The battle for an NBA Championship has culminated with the Golden State Warriors taking on the Boston Celtics. The competition is sure to be fierce in the quest to advance to win the league's top prize.
With game tickets at San Francisco’s Chase Center going for close to $750 for a seat in the nosebleeds, suddenly being a bench-warmer doesn’t sound so bad.
If you really want to be as close to the action as possible, without springing for a ticket inside, Thrive City will be open and streaming the game on its jumbo screen. But our sources tell us there is no official “watch party” scheduled for the home game, and do you really want to try to get a table at Dumpling Time, Gott’s Roadside or Miller & Lux?
Fortunately, San Francisco is a big city with plenty of places where you can go to enjoy good food, good company and—we hope—a good game.
(P.S. — if you want to make sure to watch the game in the open air, check out our companion guide on outdoor bars where you can catch the game.)
This Bernal Heights gem is also jokingly called “Baby-bottle,” as the place is sometimes full of parents and their newborns. Over 20 beers are on tap, a couple of large flatscreen TVs hang above the bar, there are games and plenty of seating. Mashallah Halal, an Indian and Pakistani food truck, will be on hand to serve a variety of samosas and masala dishes.
428 11th St.
If you can't decide which game snacks to wolf down, District Six will have a few options, including the Chef's Food Truck and Nucha Empanadas. The indoor/outdoor food hall, which is located in the heart of SoMa, brings big party energy with several giant screens for game projection, a beer garden with picnic tables, and live DJ sets. Make sure you RSVP for this event.
450 Balboa St.
Chilli lime, bourbon maple bacon and ghost pepper—oh my! This inner Richmond Taproom has wings galore with over 15 different flavors. Nashville Hot Chicken sandwiches, loaded fries and rice bowls are also some popular items. You can watch the Warriors play on large flatscreens whether you are seated indoors or at their parklet. And if beer isn’t your thing wine will be available.
500 Divisadero St.
Madrone might be the place for you if you like your sports mixed with a little art and music. There won’t be any food. Instead, enjoy a live performance by Jenny Kerr and her band, who will serenade you with Americana music while you watch the game. (Jenny, by the way, is no relation to Steve as far as The Standard’s crack team of investigative reporters could discern.)
4086 18th St.
Great music, a full bar, frozen drinks and happy hour specials—what more could you ask for? This small but mighty gay bar in the Castro District features flatscreen TVs inside and a pool table if you are in the mood to play. But the real party is on the patio, which features another full bar. There are ample benches, tables and stools for seating.
2323 Mission St.
This hip gastropub should come to mind when you hear "Wing Wednesday." Teeth may be the only place in the city that serves .50 cent chicken wings from opening to close. Their "tachos" are also well-known (tater tots done nacho style). Burgers, chili cheese dogs and tacos are also available. It's not the healthiest option, but this is the playoffs. Who can worry about calories at a time like this? Watch the game from their patio or the bar inside.
1123 Folsom St.
If you prefer a true sports bar atmosphere, this SoMa gem owned by native San Franciscans offers $2 house cocktails and $1 beers during happy hour—from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The bar is surrounded by flatscreen TVs, arcade games and bar stools. The food menu, curated by a pop-up restaurant called The Hidden Spot, features a wide variety of hot sandwiches, wagyu burgers and chicken wings.