As a parent who schleps his kid all over Chicagoland for soccer matches, I would like to know where the soccer bars are so that we can catch matches when they coincide with where we are. And with Fire games now being ONLY on Apple+, and knowing that a lot of sports bars don't have the MLS package, I'm looking to all of you for help finding Fire matches. So I thought I would start a thread (maybe there's already been one, but I haven't seen it in years, so I'm guessing that it's out of date) where we can all post places to watch the beautiful game in the region (and, frankly, I'd be cool with people posting places in state adjacent places like Wisconsin and Indiana). I'll start with the obvious one. Heineken Pub97 3626 N Talman Ave Chicago, IL 60618 Carries: Chicago Fire matches. I've also seen World Cup and Premier League there. Not sure about other leagues. Mods: Maybe pin this thread?
https://www.chicagofirefc.com/watchparties Fire Pitch Watch Party Location: 3626 N. Talman Ave., Chicago IL, 60618 Coors Light Away Day at The Embassy Location: 1435 W Taylor St, Chicago, IL 60607 Revolution Brewery - 3340 N Kedzie Ave - Avondale A.J. Hudsons Public House - 3801 N Ashland Ave - Lake View Will's Northwoods Inn - 3030 N Racine Ave - Lake View Albion Manor - 1480 W Webster Ave - Lincoln Park Go Tavern - 3219 W. Armitage Ave - Logan Square Harry Caray's Tavern - 700 E Grand Ave – Near North Side One City Tap - 3115 S. Archer Ave - McKinley Park Passport Barroom - 1601 West Grand Avenue – West Town The Globe Pub - 1934 W Irving Park Rd - North Center R Public House - 1508 W Jarvis Ave - Rogers Park Revolution Brewpub - 2323 N Milwaukee Ave - West Town
The James Joyce in Berwyn at the tracks and Harlem has both sympathetic footy enthusiasts in the ownership and bartenders so I can't say for certain they have Apple + but if I was a bettin' man I'd put my money on yes. I also once watched a game at Irish Times but I kinda had to ask them to put it on so I wouldn't put money down on that bet.
Another MLS broadcast service that is only offered to businesses is through DirecTV. The bars that have it probably don’t even know they do.
Just call them. Chalkie is the owner and a true Irishman and if Miroslav (aka Miro) is still working over there slinging drinks he'd be happy to put the game on. Miro runs the indoor men's league over at the Max McCook "Miro Soccer" and I called over there a few times over the years because I wanted to catch various games I didn't get at home (often USMNT or various qualifiers) and they'd hook me up with a TV a stool and all the beverages I wanted. GIve 'em a shot?
After my son's match it Lake Zurich today, I called around to a BBQ joint and a few sports bars. None of them were showing, or had the ability to show, the Fire game. So, basing hope in the Irish on experience from Spain and Fado, I tried TJ O'Brien in Palatine. No luck, and for my son and I, the vibe was not welcoming. We then went to Finn McCool's in Schaumburg. No soccer (the Fire game was over, but we hoped for Real Madrid). After sitting for fiveish minutes and no greeting (seat yourself I guess means go to the bar if you want service) or soccer, we moved on to Miller's Ale House in Schaumburg. Still no soccer, even ESPN Deportes, but at least we got served.