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WHO’S YOUR TEAM?
When it comes to football, some Valley bars choose sides BY ALISON BAILIN BATZ
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re you ready for some football? How about some fanfare for your hometown team? While, rightfully so, many local bars and restaurants bleed Arizona Cardinals red this time of year, there is no denying the Valley is still very much an area of transplants from across the U.S., many of which bring their hometown allegiances with them. As such, many local venues cater to specific fan bases during football season. With that, follow your team to their loyal watering hole!
DIERKS BENTLEY’S WHISKEY ROW: Denver Broncos Going into its fourth season as the only officially sanctioned Broncos bar in Arizona, Whiskey Row Scottsdale sees hundreds of the 2,500 Arizona Broncos fan club members each week during the season. On game day, they offer drink specials on beer and specialty cocktails as well as seasonal Denver-inspired menu items including the “Mile High Burger” and an orange queso dip complete with blue corn chips to reflect the team colors. The bar also raffles off Broncos memorabilia during the games, and whenever the Broncos score, the in-house DJ spins the team fight song. www.dierkswhiskeyrow.com. HAROLD’S CAVE CREEK CORRAL: Pittsburg Steelers This popular Western bar and restaurant is affectionately known as “Heinz Field West” during football season. On any given Sunday, expect 700 Steelers fans – towels and all – cheering on their team on one of the 25 flat-screen TVs while a teamthemed DJ plays more than 40 Steelers songs throughout the day. Not only does the bar transform into all things black and gold, their menu does too, boasting “Primanti Brothers” sandwiches, “Ben Roethlis(burger)s,” Iron City beer, and other fan favorites. And, they give back while cheering as well; Harold’s estimates they’ve raised more than $100,000 for local nonprofits as a result of raffles, silent auctions and other fundraisers held during games. www.haroldscorral.com. SANDBAR MEXICAN GRILL: Green Bay Packers Cheeseheads, rejoice! Sandbar Desert Ridge has been an official Green Bay Packers bar since opening six years ago. Like Harold’s, their menu transforms (the cheese curds are a must) each Sunday to reflect Packers fans’ favorite game day comfort foods. And, in further homage to Green Bay’s home state of Wisconsin, Sandbar is also the go-to destination in the North Valley for University of Wisconsin Badgers fans on Saturday. www.sandbaraz.com. SOCIAL TAP: Baltimore Ravens and New York Giants Social Tap owner Steve McDonald is a loud and proud East Coast native who takes pride in giving both Ravens and Giants fans a place to call home every Sunday, complete with foot-long New York hot dogs and Maryland crab cakes. In fact, they get so into providing fans with a “hometown” experience they bring in specialty East Coast ingredients and seasonings for a wholly authentic experience. The 90-inch flat-screen TVs don’t hurt either. www.socialtapeatery.com.
SO SCOTTSDALE! |
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| SEPTEMBER 2017