NFL teams are fighting for their postseason lives on the high-definition televisions at Upper Deck Sports Grill, but on this Sunday afternoon, Joshua Barns and Rob Sandesky are playing in their own high-stakes gridiron game — a PlayStation 2 version of Madden NFL Football.

Nearby, their girlfriends, Jennifer Plade and Robin Montgomery, sip colorful well drinks and relax on cushy sofas in the upstairs lounge of the downtown Scottsdale sports bar.

“We come here every week,’’ says Barns, 31, of Scottsdale. “The girls aren't really into sports, but they like the atmosphere. There's TVs for us to watch the game, Xbox and PlayStation and a lounge where they can be comfortable.’’

Upper Deck, which opened last year, is one of three East Valley sports bars offering patrons more than pitchers of beer and plates of chicken wings. And even people who don't like sports are flocking to the stylish hangouts.

“I really like the bar,’’ says Plade, 28, also of Scottsdale. “Most of the guys hang out downstairs, so we have a nice little area up here to socialize and relax. They have a nice drink menu with martinis, and they even have a wine list. I think most women would feel comfortable here.’’
Rosie Movanz, an Upper Deck regular, says she can relax at the bar.

“Most of the people here are business types who want to relax with a beer and who aren't concerned with hooking up,’’ says the 30-year-old Tempe resident. “The guys leave the women alone for the most part.’’

Like Upper Deck, Tempe's Half Moon Sports Grill and north Scottsdale's Fox Sports Grill also have created chic ambiances for Valley residents looking for something more than floors littered with cracked peanut shells and plastic red baskets filled with french fries.

Half Moon opened in Moon Valley in January 2001, and two others debuted last year, including a south Tempe location with leather furniture, 17 plasma TVs, four high-definition TVs (two are double-sided GlasfireTM projection systems) and a full food and drink menu.

Half Moon also has three private rooms that people can reserve for TV viewing parties, birthday parties, game days or corporate events, generally for no charge unless there is a special event.

Co-owner Don Talbot says the rooms are a hit with local sports celebrities.

“They can still get a sense of what's going on with the game, but they don't have to deal with the people,’’ he says. “It's like being at home but having somebody wait on you.’’

In north Scottsdale, Fox Sports Grill boasts fireplaces, cascading water walls, a billiards room, a putting green, a cigar lounge and a 40-foot, illuminated cracked-glass bar.

“It's a beautiful bar,’’ says Loretta Reynolds, 27, of Scottsdale. “It doesn't seem like a sports bar at all, aside from the TVs. It's almost more of a club ambience.’’

Fox Sports Grill co-owner Bill Freeman predicts that more upscale sports bars will open throughout the Valley.

“Anytime anything is successful, people try to emulate that success,’’ he says. “So of course we're probably going to see a lot more of this.’’

Fox Sports Grill
Where: 16203 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale Amenities: A billiards room, a putting green, a cigar lounge and 37 plasma TVs.
What's on the menu? New Orleans-style barbecue shrimp, jambalaya, a prime dip sandwich and crab cakes that are flown in from Baltimore.
Info: and
www.foxsportsgrill.com

Half Moon Sports Grill
Where: 325 W. Elliot Road, Tempe
Amenities: 17 plasma TVs, four high-definition TVs and three private rooms, which customers can reserve for no charge unless there is a special event.
What's on the menu? Certified Angus Beef Burgers, honey chicken pasta and a variety of wraps.
Info: and
www.halfmoonsportsgrill.com

Upper Deck Sports Grill
Where: 4224 N. Craftsman Court, Scottsdale Amenities: Xbox, PlayStation, second-floor lounge, six high-definition TVs, six LCD TVs, one 12-foot high-definition projection screen, one 10-foot high-definition projection screen and 16 flat-screen TVs.
What's on the menu? Perch flown in from Lake Michigan, wraps and desserts like apple and pumpkin pies.
Info: