Leisure

Starting Lineup

Cubs’ Opening Day, by the Hours

Imagine it’s the year, oh... 2042. Your grandchildren ask where you were the year the Cubs went all the way. You’ll tell them it all began one warm spring Thursday in April. Actually, just show them this itinerary—you’ll be busy training for the hoverboard championships.

5AM AT CAPTAIN MORGAN CLUB

The New Cubs Theme Song Debuts

Distance to Wrigley: 0.001 feet
The Party: Jonathon Brandmeier hosts a live radio broadcast at Wrigley’s rum bar. It features a live performance of “Let’s Go Cubbies,” this year’s WGN Cubs theme song. Later, toast the season with Captain Cubbie, a rum and coke served in a Cubs cup. Harry would approve.

6AM AT YAK-ZIES WRIGLEYVILLE

Breakfast of Champions: Wings

Distance to Wrigley: 0.6 miles
The Party: WXRT’s resident Cubs nuts Lin Brehmer and Terri Hemmert host this annual wake-up bash, but if you’re going to have a Bloody Mary, you can sleep in until 7am (the city doesn’t allow alcohol before then). On the breakfast table: wings. The best part of waking up.

10AM AT ROCKIT BURGER BAR

Meet the New Beef in Wrigleyville

Distance to Wrigley: 0.1 miles
The Party: Forget everything you know about Rockit Wrigleyville. Except for the burgers. On Thursday, it becomes Rockit Burger Bar. Wake up with a manmosa (OJ + beer), then load up on one of its 16 new burgers (like the pulled-pork-topped Farmhouse). Good thing spring training is over.

4PM AT SHEFFIELD’S

Smoked Goat Tacos and Burlesque

Distance to Wrigley: 0.5 miles
The Party: A goat will be smoked in the morning. Then turned into sliders and tacos starting around 2pm. The real excitement starts after the game (so, approximately 4pm), when burlesque dancers help you celebrate, or possibly console you—there’s a bump-and-grind appropriate for curses.

7:30PM AT TRADER TODD’S

Tiki Torches and Karaoke

Distance to Wrigley: 0.6 miles
The Party: After a crazy day of baseball and beer, what you need is a giant $5 pineapple margarita and a karaoke stage. Plus, get free wings or fries if you flash your Wrigley Field ticket stub. So go ahead: flash.