OT-ish: Watch Party in San Francisco?
This may be too far off topic but as a new resident of the city I thought this was my best chance. I've read the UM Bars thread as well but it seems a bit outdated. If a mod feels the need to delete this that's fine too.
Hey all, as stated above, I am new to SF and looking for a place to watch the game on Saturday. Preferably with some MGoBloggers. I read the Blarney Stone on Geary is the alumni spot and that the Blue Light Cafe usually gets some people in there. Any other bloggers going to be in the city Saturay and want to watch the game?
*If they shut down the thread feel free to email me: [email protected]
August 27th, 2012 at 3:43 PM ^
while on a trip, and the Michigan crowd, while small, (note this was during the Giants world series run) was pretty cool.
They did, however, get me pretty drunk which was either a good thing or a bad thing, I really can't remember (yeah they bought me that many drinks). Cheers to any of you guys if you post on here.
August 27th, 2012 at 3:56 PM ^
in the marina is the place to be. There'll be ~100 michigan fans (mostly in their 20s/early 30s) there.
August 27th, 2012 at 6:51 PM ^
I recommend the outer richmond bar Blarney Stone on 5625 Geary because they play the victors for every score. Generally a cool crowd of also 20s to 30s.
edit: oops didn't see just two posts down the same recommendation. Consider this a +1.
August 27th, 2012 at 3:58 PM ^
as other's have said. They even play hail to the victors on the jukebox after Michigan touchdowns.
August 27th, 2012 at 3:59 PM ^
Welcome to CA. I would love to help you out, but have to be ‘way-outta’ town over the holiday in the middle of nowhere called the Trinity Alps. I am newer myself, a bit south a vineyard in Santa Cruz mtns., will be following the responses and interested in future gatherings in the area so will drop you a line.
August 27th, 2012 at 4:00 PM ^
Blarney Stone - Good Michigan atmosphere, not too crowded for early games at least, play the fight song after every TD, official alumni club bar
Blue Light - Could be packed with other fans, not so much an M specific bar, feels like a younger crowd but I've also seen older Alabama fans sitting at a table watching
Brick Yard - New alum club location this year. Never been there yet, but I'm pretty sure it's supposed to have great food. Since it's an official location they should have dedicated seating for M fans.
August 27th, 2012 at 5:36 PM ^
Is Blue Light a new name for the sports bar on Union Street that's upstairs? I want to say it was called Bayview or Baywatch of something like that. That place used to crawl with Michigan fans, too.
I typically watch over at Kezar Pub, even though it's technically an MSU alumni spot. There is a good Michigan contingent and lots of Sparty, no! Schadenfreude to be had. That said, I'll be in Madison at the time.
August 27th, 2012 at 6:16 PM ^
You may be thinking of Bayside, which was just down the street from the (Go) Blue Light. It closed a couple years ago I think.
I caught several games at Kezar Pub over the years. I don't remember Sparties, but I haven't seen a game there since the 2009 season. Like most other bars, it has like 3-4 games going at once, with like fans of 9-12 different fan bases watching their team, waiting for their game, or post-gaming. Kind of like the United Nations of SF sports bars. Better as a hockey bar.
August 27th, 2012 at 6:54 PM ^
Yes, that is what I was thinking of. Used to get a huge Blue contingent there.
August 27th, 2012 at 6:57 PM ^
I just learned that Brick Yard has moved into the old Bayside space. That might explain the alumni association decision. Still wish it weren't in the Marina.
August 27th, 2012 at 6:10 PM ^
I will be at Blarney Stone. The problem with the other places you reference is that they are shared venues. I stopped going to the (Go) Blue Light after it became overrun with Texas fans waiting to watch the Horns, who usually played after Michigan. Mixed-allegiance crowds kind of suck.
Plan on showing up early at Blarney if you go. Great place (even though it is inconveniently located in the Outer Richmond) but it fills up quickly for big games.
August 27th, 2012 at 4:06 PM ^
I'm in the south bay, and usually go to Double D's. There are always plenty of people there. I've also been to Blue Light in SF, which is sure to have people.
I'm thinking I might watch the game from home though. I get too into the game and hate not being able to concentrate due to other people watching or not having a perfect viewing angle =oP. I like the atmosphere for most games, but I have to watch the big games at home.
August 27th, 2012 at 5:04 PM ^
Sept 5th. Will definitely be looking for Wolverine friends out there.
August 27th, 2012 at 5:05 PM ^
Going to SF over labor day, so will hopefully see all you there!
August 27th, 2012 at 5:37 PM ^
I'm jealous. I don't care where you watch, I'm still jealous of it.
August 27th, 2012 at 6:19 PM ^
Glad to see that there are other new wolverine grads in town. Still debating which bar would be best but either way I'm sure it'll be a great, drunk time.
August 27th, 2012 at 6:48 PM ^
Any tips for Oakland/Berkeley?
(also new to area)
August 27th, 2012 at 7:06 PM ^
Take BART into SF
August 27th, 2012 at 7:32 PM ^
Find a bridge and drive across it.
EDIT: Well I was way late on that one.
August 27th, 2012 at 7:33 PM ^
Driving across the Bay Bridge is never a good idea. Ever.
August 27th, 2012 at 7:42 PM ^
Thanks. You are a gentleman and a true wit. I salute you.
August 28th, 2012 at 2:49 PM ^
in Berkeley is the East Bay place. I was thinking of dropping by but haven't seen any comments.
August 27th, 2012 at 7:26 PM ^
Evidently, Bobby G's Pizzeria in Berkeley is the gathering spot for East Bay alumni.
Has anyone ever been? What's the scene like?
August 28th, 2012 at 7:45 PM ^
I stopped in for a game last year while lurking around Berkley. The food is decent, they have beer and the game was on the main tele. That's all I really cared about.
As far as atmosphere, I didn't notice too many obvious M fans and the place was jumping.
August 27th, 2012 at 7:56 PM ^
Firstly, welcome to SF, a city full of Wolverines.
To answer your question, the Blue Light is a great place to watch Michigan games. I went there for every game last year and we get a solid crowd of Blue in there. I can't speak to the Blarney Stone, but the Brickyard is more of a mixed-crowd bar (or at least has been in the past), by which I mean lots of people who aren't really interested in the games go to day-drink on Saturdays.
In short, see you at the Blue Light!
August 28th, 2012 at 12:20 AM ^
Note: I'm in Dallas for the game so I'm not sure your best bet for 'bama (haven't looked at the TV schedule, but the Giants play in the AM). The rest of this is for general Saturdays.
-----------
I'm a huge fan of Kezar Pub. Best wings in the city. Good service, and a great "state of Michigan" bar -- the place to be for Red Wings games. Easy to take friends who don't care about the game here because its fun and the wings are great. Will be other UM fans (and if the time is right probably MSU fans) but everyone's cool. Not as much "meet other alumni" setup. Also more Haight / Mission type folks. More likely to meet alumni who you haven't seen in years here as they avoid the Marina. Generally easier to bus/Muni to.
Blarney Stone is the official alumni bar this year. If you want to meet new people you should check it out at least once. Kind of in the middle of nowhere unless you're driving or live on the 38 line, however. Might be a solid setup for 'bama to check it out.
The Marina bars are correctly listed -- they're like every other Marina bar on any given night; if you like it you like it. But it is its own animal unlike Blarney Stone or Kezar.
Overall downside: Nearly 100% of the games are on HD now and available at home, so getting together at 9am seems more difficult. Overall viewership at bars seem down over the last 12 years of being in SF, when I first starting to try to wake up with my alumni roommate and trek across town to baysides for a 9am game...
Enjoy! Lots of UM fans out here. Some tend to like hugging trees more then others.
August 28th, 2012 at 3:39 AM ^
Sorry I didn't mention that I'm not an alumni. That said, as most people on this board who didn't go to UM, I would have loved to. It sounds like the Blue Light will probably be best. I'm not looking for a whole meet and greet alumni thing as much as I am wanting to be surrounded by a number of UM fans as well as college football fans in general. The more excited (read: drunk) crowd the better.
August 28th, 2012 at 7:52 PM ^
In Sunset is a favorite spot of mine. Killer fish tacos, reasonable buckets of Tecate, and specials on Cazadores Blanco tequila shots.
The owner is an alumni and there's usually a frendly group alumi/non-alumi there to start drinking by 9am. Muni also runs a few streets away so getting around is pretty easy.