My husband's turning 30 in January and I want to throw him a surprise party. Any creative ideas?

I'm thinking of having it at his favorite local pub, which will rent rooms, has pool tables, darts, etc. He's from Chicago and is a huge Chicago Sports fan. I thought about maybe doing something with a theme, but I don't want it to be corny or too terribly expensive. I really want to have fun with this and I welcome any suggestions.

congrats! my husband is turning 35 in December and I am doing a bar hop/scavenger hunt.
I start him off with a clue that takes him to a local bar. There he will get a surprise (either one of his closest friends or a few of them) and a free drink. He can only be there 30 minutes to 1 hour before he must head to his next bar with his friend/group where once again he will meet another friend(s) and get a drink. (I should probably mention that I notify the bar ahead of time so that I can pay for his drinks and give them the clue that sends him off to the next spot)
Then it will happen one more time before he gets his final clue where he and his group will head to his favorite pub where he will me and all the rest of the group (wives and friends that couldn't meet earlier). Then we will have dinner, drink, hang out and play games. I like it because it gives him quality time with his closest guy friends before having to do the social rounds at a party. Also, it kind of gives the message that people need to pay for themselves since everyone will be flowing in and out throughout the evening.
If you want to make it really interesting you can leave a fun gag gift at each bar.

take him out to a pub like you said or a place like a dance club and have your friends there with surprise.

I think that's a great idea! I bet he would love it!