The Beacon Tap patio

It’s that glorious time of year again. The beginning of fall signals the start of another football season (as well as the playoffs in Major League Baseball). Looking for some wings, a few pints and the perfect place to cheer on your team with a few friends? We’ve got you covered with a few local favorites — unless you root for the green and gold, in which case it’s best to stay home on your couch.

The Beacon Tap
1374 Lee Street in Des Plaines
TheBeaconTap.com

Good times: As if the beer garden wasn’t enough of a draw at this Des Plaines favorite, ownership went and added on this summer, replacing a sand volleyball court with a gorgeous new covered outdoor space, complete with its own bar, additional tables and TVs. A subscription to the NFL Sunday Ticket and NFL RedZone will keep you up to date on your fantasy football lineup and parlays.

Food and drink: Known for their burgers, pizza, house-smoked meats and trash-can nachos, you’re sure to find something to fall in love with off the Beacon Tap menu, and a solid craft beer list and weekend brunch that includes a bottomless mimosa and bloody Mary option will get your football-watching off on the right foot.

Keep an eye out for: Fun giveaways during Bears games, great brunch specials and more.

Elevated American comfort food is what you’ll find at Tavern on the Point, and it’s a beautiful thing. … Upstairs, you’ll find an additional bar and dining area ideal for an afternoon of pigskin, as well as a unique rooftop deck to get some sun on your face at halftime.

Tavern on the Point
6724 N. Northwest Highway in Edison Park
TavernOnThePoint.com

Good times: A beautiful square bar is the centerpiece of a modern, industrial and stylish main floor with enough TVs at perfect angles and a top-of-the line sound system to guarantee you won’t miss a single touchdown. Upstairs, you’ll find an additional bar and dining area ideal for an afternoon of pigskin, as well as a unique rooftop deck to get some sun on your face at halftime.

Food and drink: Elevated American comfort food is what you’ll find at TOTP, and it’s a beautiful thing. The wings and ever-popular calamari are tempting starters, and from there you can graduate to a selection of burgers, sandwiches, pasta or entrees like a bone-in ribeye, almond-crusted grouper or brick chicken with roasted potatoes.

Keep an eye out for: A grand reopening celebration Sept. 30-Oct. 3, Edison Park Restaurant Week Sept. 27-Oct. 3, as well as other events throughout the fall.

The Curragh’s punter’s platter had to be made with a group of football fans in mind. It’s an appetizer that includes a heaping plate of loaded potato skins, wings, black-and-tan onion rings and mozzarella sticks.

The Curragh
6705 N. Northwest Highway in Edison Park
CurraghIrishPub.com

Good times: Sure, this popular Irish bar and restaurant may cater to soccer first, but they also love their football here in the fall. There is plenty of character to this traditional Irish pub, and it’s a fun and comfortable place to pull up a stool, grab a pint and watch the game.

Food and drink: At first glance, it appears as though The Curragh’s punter’s platter had to be made with a group of football fans in mind. It’s an appetizer that includes a heaping plate of loaded potato skins, wings, black-and-tan onion rings and mozzarella sticks. Plenty of authentic Irish fare is available as well, like shepherd’s pie, bangers and mash, corned beef or Guinness-battered fish and chips.

Keep an eye out for: $10 Miller Lite buckets are reason enough to come out for Monday Night Football, and pizzas are half price when you dine in on Sundays and Mondays.

Harp & Fiddle
110 Main Street in Park Ridge
TheHarpandFiddle.com

Good times: A perennial favorite in Uptown Park Ridge, this is a relaxed, family-friendly Irish bar and restaurant that boasts a front patio and back beer garden (with three new 60-inch TVs) for those pleasant fall days.

Food and drink: Expect a wide-ranging, chef-inspired menu that is equal parts classic favorites and inventive creations (charcuterie boards, balsamic-glazed salmon, hearty Black Angus burgers, shepherd’s pie, chicken cobb salad, etc.). The craft beer list is stellar, and adjusted often with some great local and national breweries, meaning you’re guaranteed to see several new options with each visit. The whiskey and bourbon selection is brag-worthy as well.

Keep an eye out for: A strong Notre Dame and Bears following, as well as a popular brunch if you’re looking to get some tasty grub before kickoff.

Murray Bros. Caddyshack
9546 Balmoral Avenue in Rosemont
MBCShack.com

Good times: Located just steps from the Stephens Convention Center, Parkway Bank Park entertainment district and Fashion Outlets in the heart of Rosemont, Murray Bros. Caddyshack is a restaurant and sports bar creation from Bill Murray and his brothers that pays homage to the classic 1980 comedy and the family’s love of food.

Food and drink: Murray Bros. is known for their burgers, which range from the classic to the imaginative, as well as Andy Murray’s famous ribs. And don’t miss the old fashioned cocktails on draft, barrel-aged Manhattans and the Murray Mule.

Keep an eye out for: A lot of nostalgic posters, pictures and jerseys that adorn the walls. You’ll feel like you stepped into a Caddyshack museum of sorts.

Other favorites include:

Howard Street Inn

Holt’s — This lively, family-friendly restaurant in Uptown is known for their New Haven-style specialty pizzas, tasty burgers and creative cocktails.
43 S. Prospect in Park Ridge
HoltsParkRidge.com

Howard Street Inn — A sports lover’s paradise that offers great daily specials, plenty of TVs, a festive atmosphere and outdoor patio. Bonus: You can play a round of golf at nearby Tam O’Shanter in the morning before kickoff.
6700 W. Howard in Niles
HowardStreetInn.com

Edison Park Inn — Longtime two-story neighborhood pub with pool tables, live music and a loyal football following.
6715 N. Olmsted in Edison Park
EdisonParkInn.com

 The “Draft Room” at Kings Bowling in Rosemont offers a sports-viewing experience that would rival most Las Vegas sportsbooks.

Emerald Isle — An Edison Park staple for nearly 50 years, they offer a Tuesday-Sunday happy hour that includes $12 domestic buckets and a $10 burger-and-beer combo from 4-6 p.m.
6686 N. Northwest Highway in Edison Park
EmeraldIsleChicago.com

Countryside Saloon — Rustic local favorite that offers one of the better beer gardens around, great pizza and daily drink specials.
2501 E. Ballard Drive in Des Plaines
CountrysideSaloon.com

Moretti’s — This local chain is a favorite for pizza lovers, and their restaurants in Rosemont and Edison Park perfectly surround Park Ridge. And each have a great patio for warm weekends, and some serious Sunday NFL specials like $3 featured domestics, $5 bloody marys and $15 buckets.
6727 Olmstead in Edison Park and 9519 W. Higgins in Rosemont.
MorettisRestaurants.com

Kings Bowling — Located in the Parkway Bank Park entertainment district, this massive, contemporary bowling venue and arcade also happens to boast the “Draft Room,” offering a sports-viewing experience that would rival most Las Vegas sportsbooks.
5505 Park Place in Rosemont
Kings.DE.com