Patch Picks

Two weeks of hype have passed and the Super Bowl XLV is here. Action-starved fans have read every piece on their heroes and my have even made a friendly wager or two. You’re been waiting for an invite from the next-door neighbor with the 80-inch HDTV, but apparently, it’s been lost in the mail. So frequenting any one of these hotspots makes it easy to get into the big game.

, Springfield

Atmosphere Two 42-inch HD TVs (one on each end of the bar); 30-seat bar; three booths to the right of the bar (near windows); three 4-6 person tables in front of bar.

Super Bowl Specials During the game, $1 discount on all drinks and complimentary snacks at the bar. Free halftime buffet includes Buffalo wings with blue-cheese dressing; crispy firecracker calamari with marinara sauce; hamburgers and hot dogs with all the fixings.

Dillon's Public House, Mountainside

The Vibe There is a full bar with 13 beers on tap, many fine wines and signature drinks. It’s no sports bar, but the HDTVs are large enough to take in the action; no-football fans will happily mingle by the fireplace while their fanatics scream at the TVs.

The Specials Dillon's, opening at 1 p.m. and closing at midnight, will be serving up the normal party staples as well as hand-filleted sushi-grade fish, prime meats, burgers and more.

The Site www. dillonspubhouse. com

Chrone's Tavern, Mountainside 

The Vibe This neighborhood joint opened five years before Super Bowl I. Dine among sports memorabilia with a menu featuring offerings such as pizza, burgers and grilled specials. The ambiance is warm and friendly.

The Specials They’re ready to rock with another round of their tasty football standards: chicken wings, chicken fingers, quesadillas and their full menu, led by their famous chicken marsala. Plus drinks, burgers, pizza and salads.
They’ll open at noon and close after the game.

The Site  chronestavern. com/

, Springfield

The Vibe 5 Big HD TVs high above bar; 24-seat horseshoe bar; 6 booths right side of bar; 8 four-chair tables to the left and back of bar area.

The Specials The party starts early — 11 a.m.! — and ends at midnight; come with three or more friends, all wearing football jerseys and get one free appetizer for the table (excludes platter and seafood menus).

The Site http://springfield.patch.com/listings/tgi-fridays-2

, Springfield

The Vibe The only bar in the center of Springfield boasts 3 HDTVs (one in each corner of bar, one in bar-area dining); 13-seat bar.

The Specials Half-price appetizers during the game; if you’re hanging in the bar area, beer is half-price during the game. Throwing your own shindig? McLynn’s will create special platters for you, please call for selections.

The Site http://springfield.patch.com/listings/mclynns

The Office, Summit

The Vibe The high ceilings, tiled floors and omnipresent HDTVs create a bustling party atmosphere. The high-topped tables and long bar make it easy to see the game from a variety of spots.

The Specials Happy Hour prices will run from noon until the game ends; appetizers will be offered at $5/item. There also will be T-shirt giveaways and other games and prizes during the day.

The Site

J.B. Winberie’s, Summit

The Vibe It may be housed in the former Summit Opera House, but this longtime eatery is no stuffy establishment. Start your pregame routine with their famous brunch and continue through the Super Bowl.

The Specials There will be $3 beer specials — at the bar. If you’ve got a case of the munchies, there will be a tailgate-special menu featuring ribs, chili, hot dogs, and complimentary nacho buffet.

The Site http://summit.patch.com/listings/jb-winberie-restaurant-bar