Feature

The Field of Football Bars

With a new season under way, we tackle the city’s best football bars for fans of all stripes.

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By Adam Duerson
Published Oct 7, 2007

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Game time at Kettle of Fish.

(Photo: F. Martin Ramin)

A LITTLE FANCY
200 Fifth, 200 Fifth Ave., nr. Union St., Park Slope; 718-638-2925
White linen tablecloths and beer-pitcher specials typically go together like Giants and Eagles fans. You get all four here. Make reservations or you’ll end up tableless.
Screens: 40.
Goon Factor: Medium.
Menu Sample: Cockles in white-wine sauce, $7.50.
Fan Base: Giants, Jets.

WELCOME, FACE-PAINTERS
Croxley Ales, 28 Ave. B, nr. 2nd St.; 212-253-6140
This is a noisy bar for those who like to stand up, gnaw twenty-cent chicken wings, and act like manly men.
Screens: 13.
Goon Factor: High.
Sample Fare: Bass-ale-battered onion rings, $4.95.
Fan Base: Mixed.

THE BUNGALOW 8 OF SPORTS BARS
The Blue Seats, 157 Ludlow St., nr. Stanton St.; 212-614-1494
After a long-delayed opening, anyone can belly up to the painfully chic raw bar or nab one of four 2001: A Space Odyssey–inspired booths, each with five teensy screens (four hours with a $200 minimum).
Screens: 62!
Goon Factor: Medium.
Menu Sample: A dozen clams on the half-shell, $12.95.
Fan Base: Mixed.

THE PIGSKIN SOCIETY
Standings Bar, 43 E. 7th St., nr. Second Ave.; 212-420-0671
A sibling of the kooky Burp Castle bar next door, Standings Bar is a thinking man’s sports pub. The tiny spot feels as if it’s tucked inside a library, so claustrophobes should stay away.
Screens: 8.
Goon Factor: Low.
Menu Sample: Free bagels and pizza.
Fan Base: Jets, Patriots.

A SHABBY BOYS’ ROOM
Kettle Of Fish, 59 Christopher St., nr. Seventh Ave.; 212-414-2278
A Cheesehead bar done in the style of a Sheboygan, Wisconsin, rec room, with crummy TVs, soiled sofas, and cheap beer. Plan to watch the Packers. Spend halftime with the tabletop Ms. Pac-Man.
Screens: 5.
Goon Factor: Medium.
Menu Sample: Order-in only.
Fan Base: Packers.

A EUROPUB FOR EXPATS
Kinsale Tavern, 1672 Third Ave., nr. 93rd St.; 212-348-4370
At this Irish pub, fans of oft-muted teams (Bills, Dolphins, and Raiders, for instance) can get the audio through wireless speakers at certain tables. Another technical wonder: Hydraulically pumped Guinness pours in six seconds flat.
Screens: 25.
Goon Factor: High.
Menu Sample: Shepherd’s pie, $7.95.
Fan Base: Steelers.

A JOCK LABYRINTH
Village Pourhouse, 64 Third Ave., nr. 11th St.; 212-979-2337
Head to one of the two back rooms, where you can binge on NFL with nineteen beautiful plasma TVs in a setting far more comfortable than the chaotic front of the bar.
Screens: 22.
Goon Factor: High.
Menu Sample: Three hamburger sliders, $6.99.
Fan Base: Mixed.

THE SANCTUARY
Bleecker Street Bar, 56 Bleecker St., nr. Crosby St.; 212-334-0244
High-fives and beer goggles aren’t for everyone. Bleecker’s cavernous setup suits reclusive sports fans, with room for everyone to spread out in a civilized environment.
Screens: 10.
Goon Factor: Low.
Menu Sample: Order-in only.
Fan Base: Mixed.

WHERE GAY FANS GATHER
Gym Sportsbar 167 Eighth Ave., nr. 18th St.; 212-337-2439
The only bar outside of Cleveland where Brady Quinn’s first appearance will bring a room to a hushed standstill. Sundays are so packed that guys hang out the bar’s front windows.
Screens: 7.
Goon Factor: Low.
Menu Sample: No food.
Fan Base: Mixed.

GOOD AND GRITTY
Nice Guy Eddie’s 5 Ave. A, nr. Houston St.; 212-253-1666
Eddie’s is filthy and smelly, and the TVs leave something to be desired. But that’s just fine for hangover-afflicted football watching. The blue-collar crowd can get raucous, but it’s generally friendly.
Screens: 7.
Goon Factor: Medium.
Menu Sample: Beer-battered catfish, $8.95.
Fan Base: Eagles.