Superbowl in Long Island City

Best Places to Watch the Superbowl in LIC
By Daniel Sennet

For those of you not having the male version of an Oscar Party, LIC actually has a wide variety of places to watch the game. There are three criteria for a successful viewing of the Superbowl: 
1) televisions (not just any, but the bigger, the better and HD, including sound), 2) Solid food and beers and 3) space to relax for the long haul. The third criterion becomes a moot point if the Giants or Jets were in the game, as you just want to be with the crowd. As neither of those teams put up a respectable showing this year, better to be comfortable and to enjoy the culmination of the football season.

Starting at the entrance to the 7 train on Vernon, you would probably have an easy time walking into PJ Leahy's, your typical sports bar, complete with low ceilings, dark interior, mediocre beers and mediocre food. What they do have going for it is the comfort factor, booths with individual tvs where you can easily settle in for the long haul, enjoy a decent burger, drink a bunch of beers and not break the bank.

A little down the street on 51st is Alewife, pretty much the complete opposite of PJ’s. This place is large (two floors) and boasts of a massive projection screen and 6 huge HD tvs. There’s no place within the bar that you can’t see or hear the game! They are known for their eclectic and massive beer list, as well as for a higher degree of pub fare. For example, it’s not just a burger here, but the “Alewife Burger” with Mizuna, roasted tomato, grilled onions… yet get the idea. This place will be packed on account of the excellent atmosphere to watch the game, so get here early and you’ll be able to grab a great spot to hunker down.

Going back to Vernon, you can find the perfect middle ground at Corner Bistro, the epitome of a burger joint. I’ve written about this spot before and I want to reiterate my complete and unabashed bias: it’s just awesome. Now, it’s not as big as Alewife, but the force is strong here, with taps that will satisfy beer snobs and traditionalists alike. It doesn’t have as large a pub menu as PJ’s, but really, what else do you need besides the best burger in LIC, nachos and chili? On space, I think you’d be fine to get here around 6 to settle into a four person booth. There are two large enough tv’s at opposite ends of the bar that will give you a good sightline to the game. Finally, nothing here is more than $10 or $12 bucks so you can spend some quality time without dropping a few bills.

On Center and 47th is Skinny's Cantina. Normally, I wouldn’t bother to mention this place, but to be honest, it ranks pretty highly on the criteria noted above. It’s a got a massive projection screen as well as quite a few tv’s at the bar. The food is solid, if not slightly pricey, and the drinks will do the trick if you’re not looking for a rare craft IPA.  There’s a high likelihood of excellent game-day specials to keep you ‘motivated’ throughout the game. There’s a ton of tables, but you might find yourself being rowdy sitting next to a family of four with two very young children. If you’re looking to be in a higher energy, if less traditional atmosphere to watch the game, go here and enjoy. You can probably even make a reservation to ensure yourself a spot.

The last spot on the list is John Brown's Smokehouse. Its BBQread my review, I know,read my review but if you wander towards the back, you’ll be surprised to see two pretty big televisions and a bar with eight very carefully selected craft beers. The benches and chairs won’t be comfortable for more than 2 hours, but the great beers and superb food more than make up for it. It’ll be cozy and likely a  fun place to hang out on account of there not being too many people to cramp your style.

Like any event, what makes or breaks it are the people you’re enjoying it with. Seeing as how the Giants or Jets, or don’t hate me, the Dolphins aren’t playing, I’m happy to grind out the game on my couch with a few neighbors and my dog, all of whom who are just as excited as me to gorge on copious amounts of chips, guac, salsa, sandwiches and beer. There’s no tv big enough, food delicious enough or space comfortable enough to make up for the people factor. Assuming you’re with good crew who want to go out to watch the commercials, oops, I mean the game, with you, my money would likely to go to Alewife if I was with my pool members or to Corner Bistro if I was with a few good friends that wanted to chill out.

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