By Alan Green
On Monday morning, while most people are either just getting up or still fast asleep, several bars will be opening their doors to gridiron fans wanting to watch the Super Bowl live. Despite the early hour there is always a lively atmosphere for the game.
Every year, more places are screening one of the year’s biggest sporting events, although most are in the popular expat district of Itaewon.
The longest-running Super Bowl party in Itaewon is at 3 Alley Pub and it always draws a lively crowd. The game will be shown on five screens with the doors opening at 7 a.m. Breakfast will be available at 13,000 won for sausage, bacon, scrambled eggs, sauteed potatoes, toast and coffee. Above 3 Alley, Sam Ryan’s Sport’s Bar and Grill has quickly made a name for itself as one of the best places to watch sport. It will also offer a full breakfast and several screens on which to watch the game from 7:30 a.m.
Another perennial Super Bowl favorite is Rocky Mountain Tavern. With two floors available to cater to fans from 7 a.m. the Truck Stop breakfast will be available for 9,000 won. For those looking for liquid refreshment there will be specials on red eyes and Bloody Marys, with a double costing just 7,000 won.
Hollywood Grill has long been a favorite among sports fans and will have the game on its big screen as well as on TVs around the bar. Recently renovated, Hollywood will offers its full brunch menu as well as burgers, wings and pizzas from 7 a.m. It will also be serving up red eyes and Bloody Marys as well as offering its house spirits at 4,000 won for a single and just 7,000 won a double.
Although new to the Super Bowl circuit, Bless U has put together a number of food and drink offers for football fans from 7 a.m. It has three morning specials. The breakfast set at 9,500 won has pancakes, sausages, scrambled egg, toast, juice and coffee; creamed beef with biscuits will be 7,500 won and the mini breakfast set of pancakes, sausages and coffee will cost 5,000 won. Available all day are Tailgate Specials, with sloppy joes, hot dogs and French fries at 3,000 won. Numerous drink specials include Irish coffee for 5,000 won, draft OB and Red Rock for 2,500 won and Cass and Budweiser bottles 3,000 won.
The Wolfhound will open both its Itaewon, Seoul and Haeundae, Busan locations at 7:30 a.m. The pub’s full food menu including all breakfast items will be available and there will be a special on double Bloody Marys for 7000won.
For those who need a little extra excitement, 3 Alley, Sam Ryan’s and Bless U are running Super Bowl pools. Customers pick a square to which a score will be allocated on game day. 3 Alley offers the biggest return with one of their boards offering the chance to win 2.5 million won.
For those who are unable or unwilling to watch the game live, and can avoid the score until Monday evening, replays will be shown at Rocky Mountain (7 p.m.), Sam Ryan’s (6 or 7 p.m.), Hollywood and Bless U (both 8 p.m.).