Need a hangout for Super Bowl Sunday? Here’s where to gather with fellow fans to watch the Seahawks’ clash with the Patriots. Although kickoff is at 3:30 p.m., you’ll want to arrive much, much earlier at these great sports bars to get a seat.
The Athletic Club, Oakland: This is a high-energy, spacious spot — and BART convenient — with more than 40 flat-screen TVs over two levels. Fries, fritters and “frickles” lead the appetizer list, followed by wings (chicken or cauliflower), burgers, sandos and salads. The taps support microbreweries in Alameda, Berkeley, Richmond, Pittsburg, San Leandro and Oakland. Details: 59 Grand Ave., Oakland; theacoakland.com
Britannia Arms Downtown, San Jose: Pub grub meets American fare at this expansive sports bar with a large interior, a cavernous covered patio, 27 screens and 24 beers on tap. Food faves include fish and chips, bangers, burgers and corned beef. No reservations on Super Bowl Sunday; the doors open at 11 a.m., and parties will be seated according to size. Details: 173 W. Santa Clara St., San Jose; thebritsj.com
Chaplin’s Sports Bistro, Union City: Tucked away in an industrial neighborhood, Chaplin’s offers big-screen TVs, a bit of art deco design, an eclectic food lineup and plenty of parking. One look at the menu and you know it understands its demographic: Lumpia (pork, chicken or vegetarian) leads the list. Also popular is the Black Mamba (Kobe), a Wagyu burger with black garlic aioli. Details: 29200 Kohoutek Way, Union City; chaplinssportsbistro.com
Double D’s Sports Grille, Los Gatos: Don’t even think about showing up at this longtime South Bay favorite without a reservation. Super Bowl Sunday is a ticketed event at Dean and Darin Devincenzi’s restaurant and sports memorabilia museum. For $150, you a get a reserved seat, all-you-can-eat buffet, one drink ticket, plus a swag bag and raffle ticket. The party, or “controlled chaos,” as Dean calls it, starts at 1 p.m. that day. Details: 354 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos; doubleds.com
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Dutch Goose, Menlo Park: From its quirky beer-laden goose logo — designed by Barry Anderson, the same artist who designed the Grateful Dead’s logo in the 1970s — to its long tradition of deviled eggs, the 1966-vintage Dutch Goose serves an eclectic mix of Stanford folks, local residents and regional sports fans. There are 11 TVs scattered across the premises, offering both indoor and outdoor viewing. Details: 3567 Alameda de las Pulgas, Menlo Park; dutchgoose.net
Highlands Sports Bar & Grill, San Carlos: A relative newcomer on the sports bar scene, Highlands boasts 31 screens and 25 beers on tap, with an emphasis on Peninsula microbrews. Burgers, wraps and tacos are big here, and we’re willing to wager that this is the only sports bar anywhere with a Burmese tea leaf salad on the menu. (We’d call that an epic pick.) On game day, the doors will open at 11 a.m. for no-reservations seating, plus food and drink specials. Details: 644 Laurel St., San Carlos; highlandssportsbar.com
Laughing Monk Brewery, Sunnyvale: The massive Monk venue (formerly Faultline) can accommodate 400-plus fans inside and on heated patios, with open seating starting at 11:30 a.m. The game will be shown on 32 screens, and a fun themed menu of Pork & Goal Fries, Blitz Poppers, First Down Fish Tacos and more is planned. Besides beers, special cocktails will be featured. Meet you at the Build-Your-Own Bloody “Hail” Mary Bar? Details: 1235 Oakmead Parkway, Sunnyvale; laughingmonk.com
O’Sullivan’s Sports Pub, Newark: O’Sullivan’s stretches across virtually the entire length of Newark Square – the 110-foot bar is one of the longest in Northern California – with more than two dozen screens visible from any vantage point. (All in all, there are 55 TV screens.) The facility is so big that there are two sound zones (so patrons can enjoy the audio of separate games) and a front and back bar stocked with more than 300 bourbons, whiskeys and tequilas. Details: 5660 Thornton Ave., Newark; osullivansnewark.com
Rickey’s Sports Lounge, San Leandro: This is the third season of football since entrepreneur Ramonn Smith reopened the legendary former home of the Raider Nation into Rickey’s Sports Lounge — a bar that now welcomes fans of all teams, all sports. There are 40 TVs, including two large screens outdoors. Naturally, you’ll need to reserve a space to ensure you’re here for the action; call 510-880-2996. Details: 15028 Hesperian Blvd., San Leandro; rickeysca.com
RELATED: 3 Super Bowl recipes from esteemed Northern California chefs
Stadium Pub, Walnut Creek: The oldest sports bar in town, the Stadium Pub and its 40 screens have been serving up games to college fans on Saturdays and NFL fans on Sundays since 1992. This place has 15 beers on tap and specializes in Vienna Beef hot dogs and sausages on Chicago-style buns and French fries topped with house-made chili. Details: 1420 Lincoln Ave., Walnut Creek; www.thestadiumpubwc.com
Water Tower Kitchen, Campbell: This annual Super Sunday bash offers a 360-degree viewing experience, thanks to three 120-inch projector screens and 14 other TVs. A special food and drink menu will supplement the restaurant’s popular Tower Fries (with marinated skirt steak), brined chicken tenders, smash burgers and spicy margaritas. Reservations are recommended to snag a spot; send an email to christian@watertowerkitchen.com, Details: 201 Orchard City Drive, Campbell; watertowerkitchen.com
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