If you’re anxiously waiting for the clock to strike 5:07 p.m., allow me to provide some relief. Before the Cubs face off against the St. Louis Cardinals, you’re going to need to make some plans for tonight—unless, of course, you prefer to stress barf in the comfort of your home. If not, here are 15 bars and restaurants that are playing the game and serving up daily specials. Let’s do this.
Butch McGuire’s
20 W. Division St. 312-787-4318
Stop by the Gold Coast staple for $5 pours of Goose Island Green Line pale ale and Goose IPA or the whiskey of the month deal with Old Forester, which includes $5 shots and $6.50 mixed drinks. Hit up the food menu for $9.99-or-less entrees. 11 a.m.-4 a.m.
Division Ale House
1942 W. Division St. 773-384-6886
During happy hour from 6-9 p.m., sip on $4 16-ounce drafts, $4 well cocktails and $5 glasses of wine. Order an Ale House Punch cocktail, on special for $6 tonight, and the bar will donate $1 to the Susan G. Komen organization. Soak it all up with $5 hand-breaded chicken tenders with fries and dipping sauce while the kitchen is open from 4 p.m.-midnight.
Joe’s Bar
940 W. Weed St. 312-337-3486
Enjoy free hot dogs before the game begins (4-5 p.m.) or go for the complimentary peanuts and Cracker Jacks, $4 Revolution and Shiner Oktoberfest beers and Smirnoff vodka drinks throughout the evening. 11 a.m.-midnight.
Rockit Bar & Grill
22 W. Hubbard St. 312-645-6000
Chow down on the River North bar’s Gameday menu, which includes pork belly sliders ($4 each), green chicken chili nachos ($14) and buffalo fries ($12). 11:30 a.m.-2 a.m.
Fatpour Tap Works
2005 W. Division St. 773-698-8940
The Wicker Park bar has you covered with their usual daily special: $3 PBR tallboys, $5 fatpours, $7 cheeseburgers with your choice of two sides and $5 Jameson shots. They’ll be accepting table reservations 2 hours prior to the game. 5 p.m.-2 a.m.
Ceres’ Table
3124 N. Broadway Ave. 773-922-4020
Break the curse by eating the goat. Executive chef Craig Degel created the Curse of the Goat pizza with goat sausage, caramelized onions, kale and aged goat cheese ($17) especially for the postgame season. 5:30-10 p.m.
The Fifty/50
2047 W. Division St. 773-489-5050
From 4-7 p.m., take advantage of the happy hour deal for $4 drafts, $5 glasses of wine and $6 old fashioneds. 11 a.m.-2 a.m.
McFadden’s Restaurant & Saloon
1206 N. State St. 312-475-9450
Munch on $5 wraps and sip $3 drafts while you watch the game with sound. 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Theory
9 W. Hubbard St. 312-644-0004
Make it there between 4-6 p.m. and enjoy the happy hour special: $15 pitchers of Miller Lite and Coors Light and $5 Svedka mixed drinks. 11 a.m.-2 a.m.
Giordano’s
1040 W. Belmont Ave. 773-327-1200
The pizza spot’s Lakeview location shows the game with sound, and it and six other city locations serve up large “Fly the W” deep-dish pizzas (starting at $23.75) topped with a “W” made out of cheese in honor of the team’s win flag. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Chop Shop
2033 W. North Ave. 773-537-4440
Head to the Wicker Park restaurant for $3 hot dogs, $3 select beers or a $6 PBR with a shot of Malort or Fireball. 5 p.m.
Glascott’s Saloon
2158 N. Halsted St. 773-281-1205
If you’re hanging around Lincoln Park, Glascott’s is offering $4 shots of Jameson and Fireball, $15 domestic buckets, $5 cocktails and $5 drafts. 10 a.m.-2 a.m.
High Noon Saloon
1560 N. Milwaukee Ave. 773-227-9339
Daily specials include $4 Shiner Bock drafts, $3 1792 small-batch bourbon whiskey shots and $3 Hornitos Reposado tequila shots. 4 p.m.-2 a.m.
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Third Rail Tavern
1133 W. Madison St. 312-432-9107
Whiskey flights ($15) and quesadillas ($5 cheese, $7 chicken and $8 Steak) are on special at this West Loop spot. 11 a.m.-2 a.m.
Merkle’s Bar & Grill
3516 N. Clark St. 773-244-1025
Cubs manager Joe Maddon said last month that his goal in life is to own a bar called The Pink Flamingo. He’ll be able to at least visit one in Wrigleyville, where Merkle’s has renamed itself for the month and decked out the space with a 5-foot inflatable bird, flamingo drink stirrers and pink flamingo lights. They’re also serving three $8 cocktails named for Maddon’s pet flamingos and donating all proceeds from those drinks to Susan G. Komen Chicagoland Area. 5 p.m.-2 a.m.