Catch Your Favorite Team, Wherever It May Be
Written: Mar 05 '03
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Pros: Great atmosphere, decent food, great brews.
Cons: None come to mind.
The Bottom Line: A sports pub first and foremost, and a darned good one.
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| Bruguru's Full Review: Sidelines Sports Bar & Grill |
Anyone who lives in Atlanta will tell you: there just don’t seem to be many native Georgians here. In the small office where I work, there are transplants from New York, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Florida, California, Tennessee, Kansas, and of course Rhode Island (me). Last week while sipping a beer in a local brewpub I sat next to a guy from Connecticut, and later chatted with a bartender from Massachusetts.
Like me, many of these folks like to reminisce about the things we miss from back home. One thing we don’t have to do without, however, is sports. That’s because we can watch our favorite teams play every week at Sidelines Sports Bar and Grill. Sidelines has many locations around Atlanta where you can watch any team you want right from the comfort of your own table. It’s a great place for me to catch a Patriots game on a Sunday afternoon with a cold glass of brew and a hot plate of wings.
Sidelines is, above all, a sports bar, with an atmosphere just a bit more eclectic than is the norm for this class of establishment. The Windy Hill location has a beer truck parked in the middle of the floor, and there’s a bright red English style phone booth for when you need to make a call. On Roswell Road, the bar is large and U-shaped, hooking around a decommissioned Budweiser truck replete with beer taps coming out of the sides.
The lighting will generally be low, with a hodge-podge type décor featuring all sorts of Americana. The bars are long and have plenty of seating, and there are plenty of tables and chairs too if you prefer a bit more privacy. Booths with televisions for your sports viewing pleasure ring the perimeter.
During football season, Sundays are always fun: just about every NFL team is being watched by somebody. On one side of the pub a lone cheer goes up when the Jets score against Miami; a short time later somebody is ecstatic elsewhere because the Dolphins return the favor. So far, though, I’ve yet to see a fight break out. People do take their football seriously, after all.
There’s more to do than just watch the game, though. Sidelines locations feature an assortment of video games, pool tables, and an assortment of other amusements. There is plenty to keep you busy here, sports fan or not.
Hungry? Don’t expect gourmet, but you can easily get your fill of decent pub fare at a reasonable price. Sidelines features the usual assortment of burgers, sandwiches, and entrees featuring chicken and beef. Usually, I go for the appetizers: nachos, potato skins, or most often, Buffalo wings. The wings are of good size and available hot, medium, mild, or teriyaki. Be forewarned: the hot wings are hot, even the mild have a slight bite. A dozen for $5.99 is usually enough for two people.
I’m a soup fan, and I usually complement my wings with the delicious house-made loaded potato soup. This is a creamy, tangy and warming soup packed with chunks of potato and topped off with cheese, bacon, and chives. A large steaming bowl can be had for $2.99; this is almost a meal in itself.
Now for the beer. Both Sidelines I have visited have about ten to twelve taps. About half of these are dedicated to the megabrews: a few variations of Bud, Miller, and Coors. The craft brew fan will be happy to know that he can usually find something on, too. Red Hook, Sam Adams, Sierra Nevada, Anchor, Bass, Warsteiner, Guinness, and local Sweetwater are just some of the taps you will find. And of course, there’s a full bar and wine list too.
Sidelines is a great place to catch the game, play some pool, or just chill out and enjoy a brew. Whether you’re visiting Atlanta or live here, a stop at Sidelines is well worth your time.
Recommended:
Yes
Kid Friendliness: Yes
Vegetarian Friendly: Yes
Notes, Tips or Menu Recommendations Try the loaded potato soup.
Best Suited For: Friends
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