Turtle Races! Yeah, that’s right, TURTLE RACES!

Big Joe’s has turtle races every Friday night starting at approximately 9pm.

1818 W Foster Avenue
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 784-8755

This Ravenswood neighborhood joint is your typical dive bar with a modest, brick exterior, wooden walls, carpeted floors and cheap drinks.  On Fridays, the place turns into a turtle racer’s paradise.  The more you drink, the better your chances of winning.  The announcer treats the races as if he is announcing the Kentucky Derby.  If you aren’t lucky enough to get you ticket picked to race a turtle, you can always watch the action, or lack thereof, from the plasma screen above the bar.  You will soon find out that Yolanda is “the slowest @*%#ing turtle in the world!”

This is a bit of a hike from the hostel but a $10 cab ride each way will do it.  You’ll save this much with the cheap drinks.  Get there before 9pm if you want to get a seat.