Chicago’s drink of the moment is an $8 Bears Bomb
Behind the bar at Gracie O’Malley’s, daytime manager Mike Stamp answers questions from customers calling in to reserve tables ahead of Saturday’s Bears-Packers game.
The Irish pub isn’t accepting reservations. “Get here around 5, 5:30 p.m.,” he tells customers on the phone, a two-hour window before the 7 p.m. game kicks off in Chicago. Stamp speaks to every patron as if he’s known them for years.
As one of the few sports bars in Wicker Park, Gracie O’Malley’s is always packed on game days. On offer for Saturday’s game will be the bar’s $8 Bears Bomb, made from Three Olives orange vodka and Yellow Edition Red Bull. The shot is light in color and taste, pulling citrusy notes from the vodka into the tropical flavor of the energy drink. Served in a rocks glass, it’s a smooth gulp with a fruity finish – no burn.
The first-come, first-served Irish pub, which also has locations in Portage Park and Edgewater, has served up the “Bomb” for about four years, and Stamp told a reporter he makes hundreds of them on game days. But now that the Bears are in the NFL playoffs, with their sights set on bringing the Vince Lombardi Trophy back to Chicago, the shots are selling faster than ever.
“We've had to stop letting people in. We’ve been at capacity, and all of our sales have gone up, especially for the Bears Bombs,” co-owner KJ Johnson said.
“We’ll do our best to try and see everybody,” she continued, “but we had people last week yelling at our security staff, which is not something we want … we're gonna do our best to get everyone in. Just, you know, be kind to one another.”
When the game cuts to commercial and halftime breaks, the bar hosts a raffle for Bears merchandise and gift cards. Buying a Bears Bomb can get you an extra ticket, Johnson said.
“We’re very excited for Chicago. We haven't seen this excitement in a long time. We saw it with the Blackhawks and with the Cubs, but it's been a long time for the Bears,” Johnson said.
Other Chicago bars streaming the Bears game (see a handy map here of places to watch the Bears-Packers game) include The Staley, a South Loop destination owned by former Bears defensive end Israel Idonije.
Fans under 21 can find a themed treat at JoJo’s Shake Bar (23 W. Hubbard St.), which will be selling its Game Day Hot Chocolate for $10.95. Adults can zhuzh it up with a Bailey’s shooter.
Inside Soldier Field, a Jeppson’s Malört and Amaretto-infused hot chocolate, topped with salted caramel marshmallows, is on sale at $17.99.