Opening Day Guide 2026
We’ve been waiting all winter to say this… let’s play ball! Cubs Opening Day is on Thursday March 26th this year, against the Washington Nationals. Wrigleyville is where Chicago goes to play, and there’s no other neighborhood better to soak up Cubs season than the one that surrounds Wrigley Field! Here are some of the best Opening Day Parties & Specials.
How to Get to Wrigley Field
You did it! You got your tickets to a Cubs Game, and now all that is left is to figure out how to get there! Whether you’re driving, taking public transit, or planning a pleasant walk, getting to this iconic Chicago landmark can be a breeze. Here’s your guide to navigating your way to the friendly confines.
Public Transportation
All of Chicago Transit uses Ventra Cards. You can pick them up at the stations, but if you download the app on your phone, you’ll be able to simply tap your phone against the reader and go! A 24 hour Ventra pace is $5.
From Ogilvie Transportation Center:
- Depart and walk to Lake Station, about 0.6 miles
- Board the Red Line Towards Howard
- Ride 7 Stops and exit train at Addison
- Drops you off directly in front of Wrigley Field!
From Union Station:
- Make the .02 mile walk to the Clinton Station
- Board the Blue Line toward O’Hare
- Ride 4 stops, and get off at Washington
- Transfer to the Red Line towards Howard
- Ride 7 stops and exit train at Addison
- Drops you off directly at Wrigley Field!
Bus Only
If you’re heading to Wrigley Field by bus, there are a few CTA routes that drop you right at (or very close to) the ballpark:
Get Dropped Off at the Field
#152 Addison: Runs east–west along Addison Street. Stops directly in front of Wrigley Field at Addison & Clark
#22 Clark: Runs north–south along Clark Street. Stops right at Clark & Addison (the main entrance area)
Get Dropped Off Near By
#8 Halsted: Drops you off at Halsted & Addison, very short walk to the field
Wrigleyville Bars Opening Times & Specials
Almost Home Tavern | Opening at 6 am
Specials for Opening Day:$23 Twisted Tea Pitchers, $6 Dirty Monkey Shots, and $12 Buffalo Chicken Nachos w/ Home-made Cool Ranch Tortilla Chips
Q101 is going to be broadcasting live at Almost Home Tavern. Hosts Brian & Kenzie will be there 6–10 AM! Show up early. Seriously. They’re giving away some of the hottest concert tickets of the season throughout the morning, plus exclusive Q101 swag that’s so limited it’ll be gone before your second cup of coffee. Don’t say we didn’t warn you. Come hang with B&K, kick off the baseball season the right way, and remind everyone why Cubs fans are built different.
Budweiser Brickhouse Tavern | Opening at 10 am
Specials for Opening Day: NA
Located right outside of Wrigley Field at Gallagher Way, come enjoy classic game day fare like giant pretzels, cheese curds, burgers, and more!
Country Club | Opening at 11 am
Specials for Opening Day: $30 100oz Michelob Ultra & Busch Light Towers, $5 Busch Light Drafts, $10 Dinner Burger with Fries, and $0.99 wings (minimum order of 5)
Head on over to the most inclusive Country Club around! The Country Club is celebrating the kick off to Cubs season by throwing an opening party, with some great specials.
Cubby Bear | Opening at 6 am
The Drive 97.1 FM will be broadcasting live from The Cubby Bear from 6 to 10 am, and you’re invited! Cold beers, classic rock, and that first-pitch energy right in the heart of Wrigleyville. Grab your crew, wear your colors, and start the season the right way. The first 100 Drivers through the door get a free limited-edition Drive Opening Day t-shirt, and free breakfast.
Gman Tavern | Open from 10 am to 2 am
Specials for Opening Day: Specials from Malt Row Breweries AND Live Music from the Waco Brothers!
Gman is one of the best places in town to catch local live music. Get game day started with this Chicago band, and beer from a Chicago brewery, Malt Row! Doors open at 10 am, music starts at 11 am.
Graystone Tavern | Open from 9 am to 2 am
Specials for Opening Day: $5 Corn Dogs $5 Old Style Tall Boy $6 Cubbie Bomb $8 Cold Brew Irish Coffee $10 Chicago Handshake $30 Surfside Buckets
Graystone has a huge heated patio, tons of TVs, and always a great high energy.
Home Away From Home | Open from 9 am to 2 am
They’ll be kicking off the day with the Home Game Pre-Game Brews & Buns package, and selling tickets at three different tiers.
$20 Domestics and Dogs
$30 Domestics, Wells, and Dogs
$50 All Cocktails, Beers, THC Cans, and Dogs
Kincade’s Wrigleyville | Opening at 9 am
Specials for Opening Day: $3 Proper No. Twelve, $5 Guinness Drafts, $5 Jameson, $12 32-Ounce Vodka Lemonades, $20 Domestic Buckets, $25 Seltzer Buckets, $7 Skrewball, $8 Green Tea Shots. Also, FREE HOT DOGS: Available 1 hour before through 1 hour after every Cubs home game, with a drink purchase (alcoholic or mocktail).
Kincade’s has been open in Lincoln Park for over 40 years, but their new Wrigleyville location opened just in time for baseball season. Come check out the new kid on the block!
Merkle’s Bar & Grill | Open from 8 am to 2 am
Specials for Opening Day: Velocity Music Festival Takeover featuring live music by Cody Lee! $5 Espresso martini shots
Come on in for live music, great food, and cold drinks!
Uncommon Ground | Opening at 11 am to 10 pm
Specials for Opening Day: New beer release 4% Mexican Lager on tap for the first time on opening day
Uncommon Ground is your spot for a coffee pick-me-up, or a signature craft brew on a game day afternoon.
Murphy’s Bleachers | Opening at 8 am
This spacious sports bar is ready to welcome fans bright and early, opening at 8 am!
Roadhouse 66 Gas N’ Grill | Opening at 8 am
This bar is an official Vikings Bar and Iowa Hawkeyes bar, but that’s not stopping them for celebrating our hometown Cubbies! Get the day started at 8 am!
Sports Corner | Opening at 8 am
Special for Opening Day: $10 Cubby Bear Lager
Stretch Bar & Grill | Opening at 9 am
Specials for Opening Day: $10 hot dog & beer, $6 Cubs Bombs, $6 Espresso Tini shots, $5 baby Guinness, $50 Beer Tower and Appetizer Sampler, and $20 burger + beer combo
Stolen Saddle | Opening at 9 am
Specials for Opening Day: $5 196 Seltzer cans, $20 buckets of 196 Seltzers, and $8 margaritas as part of their Marg Madness special during March Madness. The margarita special runs through April 4 and will also be available on Cubs game days.
Cubs Opening Day Celebration with US99, Chicago’s country station! From 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, appearances by US99 personalities Melissa, Austin, and Kyle • Live music from 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM • Prizes and giveaways, click here for full details.
Vines on Clark | Opening at 9 am
Come swing by this neighborhood favorite, who has the largest patio in Wrigleyville!
Yak-Zies Bar & Grill | Opening at 7 am
Specials for Opening Day: $7 Miller Lites, $5 White Claws, $5 Tullamore Dew
Chicago’s finest rock station, 93XRT, is hosting their Annual Opening Day celebration at Yak-Zies! Friko will be performing live to add to the excitement. Come hungry and order the wings- dubbed as some of the best in Chicago.
Lakeview Bars Opening Times & Specials
Barcocina | Open from Noon to Midnight
Specials for Opening Day: $18 Lunch Special from noon to 3 pm
Fill up on some Mexican food before heading to the game. For just $18 you can get a three course lunch. Start with your choice of guac or salda, then a salad, followed by your choice of 2 tacos!
Clark Street Dog | Opening at 10:30 am until Midnight
Specials for Opening Day: $3 Mich Ultra drafts and $3 Old Style Drafts
The Clark Street Dog is one of the only places you can get a classic Chicago Style Hot Dog and a pickle back shot!
George Street Pub | Open from 11 am to 1 am
Specials for Opening Day: $5 Old Style Tall Boys, two hot dogs & fries for $12
George Street Pub is ready for Cubs season! They will be kicking off Opening Day with some great specials, and will be airing the game on the dozens of TVs they have, perfect for those who aren’t attending the game.
Parrot’s Bar & Grill | Opening at 11 am
Specials for Opening Day: Enjoy a buffet of hot dogs, bratwursts, and polish sausages from 12 pm – 2 pm. Tito’s promo from 6 to 8 pm, free drinks and swag!
Nothing goes more hand in hand than baseball and hot dogs. Come before the game at noon, or watch the game at Parrots for free dogs, AND play a game of pool, darts, or board games!
Pre & Post Game Happenings
Stick around the neighborhood for some entertainment, drinks, and dining! Here’s some events happening walking distance from the ballpark.
Pre-Game Brewery Tour at Uncommon Ground | 3810 N Clark| 10 am to 1 pm
Wanting to get a head start on parking but needing a way to kill time? Stop by Greenstar Brewing at Uncommon Ground for a free pre-game brewery tour! See behind the curtain at how each of the delicious brews are brought to you up at the bar, and a look at the operations at this classic Wrigleyville brewery.
Live Music at Uncommon Ground | 3800 N Clark| 7 to 9 pm
Qrunch is a jazz/funk/r&b band comprised of some of the top pro musicians in the Chicago area. Oozing jazz and funk flair, we bring crunchy chords and sweet reharmonizations to pop songs, jazz standards, VGM, and contemporary jazz! Experience your favorite songs like you’ve never heard them before! This is an intimate, seated dinner show. Buy tickets here
Cabaret at Kit Kat Club | 3524 N Halsted| Starts at 6:30 pm
This entertainment club in Northalsted hosts a variety of performances every Thursday. The shows start at 6:30 pm, but come early for happy hour which is from 4 to 7 pm, and includes $8 glasses of wine, $9 appetizers, and $10 martinis and craft cocktails.
Kincade’s Daily Specials | 3660 N Clark| All Day
If you’re looking for a nearby bar to hangout at, Kincade’s has some really cheap daily deals. On game day, they have $12 vodka lemonades, $5 Guinness Drafts, $5 Jameson, and $3 Proper No Twelve. Located right down the street from the field!
