There’s no escaping Super Bowl XLIX (this Sunday at 5:30 on NBC), but that doesn't mean you should just watch it anywhere. If you're heading out of the house to take in the game, here are the places to head if you're a superfan (or if you want to avoid the rowdiest of the crowds).
If You're a Seahawks Fan
Newport Bar and Grill
1344 W. Newport Ave., thenewportchicago.com
Hawks Nest Chicago, a group of Seattle ex-pats and Seahawks fans, have officially designated Newport Bar as the official Seahawks bar. While Seahawks fans raise the 12th-man flag, bandwagon fans are welcome to be the thirteenth and raise pints of Red Hook (think Seattle’s Goose Island, AnheuserBusch/InBev owns about a third of the company). Keep an eye out for bartenders mixing Seahawks Bombs—an audible recipe unveiled on game day.
If You're a Patriots Fan
Tripoli Tap
1147 W. Armitage Ave., tripolitap.com
Fans of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick will feel right at home at the Tripoli Tap. You’ll find cups of clam chowder for a buck and all of the Sam Adams family for $4. Tripoli Tap is also offering raffle for a VIP package: two prime seats for the game, two burgers, ten wings, two beers, and two shots. Raffle tickets are $10 with all proceeds benefiting Boston Red Sox charity the Jimmy Fund, which benefits the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. While the Patriots have been the subject of intense scrutiny since news broke about the Deflategate/Ballghazi scandal, bar co-owner Steve Nicoli promises an afternoon at his bar will be without controversy. “We’ll have properly inflated sixteen ounce pints all day long,” he says.
If You're a Katy Perry Fan
Sidetrack Video Bar
3349 N. Halsted. St., sidetrackchicago.com
While Sidetrack will show the game in part of the bar, the real draw will be the music. Between Idina Menzel letting her pipes go on the Star-Spangled Banner, John Legend singing America The Beautiful, and, of course, Katy Perry’s Half-Time show, expect plenty of fireworks.
If You Want to Watch Some High Stakes Betting
Brendan’s Pub
3169 N. Broadway St., brendanspubchicago.com
While Chris Evans (Captain America) and Chris Pine (Guardians of the Galaxy) dominated the headlines with their friendly Super Bowl wager, a pair of Chicago bartenders decided they couldn’t let two actors have all the fun. Stephen Hill of Brendan’s Pub, a Patriots bar, and Scott Johnston of Newport put some skin in the game. The loser has to dye their hair the winning team’s colors, wear the winning team’s jersey for a week, and buy the winning bartender a bottle of liquor. Hill said a Patriots victory means a bottle of Powers whiskey. Johnston will celebrate the Seahawks with a bottle of Bulleit bourbon.