Best Bars To Watch The U.S. Open In Chicago
With the popular U.S. Open tennis tournament scheduled for two weeks -- August 25 to September 8, 2014 -- there are plenty of chances to tune in and root for your favorite tennis star. Unfortunately, in Chicago, there are no "tennis" bars per se. Fortunately though, there are plenty of sports bars where you can hang out and throw back a few drinks while the tennis pros lob balls back and forth. Check out these five bars around the city.
The Pony Chicago
1638 W. Belmont Ave.
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 828-5055
www.theponychicago.com
By night, The Pony is a hopping bar with a DJ on site pumping out the beats, and by day, this Lakeview bar is a casual, neighborhood bar. No matter what time of day you go, The Pony makes it easy to watch the match -- because each and every table has its own personal TV. That goes for the upstairs too, where there's a retractable roof, so you can pretend you're in the stadium. While you watch the match, you can also dine on gourmet pub grub from Brian Jupiter, from tacos and sliders, to pizzas, sandwiches and burgers.
Public House
400 N. State St.
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 265-1240
www.publichousechicago.com
With 27 plasma TVs around the bar -- along with an 84-inch video wall -- there are plenty of screens to check out the tennis tournament. Even better, this Loop hotspot also has multiple tables with table taps, with both beer and liquor. While you pour your own drinks and watch the matches, enjoy gastropub food, including flatbreads, sandwiches and tacos. If you're not at one of the table taps, there are still plenty of beers on the extensive menu. Public House also serves brunch.
West End Bar & Grill
1326 W. Madison St.
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 981-7100
www.westendwestloop.com
While popular as a spot to go to before a game at the United Center, with its plethora of TVs (33 to be exact), it's also a great place to catch a televised match like the U.S. Open. Whether you're sitting at the U-shaped bar or on the upper deck lounge, sit back and enjoy burgers, sandwiches and, best of all, the signature pizzas. West End also has a kid-friendly menu, including mini burgers and mac and cheese.
Related: Best Sports Bars in Chicago
Benchmark
1510 N. Wells St.
Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 649-9640
www.benchmarkchicago.com
With Benchmark's retractable roof over its beer garden, it will feel like you're right there in the Queens tennis stadium. Pair that with 46 TVs, and you've got the makings for a great hangout during the U.S. Open. While you watch the tennis matches, sip on your choice of over 30 bottles of wine or a variety of both draft and bottled beer, and eat miniwiches, pizza, salads, wraps and more.
Joe's Bar
940 W. Weed St.
Chicago, IL 60642
(312) 337-3487
www.joesbar.com
Joe's Bar is, by far, one of the biggest bars in all of Chicago, in part because it's also a live music venue featuring five party rooms in a 200,000-square-foot warehouse-style location. But with a combination of 110 televisions and projector screens, it's also the perfect place to watch any game. For some game days, it even accepts reservations for parties of three or more. Even if you don't have a reservation, just show up and the friendly staff will lead you to the perfect spot at the bar to watch the tennis tournament.
Related: Chicago's Top Bars for Niche Sports
Elizabeth SanFilippo is a freelance writer, who enjoys trying new foods from all over the world. But her favorite city for culinary treats will always be Chicago. When not writing about food, she's scribbling novels, and TV show reviews and recaps. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
