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The Billy Goat Tavern

RealityChuck Oct 18 2015 04:24 PM

I'm sure most of the people here know of the Curse of the Billy Goat. But do you know that the Tavern that inspired it is still going strong? The original Billy Goat Tavern is located under Michigan Avenue in Chicago. Yes, I said "under." The street has two levels -- the main traffic level, and a second, scarcely used underground level (It was used in several scenes in Sense8). The Tavern is still there in the perpetual night. It's main claim to fame on its sign these days isn't the Curse of the Billy Goat, but rather this: [youtube]EwIhCD7T6fg[/youtube] When Belushi was with Second City, he learned about the place (Billy Murray and Don Novello actually visited there) and incorporated it into that sketch, a fact of which they are very proud. And no, they don't serve fries, just chips (though the menu is a bit more extensive than in the sketch). Also, it's Coke, not Pepsi. And, despite what you might think, the Billy Goat isn't a sports bar; it's a newspaperman's bar. It's only a block from the Chicago Tribune building and was a good place for reporters to grab a quick meal or a drink (it is definitely more tavern than restaurant). The pictures on the wall include Roger Ebert and Mike Royko. Picture of the outside. The tavern has branched off with several locations. The one at Navy Pier looks like a McDonald's, a far cry from the years of grime that is part of the original's atmosphere (well, not technically the original -- it moved to its current location in 1964).

Mets Guy in Michigan Oct 18 2015 06:03 PM Re: The Billy Goat Tavern

Very cool! Thanks for sharing!

Mets – Willets Point Oct 18 2015 09:16 PM Re: The Billy Goat Tavern

I went there for a beer and a bite when I visited Chicago in '04. Really felt like stepping back in time to the 60s/70s. And the street underneath the street is really surreal.

Ceetar Oct 18 2015 10:17 PM Re: The Billy Goat Tavern

Mets – Willets Point wrote: I went there for a beer and a bite when I visited Chicago in '04. Really felt like stepping back in time to the 60s/70s. And the street underneath the street is really surreal. yeah, was neat in that regard. I think itwas '04 when I visited too. Had a burger and an Old STyle.

Benjamin Grimm Oct 19 2015 06:47 AM Re: The Billy Goat Tavern

2004 was also the year of my most recent visit to Chicago. I didn't drink any beer or visit any taverns, though.