Best Bets
Best bets for finding fans of your favorite team
Fritz Hahn | Updated 11/04/2009
Looking for a place to wave your Terrible Towel or root for your high-flying alma mater? Since there are so many transplants in D.C., certain bars have aligned themselves with particular alumni groups or NFL teams. Here's where the fans in the know go.
51st State
Washington, DC
D.C.'s only "New York sports team bar" gives priority to games featuring the Giants, the Jets and the Buffalo Bills on its multiple flat-screen TVs.
Crystal City Sports Pub
Arlington, VA
On Saturdays, Crystal City Sports Pub is a hive of activity from noon until after midnight. More than 20 alumni groups, including Auburn, North Carolina Oklahoma State and USC, watch games screening back-to-back-to-back on almost 100 TVs. The sprawling Sports Pub uses "Game Locator" signs posted at the front door to steer customers to the part of the building where specific games are being shown.
Hawk and Dove
Washington, DC
Packers fans head for the Hawk and Dove when they want to watch the game with a brat and a pint of Leinenkugel.
Jimmy's Old Town Tavern
Herndon, VA
Buffalo native Jimmy Cirrito shows every Bills game at his friendly Herndon bar, with wings served in the proper Buffalo style: Anchor bar sauce and homemade blue cheese.
Kelly's Irish Times
Washington, DC
The D.C. Metro Raiders -- an official Oakland Raiders fan club -- gathers here on game days.
Mezza Luna
Washington, DC
We hate to admit it, but there are Cowboys fans in D.C. Show up at Mezza Luna in a Tony Romo jersery or Cowboys cap, and you'll get 10 percent off your bill while the game is on.
Murphy's of Alexandria
Alexandria, VA
This hangout for New England Patriots fans draws diehards who loudly chant and cheer for their team.
Old Dominion Brewhouse
Washington, DC
The Tide rolls every weekend in Mount Vernon Square as the University of Alabama alumni gather. Tickets and team gear are raffled off at the viewing parties.
Penn Quarter Sports Tavern
Washington, DC
Dozens of alumni groups call the Penn Quarter Sports Tavern home, and the two-story pub has 16 55-inch flat-screens -- there are even TVs on the covered patio. Georgia, Ole Miss, Oregon State, Boise State and South Florida alums are among the regulars watching 600-some channels on Saturdays, while the bar caters to fans of the Dolphins, Broncos and Seahawks on Sundays.
Rhodeside Grill
Arlington, VA
It's a sea of burnt orange every Saturday in Arlington as the University of Texas's Longhorns gather for food and drink specials.
The Bottom Line
Washington, DC
Washington's only haven for Cincinnati Bengals fans also welcomes Purdue alumni on Saturdays. Both groups get priority seating and drink specials -- and Bengals fans even get Skyline Chili.
The Exchange
Washington, DC
This bar welcomes Notre Dame alumni and fans with big screens and plenty of drink specials.
The Pour House
Washington, DC
Crowds in black and gold start showing up on Pennsylvania Avenue hours before the game. Once inside, it's pierogies, Rolling Rock and a swarm of Terrible Towels until the end of the game. On Saturdays, the national champion Florida Gators take over. (Florida fans also head for Bailey's Pub and Grille in Ballston.)
The Rhino Bar and Pumphouse
Washington, DC
Probably the only place where you can expect to hear cheering for Michael Vick this year is at Georgetown's venerable Rhino, which Philadelphia Eagles fans take over on Sundays. (Penn State and Ohio State predominate on Saturdays.) All games feature cheap beers and wings.
Tommy Joe's
Bethesda, MD
Fans of the New England Patriots and the University of Michigan dominate at this special-heavy Bethesda bar.
Town Tavern
Washington, DC
A New York-based chain billing itself as the place to watch Da Bears on 15 high-definition TVs? Well, it's offering $3 kielbasas, 25-cent wings and $5 Budweiser pitchers during every game, plus free shots after every Bears touchdown and victory.
Velocity Five
Falls Church, VA
Many bars draw Virginia Tech fans for games, but the official alumni association draws hundreds for game-viewing parties that rotate between Velocity Five, Bailey's and the Penn Quarter Sports Tavern. (Get the latest on parties through the alumni Web site ncrhokies.org)
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