THIRST & TEN!
The local Jets and Giants missed out on the Super Bowl, but New York is a winner when it comes to options of where to watch Sunday’s big game. Here are our picks
By TIM DONNELLY S
UPER Bowl 54 is this Sunday and it brings several firsts: It’s the first time the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers are meeting in the big game, and it’s the first Chiefs’ Super Bowl in 50 years. That means it’s the first time Queens’ famous Kansas City-style barbecue spot John Brown Smokehouse will get to host a Super Bowl party.
“We’re just trying to hope the walls don’t fall down,” says owner Josh Bowen in anticipation of lots of boisterous fans rooting for Kansas City.
Bars around town will throw viewing parties of all shapes and sizes, from spicy wing-eating contests to drag dance parties. Find one that fits your needs, and if your team loses, remember that pitchers and catchers report to spring training in just a week and a half.
FOR FANS IN DOWNTOWN MANHATTAN
Wicked Willy’s 149 Bleecker St.; 212-254-8592
During the regular season, this is Tampa Bay Buccaneers territory. They didn’t exactly make it to the postseason, but you can still enjoy this West Village bar’s Caribbean vibe for the big game with a $79 package that includes a threehour open bar, unlimited hot wings and reserved seating. Stick around after the game for karaoke, too.
Stonewall Inn 53 Christopher St.; 212-488-2705
The LGBTQ landmark in the West Village is putting its own unique spin on a daylong Super Bowl party. Expect five hours of drag, dancing and games, followed by a Super Bowl party where everyone will “watch all the ads and dance during the boring parts.” Tickets are $8.
Standings 43 E. Seventh St.; 212-420-0671
No listing of Manhattan sports bars is complete without Standings, the
East Village institution with a hoarder’s collection of sports memorabilia, news clippings and souvenirs hanging in every nook and cranny. It’s got 10 taps of craft beer and much more at the bar, but it’s small and cozy, so get there early to stake out some space.
FOR FANS IN MIDTOWN MANHATTAN
Mustang Harry’s
The game will be on 16 bigscreen HDTVs at this bi-level Midtown sports bar, and the bar will be serving up $5 beer specials, along with Feltman’s of Coney Island hot dogs, nachos and other game day fuel.
Singles mixer at the Empire Hotel’s penthouse lounge 44 W. 63rd St.; 212-265-7400
For the $20 entry fee, you get drink specials, appetizers and a name tag to help you mix and mingle with dozens of other friendly, football-loving singles.
FOR FANS IN UPTOWN MANHATTAN
Inwood Bar & Grill 4892 Broadway; 212-304-3704
This massive Inwood spot is throwing a massive party, featuring a live DJ and 45 TVs across its two floors and huge backyard. The menu has game-day staples, as well as more distinguished offerings.
FOR FANS IN QUEENS
Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden 29-19 24th Ave.; 718-274-4925
This legendary Astoria spot is the place to be for anyone who likes a side of authentic German beer with their football. The game will be shown on numerous HDTVs and accompanied by a free hot buffet from kickoff to halftime and raffle prizes during each quarter.
Austin’s Ale House 82-70 Austin St.; 718-849-3939
At this Kew Gardens sports bar and restaurant, the $60 entry fee gets you unlimited draft and bottled beer, cocktails and a halftime buffet, if you want to really kick it up.
Q.E.D. 27-16 23rd Ave.; 347-451-3873
The Astoria comedy venue is hosting its first-ever chili cookoff, and will have comedians riffing during the first half of the game, plus drink specials. Enter the chili contest for $10, be a judge for $7 or just watch for $5.
Sweet Spot Sporting Lounge 22-72 31st St.; 718-777-7475
There’s plenty of room at this Astoria sports bar to watch one of its 50 HDTVs while enjoying drink and bottle specials. Stick around for the halftime and after-party with DJ Chino, dancers and more.
Bourbon Street 40-12 Bell Blvd.; 718-224-2200
The all-inclusive $60 tickets to this Big Easy-inspired Bayside bar give you access to a top-shelf open bar, halftime hot buffet, wing specials all game long, raffle prizes and more.
FOR FANS IN BROOKLYN
Bellyful 2102 Utica Ave.; 718-252-7070
This Jamaican bar in Flatlands will have the game on its bigscreen TVs, along with food and drink specials, but the real action will come at the halftime spicy-wing-eating contest, which offers a chance to get your name on the bar’s champions plaque.
Time Out Market 55 Water St.; 917-810-4855
Nosh on local cuisine like Juliana’s Pizza and Pat LaFrieda steak sandwiches at the Time Out Market in Dumbo watch party, which features a gorgeous view of the Manhattan and Brooklyn bridges and Manhattan skyline. The event is free, but seating can be reserved for $50 per person.
Brooklyn Bowl 61 Wythe Ave.; 718-963-3369
Watch the game on 14 HD screens with “full concert sound,” with a side of $1 wings and $23 pitchers of beer. Admission is free, but make sure to
book a lane in advance if you want to tackle some pins.
The Wicked Monk 9510 Third Ave.; 347-497-5152
If football is church for you, this Bay Ridge pub that looks like a monastery is the place to be. The bar serves up craft beers, and the kitchen will be dishing out wings and “pretzilla,” its giant baked pretzel.
4th Down Sports Bar 750 Grand St.; 917-744-6522
This Williamsburg sports mecca has walls lined with TV and sports memorabilia (trigger warning to Jets and Giants fans) and 12 taps of craft beer. If the game gets boring, check out the bar’s arcade.
Parklife 636 Degraw St.; ParklifeBK.com (no phone)
Test your brain before you watch the players test their brawn, with football-themed trivia; vie for prizes and enjoy beer specials from Cigar City Brewing. The big game will be shown on two big screens with full sound.
FOR FANS IN THE BRONX
The Bronx Public 170 W. 231st St.; 718-708-6447
This colorful hot spot in Kingsbridge starts the party with a pre-game brunch from 2 to 6 p.m., featuring DJ Dita, then keeps the action going through the game. Reservations recommended.
Bronx Alehouse 216 W. 238th St.; 718-601-0204
This brick-lined Kingsbridge watering hole pours unique beers from 16 rotating taps. The grub includes double-cooked Buffalo wings (fried then grilled), fried mac ‘n’ cheese, fried pickles and much more, which you can order while watching the game on the handful of TVs lining the bar.
FOR FANS IN STATEN ISLAND
Joe Broadway’s 2178 Forest Ave.; 718-727-9194
Staten Island’s famed two-level sports bar will have plenty of room for cheering on the game, with 10 HDTVs and three 110inch HD screens. Get your gameday sustenance from its menu of wings with unique flavors like spicy peanut butter Buffalo.
The Beer Garden 1883 Victory Blvd.; 718-876-8900
The bar offers rotating craft beer taps and a special food menu for each Super Bowl team, including San Francisco staples such as seafood stew and a carne asada burrito, and Kansas City faves like beef brisket and baby back ribs.