slides: 10 Great Places to Watch Super Bowl XLIX

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Kai Soderberg, GoLocalPDX Contributor

Super Bowl XLIX promises to be a boozy time here in Portland.

This year in Arizona, the Seahawks and their fans will have a chance to shine for the second time in two years. Regardless of whether they can pull it off against the formidable Patriot's franchise, it will prove to be a raucous affair in Portland, where people seem to be either avid Seahawks fans or avid Seahawks haters.

See Slides Below: 10 Great Places to Watch Super Bowl XLIX

The Seahawks fans, after decades of hiding under the proverbial bleachers, are now almost comically confident of their teams immenent rise to dynastic status. They are the ex-nerds who show up to their tenth high school reunion with a mail-order bride.

Portland, with its proximity to Washington and its high number of out-of-state transplants will be an interesting place to watch the Super Bowl. Throw in our love of booze, and we are arguably the most exciting place to watch the Super Bowl in the world this year.

For me, the best thing about watching the Super Bowl at the bar, as opposed to the safety and comfort of your own home, is watching the fans as their reactions to the game become progressively more intense with the amount of alcohol they drink.

As somebody who doesn’t particularly like football, I watch it for this reason alone. I can't think of a storm more perfect than the one brewing up for this Sunday in Portland.

Related Slideshow: 10 Great Places to Watch Super Bowl XLIX

There is certainly an argument for staying in to watch the game this Sunday. If you're out and about though, this short list will guide you through some of the better bars for watching the Super Bowl in Portland. Every place on this list will probably be very busy. If you are looking for a quiet spot, a hotel bar out by the airport might be the perfect thing.

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Yur's Bar & Grill

Yur's is a spacious neighborhood bar for the Northwest Portland crowd. Just a few blocks from the shopping strips of Northwest 21st and Northwest 23rd Avenues, Yur’s Tavern may be in the land of beautiful people, but don’t let that fool you. Yur’s is what keeps that neighborhood “real” and with plenty of space, big screen TVs and cheap booze it will certainly be keeping it that.

Yur's Bar & Grill is located at 717 NW 16th Ave.

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The Know

This is a small bar with only two TVs. I included it on the list for the Patriot fans. If this is your first winter here in Portland and you’re looking to not be alienated by the twelfth man, this might be a good place for you. You may even make some friends, if you’re cool enough. Just don’t take anyone home with you.

The Know is located at 2026 NE Alberta St.

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Blitz

There is a Blitz on Hawthorne Street, but if you’re going to Hawthorne, check out number 5 on this list- there is no substitute. Blitz in the Pearl is a run of the mill Sports bar - cheap food and drinks (especially for the Pearl), a TV in every direction and plenty of other fans.

Blitz Pearl is located at 110 NW 10th Ave.

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Katie O' Brien's

The Cadillac of Sport’s bars. If you can get there early enough to grab a swivel chair at the bar, you’re in luck. If not, there is plenty of other- less luxurious- seating as well as a pool table and heated patio for halftime.

Katie O' Brien's is located at 2809 NE Sandy Blvd.

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Claudia's

If Katie O’Brien’s is the Cadillac of Sports Bars, Claudia’s is the Bentley.

Claudia's is located at 3006 SE Hawthorne Blvd.

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Jolly Roger

Jolly Roger is an old neighborhood bar. It’s very cheap. There are plenty of seats and TVs. Yeah.

Jolly Roger has two locations at 1340 SE 12th Ave., and 5627 SW Kelly Ave.

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George's Corner Tavern

Feeling bad about life? Come to George’s Corner Tavern. If it doesn’t renew your faith in humanity, it will at least renew faith in yourself.

George's Corner Tavern is located at 5501 N Interstate Ave.

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52nd Avenue Sports Bar

With very cheap food and draft specials, a friendly bartender and a lot of TVs, this cozy bar will be packed to the brim on Sunday.

52nd Avenue Sports Bar is located at 5201 NE Sandy Blvd.

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Rialto Room

Sick of seeing beards and flannel? Wanna see some leather jackets and hair gel? Rialto Room is, first and foremost, a pool hall. They also have an off-track betting kiosk next door. I’m sure if you wanted to make the game a little more interesting, you could meet some obliging folks. Even if you’re not betting, there are plenty of TVs and it’s a good place to watch the game if you’re not adverse to the smell of Axe.

Rialto Room is located at 529 SW 4th Ave.

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Belmont Inn

Big screen TVs, a good selection of beer and pool tables. Ask the bartender to make you a mojito. There are plenty of other bars in the vicinity if you get bored.

The Belmont Inn is located at 3357 SE Belmont Ave.