New York Sports Bars
10 Top Spots to Watch the Game
If Thomas Edison and Tom Ford teamed up to design a bar, it might resemble Manhattan Proper. Lamps festooned with oversized bulbs illuminate the sleek metallic bar, where bartenders specialize in—no surprise here—the proper Manhattan. Flat screens broadcasting live sports maintain a down-to-earth vibe in the otherwise chic space.
Three Sheets Saloon broadcasts sports from around the country on 24 HD televisions, but the competition isn’t limited to what’s on screen. Fans of opposing teams face off in games of beer pong or put aside their differences to conquer a common adversary: a plate of buffalo chicken nachos.
Were it not three stories tall, Smithfield might rest entirely in the shadow of nearby Madison Square Garden. Instead, it's become a sports-destination itself, broadcasting live games–-including international soccer matches––from 25 HDTVs as fans cheer on from the comfort of reclaimed stools and plush leather couches.
Rugby fans stumble into Nelson Blue at odd hours, their internal clocks aligned with the schedule of their beloved All Blacks. Though the city of Nelson is literally a world away from Manhattan’s South Street Seaport, these fans find a taste of home in chef Eric Lind’s New Zealand-inspired lamb skewers and soft-shell crab sandwiches.
Though it’s relatively new to Queens, Woodhaven House seems to belong to some idyllic version of Ireland’s past. Creamy pints of Guinness look right at home on the dark wood bar, and Irish pottery is on display in a nearby case. Seven flat-screen televisions add a contemporary touch with nightly sports broadcasts.
The Hill embodies the conflicted spirit of Murray Hill, a neighborhood that is by turns quiet and boisterous. 20-somethings descend on the bar to cheer on their recent alma maters throughout early evening. After the final buzzer, candlelight replaces the glow of televisions and the bar transforms into a stylish lounge.
Barbecue recipes are like sports: some are harder to follow than others. Big Lou Elrose favors simplicity, starting with a good cut of meat and cooking it low and slow over firewood. The home-style eats match a cozy, wooden interior that might resemble a hayloft, save for the flat-screen TVs lining the bar.
There's no actual mud in Mudville 9 Saloon, but good luck staying clean if you attempt the bar’s famous Wing Ding—a two-hour all-you-can-handle smorgasbord of wings, fries, and beer. The bartenders, at least, keep their hands sauce-free to pour 24 craft brews and change the channels on 15 TVs.
His restaurant may be called Pour George, but don’t shed a tear for George Garrity. Raise a glass, instead, to his gastropub’s craft beers and seasonal cuisine—the latter courtesy of international chef Will Rogan. Flat-screen TVs broadcast sports throughout the dining room, which Garrity has tastefully outfitted with a working stone fireplace.
The traditions of Asia and South America compete for prominence at Kaieteur Restaurant, giving it something in common with international sporting events such as the World Cup. But unlike the latter, Kaieteur's culinary competitions generally end in a tie, as is the case with the spicy jerk pork chow mein.
Deal or no deal, our editors strongly recommend these businesses based on their reputation, popularity, and quality of service.
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