Strictly Sports There’s Nothing Like Watching Your Favorite Team From A Table At A Great Watering Hole

“Sports” and “bar” are two words that fit snugly together in American culture.

Practically every bar and tavern in town has a TV, and that TV is usually tuned to a game.

But the true sports bars and taverns take this concept to its logical extreme, by virtue of the sheer number and size of TVs.

Those TV screens are the main attraction, the way a three-piece combo is the main attraction at a jazz club.

A genuine sports bar uses the magic of satellite technology to pick up games unavailable even through cable. For instance, a lonely Colorado Rockies fan could have tracked his team’s pennant drive this week, and maybe even found that he wasn’t so alone here in the Northwest.

We went on a whirlwind tour of as many sports bars as we could hit in the course of one college football Saturday and one NFL Monday night. We hit nine different places in Spokane, Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene, not including a couple of places we walked into and walked right back out of (we’ve got our standards).

Here are the places that we can recommend. We evaluated them on the basis of TVs and overall ambience. Also, we ordered nachos at almost every place, on the theory (admittedly shaky) that nachos are a key element of the sports bar experience. (If we ever see another nacho again in our lives, we’re gonna ralph.)

This isn’t an exhaustive list; we couldn’t hit every sports bar and tavern in the region. But these are good places to start if you’re looking for a place to follow the baseball playoffs, the NFL or college football.

We list them here in no particular order:

The Swinging Doors Tavern, 1018 W. Francis: A real find. A clean, attractive, friendly neighborhood tavern that shows a huge variety of games (they have shown every NFL game played on Sunday in the past two years).

TV count: 13, including one 8-foot-in-diameter (96-inch) monster, flanked by two 51-inchers. Five satellite dishes account for the variety of games available.

Beers on tap: 12.

Cool stuff quotient: No sports memorabilia to speak of, but lots of games, including pinball, video and foosball.

Nachos: Average. A large mound, with generous portions of sour cream and salsa. No jalapenos.

The Sullivan Scoreboard Tavern, 205 N. Sullivan Road:

It looks like a cinderblock bunker from the outside, but inside the place is extremely friendly and full of sporting camaraderie.

TV count: 10, including one big-screen.

Beers on tap: 14. Extra credit for serving beverages in mason-jar-style mugs.

Cool stuff quotient: No sports memorabilia.

Nachos: One of the best we had, with freshly chopped sweet onions and jalapenos. Way above average.

Steve’s Sports Dugout, 1910 E. Seltice Way, Post Falls:

With its vaulted ceiling, big skylights and stained wood interior, this was the brightest, airiest and most attractive place we visited. A good place to take the family; they serve a full menu of breakfast, lunch and dinner.

TV count: Six, including several big screens. Three satellite dishes.

Beers on tap: 10.

Cool stuff quotient: No sports memorabilia, but bulletin boards listed all of the NFL standings, and other boards listed all of the games that were on TV that day.

Nachos: Average. Loaded with ground beef, and with guacamole, sour cream and salsa on the side.

Capone’s Pub and Grill, 751 N. Fourth St., Coeur d’Alene:

This cozy pub was the most Cheers-like of any place we visited. It’s tiny, but is in the midst of being remodeled and expanded.

TV count: Three with no big screens. Two satellite dishes.

Beers on tap: 19, making it one of the leaders in that category. Will soon expand to 31 taps.

Cool stuff quotient: The highest marks. Walls and ceiling are festooned with old baseball bats, antique mitts, boxing gloves and hockey sticks. Tickets to sporting events (everything from Red Sox games to Olympic track events) are embedded under varnish in the tables.

Nachos: Below average. Not really nachos at all, but simply chips that you dip in a hot cheese-whiz goop. Instead, you should try some of the good grinders and pizzas on the menu.

T.W. Fisher’s, A Brew Pub, 204 N. Second, Coeur d’Alene:

A lively and popular brew pub, and a popular place to watch a game. Families are welcome.

TV count: Six, with no big screens. One satellite dish.

Beers on tap: Seven. Extra credit for brewing six of those themselves.

Cool stuff quotient: Team pennants line the walls. Also, displays of beer taps, beer trays and beer coasters from around the world.

Nachos: Average. Loaded with refried beans and fresh green onion. Served with good guacamole, salsa and sour cream.

Pepperdine Sports Bar and Grill, 2911 E. 57th:

A long-time South Hill gathering spot, with friendly service and a full food menu.

TV count: Nine, including one projected big screen (a bit dimmer than most). Two satellite dishes.

Beers on tap: 12.

Cool stuff quotient: High marks. The walls are covered with framed football and baseball jerseys, sports photos and helmets. Extra, extra, extra credit for having a Seattle Rainiers jersey.

Nachos: Average. A large gooey pile, with guacamole, salsa and sour cream.

Finnerty’s Red Lion Barbecue and Sports Bar, 126 N. Division:

A busy, loud, cheerful downtown institution, where you’re likely to be high-fived by the other customers when a Mariner hits a home run. It has great barbecue, too.

TVs: 10, including one in the bathroom so you never have to miss a play. No big screen. Two satellite dishes.

Beers on tap: Nine.

Cool stuff: Walls are covered with jerseys, pennants and other memorabilia. A sports ticker flashes scores constantly. Extra credit for a sign that says: “Days Left ‘Til Opening Day” with a number kept up to date (199 the day we were there).

Nachos: Way above average. A huge, layered platter, with plenty of jalapenos and onions. This is like a big nacho sculpture.

Double Dan’s Sports Bar and Grill, 1011 W. Broadway:

A pleasant, shiny and attractive gathering spot near the Courthouse. Lots of games and lots of camaraderie.

TV count: 11, including one massive projected screen (brighter than most) and several big-screens. Three satellite dishes, with six different receivers.

Beers on tap: 10.

Cool stuff quotient: Non-existent, but the decor is upscale oak.

Nachos: No nachos, but they do have something called Rodeo Grub, which is a layered bean-and-chili dip served with tortilla chips. They also have a full restaurant menu.

McQ’s Billiard Parlour and Cafe, 9614 E. Sprague:

They call themselves a billiard parlor, and with 20 pool tables, that’s certainly accurate. But this clean and modern place has become hugely popular for sports-watching, too.

TV count: 20, including one 12-foot projection screen, nice and bright. Three satellite dishes.

Beers on tap: 30, the undisputed leader in this category.

Cool stuff quotient: No sports memorabilia, but lots of pool, pool, pool.

Nachos: The most upscale nachos of all, made with blackened chicken as well as the usual ingredients.

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