Why sports joints aren’t always the answer
Watching sports with your friends can undeniably be one of the most exciting and memorable experiences you can have (if you’re a sports fan, of course.) However, a lot of groups will ask themselves: what is the best thing to do tonight? Every sports fan has two choices. Should we go out and watch the game at a restaurant? Or should we stay at home and watch it here?
Although both options have their benefits that the other lacks, there are some key elements that every fan needs to consider before blindly approaching the situation. However, after weighing the options it is considerably more beneficial to watch the big game from your living room couch.
- Price
Watching the big game at a bar or restaurant provides a certain atmosphere that is unique and favored by a lot of people. However, not everyone has the finances to go out and eat. Not many places that host televised sporting events have the cheapest menu. (Believe it or not, McDonalds doesn’t have wall-to-wall flat screens playing every NFL game, or their business would be even more booming than it already is.) So, if you want to go out and watch the big game, you’re more than likely going to be spending a fair amount of money. Consider the other option: watching the game at home. Many establishments disallow parties from staying the duration of events without the constant purchase of their food or drinks. You’re much more likely to spend less on snacks at the nearest grocery store. Most grocers, such as King Soopers, have weekly deals on various items such as game-day snacks. Granted, the food selection is different but it all depends on how you want to spend your money. The amount of money you save just from staying in is enough to sway a lot of people, especially broke college students, into the idea.
2. Time/availability
As every fan has experienced from one time or another, getting into restaurants for the big game can be tricky. Not every place takes reservations, so if you are looking to book a table at your favorite place during a major game, you may very well be out of luck. Take boxing and UFC fights for example. These events perhaps draw most attention at certain restaurants. During the Mayweather v. Pacquiao fight, the average wait time at most sports bars was upwards of three hours. Many restaurants in the Fort Collins area didn’t even have access to the fight. Patrons took to the internet to find out which places would actually show the fight. Outlets such as Reddit and the Coloradoan were a few to help provide the answer. Why spend all your time searching for a place, that will most likely be packed, to watch when you could just watch from the comfort of your own home?
3. Escape from the inevitability of drunks
Drunk sports fans are everywhere. They just come with the packaged deal of the entertainment. Although there is nothing better than a good beer and your favorite team, some people can take it overboard. This is an element that could ruin the experience for some. Olivia Blatzer, sports fan and frequent restaurant-goer in Fort Collins, stated, “I hate rude drunk people at sports bars. I’ve seen people at that get too drunk and way into the game that it kind of ruins it for those other spectators. I usually watch the big games at home so I can avoid those certain people.” You can’t approach an intoxicated stranger and ask them to shut up. However, you have that power if you’re watching the game at your house with your drunk buddies. Just another benefit of being within your own walls.
These are just few of the reasons to watch the game at home rather than to go out. However, there are certain factors that drive people to watch the big game at the ol’ watering hole with their friends.
Tradition is huge in the sports world, and it is a major reason why most argue against staying at home. Some groups have been going to the same place every week to watch their game, and simply refuse to change their ways. Superstition even comes into play here.
Most people simply enjoy the sports bar atmosphere as opposed to being at home; joining in with the crowds in the action and emotion.
Those without cable have no other way of watching games than going to a restaurant. Furthermore, those who do have cable may not get the specific channels needed to see their favorite teams and therefor seek refuge at a sports bar. Direct TV, a common provider of sports bars and restaurants, offer a wide variety of packages to accommodate for fans of any team in almost any sport. In addition to that, seeing specific sports teams require different packages that cable provides, so you may have to bulk up a cable plan just to watch your game.
There are definitely factors that play into both sides and make each case more appealing, but it honestly ranges from a fan’s situation.
For the sake of the argument, let’s create a scenario in which both sides conduct under the same circumstances. Imagine that both parties have cable, same financial situation, and same amount of people in their group. The Denver Broncos are getting ready to kick off. Which is better: going to a sports bar or throwing down at home? Based on the factors discussed previously, it is not only more convenient to house a viewing party yourself, but it is also much cheaper. You have the ability to keep your friends’ intoxication in check so they don’t overdo it during the game. You don’t have to wait exceeding amounts of time for your food. You don’t have to pay gratuity for your party. You don’t have to feel rushed in terms of watching the game. Hell, you could all sit in your underwear and not be judged by the public.
In this interesting article by Dan Levy at Bleacher Report, he explains the differences of being at a game as opposed to watching it on television; in the fan’s perspective. Although the idea is a little different (actually being at a sporting event vs. watching it on TV), some of the concepts are the same.
The Concourse also provides an interesting perspective as to why you should stay away from sports bars for watching games. (Caution: vulgar voicing of opinion)
Overall, if you’re in a specific circumstance in which you have the luxury of the two choices, definitely choose the domestic comfort. It is less stressful, less time consuming, can be equally as enjoyable, and your wallet will thank you.
