Say it ain’t so! Bartender Jeff Magill’s last day is here. Join us at Billy Goat’s on Michigan on December 23rd at 6pm as we celebrate and Roast his 35 years of service. Buy a side and drink, get a FREE Cheezborger!

“Jeff was able to perpetuate the true essence of a local bar, a classy bar, to downtown and it will never be the same.” – Tim, longtime customer

The following is an excerpt from Rick Kogan’s book “A Chicago Tavern. A Goat, a Curse, and the American Dream.”

Bill Murray is hungry and that is why we are walking toward one of the Goat’s red-and-white-checkered tables. He is here in June 1999 to promote a book he has written, Cinderella Story: My Life in Golf. Waiter Tito Chacon recognizes him immediately.

“Billy Murray,” he says. “You are the funniest.”

“The funniest what?” Says Murray.

Sam sees Murray and walks over. The two men hug.

“How’s your oldest boy?” asks Sam.

“He’s huge,” says Murray, whose two grown sons have been coming to the Goat since they were kids. “He could swallow both of us. All he needs is a couple of tattoos.”

The two men talk for a while. A couple of pictures are taken.

“I saw that new place of yours over by the United Center,” Murray says. “For a minute I thought they’d run you out of here.”

“No, no,” says Sam. “I always will have this place.”

“Sam, you’re the most successful Greek in the world,” Murray says.

“You help make that happen,” says Sam.

“Don’t blame me,” says Murray.

Check out the book “A Chicago Tavern.” You’ll find the most complete set of Billy Goat Tavern stories available. Buy it now in our online store! http://thebillygoattavern.com/souvenirs/index.php/all-products/book-a-chicago-tavern.html

After a tough day at work, you can’t beat a hot burger, a cold beer, and a great bartender.

Folks have been stopping here after work even when there wasn’t any.

Billy Goat. Chicago’s after-work tavern since 1934.

Mike Royko was a fiercely devoted 16-inch softball player and team sponsor. He describes playing for the team his father’s tavern sponsored as one of his “great thrills in life”. After his death, Royko was inducted into the Chicago 16-inch Softball Hall of Fame.

“And I tell ya. The Pulitzer Prize doesn’t even compare.” - Mike Royko describing his home run in a memorable softball game.

The first time Billy Goat appears in print is on June 19, 1938, in the Tribune: “One great personality in Our Town is a goat.” It isn’t much, just a couple of paragraphs, the first item in a column called “Our Town.” It tells of the tavern and details Billy’s trouble getting a copy of his U.S. citizenship papers because the photo he sent to Washington no longer resembles the 22-year-old, whiskerless picture that has been on file since 1916. “Billy could solve it right away with a shave, but he just can’t bring himself to do it,” the anonymous columnist writes.

That the columnist has no byline is not unusual. That’s the way it is in these days, when bylines have to be earned, sometimes over years of writing stories. But the writer is well-acquainted with Billy and his tavern. That’s the way it is in these days, too. Newspapers and booze have been joined at the hip for at least a couple of centuries, and few places ever provided as comforting a home for the press as the Billy Goat.

A Chicago Tavern: A Goat, a Curse, and the American Dream - By Rick Kogan
http://thebillygoattavern.com/souvenirs/index.php/all-products/book-a-chicago-tavern.html

Billy Goat Tavern is hiring at all locations! Visit our website and fill out the application for your chance to be a part of history.

thebillygoattavern.com/careers/

Give your next event the VIP treatment and host it at any of our locations! Fill out the form located at http://billygoattavern.com/events and will help you get the party started!

From the day the first goat stumbled into the Tavern, the Billy Goat Inn became a circus of animals. There were numerous goats, from beer drinking to dollar bill eating, but mostly beer drinking. There was Ruby the cat, a duck named Suzie Q, elephants, mules and numerous other visitors. An avid animal lover, Billy offered the tavern as their home, even hosting a waiting party for a pregnant Ruby the cat which included a mini hospital bed, nurses and all.

Our 80th Anniversary season is coming to a close, and we’re giving away some amazing prizes. Test your knowledge of the rich history of Chicago’s favorite tavern.

Prizes include the following!

FOUR GRAND PRIZE WINNERS:

• 2 CUBS Tickets
• 2 SOX Tickets
• 2 Blackhawks Tickets
• 2 Bulls Tickets

TOP 10 SCORES will receive a PRIZE PACK that includes:

• 1 - 80th Anniversary T-shirt
• 1 - Billy Goat Hat
• 1 - Billy Goat Book - A Chicago Tavern
• 1 - 2015 Billy Goat Calendar

ENTER HERE: https://apps.agorapulse.com/go/39283/36735

Thank you to StubStop Chicago for their contribution. www.stubstop.com

OFFICIAL RULES:

• Contest Ends 1/9/2024 at 11:59 PM CST.
• Winners will be notified via the email addressed they used to enter the contest. Winners will have 7 days to respond and claim their prize.
• This promotion is not open to employees of Billy Goat Tavern or their families.

A Chicago legend is turning 80! How well do you know the Billy Goat Tavern? Take our trivia contest and you’ll be entered to WIN Cubs, Bulls or Blackhawks tickets, along with other world-famous prizes!

Click here to enter! Don’t forget to share it with your friends. Lowest score buys the cheezborgers!