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[title]Though the Sox are loath to admit stealing anything from the Cubs (except bases—hey-o!), it’s hard not to see some similarities between the Cell’s new bar/eatery, Bacardi at the Park, and Wrigley’s year-old Captain Morgan Club. Which massive product-placement project is better? You don’t need a ticket to get into either, so we took in a game at each to find out.
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Bacardi at the Park
In front of Gate 5 at U.S. Cellular Field (333 W 35th St)
The drinks
Take a cue from the name and stick to the rum-based cocktails—the mojito is overly sweet, but it’s better than the mix-quality ’rita.
The food
Gibsons is behind this place, so we had high hopes—only to have them crushed by dry barbecue brisket and preformed, well-done burgers. When the best thing on the menu is a juicy, salty ear of lightly charred corn, it’s tough to believe a legendary steakhouse is in charge.
The fans
Let’s just say if the creators of Jersey Shore ever want to make a Bridgeport spin-off, this place would be the venue for the casting call. Season ticketholders may stop in for a drink after the game, but most of the crowd here is made up of testosterone-packed twentysomethings hiding Ed Hardy tees under Sox hoodies.—Heather Shouse
Captain Morgan Club
Wrigley Field (1060 W Addison St)
The drinks
You have two choices: bad beer or “on tap” cocktails, such as a Long Island iced tea. The latter is akin to mainlining corn syrup. Stick to the bad beer.
The food
Levy Restaurants offers a short lineup, including burgers and barbecued pork sandwiches. The pork is not so much a sandwich as it is a punishment: The bun has the surprising texture of Styrofoam, which makes the gummy bear–like texture of the pork unfortunately unsurprising.
The fans
Cubs fans are notoriously upbeat and rowdy about their team, and in here it’s no different—most of the focus is on the flat-screens, which broadcast the game going on just feet away. But even if the Cubs are up, there’s a vague vibe of unsettlement here, as if everybody’s looking around and secretly wondering why they, or anybody else, would pay money to drink in a depressing tent.—David Tamarkin
And the winner is…
Neither! Both venues have the unique ability to kill the joy of attending a baseball game. You wanna drink during the game? Sit in the stands and grab a beer.