Cubs May Allow Alcohol, Block Parties on Sheffield

The Chicago Cubs say they plan to use Sheffield Avenue for a block party, potentially allowing fans to carry open alcohol on the new Triangle Plaza, a move some North Side neighbors say they could do without.

It’s all detailed in the teams newly released planned development outlining specifics of the organization's $500 million makeover of Wrigley Field and the surrounding neighborhood. The events would be on Sheffield Avenue between Addison Street and Waveland Avenue.

According to the Cubs planned development, the street will be used on game days between Memorial Day and Labor Day, beginning three hours before the game’s start time, and ending at the end of the second inning.

Officials are also in talks to allow open containers in the Triangle Plaza to the west of Wrigley, according to Cubs Vice President of Communications Julian Green.

Although Sheffield is already closed to traffic during games, residents have been quick to criticize the proposal, questioning whether it would bring even more alcohol-related issues to Wrigleyville. In the past, Green has described the Cubs idea for Sheffield as family-friendly and a place to take children, but he says allowing alcohol doesn’t change that.

“There’s been a suggestion that it’s a beer alley, and it’s not a beer alley,” Green said. “We never said we wouldn’t have alcohol, but look, people can go to any neighborhood festival and beer is sold. That doesn’t mean its any less family friendly. We’re not selling beer bongs.”

Green said in addition to having alcohol, they also plan to have things like face painting. But he says you don’t need to get approval from the city to have family attractions like face painting, so none of those items are outlined in a planned development.

When confronted with the possibility of a street party on Sheffield in the past, members of the East Lake View Neighbors Association told Cubs representatives to “do it on your own property,” citing issues about competition with businesses like Murphy’s Bleachers.

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When asked if local businesses would be providing the alcohol, Green said that is still up in the air.

“We’re open to ideas,” he said. “Every dollar of revenue we get to generate in the ballpark is important to us. We say that again and again. We’re also open to the ideas that could make this a win-win for the community. We’ve talked about the possibility of inviting neighborhood groups and having them where they might be able to run a concession stand, and some of that money goes toward the neighborhood association.”

Green added later the team is also talking about restricting alcohol sales to private property, meaning they could purchase it at Wrigley and walk around the Triangle Plaza or Sheffield. 

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