Part of the fun of living in the city is watching your favorite sports team play at your local sports bar or neighborhood watering hole. Asorians love their sports, no matter the type, and there are plenty of places in the city to watch the game. These are some of the best for collectively witnessing “the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.”
The Irish Rover is considered to be one of the best places to watch a game in Astoria. The room is cool and dark, a haven during hot summer days, but cozy in winter too. There is a large screen at the back of the bar, as well as a number of smaller televisions around the perimeter of the room. At any time, you’ll find them showing local baseball and soccer games, basketball and hockey games, and soccer games, depending on the season.
The bar itself is to the right as you enter, and there are tables to the rear near the big screen. The bartenders at the Rover offer great Guiness and Harp, and they also have a popular buy-back policy: Buy 2 drinks, get 3rd free. The Irish Rover does not serve food, but you can bring in food from outside.
- Irish Rover, 3718 28th Ave, Astoria, NY, 718-278-9372
PJ Leahy’s is probably the best place to catch a game in Long Island City. It’s located right at the top of the Queens-bound 7 train entrance, making it very convenient to get there by subway. It’s an Irish bar that serves great drinks and food, all reasonably priced, and the staff are friendly.
There you will find Mets and Yankees games, as well as Giants and Jets games. Hockey and basketball are also shown during their seasons. There are flat screens at each table, as well as televisions around the bar. Look for drink specials during games.
- PJ Leahy’s, 5002 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City, NY, 718-472-5131
McCann’s Pub and Grill on Ditmars Blvd is a very popular place to catch a game in Astoria. So popular, it’s best to get there a little early if you want to snag a table. There is a large screen towards the entrance of the bar, and smaller televisions behind the bar that show anything from baseball to golf. And if you want something to be shown on one of those TVs that you don’t see yet, just ask the nearest bartender for help.
On the big screen, they generally show baseball games in the summer and soccer games in the winter; basketball and hockey during their respective seasons. They will also show popular fights. What has the greatest appeal is what they will show.
When it comes to food and drink, there’s a great selection of food offerings – burgers and wings are the most popular, and drinks are reasonably priced.
- McCann’s Pub and Grill, 36-15 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria, NY, 718-278-2621
Ditmars Station, owned by the same people behind Broadway Station and Astoria Brewhouse, is conveniently located at the bottom of the east stairs of Ditmars Blvd Station (hence the name). There is a very large screen located towards the front of the bar, with numerous flat screen televisions linking the walls throughout the room. You are likely to find baseball and soccer, basketball and hockey games, as well as football games on the big screen, depending on the season.
If you don’t want to see what’s playing on the big screen, just ask the waiters to switch to your channel of choice on one of the smaller screens; They are very accommodating. Ditmars Station is a great alternative to McCann’s, mentioned above, which can get quite crowded after 8pm
Compared to many places, the menu is not huge, but it does have some tasty items. Brunch is also served there. There are many interesting beers, as well as some delicious hard ciders. Please note that the service can be a bit slow.
- Ditmars Station, 22-55 31st St, NY, 718-777-1177
