Good Sports Bars in River North?

My friends are looking to watch the Indianapolis Colts game on Saturday afternoon. Are there any decent places for NFL games around there? I've been to Mother Hubbards, which I liked, but am looking for other suggestions.

Mention ESPN Zone, and you're dead!

The following will be of no help:

though I live nearby I've never been to any venues in that benighted corridor of taverns(hell, I hate venturing up that way on a weekend night, period)

I don't watch sports(unless billiards is a sport...and, then I just view whatever marathon in order to catch stilletto-hobbled---well, culturally...certainly not physically), absurdly-sexually-dimorphic-looooongblackhaired-Asian women kick white boys' asses at the table)...bam...bam...bam

however, last Halloween-ish a visiting friend n I were late for the Pump Room...then...I hazily circumvented Zebra Lounge...we were near Mother's Too...saw empty pool tables...et voila!

I thought...dear lord...what am I getting myself into?

but, apparently we amused the bartendress who comped our rounds of pool...we in turn taught her a shot...the much-loved(in certain bars) cowboy cocksucker

she, in turn concocted something tastily-similar, a "wet pussy," I believe

so...I recommend Mother's Too; not for the sports-watchin', or testosterone-poisoned camaraderie, but for the pool, and, at least on that night, the awesome bartender(ess)

Are you looking for the hootin' and hollerin' types of "sports bars," or just a place with a good LCD tv, good drinks and decent food to munch on?

aschie30 wrote:Are you looking for the hootin' and hollerin' types of "sports bars," or just a place with a good LCD tv, good drinks and decent food to munch on?

Definitely the latter!

If you're going with the latter, Shaw's Oyster Bar has a good flat screen TV. You can park yourself at the bar, imbibe in decent drinks and slurp down some oysters. It generally has a semi-engaged, but far from obnoxious, sports-watching crowd.

Try Harry Caray's @ 33 W Kinzie or a little farther north Jake Melnick's at 41 E Superior.

thanks for the suggestions, everybody.

For the non - hooting, less crowded places -

There's a new bar called Patrick's on the Corner of Erie and Franklin. It took over the space where Leona's was. Sorry - I can't find an address, it's that new - but it's above Spy Bar in the building with the fake yuppies climbing the facade.

It fits the description perfectly - a few flat screens, good beer on tap (Karmeliet, Veltins, Allagash and 3 Bros.- Heavy Handed IPA) and probably won't be crowded since it's new. Comfy seating areas. I can't speak for the food yet, but the menu looks like the usual scaled-up pub stuff - mini burgers (which were just fine, the only thing I've tried so far) frites, etc.

Over on that side of River North you've also got Green Door and Club Lago with servicable TVs near the bar and good drinks.

I should mention that bars in this area are typically closed on Sundays, (if you're hopeful about future games) But the Brehon Pub and Clark St. Ale House are open on Sunday and have TVs.

www.clublago.com
331 W. Superior

www.greendoorchicago.com
678 N. Orleans

www.brehonpub.com
731 N Wells St

Clark St. Alehouse
742 N. Clark St.

kiplog wrote:There's a new bar called Patrick's on the Corner of Erie and Franklin. It took over the space where Leona's was. Sorry - I can't find an address, it's that new - but it's above Spy Bar in the building with the fake yuppies climbing the facade.

Patrick's was totally dark last night at around 7 pm. There were no signs indicating a reason. I suppose they could be closed on Tuesdays, but I'd suggest calling ahead or being ready to go somewhere else.

germuska wrote:Patrick's was totally dark last night at around 7 pm. There were no signs indicating a reason. I suppose they could be closed on Tuesdays, but I'd suggest calling ahead or being ready to go somewhere else.

And again tonight, before 5 pm. I think that's all she wrote for Patrick's.

I really didn't think the place was long for this world, but that must be some kind of record. Less than a month open, I think.

Yea, Patrick's is closed. I didn't curse it by mentioning it did I?

If I have that kind of power I should mention the ESPNZone.

Thought it might be worth mentioning - Patrick's now has a sign outside calling itself "HopHaus" and announcing an opening date of March 15.