RIP Schoolyard Tavern - Chicago

[Skatastrophy]

The writing has been on the wall for a while. New people took ownership of it a few years back at which point it went downhill. They closed at the beginning of the pandemic and never reopened... though there was some twitter activity that stoked the reopening flames. The property is officially for rent.

https://southportcorridorchicago.com/2021/11/16/schoolyard-taverns-not-reopening-space-for-lease

It was a great Marquette bar back in the early 2000s, and now I have to go all the way Old Town for games I suppose. Let me know if you have better recommendations for Chicago MU bars.

Gutted bar pics

[Dr. Blackheart]

Commonwealth

https://www.marquette.edu/alumni/clubschapters-chicago.php

[Skatastrophy]

Commonwealth

https://www.marquette.edu/alumni/clubschapters-chicago.php

That's walkable, perfect I appreciate it!

[Hards Alumni]

Commonwealth

https://www.marquette.edu/alumni/clubschapters-chicago.php

Sounds Socialist!

[JWags85]

Commonwealth

https://www.marquette.edu/alumni/clubschapters-chicago.php

LOL at Kirkwoods.  Better hope an IU game or a Nebraska football game isn't on at the same time.

[Galway Eagle]

Commonwealth

https://www.marquette.edu/alumni/clubschapters-chicago.php

I refuse to go back to that spot that was half notre dame fans.

But even that aside there was maybe one or two other tables of MU fans pre Covid nowhere near the turnout that Schoolyard or even Cortlands garage used to get.

[Galway Eagle]

I feel like some super cool poster posted about this awhile back

https://www.muscoop.com/index.php?topic=60810.0

But in honor of the Schoolyard I'll quote my OG post that got me on here:

Umm there already are two great Chicago MU bars between the Schoolyard Tavern and the Four Shadows.  The Schoolyard has MU cups and tshirts on game days, and mu posters and flags, great food, and is right off the brown line.  Whereas the Hidden Shamrock is a place where a bunch of Depaul students go... I should know my girl friend is a senior there. 

[Skatastrophy]

I feel like some super cool poster posted about this awhile back

https://www.muscoop.com/index.php?topic=60810.0

But in honor of the Schoolyard I'll quote my OG post that got me on here:

This happened two days ago. They've been in and out of there and teasing on social media since then.

Edit: Commonwealth was great. Game was on the TV's, sound was on. Plenty of alumni there. Would recommend.

[drewm88]

Will's is a decent backup option if the schedule aligns. Definitely a Packer/Badger bar but happy to let Marquette tag along.

Haven't been to Hidden Shamrock for a game in years, but even though they used to advertise being a Marquette bar, it was news to every employee.

[Galway Eagle]

This happened two days ago. They've been in and out of there and teasing on social media since then.

Edit: Commonwealth was great. Game was on the TV's, sound was on. Plenty of alumni there. Would recommend.

Ah gotcha, I only was going off eater's list of closures during the pandemic.

Maybe I'll give commonwealth another shot at some point.

[Warriors4ever]

We went to Schoolyard a couple times, the last being the game against Kansas in 2003. It was so jammed that we left and watched the rest of the debacle on our own at Bernie's.
Have gone to Commonwealth, though not recently.

[JWags85]

Will's is a decent backup option if the schedule aligns. Definitely a Packer/Badger bar but happy to let Marquette tag along.

Gross.  Hard pass.  That is the de facto Badger bar with red everywhere.  Even your description of it is bad.

[Galway Eagle]

Gross.  Hard pass.  That is the de facto Badger bar with red everywhere.  Even your description of it is bad.

I don't think it's that bad. Used to watch the UW/MU game there with my UW alum cousin and there was usually a decent MU crowd that'd show up.

[Skatastrophy]

Have you guys tried the Friday Fish Fry at Will's? I'm trying not to get my hopes up, but I want a good fish fry.

[Galway Eagle]

Have you guys tried the Friday Fish Fry at Will's? I'm trying not to get my hopes up, but I want a good fish fry.

IMO it's standard beer battered cod. I'm not going out of my way for it as there's better ones at various Irish pubs around the city.

[swoopem]

I lived across the street from Will's for 4 years. As long as it's not a badger or packer game day it's an awesome bar. Went there for lots of MU games and always enjoyed it. $3 high life bottles were fantastic

[drewm88]

Gross.  Hard pass.  That is the de facto Badger bar with red everywhere.  Even your description of it is bad.

I've been backed up by others, but if you're looking for a place that will have it on and featured (assuming no GB/UW conflict), it works. Plus decent food.

[drewm88]

Have you guys tried the Friday Fish Fry at Will's? I'm trying not to get my hopes up, but I want a good fish fry.

Just wait until the game ends and make the walk over to Duke of Perth instead.

[Galway Eagle]

Just wait until the game ends and make the walk over to Duke of Perth instead.

Now that's a fish fry! Used to live around the corner from there.

[swoopem]

I've been backed up by others, but if you're looking for a place that will have it on and featured (assuming no GB/UW conflict), it works. Plus decent food.

On the bar food scale, Will's food is much better than decent. Their burgers or their cheesesteak was always my go to 

[Chili]

I usually went to Corltand's Garage in Bucktown for games.