World Series 2010: Where to Watch in San Francisco

Can’t afford the $400+ it’s going to take to afford standing room only tickets for the World Series at AT&T Park?

Or maybe you’d rather spend your time watching the torture that is the 2010 San Francisco Giants with a beer in your hand that didn’t cost $9.

Regardless, there’s plenty of places in San Francisco where you can not only fear the beard but also get a pretty decent drink special, even if many of the bars in the city are trying to quietly get rid of their happy hours whenever the Giants do well.

Where to Watch the 2010 World Series for FREE
and Drink for Cheap

Free Jumbotron in Civic Center – Game 5 – CONFIRMED!
Since the Giants are in a position to clinch the 2010 World Series on Monday night, The FOX TV network is allowing the city to host a public screening in Civic Center – weather permitting of course! There will be no public screening of any Game 6 or 7 since the Giants will be at home. [Civic Center event details]

Civic Center World Series Jumbotron Schedule
– Game 3 (Sat 3:30pm) – No event at Civic Center
– Game 4 (Sun 5:20pm) – No event at Civic Center
– Game 5 (Mon 4:57pm) – CONFIRMED! (weather permitting)
– Game 6 (Wed 4:57pm) – No event at Civic Center
– Game 7 (Wed 4:57pm) – No event at Civic Center

Free Viewing Portals at AT&T Park
AT&T Park does have a free “Knothole Gang” area behind the right field fence for 100 or so people to watch the game for free, but plan on arriving at least 4-5 hours early to make sure you can get rotated in – especially for the World Series. Fans can stand right behind Cody Ross in Right Field for up to three innings and then are rotated out. There’s no guarantee that you’ll get to see the game, but people report that you can bribe the guards to stay a bit longer with a bit of candy.

Bar Watching: 2010 World Series Happy Hour Specials
Many bars in San Francisco are expecting huge crowds during the World Series and have decided to stick it to their customers by canceling their normally happy hour deals. Here’s some bars that not keep their happy hour going, but also kick in some extra special World Series beer deals.

Bar on Church
OK, so the 5 TVs aren’t huge here, where else will you find $1 PBRs and free peanuts during the World Series as long as you’re wearing a Giants cap, shirt or boxers. (If you wear a Dodger hat, we’re told the drinks are twice as expensive). If PBR doesn’t wash down well, there’s $1 Busch and $3 well drinks and a pool table in case the game gets out of hand. Deals good until 9pm on all game days per Luis!
198 Church Street (at 14th St. / Market St.) – Castro District

Greens Sports Bar
23 screens means you’ll have a great view of the game no matter where you stand. The normal happy hour is put on hold as several beer companies are buying out the bar to have exclusive deals. Game 1 (Wed) is Heineken with $4 drafts and Heineken Light buckets – 6 for $18. Game 2 (Thu) is Coors Light and Game 3 (Sat) is Bud Light each with $3 drafts and buckets of 6 beers for $18.
2239 Polk St. (at Green St.) – Russian Hill

Royal Exchange
This is the Financial District’s version of “The End Up” after the stock market closes and all the analysts & traders need a drink. There are 18 TV screens (including a few pointing outside for the crowd). Drink specials include Deschutes’ Mirror Pond and Black Butte draughts for $4 and plates of wings, nachos and sliders (beef and pork) for $5
301 Sacramento St. (at Front St.) – Financial District

The Irish Times
Formerly Norton’s Vault, The Irish Times is surrounded by HDTVs on every wall. $3 Bud Light, $4 Widmer, $5 Svedka Vodka drink specials, plus a full food menu. Halloween Bonus! On Saturday wear a Halloween costume and get a one free drink (8pm to 8:30pm only)
500 Sacramento Street (at Sansome St.) – Financial Distirct

Players Arcade Sports Grill
Yes, this is a super touristy bar on Pier 39, but it’s one of the few in SF that has Dave & Busters type arcade games in case the game goes south. During the World Series $4 Coors Light, $15 beer buckets. Also, wear a Giants jersey or hat at get a free appetizer for your table as long as you spend $20.
Pier 39

Elixir
One of the oldest bars in San Francisco has several HDTVs (not always in perfect sync unfortunately). From 3pm to 7pm (M-F) get $1 off all drafts and well drinks, $3 Hamm’s and to attract all of the Brazilian baseball fans, a $6 Caipirinha.
16th St. and Guerrero St. – Mission District

King of Thai Noodle
Tucked amongst all of the Italian restaurants and coffee shops of North Beach is King of Thai Noodle. And tucked upstairs is a sports bar (but don’t call it a sports bar – they get mad) with a couch and three TVs and a great happy hour that’s good during World Series games. Drink yourself silly with $2 beer on tap, $2 domestic bottles, $3 imports and, more importantly a bevy of $5 Thai appetizers.
1268 Grant Ave. (at Vallejo) – North Beach

ShowDogs
There’s only one TV at this fancy hot dog joint, but they’ve got a Giants special good as long as the games go on: $10 for a dog, fries and beer. All beef Schwartz hot dog an order of fries and any draft beer (10 to choose from including Boont Amber Ale, North Coast Brewing Scrimshaw Pilsner and Speakeasy Prohibition Ale)
1020 Market Street (at Taylor) – btwn Powell St. and Civic Center BART

The LookOut
Perched high over the corner of Market and Noe, The LookOut is showing the games on all their TVs and having $5 Black Beard Rum cocktails in honor of Brian Wilson – you’ll get a free costume black beard with your purchase. There’s also $4 well drinks, $4 glasses of wine, $4 big boy margaritas, $2.50 Bud Lights and food specials like $3 garlic fries and $5 sliders.

Post-game entertainment includes a DJ & drag show on Wednesday, Dirty Dishes (DJs & indoor food cart festival) on Thursday, a make-your-own-margarita bar during the game on Saturday and a “Jocks vs. Cheerleaders” Halloween party on Sunday.
Market and Noe – Castro

Columbus Cafe
There’s no special World Series drink deals at North Beach’s Columbus Cafe, but they’re normal happy hour is still in effect and it’s so good we think this is worth an honorable mention. From 4pm to 8pm (M-F) most tap beers are 2 for 1. For every beer you buy you get a chip for one free draft beer that you can use right then, or save for another day. 4 TVs, pool table and a great jukebox.
562 Green St. (at Grant St.) – North Beach

Kells Irish Restaurant and Pub
A great alternative if all the usual Financial District hotspots (like Royal Exchange and Harringtons) are full. $2 PBR during every game, $7 Carling and a shot, plus there’s likely to be a rotating appetizer special for each game like $3 calamari. Lots of seating, lots of HDTVs.
530 Jackson Street (at Columbus) – Financial District

1300 Fillmore
A game 1 deal only, but it’s a great one! To celebrate the restaurant’s 3rd anniversary, enjoy $3 cocktails  and $3 bar food specials from 4:30pm until close (via sf eater)
1300 Fillmore (at Eddy) – Fillmore District

Danny Coyle’s
Irish pub that loves soccer and the Giants equally had 7 giant HDTVs and on big screen TV with surround sound. World Series drink specials include $6 Giant Bombs (jager & orange soda),$3 Harlem,$3 Sam Adams,$2.50 Tecate. 14 Draft beers and a full bar.
668 Haight St. (at Pierce) – Lower Haight

The Independent
Normally a concert venue, The Independent sometimes opens early for film screenings.  For World Series Game 2 (Thu 10/28)  they’ve got their giant 18×14 foot projection screen pulled down over the stage and will be offering up domestic pitchers for $13 and microbrew pitchers (Lagunita’s IPA, Prohibtion Speakeasy, Wydmere Hefeweizen, Stella, Anchor Steam) for $17.
628 Divisadero (at Hayes ) – NoPa / Alamo Square

More World Series Specials at Ocean Beach Bulletin, 7×7 and onlyinsanfrancisco.com

>> Know of any other good drink specials for the 2010 World Series? Leave us a comment below!

For you serious drinkers, here’s a full list of Bars near AT&T Park
No guarantee that they’ll all be showing the games on TV, but here’s how you can be close to the action
The Public House – 24 Willie Mays Plaza
Mijita Cocina Mexicana – 24 Willie Mays Plaza
Pete’s Tavern – 128 King St.
Pedro’s Cantina – 128 King St.
Nama Sushi – 227 King St.
Java House – Pier 40
Carmen’s Restaurant – Pier 4
Red’s Java House – Pier 30
Hi Dive – Pier 28 ½
Gordon Biersch – 2 Harrison
Delancey Street – 600 Embarcadero
Momo’s – 760 2nd St
Paragon _ 701 2nd St
Ozone – 598 2nd St.
21st Amendment – 563 2nd St.
Ironside – 680 2nd St.
Zeke’s Diamond Bar – 600 3rd St.
O’Neill’s Irish Pub – 747 3rd St.
Spire Restaurant & Bar – 685 3rd St.
3rd Street Grill – 695 3rd St.
Iron Cactus – 683 4th St
Hotel Utah Saloon – 500 4th St.
The Creamery – 685 4th St.
District – 216 Townsend
Tres Agaves – 130 Townsend
The American Grill Cheese Kitchen – 1 South Park St.
Bar Disc (Gallery Lounge) – 510 Brannan