Among the moments Chicagoans would gladly freeze in time: Patrick Kane's clandestine, winning goal, which last season clinched the Stanley Cup for the Chicago Blackhawks.
If you're among the throngs of loyal fans who won't see them drop the puck first-hand, don't fret -- area bars and restaurants offer the next-best thing: budget-saving assists. Check out these bars and restaurants where watching Blackhawks games on TV screens will be priority one all season long:
Cityscape Bar, Holiday Inn Mart Plaza, 15th Fl., 350 W. Mart Center Dr., (312) 836-5000; cityscapebar.com.
This posh perch with expansive, floor- to-ceiling skyline views, 30-plus wines by the glass and elegant bites will host a home opener viewing party Saturday. Score specials like the Champagne of Beers for $4 a pop and a comp wing, mini pizza and hot dog buffet from 7:30-8:30 p.m. Then, sit pretty with a Chicago Blackhawk Martini -- a Skyy, Apple Pucker and cranberry creation -- in hand.
O'Rourke's Office, 11064 S. Western, (773) 429-1598; orourkesoffice.com.
On game days, belly up to the backlit bar at this charming neighborhood tap in the Beverly neighborhood -- it's where you'll procure $2 domestic beers, from Miller Lite to Bud -- as well as half-price Blackhawks 'tinis, UV cherry vodka served straight up and ice-cold.
She-nannigans, 16 W. Division, (312) 642-2344.
The name says it all at this raucous, frat-friendly Rush and Division stalwart, which goes the extra mile with $5 domestic mini-pitchers, $15 Coors Light buckets and $5 Beam shots when the Hawks grace the screens.
The Temple Bar, 3001 N. Ashland Ave., (773) 248-0990; templebarchicago.com.
Taking its inspiration from Dublin's cobblestone "cultural quarter" and its landmark bar of the same name, this watering hole hosts the Blackhawks own Ice Girls during away games. Countless specials whenever the team plays further sweetens the pot, whether it's $5 Jager Bombs, $2 PBR, $1.50 sliders or a substantial serving of fish and chips for $7.95.
One sixytblue, 1400 W. Randolph, (312) 850-0303; onesixtyblue.com.
Don't be surprised to see players during downtime at this team favorite. Enjoy in-season specials, including the Quenneville's Cup, a potable containing Lucid absinthe, Old Tom gin, elderflower syrup and fresh lime juice ($10).
East Side Pub, 2400 E. Main St., St. Charles, (630) 377-7655; eastsidepubandgrill.com.
Imbibe with $5 Labatt pitchers while watching each and every game at this team-sanctioned, "Official Blackhawks Bar." Look for an ever-changing roster of additional deals on game days, from 50-cent wings on Oct. 13 to $1 steak tacos on Oct. 15. With all the cash you've saved, be sure to procure an exclusive "Puck Off" T-shirt ($10), the ultimate in team solidarity.
Mahoney's Pub & Grille, 551 N. Ogden, (312) 733-2121, mahoneyspubchicago.com.
You won't miss a single play at this convivial wood-trimmed tap -- another Official Blackhawks Bar -- given its 17-by- 10-foot projectors and plasmas at every turn. Kick off the festivities with airings of the United Center's intro videos and the national anthem, and don't miss a beat during the commercial breaks when game clips keep the spirit alive. Meanwhile, down $11 domestic pitchers. The bar also plans bus trips, including an upcoming United Center excursion on Oct. 18 for the game against the St. Louis Blues ($65).
Kroll's, 1736 S. Michigan, (312) 235-1400, krolls-chicago.com.
A Blackhawks headquarters to call your own, this stylish, sporty South Loop haunt sports the NHL Center Ice Package and Versus channel, too. Drink specials, such as $3 Bud Light drafts, are the drink of choice alongside broasted chicken fingers, cheese-, bacon- and sour cream-topped tots, and the sauerkraut and Swiss-laden pork chop sandwich.
Prasino, 93 S. La Grange Rd., La Grange, (708) 469-7058; 51 S. First St., St. Charles, (630) 908-5200, prasino.com.
Toast the season in organic fashion with a round of Chelsea Daggers, a Knickerbocker gin libation laced with red and white cranberry juices and fresh-squeezed, organic strawberry juice ($9.50). Then, dig into butternut squash ravioli with broccolini and Parmesan ($14) or sustainable, line-caught fish tacos dolloped with poblano cream.
Prairie Grass Cafe, 601 Skokie Blvd., Northbrook, (847) 205-4433, prairiegrass
cafe.com; Prairie Fire, 215 N. Clinton, (312) 382-8300, prairiefirechicago.com.
Make a beeline for the bar at these Sarah Stegner and George Bumbaris-owned siblings, showing allegiance with a Rocky's Stanley Cup, a Ketel One Oranje-based concoction with Red Bull, homemade cranberry juice and a Romana Black sambuca ice puck ($11) tempered by seasonally inspired American eats.
Jennifer Olvera is a local free-lance writer.
