November 20, 2009
Apple Cup is just around the corner and if you don’t have tickets but still want that game day experience, now is the time to start planning your destination.
A cold draft beer (or two), HDTV, comfortable seating and a screen larger than the one at home are essential ingredients to watching any football game with friends. Fortunately, Downtown Bellevue restaurants are suiting up to make your Apple Cup gathering a touchdown.
BLT explored the best Downtown Bellevue hot spots in search of the optimal game day experience. Let’s face it, this year our teams aren’t winning any championships or bowl bids. For both Husky and Cougar fans all we have on the line is pride. But most would agree that a day of football (win or lose) is still a good day if spent with great friends consuming pub food while drinking quality beer.
As an adept Husky tailgater and beer connoisseur, my experiences have led me to believe that beer is an essential component of any game day meal. Those from the Palouse would argue that Busch is the five-star of the beer world, but here in Downtown Bellevue, local restaurants have taken the term “brew” to a whole new level.
My search for the perfect Apple Cup viewing experience led me to recommend the following winning options. Try one destination or take the Downtown Bellevue gridiron tour and make a pit stop at each point.
Bow down!
- Phil LaFranchi (BLT Intern and former “Harry the Husky” mascot)
Tap House Grill
160 beers on tap. Need I say more? Tap House can make your Apple Cup experience a memorable one, that’s if you don’t taste your way through all 160 beers before halftime. Enjoy watching the game on six large HD TV screens in this warm and welcoming environment. Tap House is also serving brunch until 2 p.m. for those who want to start early. taphousegrill.com
Rock Bottom Brewery
Next door at Rock Bottom you will find a wide range of football fans, from the group of guys just enjoying the game, to the one who has his mortgage riding on the final score. At this stop, you will find a wide range of food options varying from seafood, ribs to delicious burgers. And, don’t forget the beer! As the only brewery in town, Rock Bottom serves up beer made from hand-selected Northwest hops and malted barley. rockbottom.com
The Parlor Collection
Need a distraction from the game? This may be the season to “opt out.” During these years of turmoil for both disgruntled Husky and Coug fans, make your way to The Parlor for delicious food, flavorful drinks, and enthralling entertainment. They have 17 pool tables to help distract you from the game. parlorcollection.com
Paddy Coyne’s Irish Pub
Wander two floors down to Paddy Coyne’s, where I discovered a sweet deal sure to satisfy the taste buds of any Apple Cup fan. While viewing the game on Paddy Coyne’s big screens you can enjoy $5 Washington Appletini’s! As for food, I recommend the Irish Stew. It’s the perfect comfort food for any losing fan. paddycoynes.net
STIR Martini+Raw Bar
A hail-mary across NE 8th Street will land you at STIR. The game will be on five HDTV’s. Also enjoy STIR’S Macintosh Apple Martini for a special price of $5. solsticerestaurants.com
The Spot Off Main
For a casual, neighborhood bar head to Old Bellevue and The Spot Off Main. You’ll find four HDTVs and 84” & 106″ projector screens. During half-time you can opt for a game of pool or darts. As an extra bonus, The Spot’s happy hour runs 4-8 p.m. and offers $1.50 beers and well drinks and half-priced appetizers. thespotoffmain.com
520 Bar and Grill
A block down on Main Street is 520 Bar and Grill. Owners Randi and Joseph Brazen are huge Husky fans so Cougars beware! The game will be on four big screens and happy hour starts at 2 p.m. and runs until 5:20 p.m. 520 Bar and Grill is a 3-year award winner of the Bellevue Downtown Association’s Haute Pick for the Best Casual Meeting Spot in Downtown Bellevue. 520barandgrill.com
