Posts Tagged ‘sports bars’

Fantastic Sports Bars for Flyers Fans in Philadelphia – Book a Hotel, Too and Make It a Getaway

Sometimes going to a Rangers game in Manhattan is just too much – too much of a travel hassle, too much money, too many crowds. So why not consider a road trip or train trip to Philadelphia? It’s a one-hour trip to the City of Brotherly Love and you’ll be in the heartland of hockey fandom.

Hockey season means lots of cheering, camaraderie and group gatherings. Here’s where to get your hockey fix when you can’t make it to the arena.

You can be as loud as you want at these Philadelphia sports bars.

Courtesy Cavanaugh's Rittenhouse

Cavanaugh’s Rittenhouse

Cavanaugh’s Rittenhouse has been a staple among Philadelphia Flyer fans for the past 15 years. Now in a new Rittenhouse location on 1921 Sansom Street, the popular pub serves up a broad food menu along with nearly 50 brews on draft and in bottles and cans including IPAs, sour beers and international favorites. Ciders and the ever-popular “mystery beer” — you pay an extra-low price for whatever strikes the brewmaster’s fancy — keep the place hopping. Cav’s, as the bar and restaurant is known to locals, has 22 HD TVs to keep your attention on the ice.

Courtesy Cavanaugh's Rittenhouse

A wide-ranging food menu is available, but the Cav’s specials are the best bets. Try Cav’s acclaimed Philly cheesesteak, award-winning wings, nuggets and burgers. A pizza oven adds more choices. If you can’t decide, bring a group of friends and order the faves put together on Cav’s platter and topped with pierogis and sinfully tasty tater tots. For adults, Cav’s is open until 2am. If you bring the kids, they have their own special menu with a soft drink so they can toast and cheer as well.

Courtesy P.J. Clarke’s

P.J. Clarke’s

Building on the popularity of its locations in New York City and Washington, DC, P.J. Clarke’s is centrally located near Independence Hall. More of a sports bar than its siblings, the Philadelphia outpost is a go-to for watching the Flyers while enjoying P.J. Clarke’s signature burgers, cottage fries and raw bar.

PJ Clarke's - Photo by Ashley Sears

In addition, they recently updated their Philly menu to include new items you can only find at this location including the Jumbo Philly Soft Pretzel with Yards Philly Pale Ale Beer Cheese and the Salmon 6th & Walnut Chopped Salad. For another Philly-only fave, try the popular Curtis Burger with Horseradish Cheddar Cheese, Griddled Tomato and Chipotle Mayo – you won’t find that in NYC or DC.

Courtesy P.J. Clarke’s

Do take note: having a burger here is a much as a Philadelphia rite of passage as showing your FlyGuy fanaticism. Park yourself in front of the TV screens adorning all walls, and cheer for that extra hat trick.

Courtesy Xfifnity Live - Broad Street Bullies Pub & PBR Philly

Xfinity Live!

You might have missed out getting tickets to the Flyers, but you still want to be as close to the action as possible. Flyers fans unite! Xfinity Live! makes that possible with their entertainment center set smack in the middle of the Philadelphia Sports Complex. With a mix of restaurants, all with TVs, and an outdoor space featuring a 24-foot-wide HD screen, you can scream along with your fan friends whether they are at the actual game at the Wells Fargo Center or sitting with you just feet away from the bar. Choose from the outdoor space, weather-dependent, or indoor restaurants including 1100 Social, PBR Philly Victory Beer Hall, Chickies and Pete’s for unmatched crabfries and cutlets, Lorenzo and Sons’ pizza, a cheesesteak at Philly’s own Geno’s, or the Broad Street Bullies Pub, a pub with an added attraction of hockey memorabilia from the legendary Broad Street Bullies team of the 70s.

Courtesy Garage Passyunk

Garage Passyunk and Garage Fishtown

Philadelphia’s Garages give you two colorful neighborhood choices to watch the Flyers skate to victory. Garage Passyunk in the Italian market area in South Philly has five large flat screen TVs to keep you glued to the action at the arena as you toast with any of 150 cans of beers. Between periods, you can play pool, skeeball or check out some of Garage’s pinball machines.

Courtesy Garage Fishtown

Just four miles away, Garage Fishtown, in Philly’s artsy nabe, has 400 beers, whiskey and pickle backs, plus a similar array of pool tables, skeeball and nine large flat screen TVs to keep you entertained. Try Garage’s handmade pierogis, smash burgers and Polish nachos for some unusual finger food munchies– they pair perfectly with Garage’s varied brews.

Wondering Where to Stay?

Courtesy Loews Hotel Philadelphia - Luxury Double Room

You don’t want to travel late night back to NYC. Make it an overnight or even a weekend by booking a room at the centrally located Loews Hotel Philadelphia in Center City.

Courtesy Loews Hotel Philadelphia - Turkish Bath

The historic hotel has everything you could think of to make this a special getaway from an outstanding spa with its own hammam for a Turkish bath experience and a full menu of treatments for men and women alike – try the unusual Soft Pack Float;

Courtesy Loews Hotel Philadelphia - Bank and Bourbon Restaurant

The Bank and Bourbon whiskey bar/sports bar that stays open late and features 92 varieties of the amber brew plus an extensive menu of whiskeys; and an all-day restaurant with hearty dishes for cold-weather travel.

Courtesy Reading Terminal Market

Additionally, the hotel is a few minutes’ walk from Reading Terminal Market where you can drink and dine in a fun, lively food hall setting that’s as historic (it dates from 1893) as it is varied. If you book a stay by January 24, Loews has a special Tailgate Rate that includes a complimentary room upgrade and a daily food and beverage credit.

New York City Sports Bars

It’s sweltering hot and you may not be thinking football at the moment, but training camp starts before you know it and then it’s time for the Superbowl. Here are eight places to visit to get your fix of sports life and football fandom. And, of course, if football isn’t on your radar yet, you can go to these bars to watch what’s left of  baseball season.

Bounce © Poselski Photos

Bounce

Want some DJ music to accompany the triples and touchdowns?  Bounce is the place for you. With more of a club feel than a sports bar, Bounce sets a new tone in Chelsea with bottle service to keep the vibe with a mix of music and sport. You might need to dress up a bit for this one, or at least trade your ripped blue jeans for a pair of tailored black ones. Reservations are needed and there’s even a tab on the website to let you know what the wait time is. A curated wings menu complements trendier bites like poke tacos, truffle mushroom flatbread and avocado toast with black kale. https://bouncesportingclub.com/

Courtesy The Supply House

The Supply House

If you find yourself on the Upper East Side, The Supply House is a comfortable favorite for watching the game and enjoying a day or evening with friends. You’re invited to pre-game, too, as The Supply House opens at 10am daily. Lined with brick walls, The Supply House has an industrial-meets-my favorite apartment feel and has large glass windows that are open during warmer months. The beer menu is fiercely local with a variety of unusual craft brews, and the burgers feature Pat LaFrieda’s incomparable blend of brisket, chuck and short rib. https://www.thesupplyhousenyc.com

Courtesy Blondies

Blondies

Upper West Siders have been flocking to Blondies for years for a basic sports bar experience. Reservations are accepted for large groups and are advisable on key game days. The bonus here is that screens actually play the games with volume so diehards don’t have to listen with earbuds on their phone while they watch. Along with typical burgers, tacos and other sports bar fare, the smothered wafer fries topped with cheese, chili, jalapenos, onions and sour cream are a messy standout.  Don’t miss their popular chicken wings either.  https://www.blondiessports.getsauce.com/

Courtesy Off the Wagon

Off the Wagon

For the past 26 years, Off the Wagon has been the home for NYU students and Greenwich Village locals to watch sports in its bi-level space. Open well past the final touchdown until 4am, the sports bar has 17 TV’s and a giant 100” screen showing games all over the country. There are 29 draft, bottled and canned beers; hard seltzers; and lots of other spirits to keep you animated. Food choices range from tacos and burgers to a variety of wraps. There are also choices for vegetarians. On select nights, DJs amp up the spirit.  https://www.offthewagonnyc.com/

Courtesy BK Backyard Bar

BK Backyard Bar

Brooklynites can replicate their stadium experiences at Williamsburg’s outdoor sports bar. With heated cabanas with personal TVs when the weather finally turns chilly, the shipping containers-turned-bar offers two rustic settings for drinking, eating and cheering, designed during Covid times to avoid a rave-like crush. Bottle service adds a bit of cachet. BK’s Mexican street food menu comes from Brooklyn’s Mr. Taco. Reservations are accepted for parties of four or more. https://www.tailgatebk.com/

Courtesy Smithfield Hall NYC

Smithfield Hall NYC

A hybrid for indoor and outdoor sports watching, Manhattan’s Smithfield Hall is an easy walk from Madison Square Garden. The outdoor covered area has nine heated tables with eight television screens to entertain you even in inclement weather. Indoors there are two bars, 27 tables and 26 TVs, accommodating fans of all teams (the bar conveniently posts a schedule of games on their website). The diverse menu includes vegetarian as well as fan-fave dishes. Wear your team jersey and enjoy the experience. https://smithfieldnyc.com

Courtesy Down the Hatch

Down the Hatch

If the first pitch or kickoff time right, book a table to enjoy Down the Hatch’s Bottomless Basement Brunch on Saturday and Sunday. The popular Greenwich Village college favorite offers unlimited domestic drafts, seltzers and mimosas to wash down wings, waffle fries or tater tots and onion rings for a set price of $40 per person. On other days or evenings, get ready for the game opening with a Ghost Pepper Spicy Margarita, jello shot or creative menu of craft beers. If you’re a Jets fan, you’ll have lots of company here. https://www.downthehatchnyc.com

Courtesy Redemption

Redemption
The haven for Washington fans, Redemption guarantees a solid Midtown East sports bar experience without your needing to shell out big bucks. The brick-walled sports lounge is a blend of sports bar and night club. The beer menu of some 30 draft, bottled and craft choices spans the globe. Not into beer? There are many creative libations including their version of frosé, made with Champagne and strawberry puree. The food menu includes burgers, wings, tacos and finger food. You can also reserve one of their private rooms and bring all your besties together for a spirited evening. https://redemptionnyc.com/

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