In 1967, three years after opening on Hubbard Street, Billy expands into an adjoining space to the west that had been a parking ramp. He hires workmen to put up wood paneling on the walls, and for one day at least, as Sun-Times columnist Tom Fitzpatrick describes it, the place “looked like your classic suburban recreation room.”
In this new room, with a champagne and caviar party, Billy unveils the Wall of Fame, dominated at its center by a hand-drawn portrait of Billy that dwarfs the photos on either side. These are the faces of 37 men and one woman who were once top-ranking newspaper editors, reporters and columnists; a couple of television personalities and one newspaper publisher; one mayor and a man who was the chauffeur for a Tribune editor.
There is probably not a person alive who can identify all of these faces.
The last time Michigan Avenue underwent a remodel was the year 1967. Wood paneling was put up in the addition that was purchased and was once a former parking ramp. Sun-Times columnist Tom Fitzpatrick said it looked like “a suburban recreation room”.
This room holds the now famous Wall of Fame. A wall of 37 men and one woman of top ranking newspaper editors, reporters, and columnists; a couple television personalities and one newspaper publisher; one mayor and a man who was the chauffeur for a Tribune editor. There’s probably not a person alive that can name all the faces on that wall, but they grace Billy Goat Tavern today. Their memory carried on and a story for each.
Billy Goat Tavern has always been a hangout for Chicago’s reporters. Every bar stool has a story. The original Billy Goat on Madison Street attracted reporters who covered events at the Chicago Stadium across the street.
When Billy Goat moved his tavern to its current location under Michigan Avenue, reports flocked to the new subterranean Goat because of its close proximity to the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times headquarters. If you’re not bellying up to the bar, have a seat at one of the red & white checkered tables near the bar or on the other side of the grill in the “Wall of Fame” section. This area features photographs of local celebrities and yellowed articles written by famous Chicago newspaper columnists from the nearby Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun Times like Dave Condon, Bill Granger, John Kass, Rick Kogan, Richard Roeper, Rick Telender and Irv Kupcinet. One of the largest “displays” is dedicated to the legendary Pulitzer Prize-winning Trib columnist, Mike Royko, and is comprised of photos, columns, and a memorial written by Royko following the passing of Billy Goat Sianis himself. In it, Royko declares Sianis the “Greatest Innkeeper in Chicago.”
Royko was often found each day after work, holding court down at the Billy Goat. He would entertain crowds by espousing local politics as the “voice of the little guy.” Most of his reader and colleagues would say that he was “Mr. Chicago.” His columns would consist of stories that described the different events and characters that brought out the true Chicago. Sam and Billy Goat Sianis acknowledged Mike Royko as a part of their family and he treated the Billy Goat as his home. Royko wrote many articles about events that happened at the Billy Goat or about Sam and his adventures.
The legendary Mike Royko often wrote about Sam and Billy Goat Tavern. He raved about Sam’s work ethic and character. In a letter of recommendation, Mike wrote of Sam:
“I would say that if I had to walk down to the OK Corral, Sam would be the first person I’d ask to join me. On second thought, I wouldn’t have to ask. He’d already be there.” – Mike Royko
