Posts Tagged ‘baseball’

New York City Sports Bars

It’s sweltering hot and you may not be thinking football at the moment, but training camp starts before you know it and then it’s time for the Superbowl. Here are eight places to visit to get your fix of sports life and football fandom. And, of course, if football isn’t on your radar yet, you can go to these bars to watch what’s left of  baseball season.

Bounce © Poselski Photos

Bounce

Want some DJ music to accompany the triples and touchdowns?  Bounce is the place for you. With more of a club feel than a sports bar, Bounce sets a new tone in Chelsea with bottle service to keep the vibe with a mix of music and sport. You might need to dress up a bit for this one, or at least trade your ripped blue jeans for a pair of tailored black ones. Reservations are needed and there’s even a tab on the website to let you know what the wait time is. A curated wings menu complements trendier bites like poke tacos, truffle mushroom flatbread and avocado toast with black kale. https://bouncesportingclub.com/

Courtesy The Supply House

The Supply House

If you find yourself on the Upper East Side, The Supply House is a comfortable favorite for watching the game and enjoying a day or evening with friends. You’re invited to pre-game, too, as The Supply House opens at 10am daily. Lined with brick walls, The Supply House has an industrial-meets-my favorite apartment feel and has large glass windows that are open during warmer months. The beer menu is fiercely local with a variety of unusual craft brews, and the burgers feature Pat LaFrieda’s incomparable blend of brisket, chuck and short rib. https://www.thesupplyhousenyc.com

Courtesy Blondies

Blondies

Upper West Siders have been flocking to Blondies for years for a basic sports bar experience. Reservations are accepted for large groups and are advisable on key game days. The bonus here is that screens actually play the games with volume so diehards don’t have to listen with earbuds on their phone while they watch. Along with typical burgers, tacos and other sports bar fare, the smothered wafer fries topped with cheese, chili, jalapenos, onions and sour cream are a messy standout.  Don’t miss their popular chicken wings either.  https://www.blondiessports.getsauce.com/

Courtesy Off the Wagon

Off the Wagon

For the past 26 years, Off the Wagon has been the home for NYU students and Greenwich Village locals to watch sports in its bi-level space. Open well past the final touchdown until 4am, the sports bar has 17 TV’s and a giant 100” screen showing games all over the country. There are 29 draft, bottled and canned beers; hard seltzers; and lots of other spirits to keep you animated. Food choices range from tacos and burgers to a variety of wraps. There are also choices for vegetarians. On select nights, DJs amp up the spirit.  https://www.offthewagonnyc.com/

Courtesy BK Backyard Bar

BK Backyard Bar

Brooklynites can replicate their stadium experiences at Williamsburg’s outdoor sports bar. With heated cabanas with personal TVs when the weather finally turns chilly, the shipping containers-turned-bar offers two rustic settings for drinking, eating and cheering, designed during Covid times to avoid a rave-like crush. Bottle service adds a bit of cachet. BK’s Mexican street food menu comes from Brooklyn’s Mr. Taco. Reservations are accepted for parties of four or more. https://www.tailgatebk.com/

Courtesy Smithfield Hall NYC

Smithfield Hall NYC

A hybrid for indoor and outdoor sports watching, Manhattan’s Smithfield Hall is an easy walk from Madison Square Garden. The outdoor covered area has nine heated tables with eight television screens to entertain you even in inclement weather. Indoors there are two bars, 27 tables and 26 TVs, accommodating fans of all teams (the bar conveniently posts a schedule of games on their website). The diverse menu includes vegetarian as well as fan-fave dishes. Wear your team jersey and enjoy the experience. https://smithfieldnyc.com

Courtesy Down the Hatch

Down the Hatch

If the first pitch or kickoff time right, book a table to enjoy Down the Hatch’s Bottomless Basement Brunch on Saturday and Sunday. The popular Greenwich Village college favorite offers unlimited domestic drafts, seltzers and mimosas to wash down wings, waffle fries or tater tots and onion rings for a set price of $40 per person. On other days or evenings, get ready for the game opening with a Ghost Pepper Spicy Margarita, jello shot or creative menu of craft beers. If you’re a Jets fan, you’ll have lots of company here. https://www.downthehatchnyc.com

Courtesy Redemption

Redemption
The haven for Washington fans, Redemption guarantees a solid Midtown East sports bar experience without your needing to shell out big bucks. The brick-walled sports lounge is a blend of sports bar and night club. The beer menu of some 30 draft, bottled and craft choices spans the globe. Not into beer? There are many creative libations including their version of frosé, made with Champagne and strawberry puree. The food menu includes burgers, wings, tacos and finger food. You can also reserve one of their private rooms and bring all your besties together for a spirited evening. https://redemptionnyc.com/

Posted by Meryl Pearlstein
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It’s Time to Play Baseball in New York City

It’s an unusual baseball season already. Showing proof of vaccination or testing, sitting apart from your neighbors, and not dancing to YMCA is a very weird start. But, let’s cheer for the Bronx Bombers and the Amazins and say good riddance to cutout fans. It’s time to play baseball.

Increasing numbers of vaccinated sports fans and a bit of hindsight about how the virus spreads have helped us get to where we are with limited capacity seating. And within a few months, we should be in a much better position.

Here’s what you need to know if you plan to go the stadiums.

New Attendance Protocols

Courtesy New York Yankees

Going to a Yankees or Mets game will be like traveling to another state or even another country. You must be fully vaccinated or have a Covid test with a negative result no less than three days prior to the first pitch. You’ll need to show your proof of either if you plan to enter the stadium, whether you have a ticket or not. Temperature checks will also be required.

CDC guidelines are being followed by both the Yankees and the Mets. Masks must be worn at all times except when eating or drinking at your assigned “seat pod,” and it is suggested that you bring hand sanitizer and wipes with you as well as wash your hands frequently. You can expect to see signs and a small legion of people reminding you of this around the restrooms, too.

© Meryl Pearlstein

Social distancing will be required. Seating between pods will ensure that rules are followed in the stands but you will be expected to monitor your behavior when you walk through the stadiums. Detailed “Know Before You Go” safety information for the Mets and the Yankees is available on their websites and will be updated as available.

How ‘Bout Them Tickets?

© Meryl Pearlstein

Like the Red Sox and the Yankees playing a game without any excitement, getting a ticket will be another challenge.

Tickets are harder to score than ever. With initial games reduced to 20 percent attendance, and tickets on sale in “waves,” you can expect higher-than-normal prices particularly for popular series like Red Sox vs Mets or Red Sox vs. Yankees. Tickets are being sold in “pods,” meaning that you can only purchase them in pre-defined groups and seating will be strategically scattered throughout the stadiums.  For the initial “limited capacity” games, only 8492 tickets will be sold for the Mets and 10,850 for the Yankees. Tickets for other games will be released at a later date with the hope that capacity restrictions will be relaxed. Stay up to date by checking the websites for the Mets and the Yankees.

For safety’s sake, all ticket purchases will be contactless. None will be sold at the stadiums. Everything needs to be taken care of online and your phone is your entry ticket. Be sure to keep your battery charged or bring a spare as you’ll need to show your phone to return to seat if you go for a bathroom or refreshment break.

Batter Up

Courtesy New York Yankees

Concessions are still being worked out, but as a rule, all purchases will be cashless this year. If you have cash, you can convert it to a pre-paid debit card at a “reverse” ATM, or use your mobile phone or credit card instead. In-seat delivery has been suspended but you can pre-order and pre-pay your food selection on the MLB Ballpark App for express pick-up at designated locations, or just purchase at the stands.

Some of the classic vendors like NY Pinstripe Pilsner at Yankee Stadium have announced their presence at the stadium. Other concessioners will sell familiar local choices like Jersey Mike’s, Nathan’s, Lobel’s and Haru Sushi. There will also be Grab n Go options in two locations. The Mets have confirmed the return of favorites like fuku, Shake Shack, DO Cookie Dough and Pizza Cupcake. It will be interesting to see how Citi Field manages their outdoor craft beer garden space and food stands where people usually crowd and queue en masse.

Check the websites to confirm openings and rules for the various sit-down restaurants or the private clubs like the buffet-heavy Legends Suite Club at Yankee Stadium or the Delta Sky360° Club at Citi Field. Rules change all the time, it seems.

Can We Still Have a Seventh Inning Stretch?

Remember when a seventh inning stretch meant actually stretching your legs and taking a quick walk to grab a beer or hit the loo?  Be smart and try to schedule your break when the crowds are thinnest. Your safety is everyone’s safety.

Posted by Meryl Pearlstein
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