Chicago bars and a handful of south-suburban taverns are rolling up their gates before sunrise Sunday so fans can catch the U.S.-Canada men's Olympic hockey final in real time, complete with breakfast pours, early shots and full-on watch parties. The gold-medal showdown drops the puck in the early morning for central time zones, and venues from Wrigleyville to River North say they will have TVs on and taps flowing. Expect everything from quiet coffee-and-beer crowds to full-throttle sports bar energy before most people have even checked their email.
The Globe Pub plans a 7 a.m. open with $6 Malort shots and $6 Paroni drafts. Lottie's Pub in Bucktown is set to unlock the doors at 6:30 a.m. with “coffee, beers, breakfast vibes and hockey the way it should be watched,” while Murphy's Bleachers says it will start seating at 6:45 a.m. In Oak Lawn, The Barn, Black Oak Restaurant & Tavern and Reilly's Daughter have also posted early hours and game specials, according to NBC Chicago.
Where to watch across the city
If you are looking for a bigger setup, Theory in River North lists an early opening on its website and plans to show the game on its big screens. The posted hours show a 6:30 a.m. Sunday open, according to Theory Chicago. Reggies in the South Loop has a 7 a.m. opening on its events page, and Smoke Daddy in Wrigleyville is promoting a 7 a.m. start with $3 Barnyards and $5 Bloody Marys. Call ahead or reserve a table, since spots that open early often fill quickly on marquee event mornings.
Why the start is so early
The game is scheduled for 8:10 a.m. ET (7:10 a.m. CT) and will air on NBC, according to CBS Sports. Analysts note that the early slot is designed so the gold-medal final can wrap up before the Closing Ceremony in Verona, per Awful Announcing. For anyone who wants to avoid spoilers and see the live puck drop, that means getting out the door while it is still dark.
Some venues will offer limited brunch menus at that hour, so plan accordingly, and bring ID, since bars will follow standard rules even at offbeat opening times. Double-check a bar's social feeds or website before you head out in case of last-minute schedule changes.
