Bono Surprises Bar Patrons by Singing Christmas Carols

Bono took a break from U2’s UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere residency in Las Vegas this week to pay a visit to Chicago, where he rubbed elbows with locals. It’s unclear what the Irish rocker was doing in the Windy City, but his trip was documented on social media.

Historian Liz Garibay posted a selfie with Bono to X, formerly Twitter, on Thursday night, writing: “Just your average Thursday evening in Chicago hanging out with Bono at Twin Anchors Restaurant & Tavern.” According to the establishment’s website, Twin Anchors is one of the oldest restaurants in the city of Chicago, located in an historic Old Town building that dates back to 1881.

“Twin Anchors has always been known for great, tender, barbecued baby-back ribs that can be enjoyed in a quaint neighborhood tavern,” the website states.

In a follow-up post, Garibay shared video of the 63-year-old leading the bar’s patrons in a singalong of “O Holy Night.” “He also sang Christmas carols with my buddy and the bar,” Garibay wrote.

He also sang Christmas carols with my buddy and the bar. https://t.co/hrZELQ6s0v pic.twitter.com/ZCsZGwWGIf

— Liz Garibay (@LizGaribayChi) December 8, 2023

And if anyone was wondering—in addition to his impromptu performance, yes, Bono did apparently eat an entire slab of ribs while he was there. 

But when we said that Bono took a break from his residency at the Las Vegas Sphere, we mean that quite literally. It was Dec. 7 that Bono ate ribs and sang with locals in Chicago, but as another user pointed out, U2 had bookended gigs at the Sphere on both Dec. 6 and Dec. 8. “U2 had a day off between shows at the Sphere, so Bono came to Chicago for dinner,” posted the user, alongside a screenshot of the residency dates.

.@u2 had a day off between shows at the @SphereVegas, so Bono came to Chicago for dinner https://t.co/xbH5hHXdyy pic.twitter.com/7H4SSkNaK4

— Trent ?? (@tnertz) December 8, 2023

There are obviously no shortages of places to eat in Vegas, but apparently no one does ribs like Twin Anchor in Chicago.