It’s game day. Don’t watch the Super Bowl alone. Orange County is full of places that combine decent food and libations with an enjoyable atmosphere filled with enthusiastic fans.
The Blind Pig Kitchen + Bar: Visit this speakeasy-style bar with a menu of gourmet American cuisine. Enjoy an expansive selection of craft beers and specialty cocktails. For this Sunday’s festivities an additional big-screen television is being added to the patio. Happy hour drink prices and unlimited barbecue for $30. 31431 Santa Margarita Parkway, Rancho Santa Margarita; 949-888-0072 or theblindpigoc.com
Cruisers Pizza Bar & Grill: Surround yourself with 36 big-screen televesions and a 25-foot HD video wall. This Newport Beach restaurant includes a party patio with games, including giant Jenga. Happy hour drink specials (including an all-you-can-drink package for $50) and a menu of game day favorites like nachos, pizzas, sliders, wings and more. 801 E. Balboa Blvd., Newport Beach; 949-220-9413 or cruiserspizzabargrill.com
Danny K’s Billiards & Sports Bar: Looking for a really big TV? Danny K’s has it if you want to live large. With 50 TVs, including 8 big screens, this classic sports bar wants to make sure you don’t miss a single moment of the action. 1096 N. Main St., Orange; 714-771-9706, DannyKs.com
ESPN Zone: The popular game-day spot is located at the western end of Downtown Disney and combines a sports bar, restaurant and an athletic wear memorabilia shop. Large video monitors sit over the entrance, giving passersby the latest sports news and live sporting events. Downtown Disney, 1545 Disneyland Drive, Anaheim; 714-3000-3776, ESPNZone.com
JT Schmid’s Restaurant and Brewery: This stalwart across from Honda Center is always crowded on game nights for the Angels and Ducks. Favorites among regulars include sliders, nachos and spinach dip. The chicken and avocado eggrolls are also popular. It’s big, boomy and dominated by a huge central bar, but there isn’t a seat where you can’t see the game on a nearby flatscreen. 2610 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim; 714-634-9200, jtschmidsrestaurant.com
The Longboard Restaurant & Pub: This rustic landmark in downtown Huntington Beach occupies a building that’s more than a century old, and it gets lively on game days but avoids the frat house atmosphere of some nearby bars that cater to younger fans. Enjoy shrimp scampi, baseball cut sirloin, chicken marsala and a large-size fish and chips. On Sunday, guests can win prizes throughout the game. 217 Main St., Huntington Beach; 714-960-1896, longboardpub.com
Rudy’s Pub & Grill: The fare includes some good seafood and an excellent kobe burger, and there are tempting game day specials, too. This is the sports bar to go if the weather’s nice – the patio is large and inviting, and they roll back the roof when it’s sunny. The whole place is packed with flatscreens. 3110 Newport Blvd., Newport Beach; 949-723-0293, rudyspubandgrill.com
Silky Sullivan’s Restaurant & Irish Pub: This funky Irish Pub will be cranking up the fun on Sunday with Super Bowl giveaways every time a team scores. The bar will offer food and drinks specials. All 18 TVs will be tuned to the game. 10201 Slater Ave., Fountain Valley; 714-963-2718, SilkySullivans.com
The Stag Bar + Kitchen: This Newport Beach establishment invites you for Brunch & Bowl with buffalo wings, pizza, meatballs smothered in marinara and more. Watch the game on 16 big-screen televisions and libations selections that include signature cocktails, craft beers and small batch whiskeys. 121 McFadden Place, Newport Beach; 949-673-4470, stagbar.com
Taps Fish House & Brewery: The big draw is the award-winning beer, followed closely by the excellent menu, which elevates these restaurants several levels above your average Bud-and-burger joint. While they won’t have the crowds and hysteria you’ll find at a typical sports bar, Taps is the place to go if you’re looking for top-quality beer and food with your game. 101 E. Imperial Highway, Brea, 714-257-0101; 13390 Jamboree Road, Irvine, 714-619-0404, tapsfishhouse.com
This story was updated for 2017
Contact the writer: phodgins@ocregister.com
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