Democrat Bars or Pubs? (Chicago, Lincoln: hotel, live, move to)

[eureka1]

I'm going to be in Chicago on the 2nd which is the night of the TV debate between Biden and Palin (if she doesn't chicken out).Of course we can watch it at the hotel but are there any progressive strongholds that might be showing it? Maybe I should ask about Republican bars too so I don't end up in the wrong place.In California we have viewing parties at party HQ but I don't know what they do in Chicago. We're staying in Lakeview, any info welcomed and thanks in advance.

[Drover]

We don't really have partisan pubs here. In Chicago, there are two basic options when it comes to watching national debates:

1) Watch it at home, or

2) The more popular option, not watch it at all because listening to these preening, self-important blowhards carry on like they're going to make our lives immensely better makes us want to throw our TV sets out the window.

I couldn't think of a bigger buzzkill at a pub than walking in and finding the debates on. This is the kind of city where most of us pay attention to politics not because we want to, but because we have to.

[BrandonSi]

There are a number of bars that will be carrying the debates. I know for sure The Whirlaway will have it on. It's a bit far from Lakeview though, in Logan Square. 3224 W. Fullerton. Shouldn't be more than a $15-$20 cab ride.

[Lookout Kid]

Most bars on the North Side will have a liberal bend in terms of clientelle. To be safe, go to a hipster haven like Wicker Park/Bucktown, Boystown, or Andersonville.

[Attrill]

There will be a number of bars showing the debate - but I wouldn't assume ones in "hipster haven" areas are going to show it, many don't have TVs or just ignore politics altogether.

There are organized debate parties in the South Loop and far Northside. Search Meet Up or the campaign websites for more. Also, call the campaign HQ on Lake St. I'm sure they're doing something.

Some bars that would be worth calling to find out if they will be showing it are the Whirlaway, Quenchers, The Ashland, and Jefferson Tap - All have shown debates in the past.

[miserylovesco.]

uh, Obama is from Chicago.

We keep whatever he's doing very closely watched.

[Avengerfire]

All I know is the last thing I want to see on T.V. in a bar is a debate. Furthermore, a bar would be the last place I would go to watch a debate if I had no T.V. at home.

[Chicago60614]

I was out on Friday and actually noticed a ton of bars showing the debates with the sound on. usually not over the entire bar, but at least a few tv's in a few sections

[Anthera]

There really aren't many non-democrats in Chicago. You'll find conservative democrats, and liberal democrats, but republicans tend to keep very quiet or move to the suburbs.

[Lookout Kid]

I was talking to an election judge in Lincoln Square after the Spring Primaries, and he said they handed out four or five Republican ballots all day long.