Ten Best Places to Watch the Olympics in NYC
Looking for a place to watch the Olympics in New York City? The New York Press is here to help! Here is a shortlist of the best venues and sports bars showing the London Games in the city this summer. Whether in the Upper East Side or Williamsburg, this guide is here to make sure you get your fill of gold medals and drink specials. By Laurent Berstecher 1. Smithfield With its three floors and 21 Flat Screen TVs, Smithfield Bar will make sure that you don't miss out on the action. Located a few blocks away from Madison Square Garden, the bar will provide live screenings all of the Olympics major events, from the opening to the closing ceremony, starting at 10am. Drink specials include 5$ Newcastle Brown Ale and 6$ Gin and Tonics. Smithfield NYC, 215 W 28th Street www.smithfieldnyc.com 2. Woodwork After a busy month of Euro Cup Football, Woodwork will exceptionally devote its 3 soccer-loving flat screens to the London Olympics. The Prospects Heights bar is an ideal hangout for those who would rather watch the Games in Brooklyn. The bar will welcome you with a number of drink specials, including customer favorite "USA": A pint of Miller and a shot of Evan William Green Label for 6$. Woodwork, 583 Vanderbilt Ave, Brooklyn, Prospect Heights, NY. [www.woodworkbk.com](http://www.woodworkbk.com) 3. Big Screen Plaza Tired of the thick atmosphere and sticky counters of sports bars? At the Big Screen Plaza you will be able to enjoy live sports without having beer spilled all over your shoulder. As the name indicates, the Plaza is a 10,000 square foot outdoor venue complete with a 30 x 16 ft. giant HD screen. Located in the heart of Manhattan, the plaza will be holding regular screening throughout the Olympics, and a special event for the opening ceremony. Big Screen Plaza, 851 Avenue of the Americas (Behind the Eventi Hotel) New York, NY 10001 [www.bigscreenplaza.com](http://www.bigscreenplaza.com) 4. Tonic East Who said you can't watch sports AND be comfortable? With its massive plasma screens, comfy sofas and surround sound, Tonic East offers a one-of-a-kind sports viewing experience. And if women's curling is on, you can always go enjoy the view of Murray Hill from the bar's rooftop. Drink specials include 3$ Budweisers and 4$ Well Drinks. Tonic East, 411 Third Ave, New York, NY 10016 [www.toniceast.com](http://www.toniceast.com) 5. SNAP Yes, even the Meatpacking District has its sports bars. Sure, it's a little fancier than your average British pub, but who doesn't like massive leather couches? For those of you who are more into sports than style, fear not: SNAP has its basics covered, hosting 16 flatscreen TVs that will be airing all the Olympics you can handle. 248 W. 14th St, New York, NY 10011 [www.snapsportsbar.com](http://www.snapsportsbar.com) 6. Mulholland's One of the rare sports bars in Williamsburg, Mulholland's does things right: The 22 beers on tap and juicy chicken wings will make you feel right at home (if you were born in a dive bar that is.) We hear that the atmosphere is casual, and the cocktails delicious. Oh, and by the way, they also have a bunch of TVs, including one in their backyard for some Olympic tanning sessions. 312 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY 11211 [www.mulhollandsbklyn.com](http://www.mulhollandsbklyn.com) 7. The Churchill If you feel like supporting the Brits, Churchill will certainly welcome you with open arms. Ok, this isn't London, but it's close. The English Pub will hold a special happy hour during the opening ceremony (Friday 27th from 4 to 7pm), with special Olympic cocktails for decent prizes. During the rest of the competition, customers will get a free "surprise" for every gold medal won by the British. Go England! The Churchill, 45 E 28th Street [www.thechurchillny.com ](http://thechurchillny.com%C2%A0) 8. Pulino's Bar and Pizzeria Tired of all this booze? Want to quit drinking? Or maybe you're just hungry. Pulino's is here to show you that you don't need beer to enjoy sports: A pizza slice will suffice (hint: try both at the same time.) For the Olympics, Pulino's blasts out the giant projector and promises live coverage during daytime hours. Don't miss out on the complimentary snacks and appetizers, from 4 to 6:30 pm! Pulino's Bar and Pizzeria, 282 Bowery, New York, NY 10012 [www.pulinosny.com](http://www.pulinosny.com) 9. 121 Fulton Street Who said you can't drink beer and watch sports for charity? Located in the Financial District, 121 Fulton Street will be screening Olympic Women's Soccer and hosting three fundraisers for the Claudio Reyna Foundation, which provides soccer programs for underprivileged children. Donate 10$ at the door, get 10% off your bill, and feel better about spending the day getting slightly hammered while watching the Games. It's for a good cause! 121 Fulton St, New York, NY 10038 [www.121fultonstreet.com](http://www.121fultonstreet.com) 10. Southern Hospitality Ever heard of the Beer Olympics? Well, we haven't either, but I'm sure you get the idea. On the 28th and 29th of July, Southern Hospitality will be hosting its own, lager-drenched version of the Olympics. Teams of four can register for 100$ to participate in this epic beer pong and flip cups contest, which will see the winner take home a cash prize. And yes, TVs are provided, for those who might want to watch real sports or catch up on the score during a veteran's restroom break. 1460 Second Ave, New York, NY 10075 [www.southernhospitalitybbq.com](http://www.southernhospitalitybbq.com)