Best Bars To Watch College Football In Seattle
There's a lot to be excited about if you are a college football fan. For one thing, with the elimination of the BCS title, this is the first season fans will get to see a true college football playoff. But most importantly, fans in this region will have plenty of great options to watch their favorite college team take the field on Saturday afternoons for the next three months. From small, hyper-local pubs to large multi-screened shrines to football, Seattle bars will be draped in every school color imaginable. Here are a few places to meet up with your friends, grab a cold one and cheer on your team.
Auto Battery
1009 E. Union St.
Seattle, WA 98122
(206) 322-2886
www.autobatterybar.com
Don't let the name fool you. This former auto shop has been turned into one of Capitol Hill's most popular sports bars. The mechanics have been replaced with bartenders and the diagnostic machines replaced with 10 TVs. If there is a lull in the action, you might even be tempted to try your hand at Auto Battery's full-size shuffleboard. But most likely you'll be glued to the tube with your college buddies and ordering up a half dozen Po Dog hot dogs. The 'po dog' has been a staple at Auto Body and once you've tried one, there's no going back. And like any good sports bar, Auto Body as plenty of brews on tap to choose from, but it also serves up some pretty mean specialty drinks as well.
Buckley's (Credit, Jenise Silva)
Buckley's
2331 2nd Ave.
Seattle, WA 98121
(206) 588-8879
www.buckleysseattle.com
If the NCAA gave out accolades to the top sports bars that catered to fans' every need and desire, then Buckley's would certainly be in top contention for the Heisman Trophy. Some may argue that the award it did receive – "Best Pint of Guinness in Seattle" – trumps the Heisman, but either way, this popular neighborhood pub is considered home-field advantage for many college alumni settling in for a Saturday afternoon kickoff. This classic joint serves up classic burgers replete with cheddar, bacon and bleu cheese. And if the game goes long, stick around for overtime and dinner when you can order up a hearty 10 oz. Angus tenderloin pub steak or a tasty rack of ribs slathered in BBQ sauce. Touchdown!
Spitfire (Credit, Jenise Silva)
Spitfire
2219 4th Ave.
Seattle, WA 98121
(206) 441-7966
www.spitfireseattle.com
With more than 500 channels to choose from, you know Spitfire is going to hook you up with prime viewing of your favorite college football team. In fact, Spitfire has been known to be the main hangout for many alumni groups on game days. Twenty-two TVs ensure that none of the on-field action will be missed. That's a good thing, because there are plenty of distractions coming out of the kitchen competing for your time. College football and chicken wings go hand in hand and Spitfire serves them up one pound at a time – with blue cheese dressing no less. Other top contenders from the kitchen vying for your attention are the BBQ pulled pork sliders and the big ol' heaping plate of nachos. College football and Spitfire are a winning combination.
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Sport Restaurant & Bar (Credit, Jenise Silva)
Sport Restaurant & Bar
140 4th Ave. North
Seattle, WA 98109
(206) 404-7767
www.sportrestaurant.com
This sports viewing mecca is just a football's throw from the Space Needle, which serves as a backdrop while you watch your favorite college football team take to the gridiron on one of the 10 27-inch flat-screen outdoor TVs. Inside, cheer on your alma mater from one of the 25-plus TV screens that line the walls and booths. But you can't live by football alone and Sport Restaurant & Bar has you covered. Among its extensive menu of sandwiches, burgers and chili, the boneless buffalo chicken wings come dressed in a myriad of sauces including the dangerous 5-Alarm Diablo. Sport is also known for its selection of Northwest brews in case the chicken wings prove to be as hot as your favorite team.
95 Slide
722 E. Pike St.
Seattle, WA 98122
(206) 328-7666
www.95slide.com
You may think of baseball when you hear the name 95 Slide, but when the college pigskin begins to fly, there's no other place you'll want to watch your team come charging out of the tunnel. Throw on that favorite jersey and join like-minded fans for an afternoon of food, drink, cheer and hopefully a win. If it's nice outside, head up to the rooftop bar for a cold one and high-five. If you're looking to grab a spot inside, you might want to call ahead and reserve a table to make sure you have prime end zone-to-end zone viewing. If you're looking for something a little different to nosh on at halftime, try the house-made falafel pita or the fried buttermilk chicken biscuit. Just as in sports, may the best dish win.
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Jenise Silva is a freelance writer in Seattle who has studied culinary, visual and performing arts. She penned the financial planning guide Women & Money, and has been writing about food and the arts for a number of years. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
