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Sports

Fork Dork: Sports Fans Win with Apple Cup Bar, Restaurant Options

If you haven't scored tickets to Saturday's Apple Cup at CenturyLink Field, you can still enjoy the game at a local pub or restaurant.

There are two things you should know about me. First of all, my first job in journalism was as a sports writer for a Bellevue-based daily newspaper that has since gone out of business. Second of all, at the same time I was a student at the University of Washington and an avid Husky football fan.

I no longer cover sports on a daily basis but I am still an avid Husky football fan. With the Apple Cup upon us this Saturday, at 4:30 p.m. at CenturyLink Field, it is time to renew the cross-state rivalry.

I invite you to post your Apple Cup memories in the comments section below. I would also like to read your predictions on the game (mine is 31-17 Huskies).

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If you haven’t scored tickets to the Apple Cup, there are many local bars and restaurants where you can root on your team with like-minded fans. Here’s a handy guide to local sports bars in a neighborhood near you.

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This Bellevue bar is surrounded by plasma televisions plus a 60-inch big screen TV. Enjoy Redmond’s Mac & Jack’s African Amber or their Two Tun IPA with a barbecue ham dip sandwich. If you are in a giving mood, buy a star with your name on it to support the Starlight Children’s Foundation of Washington.

12001 N.E. 12th St., Bellevue, WA 98005

(425) 454-1554

The Pumphouse Bar & Grill is a blue-collar bar on the other side of the tracks from the Whole Foods in Bellevue, just off Interstate 405. It opened in 1978, the same year the Huskies won the Rose Bowl behind an offense led by quarterback Warren Moon and a defense led by linebacker Bruce Harrell, now a Seattle City Council member. Eight high definition, LCD and plasma televisions decorate this classic sports bar. With 18 beers on tap guests are bound to find a beer they enjoy.

11802 N.E. 8th St., Bellevue, WA 98005-3007

(425) 455-4110

As the name suggests, this spot is off Main Street, in Old Bellevue. The Spot Off Main opens at 9:45 a.m. every Saturday and Sunday in time for a full day of football. It also claims, “One of the longest happy hours in Bellevue,” 4-8 p.m. daily, to be exact. That means football fans can enjoy happy hour specials such as $1 off beers on tap, $4 well drinks, $5.99 glasses of wine and half off appetizers and pizzas while watching the Apple Cup.

20 103rd Ave. N.E., Bellevue, WA 98004

(425) 646-6434

Nestled atop Newport Hills, the Mustard Seed Grill & Pub is a neighborhood joint. Located in a shopping center that used to house a supermarket, there’s ample parking for many Husky and Cougar fans. The Mustard Seed Grill & Pub opens at 10:30 a.m. and closes at 2 a.m. so there’s plenty of time for pre-funk and post-funk.

5608 119th Ave. S.E., Bellevue, WA 98006

(425) 603-9001

JJ Mahoney’s bills itself as “Your friendly, neighborhood Irish pub. Families welcome.” Big screens surround the bar at this Irish pub. The menu includes Irish staples such as beer battered fish and chips, Shepherd’s Pie, and corned beef and cabbage, as well as an extensive selection of appetizers, salads and sandwiches. JJ Mahoney’s is at the base of Education Hill in Redmond at the Bella Bottega Theater Center.

8932 161st Ave. N.E., Redmond, 98052

(425) 558-1866

With 27 televisions, including four big screens, there’s not a bad seat in the house to watch the game. Arrive by 3 p.m. to enjoy happy hour specials through 7 p.m. at this Kirkland bar.

12506 N.E. 144th St., Kirkland, WA 98034-4508
(425) 821-6453

Executive Chef Kristin Mills, formerly of Barrio and Café Campagne, serves enchiladas, tacos, tortas and other Mexican specialties. Or try a shot from their hand selected barrel of Herradura tequila, the first of its kind in Washington. Perhaps a margarita made with said tequila would be more your preference.

148 Lake Street South, Kirkland, WA 98033
(425) 952-6270

The University District and Wallingford Wing Dome were regular stops when I was an undergraduate student at the University of Washington. Those two stores have since closed but their Kirkland location is still going strong. You could win, even if your team doesn’t, if you participate in the 7 Deadly Wings Challenge. Eat seven 7-alarm wings in seven minutes and it’s on the house, plus you will be immortalized on the Challenge Wall and warm yourself up some more with a 7 Deadly Wings Challenge T-shirt. Lose and foot the $7.77 bill.

232 Central Way, Kirkland, WA 98033

(425) 822-9464

Make Big Daddy’s Place your place for the Apple Cup. Take the free Big Daddy’s Woodinville wine tour starting at noon and be back to Big Daddy’s Place in time for the 4:30 p.m. kick-off. Saturdays are also steak night at Big Daddy’s Place.

13420 N.E. 177th Place, Woodinville, WA 98072

(425) 402-9887

Malarky’s Sports Grill

When at Malarky’s in Issaquah, choose from the extensive burger menu, which includes the chili cheese burger, Hawaiian burger, guacamole burger, Jack Daniels burger or the Malarky burger (two 1/3-pound patties served with cheddar, Swiss cheese, bacon, lettuce, mayonnaise, tomato and onion). Also, look for game-day specials.

1025 N.W. Gilman Blvd., Suite E-7, Issaquah, WA 98027

(425) 392-6356

The Roanoke Inn was built in 1914 and seemingly has been stuck in time since, except for the televisions surrounding the bar. Surviving prohibition, allegedly by serving booze concealed in coffee mugs, this Mercer Island institution and local watering hole was registered as a historic landmark by the Mercer Island Historical Society during the city’s bicentennial in 1976.

1825 72nd Ave. S.E., Mercer Island, WA 98040

(206) 232-0800

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