I'm refusing to write about the on-field Cubs team right now. Every time I do when there's a glimpse of hope they decide to break my heart and lose 57 straight games. This team is better than they've been performing and if things go well, I don't see a reason to sell at the deadline. #1 farm system in baseball & not a lot of bad MLB contracts you have to really worry about. They just need their All-Stars to start playing good baseball like Ian Happ is currently doing. And did we find a closer in Mr. Bigge?? Who knows. But I'm not talking about it. But a sweep of the Orioles and I'll be totally back in. But not talking about it.
Instead, I'm ranking the top 13 places to have a beer at Wrigley field. Even if the team makes you sad and causes you to lose sleep starring at baseball reference until 4 a.m. for weeks on end, there's still no better place to be in the summer than Wrigley Field.
13. Concourse
Coming in dead last is the concourse beer. There's really no reason to ever try to enjoy your beer in the lower concourse. It's crowded, has long lines, and in the summer it's one million degrees
Pros: In the rain you can justify it but even then, I'd rather find a covered seat and watch the storm than go down into the concourse
Cons: Hot, sweaty, a lot of drunk people, can't watch the game, etc. Long list of cons here
12. 1914 Club
I very much enjoy the Catalina Club which is in the 300s behind home plate. It's an excellent place to have a beer but I didn't include it as it's own category since it's too similar to just "In your seat." Because that's really the benefit of the Catalina Club, you can have a beer in AC while still watching the game. Not the case with the 1914 club...you're under ground in a fancy River North-like cocktail bar and you're probably having an Old Fashioned instead of a cold Bud Light. Just not my scene.
Pros: All you can drink, temperature controlled, comfy seating
Cons: Stuffy environment, cocktail vibes, can't see the field
11. Gate Chug
The gate chug doesn't happen to me all that often because I'm usually timing my beers up pretty well. But because you can't exit with that beer your sometimes left with no choice but to chug as fast as you can right before walking out of the metal detectors.
Pros: It can be the perfect kick start you need to get you to your bar of choice. Sometimes your exiting like "Ehh maybe I'll just call it a day/night" but you down that half-full cup right at the exit and you find yourself swimming in the Bamboo Club pool 45 minutes later
Cons: You look like an amateur and it might make you a little uncomfortably full
10. Cubs Authentics Store
I know what you're thinking, isn't this just the concourse? It's not. It ranks higher because if you've consumed enough beer, you can impulse purchase a game-used base, autographed bat, or maybe a giant pennant flag that you have absolutely no place for. A very dangerous little place.
Pros: It's a fun little spot to impulse purchase Cubs memorabilia
Cons: The shop is tiny. Not much space to actually enjoy yourself. If someone from the Cubs is reading this, let's quadruple the footprint of the Authentics store
9. Bathroom
Not an ideal spot to be drinking a beer if it's a crowded Saturday in July. But, an April game in the cold? It's an ideal spot for a few sips to warm up. The troughs also have a really nice ledge for placement right above them to keep the beer at eye-level.
Pros: Great heating for cold weather games
Cons: It's a bathroom you're gross
8. Gallagher Way
I don't venture out to Gallagher Way during games because I'm a seamhead but I can appreciate what they've done with the space. They have beer vendors out there, a great grass area with games for the rugrats, a massive screen to watch the game, and a little splash pad spot in the summer. If you have a child this might be 1.1 for you.
Pros: You can still watch the game and entertain the little ones
Cons: You're not actually watching the game
7. In your Seat
Coming in at #7 is just in your seat. This is as basic as you get. Everyone has done it. And that's why it falls right in the middle. You're able to watch the game, sit down, and even have vendors come to you (although I don't reccomend because there's something different in the draft Bud Light). It's just nothing different so that's why it lands here in the 7th spot.
Pros: You're comfortable and watching the game
Cons: Be careful with the cup holders. Most cupholders sit on an angle and you have to consume 2-3 sips before placing it in there. There's also almost no leg room in the 400s so your beer gets spilled frequently when people are shuffling by
6. Behind The Fence Like You're Playing Right Field
This is a fun little spot. If you go all the way down on the main concourse to right field where the regular seats meet the bleachers, you'll find a little fence. They have a hard plastic covering on it so you can't really see through it but you can peak between the bars and see right out field-level. It's a cool little spot that makes you feel like you're playing DEEP right field. It might cause some congestion but I think they should implement the technology that allows fans to see out but players can't see in...would make for a nice experience.
Pros: Unique view of the ballpark. Covered.
Cons: Can't really see great so it's a short few sip kind of experience
5. Upper Deck Left Field Patio (Out Back)
One of the best parts of the recent renovations is the addition of the patios along the upper deck on both the left and right side. You get great sun light and there are plenty of vendors. This spot comes in at #5 because on the left side you have the benefit of slightly more shade and you can watch the game on the big Gallagher Way video board since the TVs out there are often times turned off
Pros: Overlooks Gallagher Way. My beer guy George is over there.
Cons: No seating and a lack of tables. Not the best view and can be a little chilly.
4. Nutrl Patio
Another post renovation addition is the Nutrl Patio. This sits on top of the Sports book and can be found on the 200 level concourse all the way down the right field line. It's a massive space with really nice, clean bathrooms. You have a nice view of Clark street so it's great for people watching. Comes in 4th here only because there aren't any TVs but you do have openings to still catch on-field game action.
Pros: Huge space. Great sunlight. Great Clark street people watching. Tables and chairs. New bathrooms.
Cons: No TVs.
3. Upper Deck Right Field Patio (Out Back)
The right field version of #5 on this list comes in as the number 1 non field-view space to have a beer. You get great sunlight, a great view of the city skyscrapers, and clark street people watching. I don't know what the TV schedule is but like I said, they're turned off for many games. But if they're on, this is an elite spot to hang and enjoy the sun and city
Pros: City views. Sun.
Cons: If the TV is off you have no game.
2. Bleachers
I'm not a bleacher guy. That's been well documented (Read Blog), however, I can appreciate how great it is for drinking a beer. The vibes are high, the sun is shining down on you, and you can even contribute to a cup snake if you so choose. You have as much space as the attendance allows for and obviously a view of the game. Not much more needs to be said.
Pros: Great in the summer, bad if it's raining or cold. Fun atmosphere of beer consumers
Cons: No vendors walking up and down so you have to seek out your beer but like I said, that's always worth it.
1. Left Field Bleachers Patio
And coming in at the #1 spot to drink a beer at Wrigley is the left field standing room only patio. This is located right above the end of the 100 level concourse where the regular seating meets the bleacher seating. You get the bleacher experience with the regular seating flexibility. You also get a unique view of the park down the left field foul pole and there's a beer vendor steps away. You get great people watching overlooking Waveland behind you, bleacher bums to the left of you, and regular seating folks down to the right of you. It's another spot that's just really fun to watch the ball fly and watch the movement of the left fielder.
Pros: Bleacher feel without needing a bleacher ticket so everyone can get together. A very unique view of the park.
Cons: Can get crowded because it sometimes acts as bleacher overflow. No seating but it does have a nice ledge.
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