Things to Do: Wine Country for the Sports Fan

THE BEST PLACES TO WATCH THE GAME IN NAPA

BY MARISA MCCANN

There are certain criteria for an excellent spot to watch the game: tons of TVs, good drinks, and delicious food. From local watering holes to elevated cocktail lounges, the city of Napa offers it all. Featuring high-definition televisions, thoughtful selections of craft beer and cocktails, and other fun amenities (bowling, anyone?), catch all the action at these game day Napa destinations.

HOP CREEK

This low-key gastropub in Napa’s Brown’s Valley neighborhood is always packed with locals for drinking and cheering, lined with ten televisions around the bar, the game, any game, is always on. The locally-driven beverage menu features over ten craft beers on tap and dozens more by the bottle, including Hop Creek’s own Double India Pale Ale, Wunder Mic Hazy. Join the pub for its “hoppier hours” Monday through Friday from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. for $4 house draft beers and $3 off all appetizers like their famous garlic pub fries, maple glaze Brussel sprouts, or signature flatbreads. // 3253 Browns Valley Rd., Napa // www.hopcreekpub.com

MERITAGE RESORT AND SPA CRUSH LOUNGE

For a fun and alternative game-day viewing experience, check out the Crush Lounge at Napa’s Meritage Resort and Spa. Arrive hungry for all the classic noshes like nachos, soft pretzels, and chicken wings, plus a delightfully unexpected line-up of boozy milkshakes in an array of tempting flavors such as Oreo crème de cacao and salted caramel pretzel bourbon. Then reserve a bowling lane, pool table, shuffleboard, or foosball for a break at halftime. // 875 Bordeaux Way, Napa // www.meritagecollection.com

NAPA PALISADES SALOON

In a sea of fine wine in Napa Valley, Napa Palisades Saloon is a craft beer oasis. Known as the “Beer Guys in Wine Country,” this gastropub and beer company brews their own beer and has over 30 different house and local beers on tap. Their comprehensive beer selections combined with 16 flat screen TVs, covered patio seating, an enticing Sunday brunch, and weekly happy hour deals, including some of the best wings in town, make Napa Palisades the perfect haven for sports fans. // 1000 #100 Main St., Napa // www.napapalisades.com

NAPASPORT STEAKHOUSE

NapaSport proves it’s possible for a sports bar to be an upscale restaurant and lounge. There’s a dedication to premium pub fare with dry-aged USDA prime steaks, truffle deviled eggs, and Wagyu beef burgers. A host of sports games are broadcasted on 15 high-definition TV screens throughout the stylish yet comfortable space, which boasts a spacious central bar, a wood floor made from a reclaimed basketball court, plus a large outdoor patio with lawn games and fire pits. Enjoy live music from local musicians on the patio starting in April, as well as happy hour specials from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekdays. // 145 Gasser Dr. Ste. A, Napa // www.napasportsteakhouse.com

NORMAN ROSE TAVERN

Norman Rose Bar

Photo By Laura Larson

Norman Rose has been a neighborhood gathering place since Christina and Michael Gyetvan opened it in late 2009. Located in the old Wells Fargo Bank building on First Street across from the Andaz Hotel, the restaurant is designed with open seating, both indoors and out. The traditional pub-style bar touts two wide-screen TVs that broadcast popular sports channels. The menu specializes in classic American comfort food, including one of Napa’s best burgers, and along with specialty cocktails, offers an extensive beer selection featuring many North Coast microbreweries and a wine list with 100% local labels. When local Bay Area teams are in the line-up, get there early for a coveted bar seat. // 1401 First St., Napa // www.normanrosenapa.com

NORTH SPIRITS AND TAPAS

Located along Trancas Street on the north side of town, this new-to-the-scene eatery serves up specialty cocktails and globally inspired tapas that won’t break the bank. Two TVs are positioned on both ends of the dramatic wall-to-ceiling bar holding a large collection of liquors, wine, and beer. Alongside a slew of newly devoted regulars, dive into elevated bar food such as thick-cut “phat fries” served with Calabrian chili aioli, spicy Kobe beef empanadas, burgers, sandwiches, as well as a handful of desserts. The craft cocktail list is equally extensive and adventurous, showcasing concoctions with inventive names like “Hops & Scotch” made of blended malt scotch and stout beer and the “Queen of the Valley” made of vodka, limoncello, and lavender syrup. // 1540 Trancas St., Napa // www.northnapa.com

OX AND THE FOX WINE BAR

Located in the First & Franklin Marketplace in downtown Napa, the Ox and the Fox, recently named “Best New Place to Hang Out” in the 2022 Best of Napa Valley Awards, is quickly becoming downtown Napa’s newest hot spot. With several perfectly placed televisions, a rustic wood bar serving up locally produced boutique wines and beers, and an impressive small bites menu, Ox and the Fox is the ideal destination for the game. Menu highlights include delicious sharable plates such as goat cheese fondue and wild mushroom bruschetta and homemade desserts from Napa-based Monday Bakery. Enjoy bottomless mimosas starting at 3:00 p.m. on Sundays or pop in for late-night imbibing through midnight daily. // 1331 First St., Napa // www.firstandfranklin.com

Photo courtesy of Napa Sport

Palisades Saloon Buffalo Wings courtesy of Napa Pailisades Saloon

The Crush Lounge Photo by Marisa McCann Photo courtesy of North Spirits and Tapas

Photo courtesy of Ox and the Fox