Gouge Away: Some Wrigleyville Bars Are Charging Obscene Covers This Weekend

By Stephen Gossett in News on Oct 26, 2016 5:38PM

Getty Images / Photo: Jon Durr

As if Game One wasn’t bad enough.

Cubs fans hoping to experience the team’s World Series home stand this weekend at a Wrigleyville bar might have to dip into the savings fund for the privilege: Some neighborhood bars are charging up to $250 per-person admission packages, and group packages cost as much as $1000.

Among the bars charging $250 are John Barleycorn and Deuces and The Diamond Club, Sports Illustrated reports. The “deal” does come with perks—along with admission, ticket-buyers get an appetizer, an entrée and drinks between 7 p.m. and the ninth inning—but that’s still quite the sticker shock for anyone looking for guaranteed entry. At Barleycorn, “you can add a four-top table for $500,” reports SI. Oof.

As a user on Reddit pointed out, HVAC Pub will run you at least $250 for a food-and-drinks package (sorry, Wrigleyville, “rocks, shots, or redbull” are not included) and $1000 for the six-person reserved table (with one vodka and one champagne bottle, natch) on Saturday.

But given that those all include extra amenities, the one that really screams “egregious gouge” comes from The Cubby Bear, which is charging $100 for admission—with no food or drink perks, SI reports. Bathroom access is presumably included but you might want to call ahead.

According to DNA Info, one fan was so aggrieved he filed a price-fixing complaint with the Department of Justice.

Of course, if you absolutely have to watch the World Series in Wrigleyville, we recommend the great, age-old dive Nisei Lounge, who has clearly had it up to the taps with all your RSVP talk.