While Jersey has no literal ball in the big day, football fans are sure to huddle around a screen on Super Bowl Sunday.
As this 2023 redux of the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles rivalry is played out again for Super Bowl LIX on Feb. 9, it will be cheered on by millions watching the game in the Caesar’s Superdome in New Orleans.
If you are going to watch the big game but don’t feel like hosting from your couch, bring your pigskin posse to these Central Jersey sports bars.
Ready and raring to score a touchdown − and that extra point − these eight watering holes are sure bets with Super Bowl food, drink and fun.
Arooga’s, East Brunswick
With more than 100 televisions — some nearly theater-sized — every table is a great seat to watch the game at Arooga’s in East Brunswick. The bar has craft beers on tap, “liquor pitchers,” and fare like Amish perogies and buffalo chicken dip served all day on Super Bowl Sunday.
The snack and meal options are endless with wings, burgers, strombolis, pizzas, hand-breaded nuggets, truffle tots, drunken fish and chips, sheet tray nachos, and pulled pork bacon mac ‘n’ cheese.
Plus, Arooga’s has been voted by several publications as a great dining spot for families, so bring the kids and start a new Super Bowl tradition. Takeout, delivery and catering also are available if you’re staying home.
Go: 1031 Route 18, East Brunswick; 732-663-9464, aroogas.com/aroogas-rt-18-eastbrunswick.
Avellino’s Pizzeria and Sports Bar, Dunellen
Avellino’s is a sports bar hidden in a pizzeria, and a local favorite for many to share a pint and slice, catch the game and play darts.
Huge TV screens surround the bar and a new seating arrangement has recently been installed, so there are no bad seats in the house.
Avellino’s Italian cuisine includes pizza, pasta, subs, penne vodka, garlic knots, buffalo wings, and fettuccine Alfredo with chicken.
Go: 625 Bound Brook Road, Dunellen; 732-752-1111, avellinosnj.com.
Cryan’s Tavern, Annandale
Voted as the best Irish pub in Hunterdon County, Cryan’s Tavern in Annandale has been offering Irish and American gastronomic delights since it opened in 1960 — which was before the first NFL game.
The bar and restaurant has 24 beers on tap, including 15 craft beers, and food like chili, cheese curds, Irish pretzels, potstickers, shepherd’s pie, drunken chicken parm, bangers and mash, and burgers.
Double down on the in-house specialty — the thin-crust pizza — to complete your Super Bowl experience.
Go: 2 Beaver Avenue, Annandale; 908-735-9915, cryans.com.
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Gabriele’s Bar & Grill, Piscataway
Football fans can enjoy the big game at this 23-year-old Gabriele’s Bar & Grill in Piscataway thanks to Sunday specials on buffalo chicken egg rolls, jalapeno poppers, boneless chicken bites, cheeseburger sliders, cheese pizza flatbread and loaded nachos.
The bar and restaurant also serves sporty snacks like jumbo chicken wings, po’ boy shrimp tacos and French onion prime rib sandwiches.
There are also drink specials on Coors Light, Tito’s vodka and Casamigos cocktails.
Go: 1351 Centennial Ave., Piscataway; 732-981-1234, gabrielesbarandgrill.com.
Green Knoll Grill, Bridgewater
Outfitted with several dozen big-screen TVs, the Green Knoll Grill in Bridgewater is known for its food and drinks.
A staple for more than 100 years − before professional football was even a thing − the bar and restaurant offers domestic and imported beers, wines and seasonal drink specials.
Open from 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m., the menu scores with dishes such as calamari, Cajun steak bites, filet mignon tips, fish tacos, the Jersey burger and Cousin Pete’s Famous Chicken. New items include meatball sliders, penne vodka chicken and eggplant rollatini.
Go: 645 Route 202/206, Bridgewater; 908-526-7090, greenknollgrill.com.
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Greene Turtle Sports Bar & Grille, North Brunswick
With a draft menu that includes local brews, the Greene Turtle has more than 30 locations across the Mid-Atlantic, including one in North Brunswick.
The Greene Turtle is known for its crab dip and chicken tenders and also has a few new items on the snack slate including pow pow shrimp, ultimate nachos and fried pickles. There’s also a new crabby melt to go with the menu’s many burgers, sandwiches, salads and wings.
Takeout, catering and food delivery services also are available.
Go: 211 Main Street, North Brunswick; 732-515-9760, thegreeneturtle.com/location/north-brunswick.
Mannion’s Pub & Restaurant, Somerville
Known for its traditional Irish dishes, Mannion’s is an MVP of Somerville. Fans can enjoy the big game on HD wide screen TVs alongside food and drink specials.
Field goals here are the black and tan onion rings, shepherd’s pie, hot corned beef and Swiss sandwiches, mac and cheese Alfredo and beef stew.
There are also craft burgers and specialty desserts on the menu.
Go: 150 West Main Street, Somerville; 908-203-0700, mannionsirishpub.com.
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Tim Kerwin’s Tavern, Middlesex
A hot spot since the mid-1950’s with family tavern roots hailing back to 1890, Tim Kerwin’s in Middlesex can throw a pass with the best of them — no Hail Mary needed.
The Irish bar and restaurant has about a dozen huge television screens between the bar area and back room. It has 16 beers on tap and football specials on items like pizza, hot dogs and beer.
Complete the pass with their standout wings, with 10 flavors to choose from, or the homemade chicken pot pie. Finish it off with a round of pool, as the game is free during Sunday games.
Go: 353 Bound Brook Road, Middlesex; 732-968-3805, timkerwinstavern.com.
email: [email protected]
Cheryl Makin is an award-winning features and education reporter for MyCentralJersey.com, part of the USA Today Network. Contact: [email protected] or @CherylMakin. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Super Bowl in NJ: Here’s what sports bars to visit for the big game
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