Houndstooth Saloon

Chicago’s premier country sports bar took name inspiration from University of Alabama coach Bear Bryant’s trademark houndstooth fedora, and this Wrigleyville bar is pure Alabama from the crimson color scheme to the black-and-white photos of Bryant. Look for the namesake checkered print throughout the venue from the bar’s logo, a hound dog wearing a houndstooth fedora, to the checkered wallpaper in the Trophy Room. The Southern-inspired venue is peppered with eclectic design elements from deer-antler chandeliers to a rawhide-inspired bar top, and features seating options from tufted banquettes to high-top tables.

The raucous saloon offers a Southern-influenced American menu with signature dishes such as pulled pork sandwich with five-hour braised pork shoulder with a Memphis-style dry rub and house Maker’s Mark BBQ sauce; a Southern fried chicken sandwich, with buttermilk-soaked chicken breast, signature seasonings, jalapenos, coleslaw and chipotle ranch; and a Big Al burger, with two beef patties, applewood-smoked bacon, crumbled blue cheese, crispy onions and Buffalo sauce.

The bar hosts County Music Nights Thursday and Sunday with Brian Berman, Chicago’s Top Country Music DJ. Look for 20 draft beers, a lineup of 40-ounce bottles and an extensive canned beer selection, plus a compact cocktail list with Dixie-inspired drinks such as the Houndstooth Hunch Punch, made with moonshine, pineapple juice and Sierra Mist.