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COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Allstate BCS Championship Game – LSU vs. Ohio State, Jan. 7, 8 p.m.
This game is for all the marbles and you can be sure that every sports bar in the city will be tuned in. If you want to watch it surrounded by fellow alumni or fans, check out these places:
The Ohio State University (OSU)
With 40 TVs (including two massive big screens) and some of the best buffalo wings in town, Blondies (212 W. 79th St. at Amsterdam, 212-362-3311) remains an ideal place to catch any game. It also happens to be the New York home of Ohio State fans. If you live on the East Side, the appropriately titled Blondies East (1770 Second Ave. between 92nd and 93rd Sts., 212-410-3300) is also a Buckeyes haven, and both places offer up a private party room if you want to keep out the riff-raff (a.k.a. Tigers fans). Other big Ohio State hangouts include Tonic and Public House.
Louisiana State University (LSU)
Turtle Bay (987 Second Ave. between 52nd and 53rd Sts., 212-223-4224) may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think "sports bar," but it's the premiere gathering place for LSU Tiger fans. The official bar of the SEC powerhouse will be packed come January 7 and for good reason: there's 25-cent wings and a $15 all-you-can-drink special. For sports, most people gather on the ground floor of this tri-level space, but don't be surprised if the crowd spreads upstairs.
NFL PLAYOFFS
Seattle vs. Green Bay, Sat., Jan. 12, 4:30 p.m.
Seattle Seahawks
Back Page (1472 Third Ave. between 83rd and 84th Sts., 212-570-5800) has great wings, tons of televisions, and a college atmosphere that makes watching football actually, you know, fun. We've heard Seahawk fans have been asking the owners if they can have the sprinklers on during the game to simulate the Seattle climate.
Green Bay Packers
One way to assure a bar will have your favorite team’s game on is if the owner is a big fan, and the owner of Scruffy Duffy’s (743 Eighth Ave. between 46th and 47th Sts., 212-245-9126) is a big Packer fan. Relocated Cheeseheads like to gather here and watch Brett Favre throw balls up for grabs towards un-open receivers. You can also check out Kettle of Fish (59 Christopher St. between Seventh Ave. S. and Waverly Pl., 212-414-2278)...which will actually make you feel like you are watching the game in an ice shanty.
Jacksonville vs. New England, Sat., Jan. 12, 8 p.m.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Since the Jags have no real fan base in the city, go watch them with the other tourists at ESPN Zone (1472 Broadway at 42nd St., 212-921-3776). Between the dozens of big screens, enthusiastic out-of-state fans and a theme dedicated entirely to all things sports, there are worse places to watch a major football game. Go early, or you'll be stuck standing.
New England Patriots
At Saloon (1584 York Ave. between 83rd and 84th Sts., 212-570-5454), the Patriots unofficial NYC headquarters, it's free wings, and $2 Bud and Bud Light Drafts on game days.
San Diego vs. Indianapolis, Sun., Jan. 13, 1 p.m.
San Diego Chargers
Oddly, the Carolina-style Brother Jimmy’s BBQ (1485 Second Ave. between 77th and 78th Sts., 212-288-0999) has become a de facto home to Chargers fans ever since the emergence of NC State alum Philip Rivers took the QB helm last season. Hey, remember when the Giants traded all those draft picks to San Diego for Eli, and all they got was a Pro Bowl quarterback, a Pro Bowl linebacker and a Pro Bowl kicker. Damn.
Indianapolis Colts
The owner, the manager and even the staff at The Bullpen (1678 First Ave.between 87th and 88th Sts., 212- 828-2623) are huge Colts fans. They have HDTV everywhere, which always are tuned to the Colts game (with game sound on, which is not always a guarantee) and plenty of beer. They also have an outside deck...if you feel up to simulating New England conditions during your game watch.
Dallas vs. New York, Sun., Jan. 13, 4:30 p.m.
Dallas Cowboys
Fans of “America’s Team” don’t get much love in Giants country, so they are best served sticking together. Oddly, they gather at Stone Creek (140 E. 27th St. between Lexington and Third Aves., 212- 677-4022), which doesn't necessarily seem so Texas-friendly, what with the live jazz and all-you-can-eat Belgian-style mussels and fries specials.
New York Giants
Sure, you can go into almost any bar in NYC and see a Giants game, but why go to any bar when you can sit in big comfy chairs and watch 62 high-definition TVs? The Blue Seats (157 Ludlow St. between Stanton and Rivington Sts., 212-614-1494.) is the first sports bar on the LES, and has a menu that is anything but bar food (bacon-wrapped scallops, a raw bar, veal marsala, etc.) Plus, it's usually empty, thanks to the venue's oddly-priced seating requirements (hint: take a seat at the bar).
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