I would have preferred spending my Super Bowl Sunday comfortable and cozy on a couch – consuming, rating commercials and moving as little as possible.
But friends called and I ended up joining them for a pre-game chili cook-off at Steny’s Tavern and Grill. We arrived just in time to sample the chili and wash it down with a heavily celery salted Bloody Mary. I was already feeling better about sharing the game in public.
Steny’s is a roomy sports bar with an obscene number of flat screen televisions and a large projection screen. Let me tell you, that HD picture can be mesmerizing – so clear and colorful, it’s almost unreal. Our amazement somehow morphed into a discussion of the 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger futuristic flick, The Running Man, in which the media technically manipulated actions and conversations on television game shows – or something like that – which led to the question: Is the future now?
Anyway, after the strange Arnold talk and Jennifer Hudson’s chilling, though lip-synched, performance of the National Anthem, a girlfriend and I decided to take a coffee break before the next bar. While Steny’s provides a welcoming atmosphere for any sports lover, it wasn’t quite our pace.
So off we went for a quick buzz. We walked into a nearly empty Brewed Café on Brady Street and had a cup of coffee while conversing with an employee, who was relaxed at a table with his Beatles history book in hand. Occasionally he’d get up for the sporadic customer. Meanwhile, we shared a paper where “The Boss” dominated the Arts section, and later our hearts at halftime – which brings us back to the game.
I wasn’t worried about the underdog team winning or another victory for the Steelers. All I knew was that I had $15 in a work pool and I needed my numbers to match up. We left our coffee and moment of peace for the day and walked on past Up & Under Pub. I peeked through the window and checked the score. Victory! … for me, anyway. I was the first quarter winner. Fifty big ones!
We went to Paddy’s Pub off North Avenue to finish out the game. After walking through the gorgeous ivy-covered and statue-filled beer garden, we entered what seemed like someone’s living room. Did we have to be invited to come in here? A young couple and their two children were leaving and waving friendly goodbyes to everyone as we awkwardly blocked their exit.
As we made our way to the bar we passed some tables with vinyl tablecloths and a lovely spread of homemade snacks. “Two Guinness, please.” We got our drinks and moved quickly along to the back room. A wooden throne owned one corner. A larger-than-life suit of armor blocked yet another small room. The walls were filled with comfortable clutter. Even the bathroom made me feel at home. Music sheets covered the angled ceiling, along with Hollywood pictures and playbills from the ‘40s.
After another Guinness, the game was over. It was a disappointment for many at the bar. I, however, felt this was one successful Super Bowl – I was $100 richer after winning the third quarter and at the game’s end we met an 85-year-old man who claimed to be Popeye. He told us about his days with Disney, the actors, the women. “I’m Popeye the sailor man,” he sang. Maybe he was crazy, but who doesn’t get a little coo-coo on Super Bowl Sunday. I was sad to leave Popeye and Paddy’s, but I couldn’t wait to get home to my couch.
By the way, in view of the many comments about my review of Victor’s last week, I’ve decided to give it a second chance some time. No promises it will change my mind. But I’ll stop by some night, and see what it’s like when it’s not (ugh) New Year’s Eve.
Steny’s Tavern and Grill
800 S. 2nd St.
Great daily specials and several televisions for your viewing pleasure.
Monday: $1 off cocktails, $2 off pitchers, 75 cents off taps, 50 cents off bottles, 50 cents off shots.
Tuesday: $1.50 off all micros and imports (tap or bottle).
Wednesday: Buy any pitcher of beer, get a free 12-inch cheese pizza! (No limit, no carry-outs, extra charge for toppings.)
Thursday: 40 cent Wing Night. 7 p.m.-12 a.m. with 11 signature sauces. (Dine-in only, one drink minimum.)
Friday: Fish fry.
Sunday: $3.75 Famous Bloody Marys!
Tony’s Tavern
412 S. 2nd St.
A few blocks north of Steny’s, an old fashioned bar with a welcoming atmosphere and an excellent jukebox stocked with old 45s.
Paddy’s Pub
2339 N. Murray Ave.
Please go to Paddy’s if you’re looking for a more subdued evening. The patio is beautiful in the summer, often with live music. (Six more weeks of winter weather…according to a groundhog.) Want some complimentary tasty pub mix with your beer? Kindly ask and you shall receive.
Friday Feb. 6 Jeanne Rivers, live music.
Sugar Maple
441 E. Lincoln Ave.
Mark your calendars ladies. Sugar Maple will host “Tasting Women” on Sunday, Feb. 22 from 4-6 p.m. Karen Hamilton from Lagunitas Brewery in California will be present for this ladies-only beer tasting. You have to call to register and be able to part with $15. 414-481-2393
