The NFL Cocktail Playoffs: Championship Sunday

The eyes of the world will all be on the two-storied fields this Championship Sunday. The big question is: where will you be to enjoy it? If you can’t make it to the game, I’m here to showcase the best places for you to watch, celebrate and most importantly pound the best local brews your bartender can pour! 

• Kezar Pub, San Francisco, California – This Haight-Ashbury watering hole has a rich pub atmosphere where fans of sports from around the globe congregate to watch, cheer and savor a pint of their favorite lager. While Kezar is known to be one of the best places for a pint of Guinness outside of Ireland, there is plenty of local fare to enjoy from the tap. Anchor Brewing is a San Francisco legacy whose their roots extend all the way to 1849! When you arrive to Kezar Pub, make sure you have a friendly bartender pour you a glass of Anchor Steam. This classic amber beer with a thick creamy head has been a brewing tradition from Anchor since 1896. Savor the blend of pale and caramel malts while you cheer on your Niners with a pint of Anchor Steam in hand! 

• Pony Bar, Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan, New York – With the wide variety of trendy Manhattan spots and busy Brooklyn dives, The Pony Bar is that happy medium. Situated on 45^th and 10^th, this Hell’s Kitchen bar gets packed for Giants games but the attentive bar staff doesn’t keep you waiting to get your fix. Park yourself on a stool and have them pour you a glass of New York’s new American classicCaptain Lawrence’s Captain’s Reserve IPA. This award winning pale ale deserves an imperial pint glass for its full-bodied sweet malt with a citrus bite. 

• The Fours, Boston, Massachusetts – Located right across the way from the Boston Celtics’ home is Beantown’s favorite bar The Fours. Voted the “#1 Sports Bar in America” by Sports Illustrated, The Fours keeps you entertained year round with a rich big game atmosphere. Make sure you pour a glass from regional favorite Harpoon IPA. Harpoon cultivates it’s own yeast in the brewery for this special hoppy blend of Indian Pale Ale. The floral aroma and malty flavor make this ale a must for Patriots fans. 

• Pickle’s Pub, Baltimore, Maryland – This Camden Yards mainstay is one of Baltimore’s many great brewpubs and is the place to be on gameday. Don’t let the pickle fool you, this is a pub with serious selection and Baltimore’s City Paper voted it Best Sports Bar. Make sure you experience a pint of Clipper City Brewing Company’s Classic Lager. When paired with Pickle’s Crab Pretzel, the pale lager’s German noble hops tie it all together and take you to Ball So Hard University.