Watching the Sunday game comfortably seated in a sports bar in New York has become more complicated than booking dinner at luxury restaurants like Carbone or Corner Store.
To enjoy the plays of your favorite football or soccer team from a prime spot, you need to reserve weeks, sometimes months, in advance, get introduced by someone, or be prepared to pay thousands of dollars for a VIP table.
“You have to book at least two weeks ahead, or you won’t find a spot,” says Mia Firenze to the press. Her favorite place to watch games is Blue Haven South on Fulton Street, famous for its lively atmosphere and diverse clientele, which reflects the growing popularity of the National Football League (NFL), the world’s largest professional football league, among young women.
“It’s the best place in the city to follow this sport,” she added. The increasing interest from women in the NFL has been further boosted by the famous couple, singer Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, a tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs. Thanks to their popularity, there was an 11% increase in 2023, with 64% of Gen Z and millennials now following the league more closely.
At luxury bars like Rocco’s Sports & Recreation, which opened last year in the West Village, the demand for tables is so high that a $1,000 minimum spend has been introduced to secure a spot on the comfortable couches.
General Manager Christine Correa emphasized, “We had to implement this to manage the huge demand.” Some customers book months in advance, and the bar has even introduced a seasonal membership that guarantees the same seating every week, naturally accompanied by champagne and other treats.
Roy, a 35-year-old lawyer celebrating his bachelor party, had to shell out a hefty $3,000 to watch two games. Although the cost was quite high, he eventually decided to accept it, “happy to enjoy the peace of an exclusive area.”
Even at other historic spots in the West Village, like The Spaniard and White Horse Tavern, long lines of fans can be seen on the sidewalks over the weekend. By now, New York City’s bars have become the true beating heart of sports fandom.
