty of your fellow enthusiasts.
Four Shadows – 2758 N. Ashland Ave., www.fourshadows.net (Menu)
For those who would rather watch the game with hardcore fans instead of the casual passerby, this is the place for you. This Lakeview spot features 22-ounce Miller Lite stadium cups for four bucks, tons of TVs and some of the best wings and tater tots in town.
WHITE SOX
Cork and Kerry at the Park – 3258 S. Princeton Ave., www.corkandkerrychicago.com
Can’t get in to the game? Head over to Cork and Kerry at the Park. Forget about the fact that it’s located on the outskirts of U.S. Cellular Field, or that you’ll be surrounded by fellow ChiSox fanatics: The food is the big draw here. In addition to featuring traditional game-day food, Cork and Kerry also masterminds specialty items inspired by whatever team the Sox are playing. (And don’t worry – they’ll be happy to make vegetarian accommodations.)
Shoeless Joe’s – 10290 W. Higgins Rd., www.shoelessjoesrosemont.com (Menu)
How can you ignore a White Sox bar with a name like that? CBSChicago.com calls it, “The next best thing to actually being at U.S. Cellular Field,” and not only because it’s named after the infamous Black Sox orchestrator. The menu leaves little to be desired, offering steaks, ribs and burgers, and it features 30 TVs and – big news – a clean bathroom.
CUBS
Murphy’s Bleachers – 3655 N. Sheffield Ave.,www.murphysbleachers.com
This is the go-to spot for Cubs fans before, during and after games. Located right across the street from Wrigley’s bleacher section, Murphy’s boasts plenty of daily specials ($1 mini burgers on Mondays!), an extensive and moderately-priced beer list and it was named Chicago’s best sports bar by AOL CityGuide in 2004.
Sluggers – 3540 N. Clark St., www.sluggersbar.com (Menu)
This Wrigleyville spot loves all of its Chicago sports equally, but with the Blackhawks currently out of season, Cubs fans dominate. With over 30 TVs (including six 10-foot big screens), batting cages, skee ball and dueling pianos after every Cubs home game, you’ll never be bored (even if there’s a rain delay).
CELEBRITY
Rockit Bar & Grill – 22 W. Hubbard, www.rockitbarandgrill.com
Blackhawks phenoms and BFFs Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane enjoy this River North spot, which is definitely known better for its burgers than its plasma TVs. Slightly more upscale, this is a place where you can get the best burger in the nation, according to “Good Morning America,” but you can still enjoy the game.
Hub 51 – 51 W. Hubbard, www.hub51chicago.com
Whether it’s Jessica Simpson, the White Sox’ Gordon Beckham or the Bulls’ Kyle Korver, Hub 51 – though deemed by some to be a bit hoity-toity – is the place to see and be seen while seeing the game. If there’s a game happening sometime from 3 – 6 p.m., definitely stop by for half-price sushi, but outside of those hours, the tacos, crab nachos and ahi tuna burger are must-haves while celeb-watching.
The Fifty/50 – 2047 Division St., www.thefifty50.com
No matter what day of the week it is or what game is on, anyone from the Blackhawks’ Jordan Hendry to the Dodgers’ Marcus Thames to Jake Peavy of the White Sox flocks to The Fifty/50 for some of the best burgers, sweet potato fries and milkshakes in the city, not to mention the beer selection. Warning: Among the three levels of seating, the temptation to people-watch could interfere with your game-watching.
What’s going on in your neighborhood?
May marks the first of six festival-filled months in Chicago. With neighborhood celebrations, cultural events and performances all over the city, some are bound to be just around the corner. To help you make plans, Chicago Loopster has mapped out some of the top events happening in May. For additional events and to see what’s in store June through October, check Metromix and Time Out Chicago.
View Chicago Events – MAY 2011 in a larger map
Featured Events:
Belmont-Sheffield Music Festival – Now in its 27th year, this street party features national, regional and local bands, food, beer, fashion, and arts and crafts – all located at the epicenter of Lakeview.
Celtic Fest – Celtic musicians, bagpipes and fun contests.
Cinco de Mayo Festival – A three day festival celebrating Mexican culture and the holiday. There will be live music, food, arts and crafts, and activities for all ages.
Green City Market – Outdoor farmers market.
Mayfest – This three-day event kicks off Chicago’s festival season with music, dancing, food and the seventh annual Chicago Pet Parade and Dog Expo.
Randolph Street Market Festival – A festival where you can shop for antiques, vintage collectibles and designer apparel from more than 200 dealers as well as enjoy some food and beer.
Turkish Festival – From eating baklava to watching whirling dervishes spin in circles, this festival focusing on Turkish culture will be both educational and entertaining.
Wine Riot – A national event that offers 250 wines from around the globe for you to sample along with wine seminars, fun activities and a DJ.
A weather-proof summer solution
With how much rain Chicago’s been getting, planning weather-proof activities may be the thing to do this summer. Fortunately we’ve found just the place, Bottle & Bottega.
What is it Bottle & Bottega doesn’t offer your typical art classes. They organize BYOB “art parties” where you paint along with a professional artist and go home with something to hang up on your wall.
Who started it Stephanie King-Myers, 37, is the daughter of a French artist and has been painting her whole life, often replicating the work of others. Her husband, Nick, attended art school and mostly works with pencil and charcoal. Art was always more of a passion than a profession for the two of them, but that all changed in 2009 when they both got laid off from their jobs at a luxury spa network.
“A couple weeks later a friend of ours came over and we were painting,” King-Myers says. “She’d never painted before and told us how jealous she was that we could do it.” Convinced it was easy, King-Myers and her husband told their friend to print something she’d like to paint. Then they opened a bottle of wine and set her up with a canvas and paintbrush. “Her painting turned out great,” King-Myers says. “We thought, what a great idea this is.”
It turned out the concept already existed in several states and similar businesses were popping up everywhere. King-Myers knew they were on to something, so she started Bottles & Brushes with her husband playing a supportive role. The business was mobile and included private events at people’s homes and public events at local venues. But soon enough, King-Myers met Nancy Bigley who became co-owner and helped the company, now Bottle & Bottega, open its doors in Lakeview this March.
“We’re still the only ones in Chicago so far,” she says.
How it works The three-hour events range from BYOB studio parties to couple’s nights, kid’s parties, fundraisers, bachelorette parties – with optional nude models – and now, mosaics. A typical night has anywhere from a minimum of five to a maximum of 65 people and is led by local artists, with one artist for every 10 to 12 people.
The first half hour is devoted to mingling, enjoying light snacks and opening your bottle of wine, something King-Myers calls “uncorking your creativity.”
“A glass or two is all you need to feel more comfortable and a little braver,” she says. “It’s intimidating to look at a blank canvas or a piece of artwork that you think looks difficult.”
For the remainder of the time, participants follow along with a local artist teacher who shows them how to mix colors, draw the basic shapes and build upon them – all with a glass of wine nearby. For those who want something different, there is the option of replicating one of the paintings on the walls or in the art book.
“Everyone has an inner artist, even people who struggle with stick figures,” King-Myers says. “One of our greatest challenges is letting people know that there is absolutely no experience needed.”
But if someone is struggling or frustrated, the teachers are happy to help. Walking out unsatisfied “very, very, very rarely happens,” she says. “Everyone is always surprised.”
Why we like it There’s wine, nice people, soothing music and a beautifully decorated and colorful studio whose large street view windows evoke the feeling of painting outdoors. As if that’s not enough, the experience is therapeutic and provides the opportunity to exercise a part of the brain that often gets neglected sitting in front of a computer all day.
In the end, it doesn’t even matter if you get dirty or color outside the lines because you will walk away with something that holds personal meaning and can be hung in your home.
“Watching people who thought that they didn’t have an artistic bone in their bodies realize that they’re capable of something creative,” King-Myers says, “is an empowering thing.”
Details Classes are offered almost every day for around $35. Check their website to see the schedule and register for an event.
Battling winter humdrum via the air, land and sea
Winston Churchill once said in one of the most famous speeches of the second world war, “we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender.”
In a lot of ways, this quote is analogous with a Chicagoan’s take on summer in the Chi. For months we are pounded with unforgiving snow and winds (blitzkrieg, anyone?). Finally, when we believe all could very well be lost, the month of June arrives. Much like Churchill’s speech did for the Allies, June fills residents of Chicago with a newfound hope. The warmer weather gives us the will to conquer the evils that are the wintertime blues, finally giving us the strength to proclaim:
We shall fight the wintertime blues on the lake, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength while watching the airshow, we defend our dogparks, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the lakefront beaches, we shall fight on the bike paths, we shall fight in the baseball fields and in the street festivals, we shall fight in museums, which are free on certain days; we shall never surrender.
Summer battleplans have been drawn, and ChicagoLoopster can’t wait to deploy them. So, without further adieu, here are some ways to defeat the axis of evil that is a Chicago winter via the air, land and sea (or lake).
AIR
LAND
Museum Free Days 2011 –
SEA (alright, lake)
So there you have it. You know the plan of attack, now get out there and execute.
Sources:
ExploreChicago.org
Amairservice.com
Chicagoparkdistrict.com
ExploreChicago.org
ChicagoMultisportz.com
Waterriders.com
Chicagoparkdistrict.com
Front page photo: DVIDSHUB
