Local Spots Are Your Ticket To Super Bowl Fun Forget About Miami: Stick Around Town, Where The Biggest Of The Big Games Will Be Happening On Screens Everywhere

So you’re still sulking over not scoring tickets to Super Bowl XXIX. Stop fretting millions of other football fanatics are in your shoes, too - and gather yourself and maybe some friends and head to a watering hole to catch the action.

Going to a pub or tavern to watch the big game has many advantages over actually attending the game itself.

First, people at bars can be just as loud and rowdy as 80,000 people. You’ll be surprised how much noise 200 fans can make.

Even if it is a bit crowded inside the bar, the wait for food and beverages is nowhere near the amount of time it takes to get food at the game.

And, these places don’t rip you off as far as food prices go.

Plus, can you watch the infamous “Bud Bowl” at the big game? I think not.

And when the Super Bowl draws to a close and everyone is rushing out to get to their cars only to be stuck in traffic for a couple of hours, all you have do is jump in your car or call a cab and you’ll be home in minutes.

And, really, it’s only a couple of California teams anyway. Right?

OK, so going to a corner pub is not the same as going to the game, but go out and have fun anyway.

Here’s a selected guide to places in the area to watch Super Bowl XXIX (that’s 29, folks).

Sports fans eager to be in a rowdy atmosphere for the Super Bowl will want to head out to the Sports Page Lanes in the Valley.

For just $12 ($11 in advance), patrons receive pre-game appetizers and a taco buffet.

With every score, beers become $1.

There will also be prizes including jerseys from the 49ers and the Chargers, and a trip to the Bahamas, as well as food and bowling gift certificates.

For information, call 924-5141.

Noise and applause from pumped-up football maniacs at Finnerty’s Red Lion Sports Bar and Barbecue (N126 Division) will definitely spill out of the doors of this favorite sports hang-out.

The folks at Finnerty’s recommend people arrive early, as empty chairs and tables begin to disappear at the strike of noon.

The Arkansas vs. Kentucky basketball game prior to the Super Bowl will hold the crowd captive until the main event begins.

Fast Eddie’s, which guards the corner of Spokane Falls Boulevard and Division, will tackle the Super Bowl with a free, pre-game meal of steak and eggs, beginning at noon.

The rowdy sports pub will be giving out free food and prizes all afternoon.

With seven TVs strewn about the bar, you shouldn’t miss any action.

People will be flocking to the Comet Tavern in Hillyard to take in the big game via the establishment’s 15-foot, big-screen TV.

It’s probably safe to assume that the Comet’s colossal TV is the biggest one around.

There’ll be beer specials running throughout the game.

On the north side of town, Stadium Pizza, W4423 Wellesley, will be giving away prizes, from T-shirts to ball caps, during every commercial break.

Their TVs include five 27-inch TVs, one 50-inch TV and a 72-incher.

There’ll be food and beer specials throughout the game.

Also on the north side of Spokane is another favorite sporty watering hole, the Swinging Doors Tavern, at Monroe and Francis.

Here, the suds, prime rib sandwiches and prizes will be flowing.

There’ll also be food specials.

Trying to find a seat with a decent view shouldn’t be any trouble. The Swinging Doors has 13 TV sets including a few big screens.

The Hi Neighbor Tavern,N2201 Monroe, is several TVs strong, which makes it one of the best neighborhood bars to go to watch football.

The people here are friendly and willing to strike up a conversion with strangers.

And if it’s eats you’re after, the Hi Neighbor will be serving all-you-caneat pasta, cold cuts and various other snacks. The cost is only $3.50.

Scotty Sullivan’s Score Board, N205 Sullivan, in the Valley, promises to have lots of football excitement on tap and 14 TVs.

There’ll be beer specials, prizes as well as six-ounce, barbecued steaks for only $3.50.

Get there early; last year, more than 70 people were turned away.

PJ’s Pub, N1717 Monroe, is always a great destination for Super Bowl Sunday.

This bi-leveled establishment has plenty of areas well-suited for football viewing.

There’ll be prizes including an autographed football.

PJ’s will have lots of beer and food specials.

In Lincoln Heights, Silver Lanes is having a big Super Bowl bash that includes a free food buffet, drink specials, cash and other prizes given out between quarters. Admission’s free.

In Coeur d’Alene, Capone’s Sports Pub, 751 N. Fourth, never has difficulty attracting a crowd.

An amazing collection of antique sports memorabilia and other odds and ends, make Capone’s is one of the most charming sports pubs in the region.

The pub will be putting in their secret weapon for the big game, a giant-screen TV, to support the three other TVs in the place.

Capone’s Super Bowl party will also include prizes and all-you-caneat pasta.

T.W. Fisher’s (Coeur d’Alene), a popular micro-brew pub, will have happy hour all-game-long as well as dishing up all-you-can-eat pizza.

There will also be various drawing and door prizes including an autographed John Friese football.

The Cotton Club in Hayden will have six big-screen TVs going. A raffle and other fund-raising events will benefit the Children’s Village. Among the items to be raffled will be a signed L.A. Raider jersey worn by Bo Jackson. Doors open at 10 a.m., a dart tourney begins at 11.