Sportsbar in SF?

September 5, 2007 9:20 AM

Where's the right place to go out and watch the NFL season opener in SF tomorrow?

I'd like to go out and watch the NFL opener tomorrow. I'm thinking this requires a sportsbar that receives the NFL Network and which, ideally, would have a couple of HDTVs tuned to it and actually showing the game, with audio. Hopefully the place would be attractive enough to folks like me that it would have other football fans in it, as opposed to a bunch of skinny, tattooed hipsters who want my head on a pike for interrupting their post-Burning-Man conversations with football talk.

I live in the North-of-Panhandle area and wouldn't mind a 30-45 minute walk to get to this place; I'd prefer not to drive or take mass transit, although a short streetcar ride might be OK. I will not take the Muni bus for any reason, because I hate it.

Bonus points for a place with cider or some other gluten-free option on tap. (Most beer contains gluten.)

posted by ikkyu2 to sports, hobbies, & recreation (9 answers total)

The opening game is on NBC, so most any vaguely sports related bar/eatery will have the game on.
posted by mmascolino at 9:33 AM on September 5, 2007

Thursday nights are trivia nights at Mad Dog in the Fog so that's probably out. I like Zeke's on 3rd in SOMA (they actually have really good food) but I think that's farther than a 45 min walk. Maybe Kezar Pub on Stanyan?
posted by otherwordlyglow at 10:11 AM on September 5, 2007

Heh. Just came in to suggest Kezar Pub... great minds, etc.
posted by trip and a half at 10:21 AM on September 5, 2007

well, uh....I was going to suggest Kezar Pub...never mind.
posted by ambrosia at 10:27 AM on September 5, 2007

(note not to be confused with the Kezar bar right around the corner on cole)
posted by bitdamaged at 11:14 AM on September 5, 2007

The Kezar's always been flooded with rowdy European soccer (European football) fans when I've walked by. I dig the place and if it's likely to be showing an American sporting event it'd be perfect.

I honestly thought it only showed soccer, and curling and Alpine jump and all those European sports, which was why I wasn't thinking about it.
posted by ikkyu2 at 11:21 AM on September 5, 2007

From Citysearch "The 49ers used to play at Kezar Stadium across the street, but the Kezar Pub (which still bills itself as "the home of the 49ers") doesn't play favorites during football season. Fifteen televisions and four satellites bring you ESPN2, Game Day and every single NFL game. They also show rugby, soccer and even Gaelic football (feverish fans of which will be happy to explain the rules and provide running commentary). Pool tables and dartboards offer halftime amusement."
posted by otherwordlyglow at 11:30 AM on September 5, 2007

Sweet. I think this question's answered for tomorrow, but if anyone else has favorite sports bars in the city please feel free to chime in. (Clement St.?)
posted by ikkyu2 at 11:33 AM on September 5, 2007

You're talking about the Saints and Colts game, right? If so, you might want to consider Jillian's down at Metreon. I know the place has a heavy yuppie vibe, but, man, they've got a sweet HD TV wall that's huge.
posted by jasper411 at 12:02 PM on September 5, 2007