It’s on!
Football fans will pack bars around the city to watch the Jets-Giants battle at the Meadowlands tomorrow — and the watering holes are breaking out all the bells and whistles for the pre-Christmas crowds.
Special drinks, free booze and lavish spreads will be at the ready for the throngs expected to take a break from their holiday shopping to root for their teams.
“Saturday is going to be a huge game — it’s going to be a big deal,” said 123 Burger Shot manager Stacy Ledwith. The 10th Avenue sports bar is expecting big crowds — and it’s giving out shots to fans wearing their team’s colors every time they score.
Fans who prefer football over holidays with loved ones will have plenty of options for cheering on the teams, which both need the win for their playoff bids.
“It’s going to be a very good day. They’re going to pack the place,” said Nick Murphy, an owner of Bar 43 in Sunnyside, Queens. “Everybody I talk to says they’re going to be here and they’re very excited.”
The holiday colors at several sports bars around town are Gang Green and Big Blue.
“People have been calling all week to ask if we’re going to be open,” said Billy Chiado, manager of Snap on West 14th Street.
The bar is taking the Giants-Jets rivalry seriously, drawing a line of scrimmage down the middle. It’ll dedicate half of its space to Big Blue supporters and the other to Gang Green fanatics — and set up several “face-off tables” in the middle where opposing fans can scream face-to-face.
“It’s great for people to have fun and watch the game,” co-owner Jordan Harris said.
“We’re a huge Giants and Jets crowd,” Chiado said. “It’s definitely going to get heated in here, because fans come in wearing their jerseys so everyone knows who’s supporting who.”
The crucial game’s proximity to Christmas isn’t worrying bar owners, who are confident they’ll score big at the cash register.
“If anything, the holidays are making people more aware of the game,” said Emily Welby, marketing manager for FunBars.com, which operates a string of watering holes in the Upper West Side, East Village, Restaurant Row and Union Square.
“Everyone is looking forward to it, and no one is worried about answering their phone on Saturday.”
The Giants and Jets play once every four years, under current NFL scheduling formulas.
Additional reporting by Gillian Kleiman, Andy Campbell and David K. Li
Taverns on the green & blue
The gridiron battle of New York will be fought at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ — and at your neighborhood bar! Here are places where you can bend an elbowwith your fellow football fans.
BOOTLEG MANNING (2645 Forest ave. Staten island) With a name like this, of course it’s a Big Blue hangout—and it’s offering a $30 openbar tab for the occasion.
CLEM’S (264 grand ave., Brooklyn) This Williamsburgwatering hole isn’t obviously awash in Gang Green. But upon further review, you’ll find the walls are filled with pictures of bar owners and regulars at Jet games. The Jet joint is offering $5 drink specials — a shot of Sauza tequila or Jim Beam withamug of beer. Bartender Sean Mahan is down on both his Jets and Big Blue: “Considering both teams’ performance last week, I wouldn’t be surprised if neither team won.”
SNAP SPORTS BAR ( 248 W. 14th St.) Dividing the room—one-half blue, one-half green, with three tables in the middle where loyalists of both sides will be able to cheer in each other’s grills. The specials include The Mark Sanchez (six Tecate beers, six shots of tequila for $27) or The Victor Cruz (six Tecates and an order of chicken wings for $27).
THE BRONX ALE HOUSE (216 W. 238th St., Bronx) This sports-oriented Kingsbridge watering hole is staging its NFL specials on this special Saturdaywith $4 draft pints, $15 for 90 ounces of beer and 50 wings for $30.
VILLAGE POURHOUSE (982 amsterdam ave.)Win or lose, Big Blue and Gang Green fans will both be rewarded for wearing their team colors. Jet fans will get half off shots of Jamson, and Giant supporters will get half off shots of “Big Blue,” a vodka-based brew. Both usually cost $8.
BAR 43 (43-06 43rd St., Sunnyside, Queens) Just one long stumble off the No. 7 train, this pub is letting fans score 100 ounces of beer for $20.
BOUNCE SPORTS LOUNGE & RESTAURANT (1403 Second ave.) GM Billy Vargas is a Jets fan. But he’s fine with Big Blue fans, especially since the day QB Eli Manning stopped by the bar and dropped off a jersey.