Superbowl in Portland: where would YOU go?
February 5, 2011 9:29 AM Subscribe
Australians in Portland, OR for Superbowl: where can we go to experience this national cultural event?
Hi all! My SO and I are at the end of a six month trip and are spending our final days in Portland, OR. We just discovered tomorrow is Superbowl and while neither of us know anything about American Football, we'd like to see the game (if only for the ads!).
We're not really big sports people (that's why I posted it in human relations instead of sports and rec), so it's kind of more just to take it all in. We're staying in the Overlook neighborhood (can walk to Mississippi) and don't mind a little bit of a trip for the right place.
In short- looking for somewhere fun to watch the game where we won't feel like outsiders and people enjoy themselves rather than getting all agro about it!
Thanks!
Hi all! My SO and I are at the end of a six month trip and are spending our final days in Portland, OR. We just discovered tomorrow is Superbowl and while neither of us know anything about American Football, we'd like to see the game (if only for the ads!).
We're not really big sports people (that's why I posted it in human relations instead of sports and rec), so it's kind of more just to take it all in. We're staying in the Overlook neighborhood (can walk to Mississippi) and don't mind a little bit of a trip for the right place.
In short- looking for somewhere fun to watch the game where we won't feel like outsiders and people enjoy themselves rather than getting all agro about it!
Thanks!
You could probably go to any sports bar, and be able to watch the game. Buffalo Wild Wings is a national chain of sports bar & grill establishments, and it looks like there are six in the Portland area (http://www.buffalowildwings.com/, click on Locations at the top). Shoot, any casual dining place with a bar will probably show the Super Bowl.
Word of warning - wherever you decide to go, get there early (in fact, get there earlier than early, at least an hour or so before the 330pm Pacific time kickoff), so you'll have a chance at getting an actual seat.
posted by AMSBoethius at 10:13 AM on February 5, 2011
Word of warning - wherever you decide to go, get there early (in fact, get there earlier than early, at least an hour or so before the 330pm Pacific time kickoff), so you'll have a chance at getting an actual seat.
posted by AMSBoethius at 10:13 AM on February 5, 2011
So what you want is a sports bar. There are a few on Interstate (and I don't think any of Mississippi, which isn't exactly a sports bar neighborhood). I haven't been to this place, but it's close to Overlook, on Interstate and Killingsworth (a couple stops up on the yellow line), and it's gotten good reviews on Yelp, which is a good sign here in Portland.
Also, this question is adorable.
posted by bluedaisy at 10:23 AM on February 5, 2011 [2 favorites]
Also, this question is adorable.
posted by bluedaisy at 10:23 AM on February 5, 2011 [2 favorites]
There aren't that many sports bars in the are you're staying - there are lots of bars, but most probably won't have the ambiance you're looking for.
BWW is a good idea, even if it is a massive chain - it's big, there's tons of TVs, and the food is OK. Definitely get there early, though, it'll be crowded as the Super Bowl is probably the biggest televised sporting event the US has.
The closest Buffalo Wild Wings to where you're staying is downtown. From Mississippi Ave the easiest way to get there is to take the #4 bus which gets you within a couple blocks.
Have fun!
posted by pdb at 10:28 AM on February 5, 2011
BWW is a good idea, even if it is a massive chain - it's big, there's tons of TVs, and the food is OK. Definitely get there early, though, it'll be crowded as the Super Bowl is probably the biggest televised sporting event the US has.
The closest Buffalo Wild Wings to where you're staying is downtown. From Mississippi Ave the easiest way to get there is to take the #4 bus which gets you within a couple blocks.
Have fun!
posted by pdb at 10:28 AM on February 5, 2011
Oh, hands down the place to go would be any one of the McMenamins Theaters, I think. Free admission, of course, and you get to watch the game on a movie theater sized screen. My personal preference would be the Bagdad Theater, cause it's a gorgeous restored old theater in the Hawthorne Neighborhood. Plus, you get to walk around the Hawthorne/Belmont neighborhood before and after, if you want.
I feel like an entire movie theater's worth of people can't get too agro, you know? There's going to be fans from both sides, and not well-established personal rivalries like you'd get in a smaller venue with "regulars".
Personally, the Bagdad's going to be so much more of an experience than Buffalo Wild Wings, I got to say. Sports bars will have sports people, I think the theaters are more likely to have a wide variety of folks who are just interested in seeing the game.
posted by redsparkler at 11:05 AM on February 5, 2011 [1 favorite]
I feel like an entire movie theater's worth of people can't get too agro, you know? There's going to be fans from both sides, and not well-established personal rivalries like you'd get in a smaller venue with "regulars".
Personally, the Bagdad's going to be so much more of an experience than Buffalo Wild Wings, I got to say. Sports bars will have sports people, I think the theaters are more likely to have a wide variety of folks who are just interested in seeing the game.
posted by redsparkler at 11:05 AM on February 5, 2011 [1 favorite]
There's reasons to knock the place, but I often wind up at the Rock Bottom brewery downtown to watch sports. Their beer is decent, they've got plenty of TVs in the bar, some of their junk food is freaking awesome (Texas Toothpicks!). SW 2nd and Morrison downtown, it's on the MAX stop for the Red/Blue line, easy to get to from Overlook area. Catch the Yellow line to downtown. Either change trains at Rose Quarter or walk 4 blocks east from Pioneer Square
If you are looking to venture around in Portland: Claudia's at SE 30th and Hawthorne, Tanker at SE 49th and Hawthorne both will be dedicated to the game. Claudia's has projector screens, Tanker has a dedicated 60"+ TV. Yellow Line to downtown, 14 bus down Hawthorne.
If you want to see die-hard fans watching the game: A&L Sports Pub at NE 60th and Glisan Yellow Line to Red Green or Blue Line to 60th, quick walk is supposed to be the Steelers bar. The Corbett Fish House at 5901 SW Corbett Yellow Line to Rose Quarter, catch the 35 and Jimmy's Sports Bar 3017 SW Multnomah Blvd Yellow Line to the 44 are the two Packers bars. All will be packed very early. If their respective team wins, it will be crazy drunk. If their respective team loses, it will be like their puppy ran away, someone shot Santa Claus and they caught their wife cheating on them with their best friend all at once.
Club 205 at SE 100th and Stark is celebrating, too. Happy hour all game with topless waitresses. Yes, it's a strip club. Yellow Line to Rose Quarter, then Green Line and a walk. Or Yellow Line to the 20.
posted by Mister Fabulous at 11:08 AM on February 5, 2011 [1 favorite]
If you are looking to venture around in Portland: Claudia's at SE 30th and Hawthorne, Tanker at SE 49th and Hawthorne both will be dedicated to the game. Claudia's has projector screens, Tanker has a dedicated 60"+ TV. Yellow Line to downtown, 14 bus down Hawthorne.
If you want to see die-hard fans watching the game: A&L Sports Pub at NE 60th and Glisan Yellow Line to Red Green or Blue Line to 60th, quick walk is supposed to be the Steelers bar. The Corbett Fish House at 5901 SW Corbett Yellow Line to Rose Quarter, catch the 35 and Jimmy's Sports Bar 3017 SW Multnomah Blvd Yellow Line to the 44 are the two Packers bars. All will be packed very early. If their respective team wins, it will be crazy drunk. If their respective team loses, it will be like their puppy ran away, someone shot Santa Claus and they caught their wife cheating on them with their best friend all at once.
Club 205 at SE 100th and Stark is celebrating, too. Happy hour all game with topless waitresses. Yes, it's a strip club. Yellow Line to Rose Quarter, then Green Line and a walk. Or Yellow Line to the 20.
posted by Mister Fabulous at 11:08 AM on February 5, 2011 [1 favorite]
We saw the Packers/Bears game a couple weeks ago at George's, the place that bluedaisy suggested. Not a huge place but not tiny, plenty of TVs, lots of fun and enthusiastic Portland sports fans. We got there maybe half an hour early for the game we went to and still found a table but just barely; for the Super Bowl you'd want to make it probably a clean hour early or more. Their beer selection is not exactly impressive from a local micro perspective but they've got a few regional beers on tap and more in bottles and a pretty solid collection of good old fashion cheap American macrobrews in draft and can as well, which for a big bowl game is probably thematically appropriate anyway. Plenty of greasy fried food too.
Near there as well is a place friends of mine like called Saraveza, which is likely to be pretty crowded (we ended up at George's because that place was already standing-room only a half-hour before the game) but if you're planning to settle in early would probably be a nice experience.
Never been to Yorgo's but have been by a bunch of times; it's pretty nice seeming, and is right across the street from a great little klatch of local food carts that smart money says will be open for business that day.
I can't speak to BWW, it may be a practical choice just for ubiquity but if you're going to go to a sports bar in Portland I think you'd get more local flavor by going to an actual Portland sports bar if it's workable.
posted by cortex at 11:10 AM on February 5, 2011 [1 favorite]
Near there as well is a place friends of mine like called Saraveza, which is likely to be pretty crowded (we ended up at George's because that place was already standing-room only a half-hour before the game) but if you're planning to settle in early would probably be a nice experience.
Never been to Yorgo's but have been by a bunch of times; it's pretty nice seeming, and is right across the street from a great little klatch of local food carts that smart money says will be open for business that day.
I can't speak to BWW, it may be a practical choice just for ubiquity but if you're going to go to a sports bar in Portland I think you'd get more local flavor by going to an actual Portland sports bar if it's workable.
posted by cortex at 11:10 AM on February 5, 2011 [1 favorite]
I love Prost, at 4237 N Mississippi. Mr. Numberwang watched a bunch of World Cup games there last year and had a great time. Their website says they are having a Super Bowl party.
posted by That's Numberwang! at 11:12 AM on February 5, 2011
posted by That's Numberwang! at 11:12 AM on February 5, 2011
I saw the last game at Grand Central Bowl. The place was filled with Packers fans and it was really fun. The upstairs lounge features living room style seating areas with fireplaces and big TVs. Get there early to get a good seat. The Superbowl party there should be good.
The most "American" way to watch the Superbowl is at home (or a friend's home). Superbowl parties are my favorite January event.
posted by dchrssyr at 11:50 AM on February 5, 2011
The most "American" way to watch the Superbowl is at home (or a friend's home). Superbowl parties are my favorite January event.
posted by dchrssyr at 11:50 AM on February 5, 2011
I watched the game last year at Saraveza, just across I5 from you, on Killingsworth. Totally friendly atmosphere... mind you, I'm a regular, but I could care less about football. More important that you like good beer, really. There will be a lively meat raffle, too, if that appeals. Sarah, the owner of Saraveza, is a transplanted Wisconsinite, and it's something of a hub for others from the region. There will probably be sincere, good-natured partisanship on behalf of the Packers (but definitely not agro), which I would think would only enhance your experience of the Super Bowl as an American cultural artifact.
Cortex is right, it fills up early, so don't dally if you're thinking of making it your destination.
I haven't decided if I'll go or not —really I only went last year for the meat— but if so, I'll keep my eyes peeled for antipodean Friends of Mathowie :)
P.S. much as I love Saraveza, if you prefer lager to ale, you'd probably enjoy the drinking more at Prost, per That's Numberwang! Myself, I like double IPAs and Flemish sours, so Saraveza owns my heart.
posted by mumkin at 11:54 AM on February 5, 2011 [1 favorite]
Cortex is right, it fills up early, so don't dally if you're thinking of making it your destination.
I haven't decided if I'll go or not —really I only went last year for the meat— but if so, I'll keep my eyes peeled for antipodean Friends of Mathowie :)
P.S. much as I love Saraveza, if you prefer lager to ale, you'd probably enjoy the drinking more at Prost, per That's Numberwang! Myself, I like double IPAs and Flemish sours, so Saraveza owns my heart.
posted by mumkin at 11:54 AM on February 5, 2011 [1 favorite]
If you want to experience it in the true Portland sports bar fashion I'd second Claudia's.
To me--a pretty huge sports fan that generally hates the NFL and watches just this one game every year--the Super Bowl is something you watch with a bunch of friends at home (yours, theirs, doesn't matter). When I think about where I'd watch it if I weren't going to a party... the only place I think to go to is Claudia's. The folks who run the place are some of the friendliest in town and it is, to me, the epitome of everything that's good about watching sports on TV in public with mostly complete strangers.
posted by togdon at 2:51 PM on February 5, 2011
To me--a pretty huge sports fan that generally hates the NFL and watches just this one game every year--the Super Bowl is something you watch with a bunch of friends at home (yours, theirs, doesn't matter). When I think about where I'd watch it if I weren't going to a party... the only place I think to go to is Claudia's. The folks who run the place are some of the friendliest in town and it is, to me, the epitome of everything that's good about watching sports on TV in public with mostly complete strangers.
posted by togdon at 2:51 PM on February 5, 2011
Response by poster: Wow guys there are some awesome tips here (and thanks to lampshade for the dummies guide - it'll be good to have some grasp of what we're cheering about).
At the moment I gotta say I love the cinema idea but I checked the Saraveza site and they're having a pre-game tailgater! Also meat raffle!!! I like Georges as well so we may pop by the tailgater for a bit then settle in at Georges - both very much walking distance from where we are and each other.
Our accents clearly mark us so if you hear an Australian couple (I'll probably be getting overly excited about the tailgater then frustrated at the stopping and starting of the game) come say hi!
Thanks so much for answering guys!
posted by nothing too obvious at 6:41 PM on February 5, 2011
At the moment I gotta say I love the cinema idea but I checked the Saraveza site and they're having a pre-game tailgater! Also meat raffle!!! I like Georges as well so we may pop by the tailgater for a bit then settle in at Georges - both very much walking distance from where we are and each other.
Our accents clearly mark us so if you hear an Australian couple (I'll probably be getting overly excited about the tailgater then frustrated at the stopping and starting of the game) come say hi!
Thanks so much for answering guys!
posted by nothing too obvious at 6:41 PM on February 5, 2011
Oh hey, this is the thread that made you guys show up at Saraveza!
I hope you had a good time during the game, sorry if we kind of trailed off towards the end, we got sucked into the game for the last quarter.
posted by mrzarquon at 8:04 AM on February 8, 2011
I hope you had a good time during the game, sorry if we kind of trailed off towards the end, we got sucked into the game for the last quarter.
posted by mrzarquon at 8:04 AM on February 8, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by lampshade at 9:48 AM on February 5, 2011 [1 favorite]