Crown Royal Super Bowl Party Guide by Gary Dziewior

SUPER BOWL PARTY GUIDE

PLACES TO WATCH THE GAME

Build your own SNACK STADIUM 1

or the structure of your snack stadium, start with a ring F made of Rice Krispies treats, then construct an outer wall. We shaped ours using foot-long grown-up grilled cheese sandwiches from the Scout (1301 S Wabash Ave, 312-7050595, thescoutchicago.com).

uild height with a smoked sausage entryway (skewered B on blocks of cheddar cheese), more waffles and stadium lighting (pepper-jack cheese on skewers placed in the Rice Krispies ring).

ill the center of the stadium with a popcorn base and add F waffles and pretzel rods to the outer walls. Create more “fans” using tater tots on toothpicks, such as the delicious sweet potato tots from Haymarket (737 W Randolph St, 312-638-0700, haymarketbrewing.com). 1 SUPER BOWL PARTY GUIDE

dd decorative edges in the form of waffles. We lined our A stadium with the tasty cornmeal-bacon waffles from Old Town Social (455 W North Ave, 312-266-2277, oldtownsocial.com).

inish adding the lights, create jerky stick goalposts F with toothpicks and fill the stadium with your favorite assorted snacks, such as gourmet nachos from Old Town Pour House: wonton chips topped with queso fresco and duck confit (1419 N Wells St, 312-477-2800, oldtownpourhouse.com).

I n the center of the stadium, place a guacamole field with queso dip end zones and sour cream yard lines. (Place sour cream in a sandwich bag, snip a corner of the bag and pipe lines onto the field.) Next, add football players—a.k.a. olives and jerky stick pieces.

Bowl over your friends with an amazing (and delicious) fortress of food.

ourmet burgers topped with mini doughnuts and pepG peroni flags provide impressive embellishment. Try the decadent gridiron burger from Rockit Burger Bar (3700 N Clark St, 773-645-4400, rockitburgerbar.com)—a Black Angus patty topped with a grilled Polish sausage and bacon-braised sauerkraut.

e also added pretzels, white cheddar popcorn and W cheese crackers.

or the finishing touches, build steps made of melba toast F leading up to the stadium and position broccoli “trees” in the background.

PHOTO: MARTHA WILLIAMS; FOOD STYLING: LAUREN VANDERVELDE; ASSISTANTS: ANDREW NAWROCKI, LAURA PEARSON, ERICA GANNETT

ivide the stadium using more Rice Krispies treats, D cut to size.

istribute the snacks evenly so the stadium looks full. Add D “fans” to the stands in the form of cheese cubes on toothpicks. There are no empty seats at the Super Bowl!

GAME ON! START SNACKING!!

JANUARY 2013 2

BARS

Where to catch the game and toast your team on Super Bowl Sunday, February 3.

Boundary Don’t go hungry on game day. Feast on a Boundary burger with applewood smoked bacon, as your cheers reach the rafters. 1932 W Division St (773-2781919, boundarychicago. com). 10am–2am. Bull & Bear No distractions will be tolerated during the game, including getting up to order more drinks. The remedy? Enjoy the “table tap technology” at this River North bar. 431 N Wells St (312-527-5973, bullbearbar. com). 10am–2am.

Derby Enjoy $5 mimosas, $5 Bloody Marys and $5 wings in a cozy leather booth at this neighborhood sports bar. 1224 W Webster Ave (773-2480900, derbychicago.com). 11am–2am. The Diag Word on the street is this rustic sports bar has some flavorful ribs. Half

Fifty/50 Travel Channel personality Adam Richman claimed the bar’s Four-Courser— pork shoulder tossed with Gouda béchamel and topped with fried jalapeños, BBQ sweet potato chips, a mac ‘n’ cheese waffle and BBQ sauce—as one of the best sandwiches in America. You be the judge by taking it on for $10 during Super Bowl Sunday. 2047 W Division St (773-489-5050, thefifty50. com). 10am–2am.

Division Ale House On Super Bowl Sunday, dine in style and sample various beers by taking advantage of the fourcourse meal paired with craft beers for $40. 1942 W Division St (773-384-6886, divisionalehouse.com). 11am–2am. Dragon Ranch Kick off your game day with American BBQ with Asian influences. The River North establishment also features an extensive cocktail list and specialty moonshine collection. 441 N Clark St (312-9551900, dragonranch.com). 10:30am–9pm.

The Gage Keep things classy at this South Loop gastropub with elk chili and imported beers on draft, such as Old Speckled Hen or Guinness. 24 S Michigan Ave (312-

5 SUPER BOWL PARTY GUIDE

Fifty/50

372-4243, thegagechicago. com). 10am–midnight. Irish Oak The game may be American, but who says the food can’t be Irish? On a winter afternoon, it’s hard to refuse Guinness stew ($8 per cup) and pot pie ($12). 3511 N Clark St (773-935-6669, irishoak.com). 11am–2am. Lottie’s Pub This cozy corner bar has been showing locals a

good time since 1934. Needless to say, with 24 beers on tap, it has a loyal fan base. 1925 W Cortland St (773-4890738, lottiespub.com). 11am–2am. Map Room With a pristine selection of craft beers and BYO food policy, this Bucktown establishment is a laidback alternative to the traditional sports bar. 1949 N Hoyne Ave (773-252-

THE FOOTBALL FANATIC

Fatpour Tap Works Whether the game is going well or not, $5 football bombs are available for celebration and consolation purposes, as are the 50

Derby

PHOTOS: MARTHA WILLIAMS

Dragon Ranch

Deuce’s & The Diamond Club This industrial-style sports bar boasts not one, but two floors—including a whiskey library—and is sure to please even the pickiest of game watchers. Enjoy a gourmet burger at Deuce’s, then climb the escalator to lounge on a couch at the Diamond Club. 3505 N Clark St (773-644-5554, deucesandthediamondclub. com). 11am–2am.

beers on tap and 150 more bottles and cans. 2005 W Division St (773-698-8940, fatpourchicago.com). 11am–2am.

PHOTOS: TOP, MARTHA WILLIAMS; BOTTOM, ERICA GANNETT

Benchmark Whether you prefer a table on the second floor or a booth with a personal screen on the first, there’s not a bad seat in the house. 1510 N Wells St (312-6499640, benchmarkchicago. com). 10am–2am.

racks will be served for $11, or eat the game away with a full rack for $18. (Nothing wrong with a little competitive eating!) 2856 N Southport Ave (773-4048400, diagchicago.com). 11am–10pm.

Think you’re a Bears fan? You say you bleed blue and orange? Well, there is no greater believer than a convert, and Dacia James, who didn’t have football at her high school or college, was converted in 2007. “The moment I walked into Soldier Field, I was overwhelmed with everything that was going on,” says James, 32. From that point on, she was hooked. “It’s where a lot of my money goes,” she says. “I don’t spend extra money on shoes and clothes. I buy Bears tickets. I go to Bears training camp. I go to some preseason games. I went to the NFC championship game. I follow every player who has a Twitter account. I even follow the Bears sportswriters on Twitter.” She has a bathroom in her Hyde Park home dedicated to the Bears, a drawer dedicated to Bears clothing and her screen saver at work rotates between game shots and general player photos. Her all-time favorite? “Lance Briggs,” she says. “He doesn’t get enough credit.” She’s been in the Bears’ locker room twice as a member of the 4th Phase Fan Club. She’s had her photo taken with Staley, the Bears’ mascot. When she met Da Coach at his restaurant in May, she cried. Is she hosting a Super Bowl party this year? Not a chance. This super fan wants to watch the game. JANUARY 2013 6

Moonshine Brewing Company The Slider Bowl is back for its second year at this

Old Town Social Watch the game on one of 23 flat-screens at this classy sports lounge, while snagging raffle prizes. 455 W North Ave (312-2662277, oldtownsocial.com). 10:30am–2am.

SCORING A PERFECT PICTURE Buying a TV in midJanuary is not unlike purchasing an AC unit in mid-August or a turkey in midNovember. They’re in high demand. As the Super Bowl nears (February 3 this year), that old television suddenly seems inadequate. “It is definitely a common thing,” says Billy Abt, co-president of Glenview’s Abt Electronics (1200 N Milwaukee Ave, abt.com). “It’s much more common when the Bears are competing. When they were last in the Super Bowl, I think we doubled or tripled our TV sales that month.” TVs konk out eventually, but before that happens, people usually want a bigger screen or the new technology. Among the newest is the Ultra HD, a.k.a. 4K, meaning 4,000 lines of resolution versus HD’s 1,080 lines. TVs keep getting bigger, thinner and more affordable. Why would someone not want to upgrade for the biggest football game of the year? “You can get a 50-inch HD TV today for about $500, where five years ago you were talking about $2,500,” Abt says. LG shipped its first Ultra HD to Abt in November. It costs a cool $14,999, but its 84-inch screen has more than triple the resolution of an HD screen. Was that a brick that just flew through your TV screen? Looks like it’s time for a new one. 7 SUPER BOWL PARTY GUIDE

115 Bourbon Street If a plane ticket and game ticket to New Orleans are out of reach, the next best thing is Chicago’s biggest Big Easy–themed bar. The attached restaurant serves local favorites and New Orleans specialties from 11am–10pm. 3359 W 115th St (708-388-8881, 115bourbonstreet.com). 11am–2am.

Rockit Bar & Grill Rockit offer buckets of beer and a $20 buffet. In other words, keep your Super Bowl plans simple, and let the game provide the excitement. 22 W Hubbard St (312-645-6000, rockitbarandgrill.com). 10:30am–midnight. Roots Game day kicks off a little early thanks to a $6 Bloody Mary special. Your next play? Pulled pork pizza. 1924 W Chicago Ave (773645-4949, rootspizza.com). 11am–2am.

The Pony This neighborhood sports bar has plenty of screens for unobstructed views of the game, plus a Southwesterninspired menu, featuring everything from tacos to wraps. 1638 W Belmont Ave (773-828-5055, theponychicago.com). 11am–2am. Public House Public House has everything you need for a winning Super Bowl Sunday: 27 TVs, 25 beers on tap and a menu of American favorites, including Multiple Choice Mac & Cheese. Choose from nine ingredients or opt for “all of the above.” 400 N State St (312-2651240, publichousechicago. com). 11:30am–2am. Red Ivy In honor of the Super Bowl being held in New Orleans, Mardi Gras makes an early appearance at this Wrigleyville sports bar. The party wouldn’t be complete without spicy chicken gumbo, Louisiana po’ boys and hurricane cocktails. 3525 N Clark St (773-472-0900, redivychicago.com). 11am–2am.

Public House Three Aces

Old Town Social

Stout Barrel House and Gallery Get onboard the “Stout Simple Sundays” promo now. Cardholders get half their tab covered— not only for Super Bowl Sunday, but every Sunday. Now, that’s something to cheer about. 642 N Clark St (312-475-1390, stoutchicago.com). 11am–4am. Suite 25 This new bar sports a South American twist. Watch some American football while chowing down on a Peruvian buffet. 2529 N Milwaukee Ave (773-3607478, suite25chicago.com). Noon–2am.

PHOTOS: MARTHA WILLIAMS

Market Tired of hosting the annual Super Bowl party? There’s a game and a beer with a view waiting for you at this multi-story sports bar and restaurant. 1113 W Randolph St (312-9294787, marketbarchicago. com). 11am–midnight.

Wicker Park hot spot. For $35, you’re granted access to the massive slider buffet and can also enjoy Moonshine drafts and call drinks. 1824 W Division St (773-862-8686, moonshinechicago.com). 10am–2am.

PHOTO: ERICA GANNETT

7636, maproom.com). 11am–2am.

Sweetwater Warning: This bar is dangerously close to the Mag Mile. If Beyoncé’s half-time show doesn’t hold your interest, maybe shopping and tourist-watching will. 225 N Michigan Ave (312-698-7111, sweetwatertavernandgrille. com). 10am–10pm.

Three Aces Beer, bourbon and bolognese fries sounds like the ultimate sportsfan trifecta to us. Catch the game at this rock ’n’ roll retreat in University Village. 1321 W Taylor St (312-243-1577, threeaceschicago.com). 11am–2am.

Weather Mark Tavern Your Super Bowl strategy: Pick any poison, from $4 20-ounce domestic drafts to $5 SKYY vodka drinks and $4 Jameson shots, then follow it up with a $10 buffet. Ready, set, hut. 1503 S Michigan Ave (312-5880230, weathermark.com). 10:30am–midnight.

Timothy O’Toole’s Stop in for a bucket of Miller during any of the playoff games and be entered for a chance to win the best seat in the house for the Super Bowl. 622 N Fairbanks Ct (312-6420700, timothyotooles.com/ chicago). 10am–3am.

Wells on Wells There are no bad seats in this bar, mostly because there are so few of them. Arrive early to partake in game viewing and $12 Miller pitchers or $4 glasses of wine. 1617 N Wells St (312944-1617, wellsonwells. com). 10:30am–2am. JANUARY 2013 8

START HERE!

What’s my play? Consult our handy flowchart to find your perfect Super Bowl viewing spot.

Are you ready for some football? Born ready!

What’s most crucial to your Super Bowl– viewing enjoyment?

No, I’m ready for a nap. Catch some Z’s in a salt cave. Galos Caves, 6501 W Irving Park Rd (773283-7701, galoscaves. com). 9am–9pm.

We all gotta eat.

It’s all about atmosphere.

I love a dive. Go off the beaten path, and spend Super Bowl Sunday at the unassuming Edgewater Lounge, accompanied by a great burger and a microbrew. 5600 N Ashland Ave (773-8783343, edgewaterlounge. com). Noon–2am.

That’s not divey enough! Catch the game at the Cove Lounge, a Hyde Park watering hole with a vague nautical theme and cheap pitchers. 1750 E 55th St (773-684-1013, thecovelounge.com). 11am–2am.

9 SUPER BOWL PARTY GUIDE

I like to class it up. With dark-wood interiors, 90 beers on tap and massive flat-screen TVs, the upscale Old Town Pour House is your perfect game-day destination. 1419 N Wells Ave (312-477-2800, oldtownpourhouse.com). 10:30am–2am.

How about something more rustic? The Scout Waterhouse and Kitchen boasts ample TVs, fancy bar food (See “Build your own snack stadium,” pages 1–2) and a lodgey vibe. 1301 S Wabash Ave (312-705-0595, thescoutchicago.com). 10am–2am.

I’m hungrier than an NFL lineman, post-practice. The $50 Yard Line Special at Mahoney’s Pub includes an actual yard of appetizers: buffalo rolls, chicken tenders, mini burgers and pulled pork sliders. 551 N Ogden Ave (312-733-2121, rushanddivision.com/ mahoneys-pub-andgrille). 11am–2am.

OK, but I can make a meal of free popcorn. Head to Quenchers Saloon, where you can enjoy a wide selection of beer and complimentary popcorn during the game. 2401 N Western Ave (773-2769730, quenchers.com). Noon–2am.

TVs, please.

I’m all about quantity. Make a pilgrimage to Joe’s, a veritable TV mecca with 100+ screens—the most in Chicago! 940 W Weed St (312-337-3486, joesbar. com). 10:30am–2am.

I’m all about quality. Watch the action on giant projection screens at the Anthem. Private tables aplenty will be pre-sold for parties of 4–10 people. 1725 W Division St (773-697-4804, theanthemchicago.com). 11am–2am.

Well, I don’t need that many. Venture to O’Donovan’s, one of the oldest bars in Chicago, which has a more modest 22 screens. 2100 W Irving Park Rd (773-478-2100, odonovansbar.com). 10am–2am.

JANUARY 2013 10

Stock your party with Crown Royal® Maple Finished Whisky and Crown Royal Black® and your guests will be cheering for the game to go into overtime.

WHISKY STARTED. MAPLE FINISHED. f MAPLE OLD FASHIONED Ingredients: - 0.75 oz. Crown Royal® Maple Finished -0.75 oz. Bulleit® Rye -1 Tsp. demerara syrup -2 Dashes bitters - 1 D ash whiskey barrel aged bitters Combine all ingredients with ice into a cocktail mixer. Stir and strain into a rocks glass. Garnish with lemon and orange twist.

f MAPLE HOT TODDY Ingredients: - 1.5 oz. Crown Royal® Maple Finished -0.25 oz. lemon juice -0.5 oz. honey syrup -Hot water to taste

f C ROWN ROYAL MAPLE FINISHED CHAMPION SHOT Ingredients: - 1 oz.Crown Royal® Maple Finished -0.75 oz. orange juice -0.25 oz. simple syrup

Dry shake all ingredients, except hot water, and pour into a coffee mug. Top with hot water. Garnish with a lemon twist spiked with cloves and a cinnamon stick.

Combine all ingredients with ice into a cocktail shaker. Shake and strain into a shot glass.

Score big with these five delicious game-day cocktails. s C ROWN ROYAL BLACK & CRANBERRY Ingredients: - 1.5 oz. Crown Royal Black® Blended Whisky -3 oz. cranberry juice -1 wedge(s) lime slice(s) Pour Crown Royal Black and cranberry juice over ice into a tall glass. Garnish with a wedge of lime. CROWNROYAL.COM PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY.

CROWN ROYAL BLACK & SODA d Ingredients: - 1.5 oz. Crown Royal Black® Blended Whisky -6 oz. club soda FS:7.25” -1 wedge(s) lime slice(s) F:8”

FS:7.25” F:8”

75 Spring St, 2nd Floor, New York, NY, 10012 Tel: 212 625 6250

5144984

Customer: Diageo Campaign: CROWN_ROYAL_2013 Publication: XXL Bleed: 16.25” x 11.125” Trim: 16” x 10.875” Live: 15” x 9.875” Users: NewYork Studio/Antonio Grgas

Client: CROWN_ROYAL

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Add Crown Royal Black and club soda in ice-filled highball glass and stir. Garnish with lime.

INKS Cyan Magenta

Job Title: WHISKY_STARTED_MAPLE_ Material Date: 11/16/12 Cover Date: 12/1/12 Current Date: 11-16-2012 5:44 PM Creation Date: 11-16-2012 2:12 PM

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Yellow Black

PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY.

SUPER FAN Azumah touches down in New Orleans for this year’s Super Bowl.

A pro’s perspective Jerry Azumah weighs in on the biggest sporting event of the year. Jerry Azumah is a former cornerback/kick returner for the Chicago Bears. One of the most memorable moments of his career was in 2002 when he scored the last touchdown on the old Soldier Field before it was completely renovated. He retired in 2006 and is now an entrepreneur and philanthropist who also provides Bears commentary and postgame coverage on various networks and radio programs. You received some great personal honors as a Bear, including a Pro Bowl selection. Do you think there are players in the NFL who want individual awards more than a Super Bowl championship? Jerry Azumah: I kind of hate to speak for everyone, but the reason we play this game is to become a champion. Everyone 13 SUPER BOWL PARTY GUIDE

watches the Super Bowl. It’s what every kid dreams about. I’m sure there are guys who want individual honors, but there’s nothing like a Super Bowl ring. How do you think the rest of the league, or the country, perceives the Bears as an organization? JA: That’s a good question. I think that for some odd reason—and I felt this as a

player—we don’t get the recognition we deserve. The defense always gets recognition, but as a whole the Bears don’t get that recognition. It’s just one of those mysterious things. What do you think of the guy who took your number after you left? [Devin Hester, No. 23] JA: [Laughs] The greatest that’s ever done it. He’s the GOAT [Greatest of All Time]. He is literally running into the Hall of Fame right now. What’s it like watching the NFL now? JA: I remember my playing days, and I’m trying to look at certain formations to see if they run the things they did when I was playing, and they do. It’s a game of chess and you just have to figure out your opponent’s next move. Can Chicago support a second NFL team? There are certainly enough people here, but would they? JA: I think it would be tough just because of the history and the legacy of the Chicago Bears. The Chicago Bears were around [at] the start of the NFL. I think bringing in a second team would be difficult just based on that alone. I don’t think it would go over too well. What would people be surprised to know about you? JA: I’m a big-time snowboarder. Big-time. I like to hit the slopes. Do you ever dream about football? JA: Yeah, sometimes. Football has been a part of my life since I was able to walk, and it’s not going anywhere. So the dreams are still alive, definitely.

Get your head in the game Spice up your Super Bowl party with these friendly games. Your guess is as good as mine There are dozens of variables to guess about during the Super Bowl—from which team will win the coin toss or score the first touchdown to how long the game will last and who will be named Most Valuable Player. You can also guess the total number of points scored by both teams, and propose the old “over and under,” which requires you to pick a total number of points and have your guests guess whether the actual score will be over or under that number. Write up a list of these questions and make copies to hand out to your guests. Tally up the correct answers at the end of the contest and declare a guessing game champ, a.k.a. an MVP (Most Veracious Predictor).

Commercial venture Have everyone write out the brand they think will be advertised first during commercial breaks. You can declare winners for “First commercial after the game starts,” “First after halftime” and “First after game ends.” You could even get as specific as “First after the NFC scores,” or “First after the first punt,” but someone will have to really pay attention and keep everyone on track amid all of the conversation, snacking and drink prepping.

Fair and square No Super Bowl would be complete without a board of squares. To make your own, all you need is a marker, ruler and poster board. Draw a large box, as large as you can while still leaving room across the top and along the left side for team names (or just “NFC” and “AFC”) and numbers. Draw straight lines inside the box, creating ten rows and ten columns of squares. Have your guests write their initials in the squares, one set of initials per square. After all of the squares are filled, randomly assign numbers 0 through 9 to each column and each row—one number per column and row. (Use playing cards for this, or write the numbers on pieces of paper.) Each number represents the last number in the score at the end of the first quarter, at halftime, at the end of the third quarter and at the end of the game. So, if after the first quarter the score is NFC 10 and AFC 7, the guests who have the squares for NFC 0 and AFC 7 win. If at halftime the score is NFC 24 to AFC 14, then the guests with NFC 4 and AFC 4 win. Sometimes one person might have both squares. In that case, don’t be a hater…just offer your congratulations.

JANUARY 2013 14