Like any baseball fan, spending time in Wrigleyville was high on my list.

Rain prevented me from walking through during the day, but I was able to swing by on a Friday night (coincidentally right after I went to the White Sox game…took the Red Line to Addison Ave).

The stadium is beautiful, very grand and putting out an aura of tradition and mystique (unfortunately it is not very photogenic at night, however).

I wish I could say the same for the surrounding area.

Sure, it’s neat and unique, but that said, I think I am done frequenting bars where wearing a jacket immediately becomes a regret.

It’s not only that I couldn’t find a chair to hang my coat on – if it touched the floor I might have chosen to abandon it (I eventually found a bar stool, then sat on my jacket).

A majority of the bars in the area are too collegiate for my bones – sticky floors, extremely limited seating, loud music, young people who can’t handle what’s in their glasses, etc.

Take a walk through Wrigleyville during the day, grab some lunch, soak in the history, but keep an eye on the sun.

As it begins to depart, so should you.