NYC's Best Sports Bars For NFL Football
The NFL season has arrived, and with that comes tailgating, face painting and pre-game rituals. But not everyone can make every game, so if you find yourself in need of a massive TV and lively atmosphere to pump you up, head to one of these New York City sports bars to catch all the action.
Bar 515 has successfully merged the needs of the die-hard sports crowd with that of the casual fan. Plasma TV screens line the walls of this well-known neighborhood haunt.
Lansdowne Road
599 10th Ave.
New York, NY 10036
(212) 239-8020
www.lansdowneroadnyc.com
If you're visualizing Tom Brady's face on a dartboard, you can throw a couple steel tips during halftime at this huge and homey Hell's Kitchen sports bar. Of course, you can also keep your cool at the long bar, which features a hypnotic, color changing ice rail that keeps brewskies frigid until poured. The 120-ounce Tower of Power brews and The Wheel, a free-drink tourney, will keep you occupied from kick-off till closing.
Mulholland's Sports Bar
312 Grand St.
Brooklyn, NY
718-486-3473
http://www.mulhollandsbklyn.com
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Williamsburg's rare sports bar, Mulholland's, is known for its award-winning hot wings, pub grub and casual atmosphere. Have the bartender pour you one of their many beers on tap and catch the NFL action on 12 HDTVs as well as the bar's indoor/outdoor TV in their backyard. This is a true sports fan's bar, with a vibe like no other.
Standings Bar
43 E. 7th St.
New York, NY 10003
(212) 420-0671
www.standingsbar.com
Intimate by sports bar standards, Standings manages to hold eight strategically-placed flat screens throughout the room. A really thoughtful, curated list of beers feature good old Bud Light and Guinness combined with a rotating crop of interesting, locally-sourced craft varieties. If your idea of NFL heaven is mingling with the East Village set, get here early on game days. The place grows wall-to-wall closer to kick-off, but remains super friendly and convivial no matter which team you're rooting for.
200 Fifth
200 Fifth Avenue
Brooklyn, NY
http://www.200-fifth.com
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With more televisions than you can count on two hands, 200 Fifth is both a food and sports haven. This Park Slope spot on Brooklyn's Fifth Avenue will certainly be a regular locale for the borough's football fans. The bar features a wide selection of beers on tap, and some nicely proportioned items on their "Bargain Menu." The place gets bustling, so get there early - especially during sporting events.
Blondies Sports
212 W. 79th St.
New York, NY 10024
(212) 362-4360
www.blondiessports.com
Legend has it that a hapless Jets fan tried to count the number of flat screens at Blondies once and couldn't do it. Of course, he'd downed a full pitcher of Brooklyn Beer first but even so, the amount of TVs here is staggering. The place packs on game days so a reservation is a really good idea, especially if you're with a group. Fans on a diet will be really happy with the salad menu, but the Blondies Meltdown sandwich and BBQ Half-Rack Chipotle Spare Ribs are to die for, so you might want to save your calories.
Tonic East
411 Third Ave
New York,NY
http://tonicbarnyc.com/index
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This three-story sports bar, complete with a rooftop overlooking Murray Hill, is built for optimal sports viewing and features cushy sofas, surround sound and huge plasma TVs.
Mustang Harry's
352 7th Avenue
New York, NY
http://www.mustangharrys.com
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If you're Midtown-bound and itching to find a great spot to watch the game, head over to Mustang Harry's on Seventh Ave. Mustang Harry's boasts the "longest bar in NYC" lined with your favorite beers, cocktails and more than 20 high definition TVs for your viewing pleasure.
Johnny Utah's
25 West 51st St
New York, NY"
http://www.johnnyutahs.com
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Another Midtown venue, known to some as "that bar with the mechanical bull," is certainly a down home spot. During the season, football fans gather here for booze and bites as they watch the action on the bar's many big screens.
Brooklyn Tap House
590 Myrtle Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11205
(347) 750-7557
www.brooklyntaphouse.com
Indoor-outdoor large screen projectors, a cozy fire pit and a ton of beers on tap -- it's either sports bar heaven or the Brooklyn Tap House. No need to leave the neighborhood to watch the big game, this bar's got every conceivable board game, fooz ball, plus all-day chicken and waffles.
40/40 Club
6 West 25th St
New York, NY
While the 40/40 Club gains its real notoriety from its proprietor (the club is owned and promoted by rapper Jay Z), it has more to offer than just hype. For instance, the wings. The main level holds a gigantic, illuminated bar and upstairs holds the lounge's five private VIP rooms.
Rocky McBride's
27-01 23rd Ave.
Astoria, NY 11105
(718) 777-2723
www.rockymcbrides.com
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Rocky McBride's is an open-air, brightly lit alternative to the more typical Queens sports bars you'll find in this quickly gentrifying area. Food is strictly bring-your-own, but 22 HD TVs and 16 beers on tap more than make up for the lack of munchies. On Sundays though during the NFL season, they do have a free buffet for fans to enjoy. Fans in the know can also hit up nearby Alba's Pizzeria for a Sicilian pie before kick-off.
Corey Whelan is a freelance writer in New York. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
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