Sooner or later, you'll tire of hosting weekend football parties or, worse yet, watching the game all by your lonesome. When it happens, make a mad dash to one of these East Valley bars. There's one for every type of fan.
Best place for hard-core fans
McDuffy's
Scouting report: The food is nothing special, service is often slow and most of the 80 TVs look like they've been there since McDuffy's poured its first pint back in 1988. But who cares?! This is THE place to be on game day. The sprawling sports Mecca packs the jersey-clad set in tight and if they run out of room, they throw up a big screen in the parking lot. Oh, and a little magazine called Sports Illustrated named them the fifth best sports bar in America in February.
Draft/bottled beers:25/27
TVs:80
Team spirit:Über fan — it's almost like a sports museum. There's a Pat Tillman shrine, a vintage ASU football helmet, black-and-white Frank Kush photo from 1970, Charles Barkley signed basketball shoe and much, much more.
Stats:230 W. Fifth St., Tempe, , www.mcduffys.com
Best place for the visually impaired
Buffalo Wild Wings
Scouting report:Everywhere you look, there's a brilliant, life-size image of an athlete thanks to the 13 high-definition 50-inch TVs and seven big screens (two of which are hi-def). The Ohio-import offers a well-lit, open design with plenty of room to toss your hat when the other team scores. During “Monday Night Football,” there's a raffle to see who has dibs on a giant couch for the following Monday's game. Naturally, the winner also gets 50 wings.
Draft/bottled beers:20/30
TVs:53
Team spirit:Big Pac-10 supporters — the banners of each team float from the rafters at this squeaky-clean tavern.
Stats:1475 W. Elliot Road, Gilbert, , www.buffalowildwings.com.
Other venues:4425 E. McKellips Road, Mesa, ; 970 S. Gilbert Road, Gilbert,
Best tailgating grub
Teakwoods Tavern & Grill
Scouting report:Don't fill up on the free peanuts at this neighborhood watering hole, the sports-themed menu is a crowd-pleaser. A dozen giant, juicy burgers and five different dogs cover the basics, but there's soooo much more. The Candlestick Carver is my fave — roast beef, grilled green chilies, horseradish mayo, tomato and melted provolone on toasted sourdough with a side of au jus.
Draft/bottled beers:12/36
TVs:17
Team spirit:Pretty weak — there's a Yankees poster and a couple of NFL schedules.
Stats:5965 W. Ray Road, Chandler,
Other venues:8880 E. Via Linda, Scottsdale, ; 151 E. Williams Field Road, Gilbert,
Best place to bring your bling
Fox Sports Grill
Scouting report:How many sports bars have a valet? It's all about luxury at this north Scottsdale hot spot. All 50 TVs are plasma, they have a sous chef on the payroll, there's a VIP room that's more decked out than most bars, and there's a classy dining room split by a glass wall of water cut down the middle by a castle-size fireplace. The isolated space gives the mellower sports fan a chance to catch the action without the roar of the bar crowd.
Draft/bottled beers:15/12
TVs:50
Team spirit:Too cool for pennants and posters, but I did spot one abstract sport image.
Stats:16203 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, , www.foxsportsgrill.com
Best choice for the chicks
Bungalow Bar & Grill
Scouting report:Leopard-print ottoman seats, blown-glass lighting, candle-lined ledges, pretty plates and not a backward-cap wearing guy in sight — what more could a girl want? Sure, there are only five TVs, but every table has a clear view and the all-star kitchen is kind enough to roll out of bed in time to start flipping flapjacks at 9 a.m. on Sundays during football season. The long, indoor/outdoor bar is a hit as well.
Draft/bottled beers:0/15
TVs:Five
Team spirit:Unless the black and white artsy vases are a subtle shout-out to the Oakland Raiders, this place scores a zilch.
Stats:4360 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, , www.bungalowbarandgrill.com
Best place to see and hear the game
Damon's Grill
Scouting report:Every table has its own crystal-clear speaker which can be tuned to any of the four giant screens. It's the best sound set-up in the Valley and the tiered booths (again, genius) offer an unobstructed view of the wall of TVs. The menu hits everything — ribs, steaks, seafood, salads, sandwiches and burgers.
Draft/bottled beers:8/28
TVs:12
Team spirit:Fun — bartenders wear jerseys and local high school team photos line the entry.
Stats:155 S. Power Road, Mesa, , www.damons.com
Other venue:940 S. Gilbert Road, Gilbert,
