ASU Football: 5 Best Watering Holes to Catch the Game
Arizona State football will go head-to-head with the Stanford Cardinal at 4 pm tomorrow. Problem is, the game is in Palo Alto, Calif. That means Sun Devil fans here in the Valley will be watching the action on TV (FOX).
Rather than tune in from your home or dorm room, you might be looking for lots of TVs, a cold brew, and maybe an athlete or two who stops by after the game. And wouldn’t it be fun to cheer for the Devils in the company of fellow ASU fanatics?
As a service to the community, Devils In Detail offers its selection of the top 5 watering holes in the Valley to watch Taylor Kelly, Will Sutton and Co. upset the Cardinal. Just be sure to call a cab when it’s all over.
1. Max’s Sports Lounge
We can hear it now: Max’s is crusty old neighborhood bar way out in Glendale — why would you make it your No. 1 choice? Easy. Max’s is a local legend with as much atmosphere as the home team locker room. This joint was established in 1978, making it one of the Phoenix area’s first sports bars.
Max’s features more than 95 television screens located throughout the facility, including the patio, and broadcasts almost every major sporting event known to man. One of the things Max’s is famous for is its incredible helmet collection, which includes headgear for almost every college team that’s ever played (no exaggeration).
The kitchen and restaurant offer specialties like a 16-ounce choice ribeye steak, juicy half-pound burgers and an assortment of sandwiches.
For the betting fan, Max’s offers a simulcast-wagering center that closely resembles a Vegas racebook.
2. Alice Cooperstown
Located on Jackson Street in downtown Phoenix, Alice Cooperstown is loud, frequently crowded and somewhat over-priced. But that’s the beauty of the place! It’s literally “ground zero” for the who’s who of the Arizona sports scene, in close proximity to both the Diamondbacks’ ballpark and Suns’ arena. Trust us, this is where you want to be on game day.
Shock rocker Alice Cooper built an establishment “where jocks and rock meet,” and his irreverent love for popular music shows up on the menu, which features items named after fellow legends, such as Lady Gaga’s Hot Links, Devo’s Big City Sliders and a Stevie Nicks Gardenburger. The most expensive item on the menu is the full rack of Tony LaRussa’s St. Louis Ribs at $20. Be sure to ask for a bib.
3. Tilted Kilt
There are several Tilted Kilt restaurants in the metropolitan area, including one on Warner Road in Tempe, but all of the locations — part of a national chain — offer the same thing: Scenery. Enough said.
Tilted Kilt’s festive atmosphere makes it a go-to place to watch sports, enjoy a cold beer and hang out with friends. There are more than 30 draft and bottled beers to choose from and an extensive spirit selection. The upscale pub grub isn’t too bad, either.
This is the spot for a guy’s night out.
4. Padre Murphy’s
To heck with dieting…we confess that Padre Murphy’s, located on Bell Road in Glendale, offers sinfully good food and drink sure to please any Devils fan.
Like a classic Boston pub, the Padre’s rich wood floors and walls, magnificent mahogany bar and huge collection of famous sports memorabilia make it a prime destination. And over 80 televisions cover virtually every live and classic sporting event day and night.
5. Coach and Willie’s
Another can’t-miss downtown Phoenix restaurant/sports bar, Coach and Willie’s has an upscale environment that might even satisfy your sports-weary significant other. A diverse clientele comes here for pre-game pep-up drinks and post-game revelry.
But what really makes Coach and Willie’s a standout from the other downtown bars is the above-par menu featuring prosciutto-wrapped prawns, lobster bisque and wood-fired pizzas. Bon appetite!