Should you really take Adrian Peterson with the No. 1 pick? Is Tom Brady's knee really healed? Will Jay Cutler produce even with that silly haircut? There are a lot of tough questions surrounding any fantasy football draft - but where you're having it shouldn't be one of them. Tons of Chicago bars will open their private party rooms to your particular crew of stat-geeks, but we've found the ones that do their best to sweeten the deal. Pick a spot and you can stop worrying about food, drink and wi-fi access, and focus on the real issues, like when to draft Favre.
Poag Mahone's
This sports-crazy Loop spot is hosting its first-ever fantasy league this year with a live draft and a flat-screen TV for the winner, but if you prefer to go your own way, the bar offers three two-hour options for your drafting needs, ranging from $18-$30 per person and including various configurations of a draft board, food spread (mini-cheeseburgers, nachos, etc.) and unlimited drafts and bottles (Miller, Coors and Blue Moon). Use Poag Mahone's big screen to display your picks (when hooked up to a laptop) instead of the board and you'll save yourself $4 per player. Madden-style pen (for circling your friends' mistakes) not included.
Jake Melnick's Corner Tap
Need some extra time for all those picks? Jake Melnick's ups the ante with a three-hour, $25 package including wi-fi, an hour-long buffet with a nacho bar, chili and BBQ brisket mini-sandwiches, plus unlimited domestic drafts. Round 14 is gonna be mighty interesting, folks.
Stretch Run
If there's money involved in your league, this River North OTB bar is the place for you. Not only will you get a private second-floor room with no room fee and a minimal food and beverage charge, you'll also get free wi-fi with the option of linking your computers up to one of Stretch Run's flat-screen TVs. Just make sure you don't blow your anticipated league winnings on one of the many horse races downstairs.
Dave & Buster's
This game emporium makes it pretty simple: Host your draft here and you'll get rewarded in a big way. We're talking 10-percent off all food and non-alcoholic beverages, free wings, a $10 Power Card for each player ($20 for the event host), a free draft kit and fantasy mag and a scratch & win card courtesy of CBSSports.com. So, um, bring your fun.
Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery
Who says the Scots don't care about American football? If you reserve a spot for your draft by the end of August at this plaid skirt-lovin' chain, you'll get some added fuel for the final rounds, including a free order of wings and a free round of domestic drafts. Better yet, you'll be able to monitor your team's progress all year long, as you'll also receive a VIP season pass good for 10-percent off on Sundays during the regular season.
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