Where to Watch Super Bowl 50 in Beijing

Steven Schwankert | Feb 5, 2016 12:30 pm | 1 comment | 4966 reads

For NFL fans who look to American football as a bright spot during otherwise cold and dark months, especially the beginning of the year, Super Bowl 50 (or Super Bowl L for you citizens of Rome) is a final bonfire. It also falls this year on the first day of Spring Festival celebrations (Feb 8, 7am kickoff), which will be a blessing for those on holiday staying in Beijing, and a curse for fans who will be stuck with family who think badminton is so cool.

Super Bowl 50 promises to be a great game, with the Carolina Panthers facing off against the Denver Broncos. It could be the last game for future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning for Denver, his last chance to win a Super Bowl. It will be newcomer Cam Newton's first chance, and as the league's best team in 2015, his Carolina Panthers stand as the favorite. The game will be played at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Coldplay will be the halftime musical act, which makes no sense at all.

Beijing's top sports venues will make sure that the game will be on, along with food and drink. Just tell yeye and nainai you'll be back in time for lunch. Please contact the venues directly for exact menu details. We'll update this list as more venues' information becomes available.

The Brick: Shuangjing staple The Brick hosts their own Super Bowl party, which kicks off at 7.30am, and are offering a special set breakfast meal and deals on Heineken, bloody mary's, and more.
Centro: Kerry Hotel Beijing is once again the official site for the NFL's Super Bowl viewing party in Beijing. The game will be shown on a big screen, and buffet American breakfast, draft beer, and juices are available for RMB 238 per person. Call 8565 2398 or email them to reserve.
Cu Ju: The hutong sports bar is going with its familiar format: 20 spots sold in advance for RMB 300. Those 20 fans get open bar and unlimited food, including their famous Merguez breakfast platter, jambalaya, and more. To guarantee your spot, email Cu Ju.
The Garage: The Garage wakes up at 6.30am to provide breakfast baps courtesy by Balmain Gourmet Meat & Grill as well as drinks and bar games to keep you up and alert thoughout the morning.
Home Plate BBQ: An official regular-season viewing spot for NFL games, Home Plate's Sanlitun location will offer a breakfast buffet, Budweiser, mixed drinks, coffee, juice, and raffle prizes. It's RMB 275 in advance or RMB 300 at the door. Call 400 096 7670 for booking and information.
Irish Volunteer: Perhaps more closely associated with hockey (as its sister establishment The Hockey Bar implies), the Irish Volunteer is showing the Super Bowl for the first time. The "Stewper Bowl" will feature a bottomless bowl of Irish stew (get it?), bread, drinks, and pizza, with open bar from kick-off until the final whislte. RMB 150. To reserve, call 6438 5581 or email Zach.
The Local: One of our favorite bars for all things Bourbon Street Iced Tea (might want to avoid those at 7am) and shovels-full of fine American staple foods are selling a limited number of tickets (RMB 130 at the door, RMB 100 advance) for game day. Tickets include breakfast and two drinks (Tiger draft, mixed drinks, coffee, etc). They'll also make a point to show as many of the commercials as they can, but after the game so as not to interrupt the broadcast.
Paddy O'Shea's: Voted Best Sports Bar in the Beijinger 2015 Bar and Club Awards, Paddy's kitchen will offer a full menu. Entrants will be charged RMB 100 per person, which will then be deducted from their bill. Drink specials will be available. More information here.
Union Bar and Grille: This wood-paneled favorite has a big screen TV above the bar and other screens in the seating area for comfortable watching no matter where you sit. RMB 135 gets you sausage, bacon, scrambled eggs, hash browns, buttermilk pancakes and maple syrup, wheat toast with jam, and coffee or tea with free refills. Union will also be offering happy hour drink prices from 7am to 10.30am. Call 6415 9117 for reservations.