Oak Lawn Bar Welcomes South Side Cubs Faithful

OAK LAWN, IL -- If you’re a South Side Cubs fan feeling like a lonely little petunia in a garden of Sox fans, there’s a place for you at BJ McMahon’s in Oak Lawn where they’re flying the Cubbie blue.

Bar owner and lifelong Cubs fan Roger Benson has purchased 11 “W” flags in anticipation of the former National League basement dwellers’ first World Series Championship in 108 years.

“There are a ton of Cubs fans on the South Side,” Benson said. “We’re a Cubs bar. As it gets closer it’s going to be crazy.”

While some Western Avenue bars in Beverly will be offering free drinks for each home run smacked by the Cubs’ opponents in the playoffs, the beer and brats will be flowing at BJ McMahon’s. 5432 W. 95th St. in Oak Lawn.

The popular Oak Lawn bar will be offering a place where Cubs fans can come and cheer without feeling self-conscious, and keep their souls free from the darkness of past heartache: 1969, 1984, 1989, 1998, 2003, 2007, 2008 and 2015.

My father was a Sox fan and my stepdad was a Cubs fan, I had the best of both worlds,” Benson says. “I remember when they blew it in 1969. In 1984, my son was a baby. I survived 2003. Last year I drove seven hours to Pittsburgh for the one-game playoff.”

So that White Sox fans aren’t feeling left out, they can touch a section of Old Comiskey Park when they visit BJ McMahon’s restrooms.

“I’m the only Cubs fan I know who has the right field wall from Comiskey, Benson said.

He’s going to the game on Sunday, but Benson’s son, Blake, the baby from 1984, will be holding down the fort.

“All the kids bought W flags,” Benson said. “We’re putting one up for each win. We have eight games.”

Does this year feel different from all the other years?

“They never up,” Benson said. “I’m feeling great.”

As for Sox fans, Benson says “don’t be a hater. You don’t have to cheer for the Cubs, but don’t be a hater.”

Roger Benson hoists the W after another Cubs win at BJ McMahon's in Oak Lawn. | Blake Benson