Where to Watch the Playoffs

Hot wings are frying, pizzas are baking, and beers are flowing from the taps. It can only mean one thing: NFL playoff time. The countdown to the Superbowl Sunday has begun and playoff fever is on. To accommodate local football fanatics, Sun Valley bars have their doors wide open and their TVs fired up. Here are some of the best places to cheer on your team.

Whiskey Jacques

The old standard. Whiskeys, as the locals call it, is definitely one of the favorites for sports viewing. Their menu includes everything from pizza to wings to tots, not to mention of course, a full bar and friendly bartenders. You will for sure have a great time. Just don’t have too many huck-bombs.

Lefty’s

Lefty’s is somewhat divey, but always fun. The bar always has a good crowd of locals, many who have their own beer mugs hanging above the bar. There is a great beer selection and if you get hungry, try the monkeys: a sort of flat, round French fry with spicy seasoning; they are delicious and go great with beer and football.

Grumpy’s

This hole-in-the-wall off of Warm Springs Road is a local favorite. The burgers and fries are great, and a 32-ounce schooner of beer goes perfect with football. Be aware though, there is no phone, you can only use cash, and the locals can get pretty territorial when Grumpy’s gets crowded.

The Cellar

Yes, it does resemble a cellar. One flight of stairs down from street level brings you to this friendly bar. Try to grab a seat right at the bar for the best view of the game, or a table right behind. If you get sick of the game or your team is losing, head to the other side of The Cellar for a game of pool or shuffleboard.

River Run Lodge

Not the most obvious choice for sports watching, but after a long day on the mountain, head in to River Run Lodge, take a load off and order a hot toddy or a PBR. It’s not too crowded and the flat screen televisions behind the bar are ideal for catching the game.

Duchin Lounge

Say you want to avoid dives, drunken twenty-something-year-olds, and fried bar food, catch the game at the Duchin Lounge. This bar at the Sun Valley Resort is upscale without being pretentious, and you can get delicious specialty drinks like the “HBR,” hot buttered rum.

Your Couch

This may be the most comfortable and logical option. Make your own food, buy some cheap beer and invite some friends over. You can be as loud and as messy as you want. The only drawback? You have to clean up.