Tradition brings Chicagoans closer together for the big game

The Super Bowl kicked off this past weekend with the Kansas City Chiefs playing the Philadelphia Eagles, leaving Chicago residents on the edge of their seats. There are many ways people sit and watch the big game each year. What better way than to drink and cheer in a family-owned pub? I had the opportunity to speak with a manager, bartender and Chicago residents about what makes the Super Bowl a special event each year. 

When you first walk into Glascott’s Saloon, a family-owned Irish Pub in Lincoln Park, the first thing you may be surprised to see are the pictures lining the walls of the bar with a deep-rooted family history, going as far back as 1937. Looking around, families and friends fill the bar with anticipation before the big game starts.

Fans cheer on their team at Glascott’s Saloon in Lincoln Park during the Super Bowl on February 12. Photo by Alexandra Murphy, 14 East

In one corner, a large family sits with their Crock-Pot of chili they had just made at home. In other areas of the bar, friends and family members are actively placing bets and wondering whether they will win or lose big tonight. 

Jake Glascott is the great-grandson of the original owner of Glascott’s Saloon and is now the manager. While at work behind the bar, Glascott spoke more about what tradition means to his family and to the bar. 

“So, everyone likes to do house parties. If you look down there, those guys brought in their Crock-Pots with their chili, hot dogs and whatever, you know. We kind of encourage that and you know, make yourself at home in the Super Bowl,” he said.  

When looking over to the left, there is a girl wearing a football helmet and walking around with a pom pom in her hand.

Jake Glascott (right) smiles and watches the game next to a football fan. Photo by Alexandra Murphy, 14 East

There was a comfort that could be felt even from someone who has never stepped foot into the local pub. Glascott explained that even though his family does not hold any specific family traditions for the Super Bowl, a few of his family members were there with him, making sure everyone was drinking, eating good food and overall having a good time. 

Pointing around the bar Glascott says, “So, that’s my cousin, that’s my cousin Liam. The assistant manager. My brother Seamus is somewhere around here, too.”

Photographs of the Glascott family history going back to the 1930s. Photo by Alexandra Murphy, 14 East

When asked about his predictions for the Super Bowl, he happily stated he wanted the Eagles to win, but by no more than six points because everyone loves a close game. This remained true while the Eagles and the Chiefs were head-to-head throughout most of the game. The Chiefs ended up winning 38-35.

At Kelly’s Pub, located right near DePaul’s Lincoln Park campus, it was an entirely different atmosphere. There was a good mix of some people who were interested in watching the big game and some who could care less about football. 

Customers wait for the game to start at Kelly’s Pub in Lincoln Park. Photo by Alexandra Murphy, 14 East

At one point, a customer even walked out, asking the bartender, “Is there a football game on today?” 

A pair of regulars who have been going to Kelly’s for decades came to watch the golf game that was on and ended up staying to watch the Super Bowl.

Two regulars and old friends talk at the bar. Photo by Alexandra Murphy, 14 East

Frank Vilez, a bartender at Kelly’s, explains how he has worked every Super Bowl for the past nine years and has never seen the bar get too busy or out of hand for the game. The only time the bar gets busy is when DePaul students flood in at the last minute when other bars are too full.

Vilez said that he enjoys working on Super Bowl Sunday because it is “strictly financial. It’s the fact that I can make money and also watch the game. I also like the gambling aspect and halftime show.” 

For Alessandro Guasta, a DePaul University senior, the Super Bowl is a time spent with family where they will all get together to sit and watch the game at home. 

Guasta is from the west suburbs of Chicago and usually celebrates the Super Bowl with family where he says they go all out in making food. This year looks a little different for him, although he has made sure to surround himself with good friends this time around. 

“For a tradition, we do a family dinner and we watch the game. We do like five pounds of wings. It’s ridiculous,” he said.

His friend, Neel Patel, also a DePaul senior, does not have a family tradition for the Super Bowl. Patel explains his favorite part of the game is the halftime show, saying that it is exciting because everyone should know who Rihanna is, even if just by hearing her on the radio. 

The halftime show was a huge hit at this year’s Super Bowl, featuring Rihanna, who played some of her top hits like “Diamonds,” “Umbrella” and “B–h Better Have My Money.” At both of the Lincoln Park pubs, customers were dancing and screaming the popular lyrics at the top of their lungs. 

Customers at Glascott’s Saloon watch in awe of Rihanna and her halftime performance. Photo by Alexandra Murphy, 14 East.

 A Lincoln Park resident, Russel Bergstrom, who lives close to Glascott’s, agreed that halftime was one of the main highlights of the night. “Rihanna killed it. It was probably one of my favorite half-time shows in recent Super Bowl history,” he said. 

At the end of the day, Super Bowl Sunday is seen as a day full of different traditions and takeaways. There is a combination of celebration and loss, but most of all this day is about coming together with loved ones for the biggest game of the year, which is a beautiful thing.

Header illustration by Julia Hester