We’ve got a pennant race on our hands, people. While the obvious place to catch the Giants in the playoffs is AT&T Park, this is also unfortunately the time when the bandwagon is overflowing with corporate sponsor types and other rich people who often price the true fans (who have been attending almost every regular season game, right guys?) right out of the ballpark.
So where does that leave you? Well, probably watching the game in some bar with the rest of us plebeians. The only question that remains is which bar. The Phoenix is an obvious choice because of its plentiful, large TVs and well-priced, hardy food; but if the turnout for the World Cup earlier this summer was any indication, be prepared to stand up for 9 innings. Benders also seems like it would be a no-brainer with their delicious kitchen and cheap drinks, but the televisions are at odd angles to watch for any formidable length of time.
Interestingly, several seemingly knowledgable fans have informed me that Guerrero Street is the place to be for baseball. Two bars within a block from each other, Elixir and the 500 Club, each have well-situated TVs in addition to that unique San Francisco vibe that makes you feel like you’re not in a sports bar. Plus, if those places are too packed, the Kilowatt is also right down the street.
Remember, this is the time when San Franciscans need to band together and not worry that giving away the secret location of their favorite spot might cause it to be too crowded for their personal enjoyment. Sooo, where’s your favorite spot to catch a game?
(Please be careful with the dugout pranks, though)
3300 Club is pretty decent for ballgames.
I got bleacher seats off Stubhub for $50 each last week before they even clinched (same tix now are three times the price), i’m going to watch the games from the outfield.
I imagine there’s gonna be alot of aviators and “yo bros!” across the street at Momo’s.
haven’t been in a while, but shotwell’s (in at least one of its recent incarnations) was a pretty good place to catch a game. same with dirty thieves and thieves tavern.
Shotwells is a great place to watch. They don’t have hi-def, but the place is small enough that you can see just fine. And people actually watch the game there, not just wait for a HR so they can hi five each other.
Dirty Thieves! Nice, new TV’s and cheap fucking dranks.
Yep. Or Thieves tavern if you’re on the other end of the mish or just had something to do at the Armory.
If you like paying Fisherman’s Wharf prices in the Mission ($6 for a Sierra), then Elixir is the place for you. If not, you can get the same beer for $3.50 over at Kilowatt, which has plenty of TVs. Only problem is, if there’s an out-of-market pre-season hockey game on, you might have to convince them to put one of the sets out back on the Giants game.
Thieves is good, and the 5 is always a great choice, but one bar really trying to up their games game is Gestalt across from the Kilowatt. They only have 2 HD sets, but now have a projection screen they pull out for big events. Also, they sell great sandwiches there now. It takes a while for them to come, but well worth the wait.
Go Giants!
Either 500 Club or the Dovre, though Clooney’s would be a good choice because it will be empty. Phoenix too many TVs, might as well be in a strip mall in Walnut Creek.
The Argus
El Patio, next to the Argus
If you feel like eating more than drinking: La Torta Gorda on 24th (2833 24th St, between Bryant St & York St).
Shotwell’s is my go-to. They always have the Giants on, and enough people are watching that you don’t feel like a jackass but still quiet enough to avoid the sports-bar vibe.
Also worth mentioning that Lucky 13 recently got a better TV that they show real sports on (ass opposed to the weird snowboarding channel that was always on the old one).
Maybe I’m just being nitpicky, but I wouldn’t consider the opening round of the playoffs to be a “pennant race”.
Pre-1969, the regular season was the “pennant race”. I’m sure you know that, Ryan, but we’re educating the rubes, here. From ’69 on, after the splitting of the leagues into divisions, we’re talking about dividing the leagues into smaller and smaller divisions, until we have reached the point where the (league) pennant contests don’t happen until mid-to-late October. That said, the division races have since assumed the import to regular fans that “pennant races” formerly had.
Did you say pedant race?
Naw… you’re thinking of “pedo races”, where elderly guys race to post dumb-ass comments designed to entice underage Mission Mission followers into posting even dumber comments. Welcome, brother; how shall we know ye?
Well put.
Why someone always gotta play the race card?
GIANTS RULE!
i’ve actually watched a few games at delirium and it was great
Gay. Sports. Bar.
The only way to watch the Giants, and the guys are dreamy-sweet.
Plus the bartenders know how to churn it out fast and cheap, and at least act like they care.
Which one?
Any place with a prominent Buster Posey poster.
the phone booth. rosamunde.
go braves!
Yankee fans watch at Ace’s, the Yankee bar on Sutter and Hyde. Hope to see the Giants in the World Series! Go Yanks!
3300 Club is perfect watching the G-men. Bunch of different tvs, usually hot dogs or some other kind of free food and good variety of beers on tap. Plus most of the regulars know more about baseball than those fools on Fox.