Baseball and drinking—two great American pastimes, for better or for worse—and here in NYC, we have no shortage of places to enjoy either. This season spells the end for both Yankee and Shea stadiums, but the “beer + baseball = bliss” formula will only improve with the change. The new Yankees Stadium will see an addition of 10 more sit-down food and drink areas, including a martini bar and a food court. Out in Queens, the Met’s new home, Citi Field, is reportedly going to be home to the likes of a taqueria and even another location of beloved Shake Shack. For now, whether you bleed pinstripes or you snuggle with your Mr. Met plush at night, there are still plenty of places to drink, get surly, and root, root, root for the home team.
Stan’s Sports Bar
836 River Ave. (@ E. 158th St.)
Bronx 718.993.5548
We probably have the Bleacher Creatures to thank for the drying of their portion of Yankee Stadium. But you can’t fault the diehards too much, and there are alternatives that might actually be better than paying stadium prices. Stan’s Sports Bar sits conveniently across the street from the bleachers, so don’t be surprised as increasingly drunken fans stumble back and forth between Stan’s and the stadium.
Yankee Tavern
72 E.161st St. (@ Gerard Ave.)
Bronx 718.292.6130
Whether its title as “the original sports bar” is self-proclaimed or not, Yankee Tavern has all the fixin’s to be called that. Prepare to be welcomed with a dose of Bronx hospitality (yes, there is such a thing). If anyone could inspire drunken New Yorkers to be friendly and fun, it’s the Bastone family, who’ve owned this stadium staple since 1923. It’s rumored that the Great Bambino himself used to stop in and buy rounds of drinks for the patrons. If that doesn’t earn them the name “Yankee Tavern,” not much else could.
Ball Park Lanes 810 River Ave. (@ 158th St.)
Bronx 718.665.5800
If you’ve been to Yankee Stadium lately, you know about the forced bag checks. Be warned that large bags are not permitted inside, and no amount of feminine hygiene products will frighten the security guards into letting you through with yours. (As per an NYC cop, officials are afraid patrons will start stealing pieces of the stadium—we can’t make this stuff up.) Ball Park Lanes offers a solution with their lockers, and while you’re there grumbling about fascism, indulge yourself in a cold one. Bowling is also fun for an after-game activity, and if you come on a league night, you’ll find sportsmen as dedicated as the Boys in Blue.
