Bars adorned with big-screen TVs exist all over this city, and now that the Olympics are on the air (go to en.beijing2008.cn for the schedule), it's likely you or your friends could use a place to catch some of the action. It's not the comfort of your own living room, but sometimes you don't want to watch that stuff at home anyway. Maybe your roommate/significant other hates it, and battles you nightly for the remote. Maybe you need somebody to consistently (and cheerily) serve you drinks while you're engrossed in the games. Maybe you feel like being surrounded by some fellow sports-loving souls. (You won't find me among them, but that's beside the point.) No matter your reason, here's a smattering of local sports bars to get you started. These places air games year-round, but you can bet Beijing will be on screens right now.
Bathtub Billy's Sports Bar & Restaurant (630 W. Ridge Rd, 865-6510, bathtubbillys.com) Casual place with plenty of TVs, foosball, and (a friend tells me), a bocce-like game out back. Bathtub Billy's also has a full bar and a full menu.
Champp's (819 Eastview Mall, Victor, 223-3310, champps.com) Sure, it's at a mall, but this sports-centric restaurant and bar has huge screens, lots of space, and a wide, open layout conducive to cross-table and -bar chatter.
The Distillery (1142 Mt. Hope Ave, 271-4105 | 300 Paddy Creek Circle, 621-1620 | 3010 Winton Rd S, 339-3010, thedistillery.com) has more than 30 screens, so pretty much no matter where you sit, you'll be in view of one. You can order from the restaurant's extensive menu, or hang out at the bar, which can get packed (and loud). But it's all in good fun.
The Keg Sports Bar & Grill (315 Gregory St, 473-5070, kegsportsbar.com) You'll find the Keg behind the German House, downstairs. There's a full menu, a couple of screens, and often live music, so that when you need a break from whatever sport is on, you can distract yourself with dancing.
MacGregor's (759 S Main St, 394-8080 | 607 Coldwater Rd, Gates, 247-7860 | 300 Jefferson Rd, 427-8410 | 7408 Pittsford-Palmyra Rd, Perinton, 425-7260 | 1129 Empire Blvd, 288-8630, macgregorsgrillandtaproom.com) Tons of beer on tap at MacGregor's, and it's a sports-fan hangout.
Magpie (653 Park Ave, 271-4150, magpiepub.com) This pub came onto the scene this past spring, and football fans (soccer, that is) can enjoy games on one of the many screens.
Soccer fans may also want to check out Monty's Korner (355 East Ave, 263-7650, montyskorner.com) at East and Alexander, or its older brother, Monty's Krown (875 Monroe Ave, 271-7050).
Nathaniel's (251 Exchange Blvd, 232-8473, nathanielspub.com) is a downtown sports stop in Corn Hill with a big patio, full menu, and televisions.
Rookies Neighborhood Sports Bar (2351 Buffalo Rd, Gates, 429-4665, therookiesbar.com) Rookies is definitely a sports lover's bar. Sit at one of the tall tables and watch the games on one of several wall-mounted TVs, and you can order from the late-night menu while you're at it.
The Sports Page Bar and Grill (499 Monroe Ave, 271-8460, myspace.com/sportspagerochester) has seven plasma TVs, making it the place to go on Monroe Ave for sports-watching of all kinds. Full menu of pub grub, too.
Tully's (1225 Jefferson Rd, 272-8900, tullysgoodtimes.com) is a popular Henrietta sports bar with TVs all over the place, a full menu, and a full bar.
Woody's Bar & Grill (250 Monroe Ave, 546-6900, woodysbarandgrill.com | Woody's II: 2758 W. Henrietta Rd, 424-6440, myspace.com/woodysii) Both Woody's locations are great spots to hang out, eat, drink, meet friends, talk sports, and catch one of the events on the tube.
Did we miss your favorite sports bar? Tell us about it at rochestercitynewspaper.com/nightlife.