Chances are you’re not a contender for a gold medal if your idea of sprinting is dashing to catch the express train and your best gymnastic efforts are made when tying your shoes. Even if you have no interest in the Summer Olympics in Beijing (besides gawking at Michael Phelps’ hot bod), you can still partake in the drinking festivities being held around town in honor of the ‘08 Games. Think of it as a competitive tailgate—that’s a sport you probably never had any problem with. Let the (drinking) games begin.
SideBar
120 E. 15th St. (@ Irving Pl.)
Gramercy 212.677.2900
On Saturday (Aug. 16), this new, upscale sports bar hosts the opening ceremony for what will likely go down as one of the sloppiest events of the summer—the Olympic Pub Crawl. Starting at 11 a.m., patrons who pay $20 can take a world tour of $1-$3 beers, starting here with Tsingtao beer and Chinese chicken wings. The drinking continues at Black Bear Lodge, Telephone Bar, Patty Maguire’s Ale House, Bar None, Bulls Head Tavern, and ends at Village Pourhouse—assuming you’re up for the challenge. Oh, and did we mention that there will be games like darts, beer pong, and a flip cup tournament? After all, there has to be some connection to sports, otherwise this crawl would be called “St. Patty’s, Take Two.”
Photo Courtesy of Inc. Lounge
Inc. Lounge @ The Time Hotel
224 W. 49th St. (Broadway & 8th Ave.)
Midtown 212.320.2984
Want to watch the Olympics while you practice the sport of flirtation? Head to the swanky new digs at the Time Hotel, where an Olympic-themed happy hour is being offered every weekday starting at 5pm. Recline on plush sofas, watch the games on a big-screen TV, and work on your mating game during the commercials. If it looks like you might score, you have the added bonus of already being inside a hotel. And if your drinking partner is more bronze than gold, head to the pool table in back for some minimal contact sports.
The Australian
20 W. 38th St. (5th & 6th Aves.)
Midtown 212.869.8601
They’re usually not the first team to come to mind as stiff competition, but this year the Aussies are holding their own. Root them on at The Australian during any event with Australia as a participant—like gymnastics, swimming, basketball, and football (aka soccer), to name a few. Trust us, it will be in your best interest to cheer for their team, seeing that for any bronze or silver medal won for the team from Down Under, The Australian will be giving out free beers. And if they get the gold, it’s free shots of Goldschlager for all. Go Olyroos!
Southern Hospitality
1460 2nd Ave. (76th & 77th Sts.)
Upper East Side 212.249.1001
With Daryl Strawberry as a regular, this uptown barbecue joint obviously supports athleticism. Then again, that doesn’t come as much of a surprise from a place that serves meaty portions to equally meaty bro-skis. Which probably explains why, in honor of the games, Southern Hospitality is discounting their beers and serving $5 cocktails. We’ll guess they support the sport of drinking, too.
Photo Courtesy of Johnny Utah's
Johnny Utah’s
25 W. 51st St. (5th & 6th Aves.)
Midtown 212.265.UTAH
Americans tend to think of the Olympics as an extended Fourth of July—it’s another excuse to appear patriotic by getting drunk. What better way to show your U.S.A. pride than to cowboy up on the mechanical bull at Johnny Utah’s? Sure, bucking on a machine is not an Olympic sport, but tell that to your sore butt muscles the following day. Whether you brave the saddle or not, get a close-up view of the Beijing events on the bar’s two 150-inch TVs.
Rogue
757 6th Ave. (25th & 26th Sts.)
Chelsea 212.242.6434
This spacious Chelsea pub will be tuning into the games on their wall of big, flat-screen TVs. Free cable, cushy chairs, and drink specials like $10 beer buckets and $5 martinis—looks like you’ll be watching the Olympics after all. And even if Team U.S.A. doesn’t win you over, the Irish nachos will.
The Australian
