Billy Goat Tavern (Cheezeborger, Cheezeborger)

Here is background information on Billy Goat's, and directions from the Drupal Tower.

In the 1970s, Billy Goat Tavern in Chicago inspired a recurring Saturday Night Live skit. But for years before that, Billy Goat's was the underground haunt of many Chicago politicians and celebrities, and served as the daily workplace of the legendary newspaper columnist Mike Royko.

It's a genuine Chicago landmark and just a short walk -- if you can find it. Here's how.

From the Drupal Tower (Sheraton Chicago Hotel), you need to walk due west on Water Street, crossing Columbus Drive. You'll need to detour to your right just a bit when you get to the Gleacher Center, but soon you'll find yourself at a big plaza facing Michigan Avenue.

Look for a staircase on the sidewalk near the street. Head down.

You'll discover that there's a whole complex of streets under Michigan Avenue, used primarily by service vehicles. If it looks familiar, it's because it's where Batman and the Joker dueled in "The Dark Knight."

Billy Goat's will be right across Lower Michigan Avenue on the corner.

The food is not particularly good (you may regard it as moderately awful and it's definitely bad for you), but that's not why you go there. It's a temple of Chicago newspaper history, a place to drink beer, a noisy genuine neighborhood bar in a world overrun by national chains.