Gameday
You’ve heard all about it: Wrigleyville. The bars, the restaurants, the park, the energy, the environment. And it’s all true – it’s one of the best gameday experiences in MLB. So how will you know what to do? Well, that’s why we’re here – to help you figure it out.
In this chapter we’ll look at:
- What to do before the game
- What to eat/drink inside and outside the park
- What to do inside the ballpark
- Points of interest
But first, a word about safety
Wrigley Field is in a great part of town. It’s officially the Lakeview neighborhood, but unofficially it’s “Wrigleyville”. And Wrigleyville has been a long-time staple for both fans and locals to pregame, postgame, and revel into the wee hours. But we do need to report that, as of spring 2025, there have been numerous reported incidents of people being robbed late at night in this area while waiting for a rideshare. Take a look at this story from our local CBS affiliate.
To the best of our knowledge, these have strictly been late-night incidents, so there’s no specific warning that would impact your enjoyment of Wrigley Field and Wrigleyville before, during, and immediately after games. But, if you’re inclined to hang out in the area into the late evening, this is something you need to be aware of.
What to do before the game
There’s just so much to do that it can easily overwhelm you. By our count there are approximately 40 bars and restaurants within two blocks of Wrigley Field, plus retail, plus points of interest, so figuring out what to do can be a challenge (and hopefully you’re here for more than one game so you can see it all). Here’s what we think are the highlights you should focus on.
Important TSI TIP: We love everything about Wrigley Field – except the food! Trust us … it’s just terrible. If you just want to have a ballpark hot dog, fine … go ahead. But believe us when we say that you will be FAR better off eating before or after the game, and just limiting yourself to snacks inside the stadium. The food inside of the stadium is bad, expensive, sometimes stale or cold (when it shouldn’t be), and you won’t find it to be a memorable experience. The only thing we might recommend is the tacos located behind section YYY, and everyone loves a good helmet cup of soft serve. (The only exception to this rule is the concessions in the bleachers, which are actually pretty solid. We will discuss those below).
Gameday Tours
Wrigley is definitely one of those ballparks that you should take an official tour of, especially since it includes the opportunity to get on the field for pictures.
The Cubs offer tours on certain gamedays, and throughout the offseason as well. You can find the details here.
Our recommendation is to try to take a non-gameday tour, since it will include access to the visiting clubhouse, the dugout, and the ivy in the outfield, which the gameday tours don’t include. These are really high-value additions, and we actually think it’s worth coming into Chicago a day early to get a non-gameday tour if you can (and happen to be catching the first day of a homestand). The gameday tour only includes the seating bowl, the bleachers, the upper deck, and the field.
TSI TIP: book your tour as soon as you know your schedule. They routinely sell out, and you don’t want to get shut out.
The iconic pregame spots
Murphy’s Bleachers
The unquestioned most iconic place for hanging out in Wrigleyville, for locals, visitors, team staff, players … everyone. It’s right across the street from the Bleacher entrance to the ballpark, so it’s set away from the rest of the Wrigleyville craziness on Clark Street. If you want a table outside, you’ll need to get there really early. Otherwise, you’ll be standing amidst a packed house, which, honestly, is just fine. They have a small menu of generic bar bites that you can pick up from the food window, but nothing particularly worth eating. If you want food, you’re better off elsewhere.
Yak-Zies
It doesn’t look like much, because it isn’t much. But it’s been there forever, and you’ll always find locals there for a low-key meal before games.
The Cubby Bear
This one sort of depends on your age. If you’re in your 20s and are looking for the hang-out spot with the club music and the sticky floors, the Cubby Bear is definitely for you. But if you’re looking for something … um … cleaner and quieter, you’ll pretty much hate it here. On the other hand, if you are able to get a table to sit down and eat, it’s a place with good energy, and you can check it off of the bucket list.
Gallagher Way
This is the park located right outside of Wrigley, built during the recent ballpark renovations. And we love it. The food options are very limited, but they’ve got (expensive) drinks, and you can sit right at the foot of the ballpark taking it all in. It’s also a good spot for kids, who can run around on the lawn.
(Note: on gamedays, you need a game ticket to enter Gallagher Way. BUT … you can enter Gallagher Way without scanning into the ballpark itself. Once you’re in Gallagher Way, you still need to enter the ballpark itself through the Gallagher Way entry gate. Meaning: if you want to check out Gallagher Way, but then still exit and go back into Wrigleyville, you can. You’re only locked in once you scan your ticket for entry into the ballpark).
Best place for games (and kids)
Lucky Strike
Lucky Strike may be known to a lot of people, since they have locations across the country. It’s a huge bar/restaurant featuring a giant arcade with video games, table games, and a bowling alley. It’s a beautiful space directly across the street from the ballpark, has good food and it’s almost always easy to get a table. While it’s not just a place for kids, kids will undoubtedly be 100% occupied here.
Sluggers
Sluggers is a long-time dive bar across from the Wrigley marquee, but its real claim to fame is its upstairs batting cages and arcade. It’s an incredibly popular place on gameday, and both kids and adults jam into it. It’s not our favorite place to just hang out and drink, as it’s pretty dark inside, and tends to smell like beer from 1935. But if you get a table on the patio outside, it’s an acceptable place for a pregame meal.
Best outdoor patios
Vines on Clark
Diagonally across from the Wrigley marquee, Vines on Clark has a large outdoor patio, with tables spread out enough to not be right on top of each other. If you can get a table here, it’s a laid-back, good place to eat and drink before the game.
Bamboo Club
Honestly, the food here isn’t our favorite. But the patio area is great. There are reservable cabanas for larger groups, and it’s a fun environment for everyone. As long as you’re ok with very average bar food, it’s a good spot.
Old Crow Smokehouse
The rooftop deck is excellent here. Larger groups can reserve table space.
Moe’s Cantina
For a reason we can’t explain, there’s never anybody up here before games. Which is to your benefit, because if you’re having a tough time finding space to pregame, head up here and you should be able to get a table.
Best Food
Budweiser Brickhouse
Trust us – we don’t get paid by the Cubs to be nice to them. But the Budweiser Brickhouse at Gallagher Way (the park right outside of the ballpark) might have the best bar food in Wrigleyville, not to mention a view that looks right over the park and stadium exterior. And the prices are in-line with other options in the area.
Happy Camper
This is a local favorite, and the pizza, although a bit pricey, is excellent. The restaurant is huge, and has both indoor and outdoor seating. If pizza is your thing, this is a great option.
Big Star
Another local favorite, Big Star has really solid tacos, good outdoor seating space, and is right across the street from the ballpark. It gets really busy, so you’ll want to be there about 90 minutes prior to game time.
Smoke Daddy
Right next door to Big Star, also across the street from the ballpark, this is the best BBQ option in Wrigley, and pretty darn solid. If you get there early enough, you can get a spot on the upstairs patio, which looks directly out at Wrigley and Gallagher Way.
Small Chevall
This is a local burger joint, and while it’s both casual and relatively inexpensive, it’s also a really nice space and a good spot for pregaming. Solid burgers, solid fries, and they also serve alcohol.
TSI TIP: try to get a table upstairs overlooking the street. It’s a good spot for watching the Wrigleyville crowd roam around.
Swift & Sons
On the corner right across from the Marquee, this is about the most upscale dining spot in Wrigleyville, and they have a good weekend brunch option. We happen to love the cheesesteak here – it’s delicious!
Best quick food/carry out options
Do-Rite Donuts
Sure, the donuts are delicious, and you can bring a box of them into the ballpark with you. But the real option here is the chicken sandwich. It’s solid, and is easy to carry out. Do-Rite is across from a Wrigley gate, so you could be in your seat eating your sandwich about five minutes after getting it.
El Burrito Mexicano
Very typical Chicago quick Mexican spot. Grab it, and you’re half a block from the gates. Easy-peasy.
Dimo’s Pizza
Chicago really isn’t a great place for finding a casual slice of New York pizza, but we actually do have a slice shop in Wrigleyville. It’s nothing particularly special, but it’s decent, quick, and way cheaper than anything you’ll get inside the ballpark. Just a five-minute walk from the gates.
Best food a little further away from the ballpark
If you’re ok with a 10-15 minute walk, there are some other spots worth mentioning.
D’Agostino’s Pizza
This is where you’ll find classic thin-crust Chicago pizza, which is actually way more of a staple for Chicagoans than deep dish. It’s on Southport Ave., which is a great neighborhood street of retail and restaurants just a quick and easy (and safe) ½ mile / 10-minute walk from the ballpark.
Cheesie’s Pub & Grub
Really good grilled cheese joint. This will hit the spot, and it’s a good option for kids. They also serve beer.
Best gameday deal
Country Club
Wrigleyville is absolutely NOT a good place to find gameday food or beverage deals – game days are when these bars make all of their money. But Country Club has the best deal you’ll find anywhere in the area: a burger and fries, plus a Michelob Ultra draft (or soft drink) for $10. We’ve had it, the burger is completely fine, and this deal can’t be beat. It’s also not usually very busy.
Best place for watching sports
Draftkings Sports Book at Wrigley Field
Attached to the ballpark, this is an amazing place to hang out and watch other games. The wall of TV’s is truly amazing, and it’s as close to the ballpark as you can get. (Note: you can’t enter the ballpark from DraftKings. But you also don’t need a game ticket to be seated there). The food isn’t all that great, and the prices are definitely not that great, but if you’ve got some other game that you want to watch, this is your place.
Best retail spots
Sports World
The OG of Wrigleyville retail, this place has a fantastic selection of Cubs (and other local Chicago teams) gear, and is right across from the Marquee. The prices aren’t all that cheaper than inside the ballpark at the team store, but they do have a clearance rack in the back that’s always full of stuff.
Wrigleyville Sports
Another spot that’s been around forever, they also have a good selection of Cubs gear.
Rally House
A recent new entrant in Wrigleyville, you probably are familiar with them. They’ve got a HUGE selection, and they’re probably the best spot for smaller souvenirs.
Baseballism
We LOVE this place. They’ve got locations next to a handful of MLB ballparks, including Wrigley, and they’ve got unique shirts, sweatshirts, and hats, all baseball-themed. And at each location, they’ll have merchandise that is specific to that location/team, which can be really cool stuff. As someone who has bought a ton of stuff there, I can tell you that the quality of their clothing is top-notch.
Best fast food options
There are more than a few. Chick-fil-A, Shake Shack, Raising Cane’s, Subway, McDonald’s, and Culver’s are all located within a quick walk. Plus quick dessert spots like Jeni’s Ice Cream and Insomnia Cookies, the latter of which makes a really solid custom ice cream cookie sandwich.
TSI TIP: the custard at Culver’s is a very solid dessert option.
Gameday baggage storage
Yes, there are two spots in Wrigleyville where you can store your bags. For more details, check out our Lodging chapter where we have the full write-up.
When entering the ballpark – stop and get a picture at the marquee
Undoubtedly the #1 picture spot at Wrigley is the famed marquee at the corner of Clark and Addison, and taking a picture there is a must. The earlier you go, the fewer people will be getting in your way, but it doesn’t matter … get the picture no matter what. Street folk will offer to take your picture with your cell phone for a tip, and that’s up to you. Our experience is that you can pretty much ask anyone standing around you to take a picture, and they will.
The other good picture spots: the statues of Ron Santo, Ryne Sandberg, Ernie Banks, Billy Williams, Fergie Jenkins, and, perhaps most popular, the statue of Harry Carry, which is located outside of the bleacher entrance, across from Murphy’s Bleachers. Honestly, it’s worth taking a lap around the outside of the ballpark to check them all out. Wrigley’s footprint is small, so it won’t take you all that long.
Points of interest inside the ballpark
The scoreboard
It’s magnificent. Go ahead, stare at it for a while. But unless you have a bleacher ticket, you won’t be able to get up close to it. Only fans with a bleacher ticket are allowed in the bleacher sections.
The outfield fence
Want to get a quick peak of the field from up close? Walk to the far right end of the 100-level concourse, behind Sections 141-142, and you can take a look at the field right through the outfield fence.
First game certificate
Like many ballparks, Wrigley offers printed certificates for fans attending their first game at the stadium. Head to section 12. You’ll be better able to keep the certificate in top shape if you have a bag with you.
The Hall of Fame
For one of the most historic teams in MLB, and one of the most historic ballparks in the world, we would expect a bit more of an effort when it comes to a Cubs museum or Hall of Fame. But as it is, they’ve got one in the outfield in the corridors leading into the bleachers. All fans can access it, but we’ll be honest: if you were pressed for time, we don’t think this is a must-see, especially if you aren’t a Cubs fan. (If you’re a Cubs fan, go ahead and check it out).
Shopping inside the ballpark
The team shops are what you’d expect: expensive. But they’ve expanded their retail offerings inside the ballpark, so if there’s something you want, head to the main store behind the first base line. (The team’s main store is located outside of the ballpark in Gallagher Way).
TSI TIP: the retail stands will usually have gameday pins, but if you collect those, head there as soon as you get into the ballpark, just to be safe.
TSI TIP: the Cubs Authentics shop, located right next door to the main stadium shop inside the ballpark, has a collection of game-used memorabilia. If you check with them later in the game, they may already have baseballs from that day’s game, and the prices for foul balls and such can be far more reasonable than you might expect. It’s worth checking out before purchasing other souvenir balls in the team store.
Pregame drinking inside the ballpark
The best spots to hang out and drink are behind the 200-level seats along Gallagher Way. You can hang out on the railing and look out over the park. Other than that, Wrigley isn’t really a “hang out and drink” ballpark if you’re not in your seats or the bleachers.
The seventh inning stretch
Please, please, please: if you remember nothing else, be in your seat at the start of the 7th inning so you are guaranteed to be in your seat in the middle of the 7th to hear “Take Me Out to the Ballgame”. You’ll either get a rendition sung by a special guest in the press box, or you’ll get Harry Caray on the jumbotron. Either way, this is one of the most iconic things you’ll experience at any ballpark, and, in the expert opinion of someone who has been to every major league ballpark on many occasions, it’s the best 7th-inning stretch there is. Everyone sings – and you should too.
Autographs
Players are free to sign autographs if they’d like, and often do. Cubs players, historically, have been fairly generous with signing autographs, especially for younger fans. Simply head down to the dugout for each team and keep your fingers crossed.
You can also try to get autographs from Cubs players after the game where they walk from the clubhouse to their cars. That’s on Waveland Avenue, next to the fire station.
Food
As we said, the food at Wrigley is just terrible. The one major exception to this is if you happen to be sitting in the bleachers. Out there, they have Chicago-centric concessions that are only available in those locations. That includes Hot Doug’s, a-one time local dog shop that is now only located in the stadium, Small Cheval, the same burger place that is located next door to the stadium, and a few others. These are very decent options, and eating out here is just fine.
TSI TIP: Small Cheval in the stadium is 50-60% more expensive than the one outside. Their Signature Double Cheeseburger is $11 at the restaurant, but $16 in the stadium (2024 prices). Fries are $4.50 vs. $7.00. If you’re a family of four, that’s a $30 difference. So if you’d like it, we say get a takeout order at the restaurant, which is located just down from the Bleacher gate, and bring it in with you.
Beyond the bleachers, the only foods we’d recommend in the stadium are the taco stand behind section 121, and, perhaps, a Chicago hot dog (which we are only recommending because some people love to taste hot dogs in every stadium, even if they aren’t good).
Clark the Mascot
Clark doesn’t have any designated picture spots/times, but you can often find him on the concourse. If you’d like a picture, you’ll just have to happen upon him.
After the game
The bars around Wrigley will often be much busier after the game than before. So if you want to find a place to sit, head directly to the bar of your choice and grab some space.
Bottom Line
If you love ballparks, and if you love baseball, we think Wrigley Field will be just about the best experience you’ll ever have. Our advice: do it all. Get to Wrigleyville early. Pick one of our recommended places to eat. Grab a drink at Murphy’s Bleachers. Do a lap around the entire stadium. Check out Gallagher Way. Get into the ballpark early. Walk the concourse, check out the Hall of Fame. Stare at the scoreboard, stare at the ivy. Grab an Old Style (which is a terrible beer, unless you’re at Wrigley, where it’s somehow much better). Grab your first game certificate, grab your hot dog (if you must), and make sure you’re in your seat for the 7th inning stretch. Wrigley is absolute magic. Have a great day at the Friendly Confines!
