Archive for March, 2010
Sacramento Sports Bars
Last week when the NCAA tournament started, sports fans who need to watch four games simultaneously turned to their local sports bar. This got me thinking about our sports bar options here in Sacramento.
How is a sports bar different from a regular bar? Well, there are more tvs, better sports packages on those tvs and sports-related memorabilia on the walls. Also, on a good day, there are chili dogs or nachos or something.
Sacramento has a whole bunch of bars with tvs, but in order to be included on this list they have to have a superior sports watching atmosphere as determined by me. Of course, if you know of some place not on the list, please make a case for your sports spot.
MVP’s Sports Grill - MVP’s is making the move from 17th & Capitol to 21st & L where Hashi used to be. This could be huge if they do it right. The old MVP’s always felt like soulless, office building lobby. Sure there were tvs everywhere and jalepeno poppers, but they lay out of the place wasn’t ideal. This move to a new building could be just what MVP’s needs to live up to its potential and be the best sports bar in town. We’ll see….
Cheaters - Right now, Cheaters is my favorite sports bar in town. It’s small and dark, but the drinks are cheap and there are tvs all over the place. They have every sports package known to man and the are conveniently located on Folsom Blvd. During football season, if you’re not a fan of the Steelers or confrontation then you’ll want to avoid the place during Pittsburgh games. Also, they don’t offer food, but there is a Mr. Pickles across the street and 33rd Street Bistro a block away.
Players Sports Pub & Grill - This is a great sports bar with good, greasy bar food. The downside, it’s about 20 minutes out of downtown on freakin’ Sunrise Blvd. Still, if you’re in the neighborhood or don’t mind the drive, this is a good place to go. Also, they have Players Pub about a block away which is basically a small version of the Pub & Grill without the grill…which means no food.
The Sports Corner - Located in Old Sacramento, this is a great sports bar to visit when you’re on your weekly salt water taffy and olde tyme photo run. It’s kind of a small place, it really is just a corner and they lost their best bartender to the Idle Hour, but they do have plenty of tvs, decent food and bunch on pennants on the walls.
Pine Cove - Just barely meeting my requirements to make this list, the Pine Cove does have a lot of tvs, most of them are just small. And i don’t think they get all the sports packages, but I know they get the NFL one. Anyhow, I like going to the Pine Cove to watch a game so it gets to be on the list.
Limelight - before the Limelight turned into a creep-filled card room it was my favorite bar in town. I remember back when the Kings were good and I go watch playoffs games with a packed house at the Lime. Sunday football was good too. I’ve avoided the place for the past 3 or 4 years since it basically turned into a cardroom, but I’m assuming you can still go there and get food and watch sports. And if you’re a creepy poker player, this is definitely the place for you.
R15 - I know this list has more sorta sports bars than real sports bars, but I really feel like R15 is a decent place to watch a game. The drinks are priced at a level you’d expect at a place 1/4 the size and 1/8 the cleanliness and there’s a lot to be said for that. Plus you can get tasty food from Cafe Bernardo. Oh and they have two “living rooms” where you and your friends can have a little privacy with your own tv.
The Corner Bar - This is one of the newer places in town and took over the location where Sweetwater used to be (the old Shakey’s building). For me, it’s a great location and easy to get to. The menu is top-notch (they have a burger made with a chicken fried steak), the drinks are reasonably priced and when they moved in they added a bunch of tvs. While, I still don’t think it qualifies as a sports bar, this would be a great option if you want to trick your girlfriend into going some place you can watch the game.
That’s all I’ve got for now. Sure sad not to see Jow Marty’s on this list – someone should get that place up and running again.
Let me know what I forgot.
Sacramento’s Irish Pubs…more or less
Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, here is a breakdown of Sacramento’s Irish pubs!!!!
1. Devere’s - This is the biggest, cleanest and newest of the Irish pubs in town. On St. Patrick’s Day they’ll have their big ol’ block party. A couple days earlier for St. Baldrick’s they’ll be shaving people’s heads for charity including my boss. My head is already bald, so I won’t be taking part. Anyhow, Devere’s is a great big place that will be the heart of all thing Irish on St. Patrick’s.
2. O’Malley’s – I’m not sure what makes this place Irish other than the fact it’s called O’Malley’s and smells like vomit. It’s in Old Sac and there’s always a huge line on St. Patrick’s day so if you’re into that, go for it.
3. Gallagher’s - For a bar that’s in the lobby of an office building this is actually a decent joint. I’ve never been for St. Pat’s, but I bet it’s a not unpopular spot.
4. Streets of London - As the name implies, this is an English pub not an Irish pub, but we’re in California so why split hairs? I promise you Streets will have a party on St. Pat’s. And for the record, I was officially the first person to ever do an Irish Car Bomb at Streets. Look it up. Oh, also, never order an Irish Car Bomb in Ireland – learned that the hard way.
5. Fox & Goose - Also, not Irish, but cut me some slack here. If being able to order a Guinness and Jameson in a timely fashion is what qualifies a pub to be Irish, then this is as Irish as it gets.
6. Jamie’s - Not sure if this is really an Irish pub, but it does have a green canopy out front so I’m going to include it here. Great food, good bartenders and an all-around cool joint. 
7. Regan’s – If you’re out in the suburbs and you want to see what it takes to get a 2-star Yelp rating, your Irish pub of choice is Regan’s. Have fun with that.
Of course, every bar in town is more or less Irish on St. Pat’s. If you don’t mind your Guinness coming out of a bottle, the Pine Cove is always a favorite of mine – they even give you free corned beef! I’ve hit that for probably the past 8 years.
This year, I’m planning on visiting the fine sponsor of my softball team, the Idle Hour, for some St. Pat’s fun. It’s not the slightest bit Irish, but the jukebox is awesome and the walls are painted green.
Oh and also don’t forget about the big St. Patrick’s Day Parade and festival in Old Sacramento in saturday the 13th.
Beer Weeks Ends, Regular Drinking Resumes
I guess that headline kinda summed it all up. We’ll miss you Beer Week, but we’ll get by.
As far as I can tell, the event was a great success. And by “success” I mean I drank a lot of beer…and really how else do you measure the success of a Beer Week?
