It’s basketball season, and I’m starting to get e-mails asking me, “I want to come Downtown and watch the Tigers/Grizzlies on TV. Where’s a good place?” Different people have different preferences, so I’ll lay out some options and let you make your own call.
Calhoun’s, on G.E. Patterson just east of Main: 5 TVs
PROS: Downtown’s only true sports bar, and probably the friendliest neighborhood locals’ bar Downtown. $1.50 PBR draft all day every day. 10 beers on tap. Service is outstanding – in fact, bartender Michele won BOTH the “Best Bartender” and “Best Waitress” awards in the Memphis Flyer’s “Best Of” poll this year. Every seat has a good view of a TV.
CONS: The place is tiny – it feels full with 25 people in there, and positively packed with 40. When it’s busy you’ll find yourself getting bumped as you make your way to the restroom. I’d rank them dead last for food among the choices here, even below Jillian’s and Hooters. Beer only; not a full bar.
Summary: This is a good choice if you want to drink beer and meet some friendly people who are into sports. Because of the bar’s size, you better get there an hour before the start of the game if you want a seat.
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Hooters, Third at Peabody Place: Many TVs
PROS: As stated above, there are many TVs, with many viewing angles. Dollar domestic drafts.
CONS: Quite frankly, this place just sucks. Mediocre food. Boring corporate chain restaurant. Downtowners rarely go there.
Summary: If drinking cheap beer while you watch the game is paramount, this may be the place for you. Otherwise, look elsewhere.
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Red Rooster, Second at George W. Lee Ave just south of Beale: Ad says 10 TVs but I counted 11 last time I was in there
PROS: Extremely friendly staff that will go out of their way to make you happy while you’re watching the games. I believe they have $1.50 draft specials during all Tiger games. Interesting menu – the Sexy Fat Boy Nachos are piled high with meats, cheeses and veggies, enough to feed 2-3 people. The Maxalicious Pizzas are also quite good. Large venue with a capacity in the hundreds.
CONS: For some reason this place hasn’t yet caught on with locals for game-watching. Sometimes I’ll go in there to watch games and there will be less than a dozen people. Hopefully word of mouth will turn that around this season.
Summary: Large venue with lots of TVs, beer specials during games, and interesting bar food in huge portions. Completely different feel than late night when it’s a popular nightclub.
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Big Foot Lodge, on Second south of Union: 5 TVs
PROS: $3.99 34 oz. Super Cold Coors Light drafts; $4.99 34 oz. Molson drafts; $9.99 34 oz. mixed drinks. Food menu is much more diverse than the typical bar. Several Canadian-themed menu items. Burgers include a “Sasquatch” burger with 4 pounds of meat, and a “Yeti” ice cream sundae with 18 scoops.
CONS: TV visibility is pretty much limited to the 7 bar seats in front of the TVs, and another 7-8 people who stand behind the bar seating to watch. TVs are non-HDTV CRTs.
Summary: Better get there early if you want a seat. Great beer and drink prices. Fun menu. Locals love this place in general, but it’s usually not at the top of the list for basketball viewing because of the TV situation.
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Flying Saucer, Second at Peabody Place: 5 TVs, 7 when they pull down the projector screens
PROS: Far and away the best beer selection Downtown. About 75 beers on draft and another 120 in bottles. Also the hottest waitstaff Downtown – Hooters isn’t even close. Service at the bar is friendly and quick. Large bar with pool tables and darts. One premium draft beer is always on Fire Sale for $2.75; changes daily. Probably the most popular of any bar on this list among U of M students.
CONS: Management has to be begged and cajoled to turn the sound on for games; sometimes managers aren’t even aware there’s a game on. Service on the floor can be hit-or-miss due to the fact that they’ve had so many new hires (it’s gotten much better within the past 2 weeks though). Sometimes little things slip through the cracks (e.g. running out of paper towels in the bathroom). They don’t carry PBR.
Summary: A big, popular bar where lots of people go to watch the game. Good place if you want to try new beers to drink. Typical pub grub for a beer bar – brats, sausage and cheese plates, pizza, appetizers. You may find yourself getting distracted from the game when the waitresses bend over to deliver beers to customers.
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Bardog Tavern, on Monroe between Main and Front: 1 TV with a second one downstairs
PROS: Like Calhoun’s, a friendly neighborhood bar full of locals. Unusually good food for a neighborhood bar – the saloon sliders and spaghetti and meatballs are among my top recommendations. 10 beers on tap. $2.50 PBR. Bartenders and servers are among the friendliest and best in all of Downtown. Downstairs non-smoking dining area with its own TV.
CONS: They’ll be the first to tell you, “we aren’t a sports bar,” and don’t put the sound on during games, preferring that their customers practice the old-fashioned art of conversation.
Summary: If watching the Tiger game isn’t your sole objective, and you’re more interested in talking with friends you came in with and meeting new ones while the game is on in the background, this would be a good call. Tiger fans who are extremely into the game might prefer to watch it elsewhere, then come here afterward for a great meal and some drinks.
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Jillian’s, Second at Peabody Place: Many TVs
PROS: Large area with tons of TVs (I’m guessing 15-20). There are pool tables and there is bowling downstairs. Jillian’s is starting to take steps to position itself as more of a neighborhood hangout than it’s been in the past: Specifically, they’re getting rid of horrible nightclub Club Atlas and turning it into a Tiger Den where locals can watch games.
CONS: Not all seats have good views of TVs. Uninspired menu consisting of cheese sticks, wings, and the usual bar crap. Beer prices are on the high side. They’re working on improving service but it’s still got a way to go before it’s up to the level of the Flying Saucer across the street.
Summary: If you like the Fox and Hound in Cordova, you’ll probably like Jillian’s.
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Majestic Grille, on the Main Street Mall just north of Peabody Place: 2 TVs
PROS: Overall the best menu of all the places listed in this post. Steaks (especially the filet), whole roasted chicken, grilled cheese sandwich (with BACON!!!), flatbreads are among my recommendations. Bar is long and seats maybe 25. Locally owned by Downtowners who treat their customers well. A little more elegant than the other places on this list. Bartenders will often turn the sound on for Tiger games on the flat-panel TVs, loud enough for people at the bar to hear while not disturbing those in the dining room.
CONS: TVs are only visible from the bar. Not a place to go if you like to get wild and rowdy cheering the Tigers/Grizzlies on.
Summary: If you want to have a great meal while seated at the bar watching the game, this would be an excellent choice.
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Overall summary:
Friendliest locals: Calhoun’s
Best service: Calhoun’s, Bardog Tavern, Red Rooster
Best beer selection: Flying Saucer
Best beer prices: Hooters, Calhoun’s, Red Rooster, Big Foot Lodge
Best food: Majestic Grille, Bardog Tavern, Red Rooster, Big Foot Lodge
Most attractive waitstaff: Flying Saucer
Rowdiest, most rabid Tiger fans: Flying Saucer, Calhoun’s
College crowd: Flying Saucer
Downtowners rarely go there: Hooters, Jillian’s; although, I give Jillian’s credit for the work they’re doing to get us to change our minds
Best TV viewing angles from everywhere in the bar: Calhoun’s, Red Rooster, Hooters
Allow smoking (but not patrons under 21): Flying Saucer, Red Rooster, Bardog Tavern (upstairs), Calhoun’s
Large and spacious: Flying Saucer, Red Rooster, Jillian’s, Hooters
Small and cozy: Calhoun’s, Bardog Tavern
Best undiscovered gem Downtown for watching games: Red Rooster
My personal picks: 3-way tie between Red Rooster, Calhoun’s, Flying Saucer
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Hope that helps. Of course, these are my own personal opinions; your mileage may vary. It’s not a complete list of places to watch games either – there’s also the Blue Monkey, Huey’s, the Tap Room, and many more. This should be a good enough list to get you started though.