Billy Goat Tavern (The Original), Chicago
In the depths beneath Michigan Avenue, there exists a legendary dive known and cherished by many. This place was already the stuff of legends before John Belushi made the staff's rants immortal on 'Saturday Night Live' back in the 1970s. ("Cheezeborger, cheezeborger! No Pepsi 鈥� Coke! No fries 鈥� chips!") Even though they decided to open a second, fancier location at Navy Pier, fame hasn't changed the original dive one bit. The grub is affordable and delicious, the staff is so friendly they could charm a grizzly bear, and the people-watching? Well, it's basically an Olympic sport here. So, whether you're taking a breather from touristy stuff or making a late-night pilgrimage to this bar 鈥� a place that proudly sports wood-paneled walls and floors that have seen better days 鈥� it's either got the best atmosphere ever or... well, it depends on your perspective, really.
Now, if you're a history buff, you'll love this: The joint was founded by a Greek immigrant named Billy Sianis way back in 1934. The man bought it with a check that probably had more bounces than a kangaroo on a trampoline 鈥� but eventually, the check cleared, and the locale became a hotspot. It was so close to the Chicago Tribune and Sun-Times offices that it became the go-to hangout for ink-stained wretches and scribblers. Sianis's place was in the newspapers more often than horoscopes, thanks to popular scribe Mike Royko.
Now, let's talk curses, shall we? This tavern is also notorious for the legendary "Curse of the Billy Goat" that befell the Chicago Cubs. Here's the scoop: Billy, a die-hard Cubs fan, decided to bring his pet goat, the tavern's mascot, to Game 4 of the 1945 World Series between the Cubs and the Tigers at Wrigley Field. But Cubs' owner Philip K. Wrigley took one whiff and promptly kicked Billy and his goat out because, well, the goat stank. In retaliation, Billy placed a curse on the Cubs, declaring that there would never be another series game at Wrigley Field. And believe it or not, that curse held its own until 2016 鈥� talk about a lasting legacy!
Now, if you're a history buff, you'll love this: The joint was founded by a Greek immigrant named Billy Sianis way back in 1934. The man bought it with a check that probably had more bounces than a kangaroo on a trampoline 鈥� but eventually, the check cleared, and the locale became a hotspot. It was so close to the Chicago Tribune and Sun-Times offices that it became the go-to hangout for ink-stained wretches and scribblers. Sianis's place was in the newspapers more often than horoscopes, thanks to popular scribe Mike Royko.
Now, let's talk curses, shall we? This tavern is also notorious for the legendary "Curse of the Billy Goat" that befell the Chicago Cubs. Here's the scoop: Billy, a die-hard Cubs fan, decided to bring his pet goat, the tavern's mascot, to Game 4 of the 1945 World Series between the Cubs and the Tigers at Wrigley Field. But Cubs' owner Philip K. Wrigley took one whiff and promptly kicked Billy and his goat out because, well, the goat stank. In retaliation, Billy placed a curse on the Cubs, declaring that there would never be another series game at Wrigley Field. And believe it or not, that curse held its own until 2016 鈥� talk about a lasting legacy!
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Billy Goat Tavern (The Original) on Map
Sight Name: Billy Goat Tavern (The Original)
Sight Location: Chicago, USA (See walking tours in Chicago)
Sight Type: Food/Drink
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Chicago, USA (See walking tours in Chicago)
Sight Type: Food/Drink
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Chicago, Illinois
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