written by Julie Lee | photo by Kathleen Nyberg
Where to watch the Carolina Panthers and the Denver Broncos? Portland has no shortage of options, from attic-sized bars with ice cold beer, to stadium sized retreats with fancy food and craft beer. Here are our five suggested stops.
Claudia’s Original Sports Pub & Grill
Let’s start with this: while the Super Bowl ignites pyrotechnics, celebrating a half century of block-n-tackle entertainment, Claudia’s is a decade older than the big game itself. It’s the great-grandfather of sports bars in the city and a great place to watch this historical game. Unless you have kids in tow, then see the other four options below. Over 21 only.
3006 SE Hawthorne Blvd. | claudiaspub.com
Broadway on Deck
Broadway on Deck is twin to On Deck Pearl, and with a decent HD-TV view from every seat in the house, room for 179 of your closest buds, sixteen taps featuring local beers, and a central downtown location, this place is the ultimate destination for SB 50. Bonus points for taking down On Deck’s Famous Nachos while the Broncos take down the Panthers, piled so high you may lose sight of the person across from you.
225 SW Broadway #100 | ondecksportsbar.com
Mission Theater
What better way to watch the big game than on the big screen with a big group of jersey-clad rowdies? You’ll be sitting in history: the very first theater pub in Oregon, originally a church opened by Swedish immigrants in 1891, then debuted as a theater pub in 1987. Free admission? Check. Kids welcome? Check. Sleepy Hollow Nut Brown Ale for some, pizza, candy and popcorn for all? Touchdown!
1624 NW Glisan St. | missiontheaterpdx.com
Spirit of 77
Lots to do at this spirited hipster haunt while watching the Panthers beat the Broncos (see, we’re impartial after all.) There’s pop-a-shot, football, skee-ball, and pinball. There’s self-proclaimed gourmet stoner food courtesy of Olympia Provisions and Clyde Common. And there’s cold beer served in a stadium style atmosphere. It’s a slam dunk for sports fans.
500 NE MLK Jr. Blvd. | spiritof77bar.com
The Fields Bar & Grill
Leave it to Portland to up the ante and offer a sports bar so high end that foodies go there for lunch even when the only sporting event currently being broadcast is world bowling. Sit back and relax on the leather sectional while enjoying beef tenderloin gorgonzola and sipping on a Fields old fashioned or two.
1139 NW 11th Ave. | thefieldspdx.com
