Game on: Watch Super Bowl at suburban sports bars
Between Green Bay's shocking loss in the last five minutes of the NFC championship and questions about ball inflation levels in the AFC, fans have had a lot to talk about leading up to Super Bowl Sunday. Now it's time to see if the year's biggest game can be as dramatic as the playoffs were. Find out by heading to one of these suburban bars, which are offering sports fans food and drink specials and giveaways to make watching even more exciting.
At the Post, 554 E. Devon Ave., Elk Grove Village, (847) 364-0044, atthepostotb. com: The third annual bash includes a free half-time buffet, $10 domestic buckets and $2 drafts. Attendees also get a raffle ticket for a shot at winning a 32-inch TV.
Broken Oar, 614 Rawson Bridge Road, Port Barrington, (847) 639-9468, brokenoar. com: The bar's game plan for the Super Bowl includes a free half-time buffet, Jersey giveaways, $12 domestic buckets and table tappers and $3 Smirnoff drinks.
Coach's Corner, 152 W. Biesterfield Road, Elk Grove Village, (847) 956-1818, dacoachs. com: The bar screens the game on 27 TVs and offers a $45 package including cocktails, drafts, domestic bottles and a buffet of wings, pizza, cheese sticks and chips and salsa starting at 4 p.m. If you're not doing the package, you can take advantage of drink specials including $5 32-ounce mini-pitchers, $4 bombs and $3.75 23-ounce domestic drafts. Everyone gets a ticket for a chance to win a trip to Cancun or Puerto Vallarta when they walk in the door.
Gators Wing Shack, 1719 N. Rand Road, Palatine, (847) 705-0555, gatorswingshack. com: A $4.99 dine-in menu normally only offered at the bar is extended to the whole restaurant, giving you discounts on fare including Angus beef sliders, a half-pound of wings, waffle fries, pizza and tortilla chips with cheese and jalapeños. Pair your fare with a $3 draft or $4 Bloody Mary or screwdriver.
McQ's Sports Bar, 730 N. Bolingbrook Drive, Bolingbrook, (630) 739-1592, mcqsbar. com: Sign up in advance to reserve your seat and a $35 package including drinks and a half-time barbecue buffet. If there's space left, the deal is also available for $40 at the door.
Mullen's Bar & Grill, 3080 Warrenville Road, Lisle, (630) 505-0240, mullensbarandgrill. com: The Miller Girls make an appearance at this bash, which features prizes during every quarter and the second annual Burger Bowl during half-time, a speed-eating contest awarding burgers for the rest of the year. Drink specials include $1 domestic bottles and $4 Bloody Marys.
Old Crow Smokehouse, 1100 American Lane, Schaumburg, (847) 619-5540, oldcrowsmokehouse. com: The barbecue joint offers specials such as a $15 full slab of ribs, $15 beer buckets and $4 Jameson shots.
Real Time Sports, 1120 W. Devon Ave., Elk Grove Village, (847) 534-5000, realtimesportsbar. com: A $40 game day package includes burgers, brats, hot dogs, well cocktails, draft beer, wine and soda.
Rookies Sports Bar & Grill, 2486 Bushwood Drive, Elgin, (847) 551-9006, 4607 W. Higgins Road, Hoffman Estates, (847) 645-0005, and 1545 W. Main St., St. Charles, (630) 513-0681, rookiespub. com: Head to any of the chain's three locations for appetizers during the first quarter, a rib eye and shrimp dinner during half-time and a raffle at the end of the game, all for $50.
Sideouts Sports Tavern, 4018 Roberts Road, Island Lake, (847) 526-7174, sideouts. com: Guys pay $12, women $8 for a 40-foot buffet, half-time dessert table and postgame pizza. Buy your tickets in advance for reserved seating.
Spears, 723 North Milwaukee Avenue, Wheeling, (847) 353-8933, spearschicago. com: A $15 buffet runs 5 to 9 p.m. and drink specials include $1 PBR and $3 well drinks. Prizes and giveaways throughout the game.
Splinters Sports Pub, 2070 N. Rand Road, Palatine, (847) 991-0002, splinterssportspub. com: Reserve your seat and enjoy $3.50 domestic drafts, $4 well drinks, $5 call drinks and a half-time buffet of salad, broasted chicken, lasagna, roast beef and dessert.
Spotted Fox Ale House, 3615 E. Main St., St. Charles, (630) 584-2239, spottedfoxalehouse. com: The bar offers raffles, giveaways and party favors along with a $20 Super Bowl package featuring your choice of four appetizers. All of their 30 draft beers are $5, and other specials include 50-cent jumbo wings, $10 domestic buckets and a $4 Bloody Mary bar.