As the city gears up for the Bears’ first home game of the season, don’t sleep on college football games playing across the city.
This year marks the first for Chicago State University’s Division 1 football team — that technically makes them Chicago’s only Division 1 team. (Sorry, Wildcats.) And CSU’s come out swinging!
But if you’re cheering for another Midwest alma mater, here are some sports bars to watch from. (Perhaps unsurprisingly, most are around Lincoln Park.)
Illinois Schools
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Budweiser Brickhouse Tavern in Lakeview
- Finley Dunne's in Lakeview
- Joe’s on Weed St. in Lincoln Park
- Tree House Chicago in River North
- Weather Mark Tavern in South Loop
Northwestern University
- Ridgeville Tavern in Evanston
- Bluestone in Evanston
- Beacon Tap in Des Plaines
- Kincade’s in Lincoln Park
Other Midwest Schools
Indiana University
- Kirkwood in Lincoln Park
- Sluggers in Wrigleyville
- Finley Dunne's in Lakeview
- Joe’s on Weed St. in Lincoln Park
Purdue University
- Warehouse Bar & Pizzeria Chicago in Lincoln Park
- Fireplace Inn on the Near North Side
Michigan State University
- Tin Lizzie in Lincoln Park
- Wild Goose in Lincoln Square
- Corcoran’s Grill & Pub in Old Town
- Hopsmith in Gold Coast
- The River Kitchen + Bar in Lakeview
- Stretch Bar in Wrigleyville
- Emerald Loop in the Loop
University of Michigan
- Moe’s Cantina in River North
- Fatpour in Wicker Park
- Sully’s House in Lincoln Park
- Duffy’s Tavern and Grille in Lakeview
Ohio State University
- The Butcher’s Tap in Lakeview
- Woodie’s Flat on the Near North Side
- Gaslight in Lincoln Park
University of Wisconsin–Madison
- Will’s Northwoods Inn in Lakeview
- Lottie’s in Wicker Park
University of Iowa
- Clover Sports & Leisure in River West
- Merkle’s Bar & Grill in Wrigleyville
- Theory in River North
- Four Shadows in Lincoln Park
University of Minnesota
- The Other Side Bar in Lincoln Park
University of Nebraska—Lincoln
- Kirkwood in Lakeview
