If you are like me, you might have a Sunday ritual of going down to your local watering hole for a good round of NFL action. I am often seen there on Saturdays as well. Many of us that enjoy a beer here and there, or 20 over the course of the day, all have a favorite sports bar that we are patrons at.
I travel on business a fair amount, and have been to many cities, such as Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Francisco, Las Vegas and a few others. I always try to find the good sports bars to take in a game and a few beverages after closing whatever deal I am working on.
I have a few favorite sports bars here in Denver for any of you visiting.
If I am watching NFL on Sunday, then I go to the chain sports bar, Champps Bar & Grill. These are located in several states, but provide a good atmosphere, plus it is centrally located between myself and my friends. My most memorable moment there was watching the Broncos vs. Patriots in last years playoffs, and watching Champ Bailey return the interception thrown by Tom Brady back about 105 yards. The DJ then threw on "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey and the bar was singing in unison and jumping up and down. Beer was going everywhere. It was like being at a rock concert, and I will never forget it.
If I am going to a Rockies game, then I enjoy a refreshing beverage at Above the Dove(former name, now referred to as The Tavern Rooftop). Not really a sports bar, but it is right accross the street from Coors Field and you can sit on the rooftop and often catch a player from the Avalanche, Nuggets, or Broncos there. My most memorable moment was getting to shake the hand of Luis Gonzalez, of the Arizona D-Backs, after a game they had with the Rockies. How many of us can say we shook a world series champions hand? Pretty neat in my opinion.
If I am watching NBA action, I sit on the couch. I have the League Pass, and hey, plenty of beer in the fridge, plus it is cheaper. My most memorable moment, well, I can't say or my wife would kill me.
If I am going to a Nuggets game, i always go to Brooklyn's. Good drinks, good food and a ton of people on game nights, plus plenty of screens for the other games that are going on currently. There is another Brooklyn's next to Invesco field, which is my favorite if i am going to a Broncos game. On game day, they have an outdoor area with a grill going, plenty of brats, hotdogs, or burgers with sides for $5. A great deal. All of the Sunday morning games are on many different TV's and the atmosphere is excellent. I can recall being there at 10 am many sundays when I was a season ticket holder.
So, there you go. Those are my favorite local sports bars. So please let me know what you favorite is, and next time I am traveling to your city, I will try to be a customer. Thanks for your reading,
I like Crunchys in East Lansing. It is a great place to eat a burger or pizza with people drink a few cold ones and hang out with MSU Hockey players and other athletes.
Michigan Brewing Company is not a sports bar but it's tied with Crunchy's.
RamPride, Good job. Man, I gotta learn how to do all this cool graphics stuff.
My drinkin' days are behind me, but I usually preferred watching the games at one of the guys' place with a keg or a case or two. Always felt we could get wilder that way, and if we broke something, we usually were forgiven.
Most college towns have a strip of bars near campus, and all were great places to "build your spirit" before the game.
Hogfan-you're right..FT collins(CSU) has an area of bars in its "downtown" area. It was a great spot to hang out in college and still is fun to go back when taking in a game at the old Alum'
Ram - Good subject. Love the pics of your favorite places. There is nothing like watching your favorite team in a raucous atmosphere of fellow zealots.
Cleveland - Tons of great places right by the Jake, but the best place is down on the Flats. Couldn't score tickets so we watched the '97 World Series down there. Great times.
Pittsburgh - There isn't enough time or space here to talk about bars in the 'burgh and its suburbs. I'll be posting soon about my pre-Super Bowl experience in the Strip District the day before the big game last season.
As for your question about Dayton: I know a little place called Lenders that has great food, but it is a little North of Dayton. I also know the owner of a little place called 'Wings'. They also have the usual suspects (Hooters, BW3) and I have heard of a place called Zippers but have never been there. I have a friend who just moved down there so I will try to get more info before your trip.
i've been asked to leave most of the bars i've walked into. apparently, even though they serve non-alcoholic beverages, such as mountain dew, coke, and 7up, you're only allowed to have 1 per visit, and the rest of the time you are required to drink beer, mixed drinks, or shots. either that, or you have to financially support the favorite drunk(s) for at least an hour...maybe that's just a wisconsin thing.
i've never been asked to leave The Rooster though, so i'd have to say that's my favorite, but i usually only went there on a thursday night, if i got off work early.
it's in Neillsville, Wisconsin, in case anyone wants to stop in for a drink, i'll buy the first round.
Burger-Thanks for the comments onthe post and the info about Dayton...I appreciate it.
Cuz-I like those drinking rules, I would have my bar tab taken care of quite frequently if those were the rules. Out here we play credit card roulette for the bill.
the common practice around here is to shake dice to see who buys a round. 7-14-21 is a nasty game. even if you dont end up buying, you usually end up drinking as much as the guy(s) who gets stuck with some disgusting shot. the only time i played there were 8 of us, and we all ended up slamming about 6 or 7 yaeger bombs, half of which the bartender just thought we should drink while we were shaking and drinking our regular beverage of choice. i've learned not to drink at a bar where a friend is serving the drinks...it's bad news.
cuz-ever had a mat shot? it is where they take the mat that all the liquor is poured, take all that has spilled, put it into a shot glass and there you go...it ends up being fairly interesting.
i think i'll pass on that one. i've never been much of a drinker, and so much of it causes stomach problems (ulcers) that i avoid alot of stuff. usually all i drink is smirnoff ice or a brandy/7up or 2. beer usually causes to much discomfort, but i'll have a budlight every now and again. one thing i learned, never drink a full bottle of tequila rose in one night, especially if you havent eaten anything all day.
Ram I don’t think I’ve ever heard of a mat shot, that’s freaking beautiful. Just about any place that has a TV and sells cold beer will do. Like Cuz my hardcore drinking days are long gone. If I could remember that night in Cleveland before we took a ferry (boat) to a strip club with a purple neon sign it would be a hell of a story. Tequila is evil.
2 minutes from my place there is "All Star Wings and Ribs". Hottest damn wings ever, and I can hold my own (or so I thought).
Don't go to local sportsbars in Toronto much, but if anyone ever goes down there I suggest "The Old Spaghetti Factory". The Dan will never stray you down the wrong path - believe that.
i think i might head to the rooster tonight...i just got done writing a post about another brewers loss...now i'm all depressed and need to drown my sorrows. it's a good thing i dont drink every time they disappoint me, or i'd never be sober...or even close to it.
I'm not in an area with a lot of bars, much less notable sports bars. However, when I went to the ESPN Zone in NYC it was a place that I imagine would be sweet to frequent during a big game.
The coolest place even close to me is Crogan's in Walnut Creek (Cali). One time the day after the All-Star break Huddy & Izzy were hanging out in the back, I don't remember the year but I think both were selected. My girl asked Izzy (who was playing video golf) why he doesn't start anymore. Classic.
Nick's English Hut in Bloomington, Indiana shows most all Iu basketball games.
Even though I don't drink and I find all the smoke irritating (is that still legal), I love seeing the Hoosiers playing the Dons in San Francisco while the rest of the state has to somehow pay for the coverage and not see the game at all.
Ram, at the place I work while in school we call it an "LA freeway" or a "Jersey Turnpike."
That place I work is called Boli's 5th Street Pizzeria in Greenville, NC. It has dollar bud lt. and miller lt. draft every day. It's awesome, if you're down in g-vegas, give me a ring and we'll go. I'll introduce you to some of the hottest waitresses around.
MD-Thanks for coming over. I will give that one a shot next time I am in the LA area, which might be in the next few months, i have a few clients out there.
NOrcal-We have an ESPN Zone here in Denver as well, and it is an awesome place to watch a game. i was pondering if I should include it or not, but I didn't. i would imagine in NYC it is probably a little bigger/better.
Ed-That is a good reason to go the bar, to watch the game you can't watch at home. and I hate the smoke in bars to, Colorado recently banned smoking in public places like bars, so now you cango and when you leave your clothes don't smell like smoke.
lol xrooster, I didn't know you had a copywright on that name.
Rec-interesting names for the "mat shot" Any place that serves dollar beers is a good candidate in my book.
Hoffman-thanks fo stopping by again. If memory serves me correct you are from the Springs, I think they have a champps down there. The food is pretty good as well. If you are ever in the area, i would definitely check out the other places.
Thanks to all for their comments, and have a great day.
Been there also The_Dan. the best part about taht one is that it is about 10 feet from the sports book so you can get your wagers in, if you are the gambling type.
The best sports bar beer selection in Denver near Coors Field is the Falling Rock Tap. That's my favorite in my new city.
In my last city, Chicago, the best sports bar was Jak's Tap at 900 W. Jackson.
and edclinchsaint, Nick's English Hut rocks. great call. GO IU!
I thought about doing one like this a few days ago. Dammit, you beat me to it. ESPN in Vegas and in Denver are sweet, but I love the atmosphere in a Buffalo Wild Wings on a saturday (especially in a college town)in the fall. What the name of the bar right outside of Coors field that brews their own beer? I know there is probably lots. I want to say outside of the center entrance. It's nice. Although I got into a random fight there once.
I am a former NCAA Div I athete/has-be en and I have decided to try to take a swing at using this blog give my views on many a sports issue. I was raised and currently reside in Denver, so I am sure my bias will show. Being new to the blogosphere, I will try to not embarass myself.. I am just looking to settle every argument I have ever had in my local sports bar. Since the good 'ol playing days, I have taken a desk job and gained 40 pounds, so let's see if I can throw some wieght behind my words.
