When the 12 Bars of Christmas pub crawl hit Wrigleyville on Dec. 13, it rallied the most Santa hat-clad, Miller Lite-sipping revelers yet in its 13-year existence: more than 6,000.
Partiers decked themselves out in festive get-ups ranging from elf suits to star-spangled footed pajamas and met at Cubby Bear for the TBOX opening ceremonies at 10:30 a.m. before choosing from a list of nearly three dozen participating bars to create their own pub crawl adventure. The most dedicated TBOX-ers tallied 12 bars before returning to Cubby Bear at 10 p.m. for a karaoke bash.
We spent the day scouring participating bars for the jolliest of characters to answer our most pressing holiday questions.
10 a.m. Katie Hughes, 26, of Tinley Park, at Cubby Bear
What are you asking Santa for Christmas this year?
Actually, I got an iPhone. Santa found out that my cell phone broke and he came a little early!
10:55 a.m. Bernardo Figueiredo, 26 of Wrigleyville at Cubby Bear
What's your strategy for making it through the day?
Getting a good breakfast over at my friend's house with a lot of grease, and then starting slow with beer and moving into shots later on.
11:31 a.m. Jason Brown, 26, of Lincoln Park at Cubby Bear
Hey Buddy the Elf, what's your favorite color?
Syrup! Syrup color!
12:23 p.m. Michael Gassman, 26, of Elmhurst at Yak-Zies
Were you naughty or nice this year?
Definitely naughty.
12:37 p.m. Thania Cadet, 27, of Wrigleyville at Yak-Zies
Have you been on TBOX before?
No, it's my first time. So far its been fun, we're having a hard time keeping up with such a large group of friends! There's like 25 of us. We keep separating and it's like, "Wait, this person's going to finish their beer and we'll meet you there," but then we got here and everyone was ready to go already!
1:35 p.m. Amber Mallon, 26, of Lakeview (right) with Wendy Chi at The Full Shilling
What's your food-to-beer ratio so far today?
We've had three or four drinks. And a kids' meal from McDonald's and nachos!
2:01 p.m. Laura Ortiz, 24, of the South Loop (left) with Tim Tassio and Karina Macniak at The Full Shilling
Nice gift-bag dresses! What time did you get up this morning to come here?
We got up at 8:30 a.m. It's my birthday today!
2:23 p.m.: Emily Nicholl, 24, of Wrigleyville taking a lunch break at Wrigleyville Dogs
What happened to your other earring?
It broke! Do you want to know the story? It broke in the process of trying to catch cereal in my mouth from across the bar at Casey Moran's.
2:37 p.m.: Scott Salaman, 33, of Wrigleyville at Harry Caray's Tavern
What would Harry Caray think of TBOX?
Given Harry Caray and his past, I think he would embrace TBOX very much.
You're the only Jesus we've seen today. Has your costume been a hit?
It has! I'm going to make a prediction. Maybe I'm omnipotent, but I'm going to say there's going to be more Jesuses at the next TBOX.
2:51 p.m.: We spotted the highest badge numbers we'd seen all day -- 6792 and 6795 -- on Elena Bassett, 23 and Dan Arras, 24 of Wrigleyville at Harry Caray's Tavern.
3:29 p.m.: Kristen Pettit, 25, of Lakeview (left) with friend Mandy Fick at Sluggers
What do you want to find under the Christmas tree this year (besides yourself?)
We both want very cute boys!
3:42 p.m.: Sarah Gottesman, 31 of Evanston (right) with friend Ian Forde outside The Wild Hare
Love the menorah hat! Are you offended there's not an 8 Bars of Hanukkah pub crawl?
Not hardly. TBOX does not discriminate. We're representing. One girl at the Cubby Bear was so excited about my hat, she gave me gelt!
4:35 p.m.: Corey Ostrander, 25, of Lincoln Park (left) with friend Mr. Christmas at Tryst
Nice cummerbund. Where'd you get your outfit?
I've been working on it for about sixth months. Various thrift stores, eBay.
>>Ready for more TBOX pics? Check out our photo gallery of the 2008 crawl here.
Share your TBOX photos with us! Click here to upload your pics from the Dec. 13 event.
