Image via Complex Original
The Super Bowl is actually in New York City this year, but odds are you can't afford to get anywhere near Metlife Stadium, or one of these celebrity-riddled events with equally heft price tags. So where do you turn if none of your friends are throwing a Super Bowl bash that's up to your expectations? Well, heading out to a bar doesn't have to mean standing room only and buffalo wing greasy fingers (although we've got the perfect place for that, too). These ten spots are guaranteed to please even the pickiest pigskin watchers. Whether you're looking for an exclusive, glamorous spot to watch the big game, or just want a place you can kick back with a beer, we've got you covered.
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The 40/40 Club
Website: the4040club.com
Neighborhood: Nomad
Address: 6 W 25th St.
Perfect for: The upscale football connoisseur
Superbowl must-have: The "Black Martini": Stoli Vodka, Dry Vermouth, blackberry brandy, & lime juice
If you want to party at Hov's place, you're going to have to shell out the bucks. Remember those wallet-draining parties we mentioned earlier? Well this falls into that category: tickets to get into the 40/40 club for the Super Bowl are a cool $250 a pop. Available for groups of two, four, six or eight, the tickets come standard with table seating during the game, two orders of chips & salsa, two platters of food, five buckets of beer and one bottle of liquor, table's choice. So even if the price is steep, the trimmings are well worth it.
The Bell House
Website: thebellhouseny.com
Neighborhood: Gowanus
Address: 149 7th St.
Perfect for: The gameday drink specials advocate
Superbowl must-have: (Free) Floyd Beer Cheese
As far as bang for your buck, the trip to Gowanus might be worth the journey. The Bell House is hosting a Super Bowl party that features $4 pints of Sixpoint from the nearby local Red Hook-based brewery, free beer cheese, and a halftime feast of free chili and wings. The re-opening of the Smith & 9th stop on the F makes the bar fairly accessible even for commuters. The venue's cavernous main room with a vaulted ceiling, exposed beams and vintage chandeliers make it optimal for echoing chants and chowing down on free grub.
Legends
Website: legends33.com
Neighborhood: Midtown
Address: 6 W 33rd St.
Perfect for: The guy with the sports-averse girlfriend
Superbowl must-have: Legend's classic margarita: Sauza Hornitos reposado tequila, Patron citronge orange liqueur & fresh lime juice
Legends has made a name for itself as one of the best soccer bars in New York, but that doesn't stop the sports aficionados that run this place from switching gears when the season demands it. The bar itself is huge; there are full alcoves for those who might not be as interested in what down it is. There are plenty of cocktails to keep the ladies happy and plenty of beers for the sports loving guys—or vice versa, we don't want to tell you how to live. The classic margarita will please both genders; it's strong and full of citrus flavor. With multiple levels, non-watchers can easily group off at tables and chat while they munch on everything from standard bar fare to salads, sandwiches, and more eclectic entrees. Still, the packed bar level full of screaming fans will still please the passionate viewer.
Mustang Harry's
Website: mustangharrys.com
Neighborhood: Chelsea
Address: 352 7th Ave.
Perfect for: The diehard Broncos fan
Superbowl must-have: "The Bronco" cocktail: vodka, orange juice and float of blue curacao (Denver colors)
Manhattan is a long way from Colorado's snowy ranges, but that doesn't mean a rocky mountain high is unattainable for the Denver transplant. If you're a Broncos fan, Nirvana can be found at Mustang Harry's-the larger brother bar of Mustang Sally's where Denver fans began congregating last year. If the reference in the name doesn't say enough, look no further than the restuarant's own blog: "This season, Mustang Harry's has become the best Denver Broncos bar in NYC, with scores of passionate fans watching every game with us. We've solved the question of where to watch the Broncos in New York City." With droves of giant HD TVs, food specials, and even a drink special known as "The Bronco," this Midtown bar is an ideal spot for Colorado fans. Get a head start on pregaming with their special breakfast from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.
Mullholland's
Website: mulhollandsbklyn.com
Neighborhood: Williamsburg
Address: 312 Grand St.
Perfect for: The hipster football fan
Superbowl must-have: Meatball Parm Sliders
Brilliant woodworking contrasts nicely with high-definition plasma screens in Williamsburg's foremost sports bar. Sure, the beers may be a little overpriced, but the extensively creative menu easily makes up for that. For the Brooklyn sports fan who wants to watch the game in their own neighborhood, Mullholland's offers friendly Williamsburg vibes and plenty of character, and their selection of sliders put other spots to shame.
The Stout NYC
Website: stoutnyc.com
Neighborhood: Midtown
Address: 133 W 33rd St.
Perfect for: The guy who needs to drink with all 4624 of his closest friends
Superbowl must-have: Old Rasputin Imperial Stout
The Stout NYC is next door to Féile, so if you want to drop in on your Seattle friends that won't be a problem. Then again, if you've got hordes of friends to watch the game with, Stout might be a better option. It has ample room for your massive social circle and three levels in case there's some friend groups you'd rather keep at arm's length. It also features a buffet menu and a prix fixe menu to suit everyone's budget. Oh, and did we mention the countless stouts on the menu? Dark beer lovers will be in heaven, while the myriad other beverages will please everyone else.
The Black Swan
Website: blackswannyc.com
Neighborhood: Bedstuy
Address: 1048 Bedford Ave.
Perfect for: The "I never leave Brooklyn" guy
Superbowl must-have: The "Black Bess" cocktail: Guinness Stout, Flor De Cana 4 year rum, sage & blackberries
For those who vow that Williamsburg isn't really even Brooklyn anymore, it's necessary to travel further inland. The Black Swan has been slowly accruing awards from both the Michelin guide and locals alike. If you're craving a more authentic Brooklyn experience, start early and try the Swan's over-the-top "Bloody Swan" bloody mary or tuck in for some of their decadent Swan Mac & Cheese. The game will be playing full blast on multiple screens and the neighborhood will be out in full force cheering for their respective colors.
Féile
Website: feilenyc.com
Neighborhood: Midtown
Address: 131 W 33rd St.
Perfect for: The Seattle transplant
Superbowl must-have: Guinness-braised short ribs sandwich
Why would you ever leave the lush greenery of spacious Seattle to move to New York? As unreal as it may seem that anyone would leave the Pacific Northwest, there are more than a handful of Washington state ex-pats living in Manhattan. If you're a die-hard Seattle fan, there's only one place to go: Féile. The crowd here knows the difference between a color-changer that's only rooting for their beloved 'Hawks because the Patriots lost, and those who can recite Sherman's stats off the top of their head. For the Seattle fan that wants a surge of like-minded cheering for every Seahawks score, Féile is the spot.
Whiskey Park
Website: gerberbars.com/whiskey-park-ny
Neighborhood: Midtown
Address: 100 Central Park South
Perfect for: The "I never leave Manhattan" guy
Superbowl must-have: Six-foot subs from local New York sandwich makers
We get it, you're not going anywhere near Brooklyn. So, if you're craving a metropolitan place to participate in the festivities, look no further than Whiskey Park. The bar is located in Trump Tower and it's got enough French-inspired architecture to tide over your snobbiest aesthetic whims—no artisinally-aged wood in sight. Located right at Central Park and 6th Avenue, Whiskey Park is about as Manhattan-centric as a sports bar can get. Between a party sub special and Superbowl-inspired cocktail "The Benchwarmer," made with rum, Gatorade, fresh mint, lemon, orange, and club soda, the classy atmosphere still has hints of sportsmanlike conduct. With eight massive TVs, views of Central Park, and even a pool table, Whiskey Park is a haven for the island-bound New Yorker.
Landsdowne Road
Website: lansdowneroadnyc.com
Neighborhood: Hell's Kitchen
Address: 599 10th Ave.
Perfect for: The guy who wants to feel like he's in his living room
Superbowl must-have: Wings served until 3 a.m.
This Hell's Kitchen spot is as homey as they come, boasting endless sports decor and several endearing drink specialities. It's the type of place where the waitress calls you "honey" and "buffalo" is the second ingredient in half the appetizers. The draft beers at Landsdown come via "The Ice Rail," a frozen, color-changing tube that runs the beer throughout the bar before it settles into the tap that pours your pint. You'll feel like family before the game reaches halftime at this friendly Irish pub that serves everything from Guinness to Bud Light. There is also a machine that serves shots of Jäger and Jameson, and a few more screens than most living rooms contain to catch the game on.