Tampa/Clearwater BLUE faithful

Submitted by jonesie022 on
We teachers here in the Midwest are on fall break and are heading south. Taking the family to the Clearwater area Friday and need a place to watch our boys' homecoming. Saw that Sneakey's seems to be the place as far as he MgoBar locator is concerned but then saw that the game is on BTN. Called and the person on the other end could not confirm whether or not they would carry the game... Anyone in the area that can speak on behalf of BTN being available in that part of the country or give advice on an alternate plan? Will be arriving early on Saturday morning. Thanks and go blue!

beangoblue

October 5th, 2015 at 7:48 AM ^

The Tampa Alumni Club meets at a bar in St Pete called Ferg's Sports Bar and Grill.

1320 Central Ave
Saint Petersburg, Florida 33705

I used to help coordinated the events here in Tampa in 2012-13, but the group decided to move the watch parties to St Pete so I haven't been the last couple of years (too far of a drive for me). But it should be close to Clearwater where you will be.

You should be able to contact them via their Facebook page if you wish!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/University-of-Michigan-Club-of-Tampa-Bay…

Safe travels and enjoy the weather!

Birdman

October 5th, 2015 at 7:51 AM ^

Down by the beach is family friendly. Ker's wing house and the Original Hooters also are very accommodating, however both are less suitable for family time.

CoachBP6

October 5th, 2015 at 8:21 AM ^

How the fuck is a battle between two top 20 teams on the awful Big Ten Network? Terrible announcer's, below average in game analysis, and don't get me started on the pregame and post game coverage. I thought for sure this game would be on ESPN or ABC.

Wolvmarine

October 5th, 2015 at 8:25 AM ^

I agree with you. But if you think really hard you will find the answer..............HINT it's the same guy who thought adding Ruggers was a good idea. Never mind the fact that in 5-10 years cable TV will be replaced by Internet TV, thus making fans more important than TV markets.

Jim Delany



Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad

LSAClassOf2000

October 5th, 2015 at 12:22 PM ^

The conference networks get the sloppy seconds of ABC/ESPN for the most part, I believe. They took Wisconsin / Nebraska as their regional 3:30 PM game (it will be seen on ESPN2 in some locations), so BTN took Michigan / Northwestern - it was probably that simple, as strange as it might sound now given the current rankings. 

Scuba87

October 5th, 2015 at 9:19 AM ^

Varsity club at 36355 E lake rd, palm harbor fl 34685 is a great place to watch. the owner is a Michigan fan and always has the game on. 

 

 

DavidP814

October 5th, 2015 at 9:25 AM ^

Are you staying near the beach or further inland?

If further inland, Brickhouse Tavern and Tap is right off of 19, so fairly easy to find, and they show BTN games.  Food and crowd are both decent., and occasionally they will have the sound on for big games.  It's sort of a more family-friendly version of Hooters/Winghouse (wait staff is all female, mostly attractive, but their attire is jeans/polo shirt(?) ).

Also, welcome!  I hope the weather cooperates for you!

707oxford

October 5th, 2015 at 9:37 AM ^

If across the bridge in Tampa, go to Press Box on Dale Mabry. Good sports bar with tons of big screens, good food (steak sandwich FTW) and some video games for the kids if they get restless. Usually a good M representation there as well.

justingoblue

October 5th, 2015 at 10:09 AM ^

I'm not too big on going out to watch games (and live across the bay these days), but BTN is just off the basic tier on the sports package so I'd imagine any place with TV's showing sports should have it.

WingHouse at 19 and Gulf to Bay or any of the Frenchy's locations have been good to me in the past, as far as watching sports in Clearwater. One of those should be close to wherever you're staying in Clearwater if you don't want to make the trek to St Pete or across the water.

Committed

October 5th, 2015 at 10:27 AM ^

If you want to travel south to Siesta Key in Sarasota. Go to Captain Curts. They were a HUGE OSU bar for many years...til some things happened and they aren't just a OSU bar anymore.

Now they are a big ten bar. Good people and look for a tall guy named Chris. He's from Michigan.

funkifyfl

October 5th, 2015 at 10:37 AM ^

I met some people who help coordinate the Ferg's watch parties - very nice folks. The guy had one of the most incredible cornhole sets I've ever seen. Ferg's is an awesome bar and a solid choice. Whatever you do, do NOT go to the Beef O Brady's on Macdill. That's a bona fide Sparty bar (and BoB sucks anyway). Brickhouse Tavern on Dale Mabry is awesome food, awesome crowd, and a solid choice. The Press Box I've heard good things, but haven't visited yet.

I will be away for the next 3 weekends unfortunately, but if people want to get a Tampa crew together (Brickhouse or Press Box perhaps) or even just to split an uber across the bay to get to Ferg's, I'd be intereted in getting something going.

True Blue Grit

October 5th, 2015 at 11:05 AM ^

back in the Dark Ages.  At that time, it was pretty much the grind from the start of classes until Thanksgiving.  Oh well,  have a good time in Florida.  There should be a lot of sports bars down there that carry BTN, but calling ahead is very advisable as others have suggested.