Celebrating Billy Goat Tavern's 85th Anniversary
WHEREAS, William "Billy Goat" Sianis opened the original Billy Goat Tavern location in 1934 at 1855 West Madison Street - across from the Chicago Stadium (now the United Center); and
WHEREAS, William "Billy Goat" Sianis purchased the tavern for $205 with a check that later bounced, but the revenue from the first weekend of sales covered the non-sufficient funds; and
WHEREAS, William "Billy Goat" Sianis was nicknamed "Billy Goat" after he adopted a goat that wandered into his tavern, grew a goatee, and officially renamed the bar the Billy Goat Tavern; and
WHEREAS, During the 1944 Chicago Republican Convention, William "Billy Goat" Sianis posted a sign stating, "No Republicans Allowed," which caused republicans to storm the bar insisting on being served and earned him notoriety as a publicity stunt master; and
WHEREAS, After Cubs owner P.K. Wrigley had William "Billy Goat" Sianis" and his goat, Murphy, ejected from Game 4 of the 1945 World Series, William "Billy Goat" Sianis placed the "Curse of the Billy Goat" on the Cubs, and the organization did not win a World Series until 2016; and
WHEREAS, In 1964, William "Billy Goaf Sianis relocated Billy Goat Tavern to its current subterranean location at 430 North Lower Michigan Avenue; and
WHEREAS, The Billy Goat Tavern was Chicago columnist Mike Royko's favorite bar, and Mike Royko could often be found at The Goat after work talking about politics, sports, and current events; and
WHEREAS, People from all walks of life have flocked to the Billy Goat Tavern to enjoy good conversations, libations, and some of the best burgers in Chicago; and
WHEREAS, William "Billy Goat" Sianis would entertain bar guests by yelling, "Try the double cheese! It's the best! No fries, cheeps!"; and
WHEREAS, William "Billy Goat" Sianis and the bar were immortalized in 1970 when Saturday Night Live aired a sketch about the bar and its lively owner and staff; and
WHEREAS, William "Billy Goat" Sianis passed away during the early morning hours on October 22, 1970 - shortly after closing the bar for the night; and
WHEREAS, Sam Sianis inherited the bar from his uncle William "Billy Goat" Sianis; and
WHEREAS, Sam Sianis has lived up to William "Billy Goat" Sianis' reputation and continued in his footsteps; and
WHEREAS, The Billy Goat Tavern now has multiple locations throughout Chicago and is still the favorite bar of many journalists, politicians, and working Chicagoans; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and members of the City of Chicago City Council, assembled this twentieth day of November, 2019, do hereby honor the Billy Goat Tavern on 85 years of serving Chicagoans and tourists; and|1010||1010|
Chicago City Council Co-Sponsor Addition/Change
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Alderman PCI
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