Like much of the rest of the country, football fever has taken over Hudson County.
In Hoboken, the city with more bars per square mile than any other city in the country, it’s almost impossible not to get swept up in the Sunday and Monday-night madness.
If the first three weeks are any indication, 2007 will be an exciting football-watching season. Not even one month in, records are already challenged. Last week, Brett Favre threw the 420th touchdown pass of his career, tying him with Dan Marino for the most career touchdown passes in NFL history. With every snap, Favre is a potential touchdown throw away from the record books.
At the end of week three, five teams remain undefeated. In the AFC, the Patriots, Colts and Steelers show their dominance early, while the Cowboys and the surprising Packers reign over the NFC.
Locally, the Jets and Giants finally posted a win. The Giants’ defense rebounded from early struggles last Sunday, holding the Redskins with a goal line stand to close out a 24-17 game. Chad Pennington returned from injury and went out to prove that he is indeed the number one quarterback for the Jets. He threw for two touchdowns and ran for an additional score. Kellen Clemens may warm the bench a bit more.
Big following
Fans of all sorts show up to the bars in the mile-square city to get into the games, including many out-of-state team fans that have found homes at a number of the town’s popular watering holes. These include McSwiggan’s on First St., which is the official Hoboken home of the Patriots. At Texas Arizona on River St., the Steelers in Hoboken club has its headquarters, and the Philadelphia Eagles have a nearby perch at Scotland Yard.
Greeting those fans at the city’s pubs are a number of female bartenders who have found following football to be an important part of the job.
At McSwiggan’s on Sundays, Quennie and other staff bartenders often offer shots right before kickoff to add to the excitement. Quennie has been working Sundays at McSwiggan’s for the past year and a half. Since she has been working at the Hoboken home of the Patriots, the Jersey native and seven-year Hoboken resident said she has become “more of a Patriots fan than a football fan.”
But she was sure to add that she got into football before she started working, watching with her sister Ruth, who is a huge Jets fans.
Most Sunday bartenders often get too busy to watch the games, Quennie said, but she added that the people behind the bar often get just as riled up as the patrons.
“When something big happens and everyone screams, we get into it with the customers,” she said. Over at Oddfellows Rest on River Street, bartender Sylvia, a self-described Giants fan, said it is often difficult to keep up with games while on the job.
“It’s very busy,” she said. “I really don’t look at the TV too much unless I’m changing the channel.” But she added that she roots for the Giants when the game is on.
In addition to their favorite teams, bartenders and fans around town will be keeping their eyes on last year’s Superbowl champs the Indianapolis Colts, as well as runners-up the Chicago Bears, to see if they repeat last year’s performances.
Indianapolis is undefeated so far this year, but last Sunday’s Dallas-Chicago match-up puts a question mark on the Bears’ NFC dominance. With that win, the Cowboys may be the new NFC favorites.
Where to watch
Many Hudson County bars air the games and run specials during games (See sidebar for more information.). So whether you’re rooting for local favorites the Jets and Giants, cheering on an out-of-town team, or if you just want to sip some cold beer and munch on some great wings, there are a number of options for watching.
Comments on this article can be sent to mfriedman@hudsonreporter.com
Football specials:
These are just some of the bars in Hoboken offering great specials for game-watching:
Black Bear, 205 Washington St., Hoboken, will be showing all NFL and NCAA games via satellite. Brooklyn Pennant Ale is $3 during every game. For more information: (201) 656-5511.
The Dubliner, 96 River St., Hoboken, serves Sunday Brunch 11a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday is pitcher day. Pitchers are $10 noon – close. For more information: (201) 656-7731.
Green Rock Tap & Grill, 70 Hudson St., Hoboken, has $12 pitchers and 25 cent wings on Saturday and Sunday, from 12 to 6 p.m. For more information: (201) 386-5600.
Liberty Bar & Grill, 61 14th St., Hoboken, will run pitcher and wing specials on weekends; with 20 wings and a pitcher setting you back only $16.99. On Saturdays, there are $2.50 drafts during college football. They have 15 TVs, including six big screens to watch the game on. For more information: (201) 222-6322.
McMahon’s Brownstone, 1034 Willow Ave., Hoboken, has $2 Bud and Bud Light drafts, and $3 Bloody Mary pints, along with bar food specials. Watch all NFL games on satellite. For more information: (201) 798-5650.
McSwiggan’s Pub, 110 First St., has bucket and wings specials from 12 to 8 p.m. For more information: (201) 798-6700.
Mikie Squared, 616 Washington St., Hoboken, has $2 select domestic drafts and bottles, and $12 pitchers of Coors or Yuengling with a basket of wings. On Monday, happy hour lasts all night long. For more information: (201) 792-0001.
Oddfellows Rest, 80 River St., Hoboken, has $1.50 Coors Light drafts and Giants and Jets ticket giveaways. For more information: (201) 656-9009.
Texas Arizona, 76 River St., Hoboken, has the Direct TV College Game day and NFL Sunday Ticket packages. On Saturdays, buckets of 4 are on sale, with MGD at $6.00, Miller Chill $8.00, and Miller Lite for $12. On Sunday, buckets of Rolling Rock Ponies are $15, buckets of 4 Bud and Bud Light Bottles are $11.00, and Coors Light buckets are $11. For more information: (201) 420-0304.
The Shannon, 106 First St., Hoboken, Hoboken has 17 HD TVS and a 106-inch HD projector to watch 2 games with sound in separate rooms. Free wings are served during the games. Bucket specials are $10 for Bud Light and $12 for Miller and Coors Light. Draft specials include $2 Bud Light pints, $8 Bud Light pitchers and $12 Miller Lite towers. For more information: (201) 656-9820.
Willie McBride’s, 616 Grand St., Hoboken, has $2 Bud Light, Coors Light, Miller Lite drafts, and $5 baskets of wings during all games. Watch the games on six high-definition TVs. For more information: (201) 610-1522.