Where to watch the Super Bowl this weekend
When picking a place to watch the Super Bowl, you’ll want to strike the right balance of a convivial atmosphere, broadcasting hardware muscle, food, drink and, most importantly, a distinct absence of fair-weather partygoers who only show up to talk about commercials. For all of those reasons, I’ll be watching the game, like I did all season, at home alone with shades drawn, huddling in the closet in abject terror. I suggest you do the same.
If you absolutely insist on going out to watch the game among other fans, there are a few options that will be more fun than a self-imposed exile bubble.
One bar that’s already got the proper fighting spirit is McGreevey’s, but that could just be a natural offshoot of its being an Irish pub. (Look at the last name on my byline, I can make that joke.) The bar owned by Dropkick Murphys’ Ken Ca-sey has made a wager with the owners of Foley’s Pub in New York City on the outcome of the game. The loser will donate all of the proceeds from shepherd’s pie sales between the Super Bowl and baseball’s opening day to the charity of the winner’s choosing.
Think of every hearty bite as coming right out of the wallet of a Giants fan. Win-win!
Post 390 is going for a more harmonious Super Bowl meal with Rivalry Chowder. It’s half-Manhattan and half-New England chowder (aka the real kind) in one bowl. The chef is from New York, so you can probably yell at him from across the room once you’re full.
Russel House Tavern has the right idea, thematically speaking, with its “Giant Killer” Burger of two half-pound Archer Farm beef patties, two deep-fried poached eggs, Cabot clothbound cheddar sauce, and house-cured ham — as well as tortilla chips served with appropriately named Gronk’amole.
Around the corner at Charlie’s Kitchen, the kitchen’s serving angus beef sliders gratis during the game; and if the weather holds up, the beer garden will be open and you can watch outside by the fire. Global warming is good luck, I’m pretty sure.
Speaking of good luck, at Forum they’re giving out football squares, with one free to the first 100 people, which you can use to win prizes. Buckets of five Miller High Lifes for $15, buffalo duck wings and baby back ribs with guava barbecue sauce sound like prize enough to me, though.
Sweet Cheeks is serving something called a Super Ball concoction: a gallon-sized mason jar filled with moonshine, house-made cherry brandy and Narragansett Porter. Depending on the game outcome, you may need to dive head-first into one of those bad boys real fast.
Either that or a caseload of Narragansetts for $3 each at Trina’s Starlite Lounge, where they’ll come in handy washing down a complimentary buffet of classic New England comfort food. Nothing comforts like a win though, so please, whatever you do, choose carefully. Don’t jinx it for the rest of us.
If you go
McGreevy’s, 911 Boylston St., Boston, 617-262-0911
www.mcgreevysboston.com
Post 390, 406 Stuart St., Boston, 617-399-0015
www.post390restaurant.com
Russel House Tavern
14 JFK St., Cambridge 617-500-3055,
www.russelhousecambridge.com
Charlie’s Kitchen
10 Eliot St., Cambridge, 617-492-9646
www.charlieskitchen.com
Forum,
755 Boylston St., Boston, 857-991-1831
www.forumboston.com
Sweet Cheeks
1381 Boylston St., Boston, 617-266-1300
www.sweetcheeksq.com
Trina’s Starlite Lounge
3 Beacon St., Somerville 617-576-0006
www.trinastarlitelounge.com
