The NFL playoffs start this weekend and if you’re wondering where to watch the game in Napa County, we’re here to help.  There are plenty of places to order a drink in a bar with a TV but we’ve narrowed our list down to the places with good food, large screen TVs, and plenty of room for you to take your friends along (or to make some new ones).  We’ve also listed each establishment’s usual Happy Hour specials, although we don’t know what will or won’t be available during the actual game times.  Starting at the south end of Napa County and heading north, these are your best bets:

American Canyon

Mark’s Sports Bistro – 110 West American Canyon Road, Suite L7  (707) 561-0093

At the south end of Napa County, Mark and Sarah Beland opened their casual sports-themed restaurant in 2011.  You want TVs?  They have TVs.  In the main dining area are 10 televisions, including 2 large screen TVs that are 105″ each.  In the separate bar area you’ll find a large horseshoe bar counter with 5 more TVs on the wall.  Mark’s also has a pool table, in case you need something to do during halftime.

Food:  All-American Bar Food.  Wings (5 flavors to choose from with 5 dipping sauce options), Skins, Chili Cheese Fries, Philly Cheese Fries, Dogs, and Burgers.  Sandwich choices include Turkey Clubhouse, BBQ Beef, Angus Roast Beef Dip, Steak Sandwich, and a Philly Cheesesteak.  If you want a Veggie Burger or a salad, they have those too.

Bar:  Beer/Wine only at this time.

Happy Hour Options:  Monday through Friday, from 3:30 to 7:00, you can buy draft pints for $3 or pitchers for $12.  Also, their appetizers are buy one get one 1/2 off.  Other specials include 2 hot dogs for $2.50 on Mondays and 1/3 slab BBQ Ribs and fries for $7.95 on Tuesdays.

Parking:  Parking lot in front (Mark’s is in the Canyon Corners Plaza near the corner of Highway 29 and American Canyon Boulevard).

 

Napa

VINeleven – 3425 Solano Avenue (at the Napa Valley Marriott)  (707) 253-8600

In the Spring of 2011, the Napa Valley Marriott had a major remodel of their dining areas and the former Character’s Sports Bar is no more.  Instead, the dining areas now include multiple seating areas both indoors and outdoors.  The main dining room has a central U-shaped bar with 3 large TVs, and a separate lounge area with a fireplace has 2 more large screen TVs.

Food:  High quality restaurant food with a seasonal focus, based on supporting local artisans and their fish selections are based on the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch guidelines.  If you want casual food, your choices include an Angus Burger, Chicken Breast Sandwich, or BBQ Pork Ribs.  If you are craving something a little more upscale, you can get Oysters, Local Artisinal Charcuterie or Cheeses, Salad, Sea Bass, or Ribeye.

Bar:  Full Bar.

Happy Hour Options:  No Happy Hour specials.

Parking:  In the Napa Valley Marriott’s parking lot.

 

Norman Rose Tavern – 1401 1st Street  (707) 258-1516

The bar area at this downtown restaurant has about 12 barstools and plenty of standing room with a clear view of 2 large screen TVs.  There is also a back room with another TV that is sometimes opened up for patrons when the crowds get large enough.

Food:  Pub Fare, Wine-Country Style.  If you want, you can get Soups, Salads, and Fries done four ways (Sea Salt & Black Pepper, BBQ, Truffle & Parmesan, or Pork Sausage Gravy & Cheddar Cheese).  Other choices include an All Beef Hot Dog, Burger with Five Dot Ranch Beef, Fried Chicken Sandwich, Snapper Sandwich, Grilled Cheese, or Fish & Chips.

Bar:  Currently, their liquor license is beer/wine only.   But, their full bar license kicks in February 1, 2012.

Happy Hour Options:  Monday through Friday, from 3:00 to 6:00, you can get $4 draft beers, $6 glass of wine specials, $2.50 sliders, and hot wings for $6 per pound.

Parking:  Street Parking, or there are several city parking lots nearby.

 

Downtown Joe’s Brewery and Restaurant – 902 Main Street  (707) 258-BEER (2337)

This brewhouse next to the Napa River specializes in California renditions of traditional British ales.  You can watch the game here on 9 different TVs, including 3 large screens, in a typical neighborhood bar/brewhouse atmosphere.

Food:  American Grill fare.  Your choices include Mussels, Spinach Artichoke Dip, Clam Chowder, Bangers and Mash, Garlic Fries, Buffalo Wings, Fish and Chips, Steak Sandwich, and multiple Burger choices.   They even have some salads too.

Bar:  Full Bar, as well as their handcrafted beers – Pale Ale, Amber Ale, Wheat Beer, and Oatmeal Stout are examples.

Happy Hour Options:  Monday through Friday, between 3:00 and 6:00, your options include $3 pints of their handcrafted ales, $5 well drinks, $5 glass of wine of the day, $5 specialty sandwiches, and $5.55 food specials.

Parking: Street Parking, as well as several city parking lots nearby.

 

Kitchen Door – 610 1st Street, Suite 24 (at the Oxbow Public Market)  (707) 226-1560

This restaurant opened in 2011, when the former owners of Martini House in St. Helena took over the space previously occupied by the Oxbow Wine Merchant and Wine Bar and the Oxbow Cheese Merchant.  This casual restaurant has an open floor plan where you order at the counter and then sit wherever you want.  There are 8 barstools in front of the bar facing 1 large screen TV, but there are a number of other tables and chairs which have a good line of sight to the TV as well.

Food:  Multi-Ethnic Comfort Food.  You can choose between several Soups, Salads, Sandwiches and Flatbreads and also order Handmade Pickles or French Fries.  If that’s not working for you, other menu items include Rotisserie Chicken, Korean-Style Short Ribs and a Kobe Burger.

Bar:  Wine/Beer only.

Happy Hour Options:  Monday through Friday, between 3:00 and 5:30, and all day Wednesday.  Drink specials include $3.50 draft beers and $6 wines on tap.  Food specials include a Pinot and Pie special on Tuesdays and a Chicken Wing special on Wednesdays.

Parking:  In the Oxbow Public Market parking lot.

 

St. Helena

Silverado Brewing Company – 3020 St. Helena Highway (Highway 29), inside the historic Freemark Abbey Winery building  (707) 967-9876

Opened in 2000, this brewpub offers handcrafted Ales and Lagers.  On their menu, all of the proteins are raised naturally on sustainable ranches without the use of hormones or antibiotics.  The produce is from local purveyors using organic practices.  If you come here to watch a game, the bar area has 3 TVs for viewing.

Food:  Brewpub Style with a Wine Country Approach.  Appetizer choices include Onion Rings, Garlic Fries, Buffalo Wings and Fried Calimari.  There are several salad and pasta choices, as well as a range of sandwiches (Pulled Pork, Chicken, French Dip, Reuben) and both lamb and beef Burgers.  And yes, they have Fish and Chips here too.

Bar:  Full bar available.  Handcrafted beers include Pale Ale, Amber Ale, Oatmeal Stout, and they usually have some seasonal beers as well. .

Happy Hour Options: Monday through Friday, between 4:00 and 6:00, their handcrafted beers are only $3.

Parking:  In the Freemark Abbey building parking lot.

 

Hope that helps you find a place to watch the game!