WRIGLEY FIELD — Don't let a good Opening Day go to waste: Wrigleyville is serving up bar specials and free pizza in the days leading up to the Chicago Cubs' home opener.
Read up on how to get a cheap ride home after Opening Day festivities and get the scoop on the Schwarburger:
Pitch-perfect pizza
Toppers Pizza heard it's been awhile since the Cubs won a World Series title, and it's hoping to stuff that wound with free pizza. Marking the number of consecutive years the Cubs have missed out, Toppers will give away free pizza for the Cubs season to the first 108 customers in line. Starting at 10:30 a.m. Monday, be in line at 3404 N. Sheffield Ave. to cash in on decades of losing.
If a Cool CBR and Topperstix doesn't shout "Go Cubs Go" enough, get a Cubbies Pizza at Giordano's. The cheesy, stuffed deep-dish is topped with parmesan shaped like the Cubs "C" logo. The special pie is only available through Monday at five locations: Giordano's Lakeview, 1040 W. Belmont Ave.; Gold Coast, 730 N. Rush St.; Navy Pier, 700 E. Grand Ave.; Prudential Plaza, 130 E. Randolph St.; and Loop, 223 W. Jackson Blvd.
Next Year Day
A Opening Day tradition is back in a new spot after its 2015 revival. Heating and Cooling Pub, 3530 N. Clark St., will host Next Year Day at 8 p.m. Saturday. Surprise guests like Bill Murray and accursed goats have made appearances at The Heckler's bash since it began in 2003.
A loving play on fans' never-ending optimism, Next Year Day might have new connotations after the Cubs' postseason run last year, said Brad Zibung, founder of the satirical Chicago sports website.
"This year might actually be the 'next year' Cubs fans have been longing after for more than a century," he said.
The party will feature live music and drink specials. The Heckler will also accept donations for Peace for Pits, a Chicago-based animal rescue. Tickets are $10.
Cheap ride home
Need a lift after the game? Captain Morgan is partnering with Uber to offer $15 vouchers for 3,500 riders on Opening Night. The code "HOMECAPTAIN" will apply to uberX rides taken from Wrigleyville between 6 p.m. Monday to 2 a.m. Tuesday.
The Schwarburger comes with two grilled patties, American cheese, applewood smoked bacon, lettuce, tomato, grilled onions, Stretch burger sauce and a toasted bun at Stretch. [Provided/Stretch Bar & Grill]
Goat dogs and the Schwarburger
Don't have tickets for the home opener? Stop by Dark Horse Tap & Grille, which is raffling off a pair of tickets at 3:30 p.m. Monday.
The bar is also serving up a grilled goat bratwurst from Monday to April 17 with hopes of warding off the infamous Curse of the Billy Goat. Locally sourced from Paulina Meat Market, the goat/pork sausage is topped with mango chutney and served on a pretzel bun for $10.
Dark Horse will also serve up $4 Old Style tall boys, $15 Corona buckets and $5 Fireball shots on home game days all season.
Stretch Bar & Grill, 3485 N. Clark St., will serve up $6 Cubbie bombs and two very special dishes honoring some top Cubs players.
The Schwarburger, $14, is a double cheeseburger with bacon, Stretch burger sauce and grilled onions. The Rizzo, $12, has parmesan-crusted chicken on a ciabatta bread, served with parmesan fries.
Stretch will also have $5 shots of Fireball and Dr. McGillicuddy's, $15 buckets of Rolling Rock and $20 buckets of Miller Lite and Coors Light.
The Cubs and Wrigley Field are 95 percent owned by a trust established for the benefit of the family of Joe Ricketts, owner and CEO of DNAinfo.com. Joe Ricketts has no direct involvement in the management of the iconic team.
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