It doesn’t matter whether you call it bags, baggo or cornhole. It’s back in season. Don’t let lack of space or a board of your own keep you out of the action this summer. Just warm up your pitching arm and head to one of these bars, where you can play with a cold one in hand.
Murphy's Bleachers
Set up the boards: Play at will when the Cubs are away. Wednesdays are the most popular days.
Baggo! There’s plenty of room in the outdoor beer garden, but get there early: Lines to play form fast.
How many beans? It’s free—just ask nicely, please.
Throw ’em down: When the Cubs are off, Murphy’s offers $3 specials on all German beers, brats, and Maker’s Mark shots or cocktails.
Atlantic Bar & Grill
Set up the boards: Tournament play takes place Thursdays at 8 p.m. starting May 15. Your team will compete in 10 weeks of bags play, plus a final playoff week.
Baggo! It all goes down in Atlantic’s party room, where there’s plenty of space to play.
How many beans? $10 per team, and the winner takes the pot. The bar matches half of the pot and awards it to the second-place team.
Throw ’em down: $5 domestic pitchers and martinis and $3 shots should help your aim.
Moretti's Ristorante & Pizzeria
Set up the boards: Friday nights starting at 5 p.m, the grass around this pizzeria patio sprouts bags boards.
Baggo! There’s no league play here, so competition is all in good fun. If cornholing ain’t your bag, there’s a full-size sand volleyball court too.
How many beans? Free
Throw ’em down: Order the two-and-a-half-liter Table Topper of beer (domestics $12; imports $18). Between 4 and 8 p.m., a drink purchase gets you free access to the buffalo wing buffet.
Cody's Public House
Set up the boards: Games take place daily between 2 and 11 p.m.
Baggo! Toss ’em in the backyard beer garden. There’s also English darts and bocce ball—plus a grill you can use to show off your "Top Chef"-worthy ’cue skills.
How many beans? Free. Just leave a photo ID at the bar.
Throw ’em down: Old Style and Schlitz bottles and cans go for $2.25. Microbrews such as Dark Horse Raspberry Ale ($4.75) make a nice victory drink.
Sedgwick's Bar & Grill
Set up the boards: Wednesday nights between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m., tables and stools get pushed aside for baggo.
Baggo! Things are real laid back here. Throwing bags is just something for a drinker to do with his spare arm.
How many beans? Free
Throw ’em down: Wednesdays are microbrew nights, so a pint of Blue Moon, Goose Island, Sierra Nevada or Fat Tire is just four bucks. Line your stomach with $1 mini-burgers.
Weed's
Set up the boards: Come out when the sun goes down. Weed’s blacklight bags boards make the game a little like cosmic bowling.
Baggo! Things get set up on the large patio. The owner’s four dogs sleep where they please, so watch where you’re throwing. You don’t want to wake a sleeping dog—it might bite your bags.
How many beans? Free
Throw ’em down: With Old Style running $3.25 and any mixed drink going for just $5, it’s easy to stick around soused for a late-night game.
>>Wanna play bags in the 'burbs? Click here for for our suburban picks.
[ David Himmel is a Metromix special contributor. ]
metromix@tribune.com
Bean bags at the bar
It's in the bag! The season’s favorite pastime is at a bar near you
By David Himmel
May 7, 2008
Murphy's Bleachers
