Game Time! But Where?
Ed Fuentes
A banner outside Little Tokyo's Green Bamboo invites Lakers fans inside.
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Since moving to Downtown ten years ago, I’ve avoided sports bars for two reasons. First, there just aren't that many Downtown, and perhaps more importantly, they're often filled with those pesky fans from the East Coast.
Like so many around town, I will be turning on the television tonight to watch the Downtown Los Angeles Lakers take on the Boston Celtics in Game 1 of the NBA Finals (coverage starts at 6pm). While I'll likely watch from home, there's something enticing about joining a possible Laker fan enclave, far away from the larger hotels filled with out-of-town guests.
The question is, where can a Downtowner best watch the Lakers?
Easy to find Downtown are the places with an HDTV hovering over the bar, like at the Chop Suey Café’s Far Bar (347 E. 1st St) or 410 Boyd Street, both possible choices for game night. Royal Clayton’s English Pub (1855 Industrial St) has two large TV’s in a comfortable seating area.
For loud and noisy, with the occasional out-of-towner to jeer, Weiland Brewery (400 E. 1st St) is a solid choice if you don't mind the jukebox drowning out play-by-play. Also on the candidate list is the Weiland Underground, found beneath City National Plaza (505 S. Flower St).
Casey's Bar & Grill (613 S. Grand Ave) may make also make the cut. An expansive menu and properly positioned TVs are scattered throughout the restaurant. The FOX Sports Bar at Staples Center (1111 S. Figueroa St) was a great experience when it first opened, but the flickering TV walls will have you wonder if you're watching an old video tape. Plus, the lines to get in during a home game will have you wish you were stuck in traffic listening to the radio.
Perhaps not yet on your list, but worth a shot, is Green Bamboo (136 S Central Ave) in Little Tokyo. The spot was designed to be a sports bar, with a TV in every sight line, and the quick staff are used to serving sports fans. And with the two (almost) realistic paintings, one of Shaq and the other of Kobe, there’s a link to the recent past.
The best part about a series guaranteed at least four games? You don't have to pick just one spot. For sentimental reasons, I may take in one game at Philippe's (1001 N. Alameda St). There is something about a small TV in front of long tables filled with locals, like Chinatown resident Jesse Yip, 75, who has watched the Lakers over the last few decades and can tell you a few things. “Oh, these boys are good,” he nods over a lamb sandwich, “but nothing like West and Chamberlain's team. They should have won a few more titles.”
But what about their 9pm closing time? The counter staffer assured me that if there is a crowd, a kitchen crew member will make sure to turn off the TV after the last person leaves––unless it goes past 10:20pm. Then it just gets turned off.
Urban Bruin on June 05, 2008, at 08:32AM – #1
You’ve named most of the “sports bars” downtown and even with that list there isn’t a good place to catch a game after work. Any news of a true sports bar opening up in downtown?
Ruben on June 05, 2008, at 08:48AM – #2
I'm counting down the days til the ESPN Zone opens....
Ed Fuentes on June 05, 2008, at 09:46AM – #3
The Downtown ESPN Zone only gives out the cryptic "Opening 2008" message, which could really mean 2009.
Guest on June 05, 2008, at 10:32AM – #4
Has anyone tried the 6th @ Central grill. I hear they stay open for the games, have cheap drinks and are still relatively undiscovered. Has mixed reviews on Angelenic, but may be worth a try.
http://www.angelenic.com/sixth-street-bar-grill-serving-first-rate-eats-in-an-unlikely-location/
Let me know if you have seen a game there.
edgycated on June 05, 2008, at 10:54AM – #5
speaking of sports bars, what happened to the grand ave. sports bar? i noticed that it closed down a few months ago. any plans to reopen it? never actually went inside, but it had a promising location in the biltmore. if marketed right, i think it couldve drawn a crowd. and what happened to trifecta?
Bartleight on June 05, 2008, at 11:11AM – #6
Tranquility Base at 8th/Grand has several large flat screen TVs in their bar area and they do a special for Laker's nights. Tonight should be a good one!
David Kennedy on June 05, 2008, at 11:22AM – #7
Don't mourn Grand Avenue. Dang weirdest decor I've ever seen. It had this ugly dark tile everywhere. It was as if the decor of the bathroom was extruded to the entire place. The Biltmore can and should do way better.
As for the Green Bamboo, I'd point out the atmosphere is enlivened by some smoking hot waitresses.
The Holiday Inn across the street from Staples has a venue for watching the games.
LAofAnaheim on June 05, 2008, at 12:02PM – #8
You guys are forgetting a few bars or restaurants with bar areas that will be showing the game tonight:
sarah on June 05, 2008, at 02:01PM – #9
You guys also forgot to mention the Redwood on second and Hill -- not that many TVs there, but it's still a fun place to catch the game.
$15 hot dog on June 05, 2008, at 03:11PM – #10
Only gets me mad to think trifecta was so lame and could've been a cool place.
Pablo on June 05, 2008, at 03:14PM – #11
Its not a sports bar but diplomat cigars on 7th between fig and flower has a backroom with a plasma. Ron The store keep is likely to stay open until after the game and will probably serve you a complimentary drink with your smoke. Did I mention you can smoke here?
Eric on June 05, 2008, at 03:26PM – #12
How I long for a sports bar in downtown where you can actually listen to a game with its volume turned up. Fortunately, Casey's has had the volume turned up for the Lakers playoff games! I too look forward to the opening of the ESPN Zone, but I would prefer a smaller stlye sports bar in the center of downtown. Perhaps, something along the line of a Barneys Beanery, where you can gather with your peeps and watch a game after work or on the weekend. Until then I guess I will have to watch my UCLA Bruins win while listening to tunes coming out of a jukebox in the background.
Victoria on June 05, 2008, at 03:29PM – #13
it's great to read over everyone's suggestions!
Over Memorial Day Weekend, we made the mistake of looking to watch the Laker/Spurs game in downtown, on a Sunday afternoon. We started at Casey's [closed]. Walked to Grand Avenue [closed (and I second David Kennedy's opinion on its closure)]. We ended up at Daily Grill. It had the game but no sound, creating a more sedate experience than we expected/wanted.
Point Moorea (Wilshire Grand @ 7th and Fig) will probably have enough seats and large-screen TV's...but then (as mentioned in the original article), you're sharing the experience with out-of-towners.
Tho my top preferences would be Riordan's Tavern (if you can get a seat), Casey's and Redwood Inn, I'll probably forgo downtown entirely and end up at Hollywood Billiards. Urban Bruin's right - we need a proper sports bar.
Scott on June 05, 2008, at 03:56PM – #14
Big Wang's in Hollywood (http://www.bigwangs.com/) is a fun place, just a short Red Line ride away near the Hollywood and Vine station.
Ed Fuentes on June 05, 2008, at 04:09PM – #15
LAofAnaheim: Riordan's Tavern is a good choice, and by all means my list is not extensive. The others may not have a crowd leaning toward the Lakers, and I prefer being able to hear play by play, or at least having the subtitles on.
Redwood was on my list, just for food alone. However, the two smaller TVs and limited seating was one reason it fell off my map. Still a great atmosphere. How many times can you sit and jeer the Celtics with a skull next to you.
Of course, this may mean we all meet up somewhere for a game.
Urban Bruin on June 06, 2008, at 01:05AM – #16
Ed,
You may be onto something. What are you all doing Sunday for the game?
BTW - my office went to Redwood for a going away/Lakers party tonight and the atmosphere was great. Could have used an extra t.v. in the main room but good times...final score excluded.
Jaime on June 06, 2008, at 10:31AM – #17
I watched game 1 last night at Claytons and it was great! The hosts were cool enough to put the volume all the way up on the 2 screens they have in the little pool area - & they kept the food & drinks coming. There were about 20-30 of us bunched up around the bar tables, and everybody exploded when Fish dished the ally-oop to Kobe. Too bad the Lakers couldn't sink a jump-shot.
Ed Fuentes on June 06, 2008, at 11:43AM – #18
Then let's meet at Green Bamboo for Sunday's game. Other ideas are welcomed of course.
Eric on June 06, 2008, at 04:52PM – #19
If I'm home around tip-off time I'm game to roll on through to Green Bamboo.
Btw, Casey's had a pretty good game atmosphere. They also had $4 kamikaze shots that were either purple or green, depending on who was winning at the time. We all decided to stick with the Guiness.
Ed Fuentes on June 08, 2008, at 01:03AM – #20
A spot has been selected for downtown bloggers and readers to meet, on Tuesday for game 3. Details mid day Sunday.
Urban Bruin on June 08, 2008, at 08:48AM – #21
I'll try and catch the game at the Bamboo... see you guys there.
Urban Bruin on June 13, 2008, at 02:32PM – #22
Addition to the list: Watched the Lakers game last night at the 6th Street Cafe(?) It's located on 6th and Central (lot parking). They remodeled the place and it's very nice with three big tv's and lots of booth and table space. Closest thing to a "sports bar" in dt.
Ed Fuentes on June 13, 2008, at 02:34PM – #23
Urban. Good find.