The first location, at 1855 W. Madison St., was opened in 1934 when William "Billy Goat '' Sianis bought the Lincoln Tavern, near Chicago Stadium, for $205 with a bounced check (he made good on it with the proceeds from the first weekend they were open). When the 1944 Republican National Convention came to town, he posted a sign saying "No Republicans allowed, '' causing the place to be packed with Republicans demanding to be served. Of course, a great deal of publicity followed, which Sianis characteristically took advantage of.
where is the original billy goat tavern in chicago
1855 W. Madison St.