Bar: Murphy’s Bleachers

Location: 3655 N Sheffield Ave, Chicago, IL 60613

Score: 8.8/10

With the baseball season officially kicking off today in Japan, I thought this would be a great time to review one of my favorite bars in Wrigleyville. Murphy’s Bleachers has been at its same location for over 80 years. They have changed owners multiple times in the bar’s history. It was once named Ernie’s Bleachers and Ray’s Bleachers until the current owner, Jim Murphy purchased the bar in the 80s. Wrigleyville is a special place. If you are reading this and you have not visited, you need to, to fully understand the magic feeling that occurs when you are about to enter the Friendly Confines. Whether you love or hate the Cubs, you will have a great time. The bar scene Is immaculate and one of the cornerstone bars is Murphy’s Bleachers. If you are watching the game on T.V. I can almost guarantee you that they pane over to this bar to show all the people pre gaming for the Cubs game and to see what witty saying is on the board outside of the bar. Typically this saying makes fun of the other team or references a Cubs player, usually with a play on words. Every game day, I know I get excited to see what is on the board. 

From the outside of the bar itself, it is directly across from the stadium, putting it at the primest of prime locations. Seriously, you could throw a baseball and hit Wrigley from the bar. You are that close. The outside of the bar is an impressive space. The outside patio wraps around the bar which is perfect for the beautiful Chicago summers. The bar also has a rooftop, which was added to the bar in 1984. This is such a good area to see over Wrigleyville. Just adds even more space to an already spacious bar. 

The inside of the bar is even bigger. The inside has multiple bars, making service very efficient on busy game days. In the front, you have a bar which can lead you out to the patio, this bar has a decent amount of space. The decor of this bar might be hit or miss if you are not a Cubs fan. As a die hard myself, I love the decor. It shows decades of rich Chicago Cubs history lining all the walls. The walls themselves have brick mixed in, which always speaks to a bar’s age. 

My favorite part of the bar is the back bar. The back bar area is sweet. The bar itself might be the prettiest bar I have ever seen. The bar is a giant oak bar that has been kept in immaculate shape. I do not think we have declared a “prettiest bar top”, but I will do so now, this goes to Murphy’s oak bar top. Behind this bar, is some stained glass, along with some gold plated beer taps. Everything about this particular bar area is great. 

Even if I was not going to a Cubs game or it was the off season, I would still visit Murphy’s Bleachers in a heartbeat. Everytime I visit it feels like the first time. I never have a bad experience and everyone around you is in a great mood. This is an example of a bar that tends to be very hyped up, but lives up to every ounce of expectations. 

If you want to see a bar with rich history in Chicago, before you attend a Cubs game, make it Murphy’s Bleachers. When you leave, you will already be planning your next visit. 

Decor: Great Chicago Cubs decor. Decades upon decades of history lining the walls. 

Price: Fair prices for the area. You are paying $5-$6 for a domestic, which is fair for the area.

Service: Great service, the place is always busy, yet customers are served promptly. 

Atmosphere: A very welcoming, cozy atmosphere. Everyone is having a good time and excited to cheer on the Cubs.

Cleanliness: Place stays relatively clean. Can get a little sloppy on game days, but at no fault to the bar. Mostly, because of patrons that have had far too many Old Styles.

Bonus Points: None.