Wrigleyville. Minus the minty freshness.

Though I’ve been living in Chicago for a little over 3 months, I can honestly say that I haven’t had much of a desire to check out Wrigleyville. But last night I acquiesced and I met with some friends at Goose Island.

Goose Island is essentially what you would expect of a college-style sports bar. Plentiful TVs displaying the latest NCAA basketball games. Undergraduate-aged men and women yelling at the TVs while downing their brews.

The most exciting part of the bar is that, much like other local pubs in Chicago, they brew their own beer on site. Explained by the waitress as a  must drink for anyone who is a fan of Blue Moon, I quickly ordered one for myself. (No Bud Light drinkers here!) Called the Goose Island 312, it was one of the best beers I’ve had for $5 since moving to Chicago.

The canisters which hold the beer are proudly displayed behind a glass wall.

All in all, a fun experience. But a word to the wise, if you show up wearing more than what would be expected at Spring Break in Cancun, you may not fit in.

After that, we ventured across the street, amidst the throngs of drunken twenty-somethings to Celona, bar and grill. A perfect remedy to the aforementioned sports bar, here there are no TVs, and the DJ kept pumping a constant stream of 80s favorites. And by 80s favorites I mean the usual medley of Billy Jean’s sunglasses at night.

Characterized as a Tapas restaurant, I unfortunately did not partake in dining, but from what I saw around me, it seemed pretty delicious…although, one has to wonder what kind of quality of food comes with a $10 pitcher of Sangria.

The night was an interesting deviation from the norm of my much-loved dive bars. But I do suggest it for anyone looking for some good old fashioned college fun.

Some festive wall art in Celona.

-Ileana