Crystal City Sports Pub – Best DC Venue for March Madness

Last week, Rhino Bar took on Penn Quarter Sports Tavern for the right to face Buffalo Billiards in the second round.

Penn Quarter Sports Tavern had ample representation from exuberant UConn and Villanova followers and thus earned a 15/20 for patronage. The bar is smaller and at times it was difficult to secure a good vantage point for watching the games. Also, more than half of the establishment was booked for the College Hockey tournament so they only receive an atmosphere score of 12/20. The service was average (10/20) as I had to wait for the bartenders attention on multiple occasions. And finally, I give them a 10/20 on intangibles, as I felt the bar did nothing to go above and beyond for the NCAA tournament.

Rhino Bar lacked the collegiate representation that I expected, and was actually eerily empty for the Saturday evening game. Still, the sporadic cheering and interest in the game was enough to score a 13/20 for patronage. I could take my pick of televisions and could hear the game commentary clearly. As a result, they received higher marks for atmosphere (14/20). The service, perhaps because it was so empty, was great. I had a beer in my hand at all times, helping to quell the heartburn brought on by the $.25 wings (my own lack of judgment). They get a 16/20 for service and a 12/20 for intangibles. Rhino Bar defeats PQ Sports Tavern 55-47 to advance and meet Buffalo Billiards in the semis.

Buffalo Billiards was just better suited for NCAA tournament action. They were absolutely filled to capacity last Thursday for the sweet sixteen match-ups. In fact, even before the game started they had multiple group happy hours already in attendance. The contrasting mix of hard core collegiate fans and those looking to socially network resulted in a mediocre patronage score (14/20). Their atmosphere score, however, by virtue of their many flat screens, was a 16/20. Buffalo Billiards seems understaffed for larger events. It is nearly impossible to get drinks at the back bar, and there is always a lack of seating. They scored relatively low marks for service (12/20). I gave them a 15/20 for intangibles resulting in a 57-55 victory over Rhino Bar and advancing them to the championship.

Buffalo Billiards’ low marks for service was the difference in their championship game against Crystal City Sports Pub. Even across all of the other criteria, Crystal City’s impeccable service earned them a 62-57 victory and the right to be called the best March Madness Venue in the DC area.

For complete reviews of these venues you can reference my previous blogs.

Rhino Bar & Pumphouse
Penn Quarter Sports Tavern
Buffalo Billiards
Crystal City Sports Pub

March Madness Update

DC Bar Challenge Update

It was a great first weekend in the NiteNetwork DC Bar Challenge. Nellie's took on Bugsy's Sports Bar in the opening round of the tournament and scored a decisive victory 55-25 to advance to the second round.

Bugsy’s just didn’t have the goods to compete. The antiquated televisions and lack of game coverage gave them an atmosphere score of 10/20. The service was questionable as my chicken parmesan sandwich magically morphed into an order of buffalo wings. Moreover, there was a substantial wait for beer refills. As a result, they scored a mere 5/20 on service. The bar was not packed, and many seemed indifferent about the games, perhaps disappointed with the lack of Hockey coverage. In fact, in seemed as though they had their consistent draw of regulars, rather than an influx of college basketball fans. They get a 5/20 score for patronage. And finally, there was a Bud Light Promotion, but it was a feeble attempt at drawing a crowd. The Bud Light cheerleader was selling 5$ Bud Light drafts. That’s right, one dollar more than the Miller Lights I was drinking. The plastic basketball hoop was more of a distraction than an allure, and so they receive a meager 5/20 for intangibles, giving them a total of 25 points.

Nellie’s Sports Bar, on the other hand, was equipped to handle a much larger crowd, with far more flat screens. The university banners in the back added to the collegiate tone. They earned a 12/20 for atmosphere and backed it up with consistent and punctual service (15/20). The cheering and interest in the games earned them a 13/20 for patronage and I gave them a 15/20 for intangibles. As a result, they scored 55 points, en route to a runaway victory over Bugsy’s 55-25.

Nellie’s advanced on to the second round where they played valiantly against second seeded Crystal City Sports Pub. Crystal City, however, had too much firepower, edging them out 62-55. They had too many televisions, all visible, and had posters advertising the game line-ups. The state-of-the-art sound system puts patrons courtside for the games and so they earned a 17/20 for atmosphere. The service was impeccable, as both my hands were full throughout the evening, and despite the lack of tables, a bartender actually set up stools for our appetizers. For service they received high marks (17/20). As for patronage, it was evident that collegiate basketball fanatics regularly congregate here. The noise level and enthusiasm earned them a 15/20 for patronage. And finally, I gave them a 13/20 for intangibles, enough to solidify a 62-55 victory and advance to the championship.

For complete reviews of these venues, you can check out my previous reviews.

Bugsy’s Sports Bar
Nellie’s Sports Bar
Crystal City Sports Pub

Crystal City Sports Pub - Gametime Nirvana

Crystal City Sports Pub rivals ESPN Zone with its capability for hosting sporting events. From the time you enter until the time you leave it is sensory overload—perfect for the sports fanatic seeking to lose their self in a plasma fantasyland.

The first level is the most expansive and family oriented section. And by family oriented, I mean I actually witnessed families dining there at Friday’s Happy Hour. The nuclear family was not the group that I expected to encounter at a sports pub, and true to form, that demographic dissolved over the course of the evening. In any case, the bottom floor is the most conducive to dining as it is more spacious and outfitted with larger tables. Still, you will not miss the big game if you are eating downstairs as there are a plethora of flat screens bearing down on you from every angle.

If you really want to immerse yourself in the game watching experience, walk upstairs. The second floor hosts another bar, and another series of HDTV’s as well as a state-of-the-art sound system. It can be loud at times, but you can count on witnessing every shoestring catch, every buzzer-beater, and every crunch time performance. And finally, if you seek the ultimate display of electronic splendor, visit their brand new non-smoking club level. It hosts one ten foot and two eight foot projection screen televisions, as well as numerous smaller ones for your viewing pleasure. The walls are decked out with sports memorabilia and there is sports ticker tape a la Wall Street. The accompanying scoreboards assure that you will never want for a score or gambling line, regardless of your sport of choice. The 27 foot ceilings add to club level comfort and the windows overlooking 23rd street provide light and the only connection to the outside world. Otherwise, it is a complete escape into sports utopia.

The menu is extensive, and what you would expect from a sports pub. What differentiates them from ESPN Zone is their patronage. I have found the franchise business model can often ostracize the local community in favor of a more corporate clientele. Crystal City Sports Pub has made an effort to coalesce with the surrounding environs, and it shows in the laid back and seemlingly tight knit cliques that frequent the venue.