Clinchers Sports Bar

draft beer is unbelievably awful, shots tasted watered down. but that is all for the better becasue im glad i wasnt drunk. i wouldn’t have appreciated just how much fun this bar was. hung out with all people my parents age who told us multiple times they were sure we walked in the wrong door becasue they haven’t seen people under 45 there in a long time. but they soon began to accept us and yes we had a dance circle and yes we shared stories and made plans for haircuts and dinners and her daughters birthday party. plus a block from the house. yeah yeah! amazing prices on bottled beer. and i’ve gotten beer to go from here when the liquor store was closed. (+) (+) (+)

Did me some day drinkin in here yesterday. A rainy Thursday with nothing to do was practically made for this place. Walked in around 3:00. Not a soul in sight. Enter the bartender. She promptly served us two ice cold Heinekens for a mere $ 3 a pop. You heard me folks, three measly clams. I was in heaven! Then the bartender chatted with us for a bit. I didn’t catch her name, but she was sooo sweet. A total grandma. Called us hon and doll (doll is my FAV!) The shift change rolled around and Eddie got behind the bar. He was pretty cool. He was rockin a pompadour and Drew Carry glasses. Loved it. He set us up with a couple more cold ones and turned on Pop Up Videos. I was enamoured at this point. We stayed until about 5:30 or so. Within that 2 ½ hour time slot we ended up with 2 free beers and a shot a piece. I will be back.

From the 70’s onward, Pilsen gave rise to the Clinchers, a local sports team whose photogenic large Chicago mustaches and long rebellious locks are on framed display at this little-​known corner tavern.
In order to uphold the Clinchers legacy, a handful of brothers bought the bar and doused it in neighborhood memorabilia. This beautiful well-​lit (AND CLEAN) dive spot sported wood panels, every neon beer sign ever created, Christmas lights, billiards, and the most unexpected range of juke box choices.
In addition to honoring historic Pilsen, Clinchers Sports Bar honors historic prices– $ 5.50 for large pitchers of Miller Lite, $ 2.75 Corona bottles, $ 3.00 Blue Moon… there was not one beer over $ 3.00, and with FREE games of pool, the regulars seemed to emanate complete and total bliss.
Upon entering, Cecilia the bartender walked over to shake hands and introduce herself. After 4 pitchers, she gave us one on the house. Not a hipster in sight, the bar offered a collection of characters who did not hesitate to tell us the latest «guy walks into a bar» joke, or to invite us to a BBQ at their house down the street.
One invite concerned a regular’s aspirations to DJ old school disco and guitar anthems on Friday nights. He promised us space for dancing and said he was 99% sure he could play our requests.
Well man, I’m 100% sure I’ll be there.