Every year, the start of the baseball season brings a new sense of optimism. It also brings an opportunity to check out what recently opened up near the ballpark. So if you’re looking for a place to pre- or post-game when in Wrigleyville or Bridgeport to see the Cubs or White Sox, consider these new hotspots.
Wrigleyville
DraftKings Sportsbook
Cover the Spread and Your Appetite: Located at Wrigley Field, DraftKings’ Sportsbook lets you place bets before or after the game. Or, if the Cubs are away, catch the action on up to 25 games simultaneously with the giant screen. Fuel up with nachos, half-pound burgers, brick oven pizzas and a large assortment of craft beers.
Tin Roof
Nashville-Inspired: Step out of the city and straight into the country as you walk into Tin Roof. With country musicians playing in the front room and DJs in the back, Tin Roof is made for dancing. The menu will curb your cravings with specialties like hush puppies, candied-bacon cheese fries and walking tacos. To drink, you can choose from more than 25 specialty cocktails and shooters.
Steingold’s
Have a Nosh: Traditional Jewish deli enters the 21st century at Steingold’s. Yes, there are classics like bagels and lox and a Reuben, but also a pastrami breakfast sandwich and a take on a Cuban sandwich with corned beef and salami on challah. Steingold’s is open for breakfast and lunch, so stop in before a day game at the Friendly Confines.
Lost Never Found
Not Your Father’s Wrigleyville Bar: Disappear into the neon and disco decor at women-owned Lost Never Found, which brings a chic and flashy dining experience to the neighborhood. Head in for happy hour before a night game and enjoy half-off pizzas and appetizers, as well as $5 seltzers and $6 highballs.
Stolen Saddle
Texas Comes to Chicago: Wrigleyville’s newest spot, Stolen Saddle, adds another country bar to Clark Street, complete with line dancing lessons. Enjoy Tex-Mex fare most of the time, but the menu will change on gameday to smashburgers, wings and nachos. The drinks menu includes six margaritas and a hurricane made with bourbon.
Bridgeport
Ramova Theatre
Local Landmark Reborn: Closed for nearly 40 years, the Ramova Theatre reopened on New Year’s Eve 2023, with help from investors and native South Siders Quincy Jones, Jennifer Hudson and Chance the Rapper. It’s no longer a movie theater and diner, but rather a live music venue and craft brewery with a taproom. The decor and the chili pays homage to the original restaurant.
Dolce Arte
Pastries and Pastas: Part-coffee shop, part-Italian restaurant, Dolce Arte is tucked inside the Morgan Arts Complex. Stop by the pastry case in the morning for a cornetto — an Italian croissant — or a Nutella sourdough donut. Secure your table beforehand for dinner Wednesday – Saturday for the customer-favorite chicken limon or for a weekend brunch and try the giardiniera frittata.
Electric Funeral
Don’t Be Scared: Named after a Black Sabbath song, Electric Funeral has fun with the macabre and it always feels like Halloween. Order the bar’s namesake cocktail, made with coconut rum and blue Curaçao, and smile at the skull-shaped ice cube. Or try the Venomous Concept, served in a cobra mug. Or you can skip the tiki drinks and have a classic dive bar shot-and-a-beer.
BellyBowl
Futuristic: Colorful robot servers deliver the food to the table at BellyBowl in a manner that has to be seen to be believed. The restaurant blends Asian cuisines, with Korean bulgogi bowls sitting alongside Chinese fried rice and Japanese udon noodle soup on the menu, in an atmosphere that’s warm and friendly.
Stussy’s Diner
Past Meets Present: Stussy’s brings the corner diner into the modern era with its Instagrammable neon interior and food — check out the pink pancakes and lavender milkshakes. It’s also a family affair for founder Erik Nance; his niece is the pastry chef and his cousins are the cooks. But the biggest influence comes from his daughter; her nickname is “Stussy” and her favorite color is pink.
