Since the season kicked off, New York nightlife has been readying for the big game.
But if you’re not on VIP lists such as Maxim and Direct TV’s Jay Z concert, there’s still a way to get in on the action, whether your tastes are upscale or divey.
“Our phones have been ringing off the hook for people to make reservations for the game,” said Brian Mazza, the vice president of Paige Hospitality Group, which owns sporty hotspots such as the Ainsworth, The Chester and 121 Fulton.
Though Ainsworth was rented out for private parties before the first snap of the season was even taken, his other fancy watering holes are preparing for the fan rush with food and drink specials.
On West 33rd Street, the Super Bowl rivalry is heated up with a Broncos bar, Stout, and Seattle stronghold Feile standing adjacent to each other.
But if Seahawks fans want to be in their comfort zone, head to the Upper East Side, where Carlow East is finally relishing its moment in the sun.
“We’ve been the official Seahawks bar for a number of years,” said owner Sean Spratt whose Sunday party sold out in three hours. “It was like a Britney Spears concert.”
But Friday and Saturday, Spratt expects the faithful to fill its Lexington Avenue digs.
“It’s going to be like St. Patrick’s Day. This year it’s been the perfect storm with the Super Bowl being in New York and us being a Seattle bar,” Spratt said.
Further downtown, they’ll be singing Peyton Manning’s praises — over a karaoke microphone.
Keats, a midtown East bar — which morphed from a Colts to a Broncos haven after Manning landed in Denver — is hosting a rapping superfan who goes by the name “Mad Fanatic.”
“He’s flying in from Denver. He is supposedly the largest Denver fan every, and he’s going to be rapping during halftime,” owner Alex Nicholas said with a laugh. The watering hole doubles as a karaoke bar, and Peyton devotees hope to be singing, “We are the Champions.”
Keats
If you love to sing the Broncos’ praises, this Midtown sports bar doubles as a karaoke bar. While many of the tables fill up quickly, the bar area is wide open. Beer specials and food specials will be offered on Super Bowl Sunday.
842 Second Ave.; (212) 682-5490
Butterfield 8
On Friday and Saturday, they’re hosting late night parties with $40 open bar, from either 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. or 11 p.m. to 2 a.m.
On Super Bowl Sunday, $50 will get a superfan unlimited wings, Budweiser and Bud Lite. For $15 more, well drinks and select drafts are included. Wear Broncos colors all week, and bar snacks are half off.
5 E. 38th St; (212) 679-0646
Carlow East
Owner Sean Spratt is gearing up for a St. Patty’s-esque atmosphere to welcome the Seattle diaspora. “There’s a drumline band coming. We have Seattle beers on tap like Long Hammer,” Spratt said.
1254 Lexington Ave.; (212) 744-6397
The Chester
For more upscale gridiron grub and a clubbier vibe, the Chester has a $70 tailgate menu with candied bacon, nachos, mini meatball subs and Angus sirloin sliders. A deejay will be playing during commercial breaks.
18 Ninth Ave.; (646) 253-2284
Hudson Stadium (Hudson Hall)
At Hudson Hotel, they’re transforming Hudson Hall, their burger bar, into a tailgating haven. Cornhole, 11 flat-screen televisions and four different types of wings. For $25, fans can get an open bar from 4-5 pm.
356 W. 58th St.; (212) 554-6000
121 Fulton
Downtown denizens can hit the Financial District gastropub, which has 35 flat-screen televisions, and is offering a $75 open bar, which includes the Fulton shots, a twist on the cucumber martini.
121 Fulton St.; (646) 545-6647
Blaue Gans
If you’re not a fan of traditional sports bars but love German grub and pigskin, Blaue Gans is offering a special game-day menu with weinersnitzel sandwiches, NY strip slow roasted with horseradish mouse, kraut salad and tomatoes, plus wings and specials on German draft beer. A tailgate party kicks off at 2 p.m. and a jumbo screen will be brought in for the game.
139 Duane St.; (212) 571-8880