Posts Tagged ‘sports’
Posted by Geoff Nelowet / Thursday, May 17th, 2012
The UEFA soccer final is May 19. Don’t get the games on your TV? Check out NoVA’s most futball-friendly game-watching bars.
By Sally Traynham & Julia Harbo
Deklofenak/Shutterstock
Broadlands Sports Bar & Grill
42882 Truro Parish Drive, Ashburn
broadlandssportsbarandgrill.com
Bugsy’s Sports Bar
111 King St., Alexandria
bugsyspizza.com
Bunker Sports Cafe
510-I E. Market St., Leesburg
bunkersportscafe.com
Crystal City Sports Pub
529 S. 23rd St., Arlington
ccsportspub.com
Finnegan’s Irish Pub
1608 Village Market Blvd., Leesburg
finnegansirishbar.com
Glory Day’s Grill
Multiple locations
glorydaysgrill.com
Ireland’s Four Courts
2051 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
irelandsfourcourts.com
Kilroy’s
5250 Port Royal Road, Springfield
kilroys.com
Lucky’s Sports Theatre & Grill
7027 Manchester Blvd., Alexandria
luckyssportstheatre.com
Public House No.7
6315 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church
publichouseno7.com
Summers Restaurant
1520 N. Courthouse Road, Arlington
summers-restaurant.com
The Auld Shebeen
3971 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax
theauldshebeenva.com
(May 2012)
Looky Who Made GQ’s Most Powerful List!
Posted by Lorin Drinkard / Tuesday, February 28th, 2012
That would be Eric Cantor.
Not Superman, but super awesome. / Photo credit: Shutterstock/ Olly
When GQ rolled out their annual 50 Most Powerful People in Washington list earlier this month, we had no doubt they would roundup a great slew of the District’s top movers and shakers. Our very own Virginia House Majority Leader clearly fits that bill.
Holiday Guide: Home Runs for the Sports Fan
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Thursday, December 8th, 2011
Hello there, shoppers! If you’re excited to go holiday shopping but armed with less than ample ideas, you’re not alone. If only everyone would be forthcoming with their wish lists, right? Santa has it so easy with everyone being so specific — minus all that travel and the length of his list.
At any rate, fret no more. Help is here. Inspiration shall abound. Your friends at SWAG have done all the homework so you don’t have to. Each weekday today through Dec. 13, score ideas for absolutely everyone on your list!
Today:
Home Runs for the Sports Fan
Sports junkies aren’t too hard to please, but getting the wrong gift can get you tackled. Check out SWAG’s gift guide to save you a lot of pain this holiday season.
What: Sports Illustrated Almanac 2012
Sports Illustrated Almanac 2012 (Photo courtesy of amazon.com)
Why: Football, fencing, hockey, handball and more … no matter what sport your sports junkie is into, this almanac has it covered. Complete with Sports Illustrated essays, statistics, records, ticketing and venue information for pro sports.
Where to Get It: Amazon
What It’ll Cost You: about $9.56
What: Sports-based Video Games
Madden NFL 12 (Photo courtesy of amazon.com)
Why: There are some great video games out there that can put the sports junkie into the game. NHL 12, Madden NFL 12, FIFA Soccer 12, NBA 2K12 and countless others.
Where to Get It: Amazon and other video game stores.
What They’ll Cost You: $45 and up
What: Super Bowl XLVI Tickets
2012 Super Bowl XLVI tickets (Photo courtesy of childrenscbf.org)
Why: What football fan’s life wouldn’t be complete after scoring tickets to the Super Bowl?
Where to Get Them: NFL Ticket Exchange
What It’ll Cost You: $2,597 to $14,207 (each)
What: Sports Packages
Sports Packages (photo courtesy of chelseasrestaurantpub.com)
Why: Want to upgrade your sports fan’s experience? Upgrade to DIRECTV or Verizon Fios sports packages.
Where to Get It: DIRECTV or Verizon Fios websites. A tougher one to pull off, may need to have your name on the account. If you don’t, you can do an IOU and take care of it after the holidays.
What It’ll Cost You: various prices.
What: “Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game”
(photo courtesy of amazon.com)
Why: “Moneyball” the movie may have been a big hit at the box office thanks to its eye candy for female sports fans, but the book is a sure bet for anyone who has an affinity for baseball — or math, really.
Where to Get It: Booksellers like Amazon
What It’ll Cost You: $8.29 on Kindle, $9.72 on paperback, $15.21 on hardcover at Amazon
What: Team Grill Pro
(photo courtesy of uniquesportsfan.com)
Why: This gift helps take your favorite college football fan’s tailgating to a whole new level! An NFL version is also available, costs a bit more.
Where to Get It: Uniquesportsfan.com
What It’ll Cost You: $799
Happy shopping!
– Lexie Ramage
Posted by Rebekah Lowe / Monday, September 12th, 2011
By Lorin Drinkard
KICKBALL VS. SOFTBALL
There are those people—who shall remain nameless—that insist their preferred co-rec sport is the best. So, we decided to have a little play-off competition between two of Northern Virginia’s biggest and most popular adult co-rec leagues: WAKA Kickball, say hello to Fairfax Adult Softball (FAS). We surveyed, prodded and compiled all the stats for a complete play-by-play breakdown below.
Joe Belanger/shutterstock.com (dodgeball); artproem/shutterstock.com (t-shirt); Tomislav Forgo/shutterstock.com (softball); iofoto/shutterstock.com (pitcher); Brocreative/shutterstock.com (ref); zimmytws/shutterstock.com (plate)
(August 2011)
Reduced Invents Fresh Sports Comedy Nightly
Posted by clara / Friday, July 8th, 2011
Friday, July 8, 2011
To be fair, I must tell you that I once performed in “The Bible: The Complete Word of God (abridged)” and I stayed after the performance to get Reed Martin, Austin Tichenor and Matt Rippy’s autographs.
The Reduced Shakespeare Company, made up of standout comedians Martin, Tichenor and Rippy, is performing “The Complete World of Sports (abridged)” at the Kennedy Center through July 24. Performing isn’t quite the right term for what I saw, though. It’s more like inventing. They’re a fast-talking group that delivers on the spot punch lines, some tailored specifically to our area. For instance, they joked about former Congressman Weiner, the Washington Redskins, even the state of Virginia itself.
Reduced Shakespeare Company's "Complete World of Sports (Abridged)." Photo by John Burgess
Some of the best moments happened at their so-called mess-ups. They improvise their way through a situation, always challenging each other to take it a step further, and watching them struggle, contend, and defeat themselves on stage is hilarious. It’s also the result of a group that knows each other so well they practically know what’s coming next.
Their show is family-friendly, but the Shrek kind, the one where it is appropriate for kids because the jokes that aren’t go right over their heads. To give you an example, but not to spoil the fun, Tichenor spotlights Tiger Woods in a Nike, Gatorade and McDonald’s sponsored ad. The Tiger Woods’s favorite punch lines, it’s called: “Just Do It,” “Is It in You?” and “I’m Lovin’ It.”
The RSC has more than just good jokes up their sleeve. The performance is also audience-participation, and involves some singing, both from them (which is excellent) and from us (which we all hope our spouses didn’t hear). But at least we weren’t lip syncing like the Chinese girl at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
As the Kennedy Center’s Jeremy Birch writes, “Sports fans will like this show. Sports haters will love this show.” As the trio says, “What’s the most exciting thing that can happen in baseball?” “A no-hitter.” “The most exciting thing that can happen is when nothing happens.” And that’s the sort of insight that allows them to humorously make fun of American, and world, sports culture.
For more information, visit www.kennedy-center.org.
–Clara Ritger
Pro basketball hits Northern Virginia
Posted by colin / Monday, June 13th, 2011
If the Washington Wizards aren’t giving you much to cheer about these days, perhaps you should turn to Northern Virginia’s new professional basketball team, the NoVA Wonders.
The Wonders are an expansion team in the once defunct American Basketball Association and will compete in the 2011-2012 season. The team will host a tryout in Chantilly on Saturday, July 9.
In a press release, ABA CEO Joe Newman said his league has had its eyes on NoVA for a while and is excited about the people they have in place to run the expansion squad.
“In Jacqueline “Jackie” Smith, Cassandra Warren and Joy Pickett, we have found three great women to own and operate the team, all with extraordinary basketball and business experience,” says Newman in the press release. “I have no doubt that the NoVA Wonders are going to be a spectacular addition to the ABA.”
The original ABA merged with the National Basketball Association after its 1976 season, but ABA 2.0 is bigger than ever. The league had 24 teams last season in locations ranging from Seattle, Wash., to Jacksonville, Fla., and plans to expand even more with teams like the Wonders.
ABA-style basketball is centered around a more high-powered offense, with scores often soaring past triple digits for both teams. The league is also focused on community involvement and, according to their website, so are the NoVA Wonders.
“The NoVA Wonders maintain the ABA’s philosophy of promoting community-based, exciting, high scoring, above the rim professional basketball entertainment,” the team states on their website. “We want our audience and fans to reflect our community and we are committed to making a positive impact in the Northern Virginia area through partnerships with non-profit and community based organizations.”
The Wonders’ schedule is not set in stone yet, but they will begin play late this November.
-Colin Daileda
Football + Food + Fun = Great American Past Time
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Wednesday, January 5th, 2011
The college football bowl season is finally winding down, but the NFL’s postseason is just getting started this weekend. Not to mention that the NBA, NHL and college basketball seasons are in full swing.
Watching the games at home is all well and good, but Northern Virginia is home to a multitude of bars that cater specifically to sports fans. You may go with no intention of eating, but it’s been my experience that many of these establishments turn out to be restaurants worth trying more than once.
One of my personal favorites is Crystal City Sports Pub, located a little over a mile from the Crystal City Metro Station. It has three floors and flat screen televisions everywhere you turn. A definite must at a sports bar! Alumni associations like to meet there, so there’s always that chance you’ll run into someone you know from your alma mater. It’s fairly easy to make new friends with similar loyalties too. Game day experiences here can make up for the fact that you weren’t able to go to the actual game. You can cheer or jeer as much as would like, with plenty of others doing the same.
A typical football game can last over three hours, so I recommend trying a few things off the menu while you’re there. Tasty appetizers include spinach artichoke and buffalo chicken dip. If you’re still hungry afterwards, feel free to try one of the many entrées that are guaranteed to hit the spot. You can’t go wrong with one of their mouth-watering burgers or saucy chicken wings with your choice of ranch or bleu cheese dressing. An assortment of salads are also available. Sufficed to say, there’s something for everyone.
Don’t forget about the growing list of beers on tap you can try while enjoying the game. Five domestic bottle buckets are a usually a better deal than pitchers. You can save yourself up to $2, and get a little more beer in the process.
I’ve also had pleasurable experiences at the Hard Times Cafe in Fairfax and Lucky’s Pub in Alexandria. Whether it’s the spicy chili platters at Hard Times or ultra competitive arcade games at Lucky’s, I’ve always enjoyed myself no matter what. Most sports fans will too.
-Ryan Robertson
Crystal City Sport Pub's Third Floor (image: www.dcsocialite.com)
Readers Respond to Joining a Team
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Thursday, March 25th, 2010
Thursday, March 25th, 2010
Earlier this week, I blogged about the merits of joining a softball team for good old-fashioned fun. Based on your responses, the ball park is where it’s happening. It replaces the gym for some, serves as the social scene for others and is the perfect outlet to relieve stress for everyone.
“I love to play softball on Thursdays. It’s a great way to rewind after a hectic work week, enjoy some fresh spring air and take in the beautiful scenery on the Mall. Although I didn’t meet my significant other while playing, I do use softball as an excuse to get away from the wife and kids for a few hours.”—Lefty
“I enjoy spring and summer in Northern Virginia so much because it provides me with the opportunity to play my favorite sport, softball, which allows me to take in some sun, laugh and exercise and have a celebratory cocktail after the games with my teammates. I play competitively, which I think guys really respect. I have developed solid friendships, and it has helped me get through a bad breakup. Relieving stress helped me put the past where it belongs!”—Miss Competitive
“I actually have a really fun suggestion. It’s not really a sport, and I didn’t sign up to meet men (not directly!), but there is a place in NoVA called Diva Fit that has pole-dancing classes! I absolutely love it. I recommend you check out the website (four locations) at www.divafitonline.com. It’s a crazy good workout, and you can meet a lot of other cool women. Then when you happen to meet a guy, you can mention that you are a pole-dancing expert.”—Tiny Dancer
“Flip-flops kick arse! Softball is a great way to meet people, and so is kickball. Both have a commonality—beer. Pick a good team and pick the right person on the team, or else it will be a recipe for disaster since both are team sports and if you date and it does not work out then you will have that awkwardness that could ruin the team’s chemistry. So choose wisely, and don’t overthink the play, and being last is not always bad. Nice people always finish last!”—No Rookie
“I am interested in joining a team. Do you have a list of teams in the area or suggestions how to join? Much obliged!”—Lois
I do have information for you, Lois. Go online to your city or town’s website. For example, www.arlingtonva.us. Click on the “parks and recreation” tab. Once there, look for a tab that says “adult sports” or “adult activities.” You can learn more there.
And thanks, Tiny Dancer, for your suggestion about “a crazy good workout.” I’ll be checking that one out.
–Katie
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Monday, March 22nd, 2010
Monday, March 22nd, 2010
Spring has finally arrived and, along with it, warmer temperatures. It’s time to bring out my favorite shoe of the year: flip-flops. I have also unearthed my pair of softball cleats as I prepare for another season of unpredictable fun.
Softball, a very popular activity among Northern Virginians, is a sure sign that spring is here and that summer is around the corner. People of all ages, careers and backgrounds play the game to compete, relieve stress or to socialize. The game doesn’t discriminate when it comes to defining relationships, since you see couples and singles alike participating. Being athletic is helpful if winning is your goal, but not necessarily a prerequisite.
You may be thinking, But I’ve never played before! No problem. You have to start somewhere. You could begin in the outfield as a rover or behind the plate catching. If it means you hit singles and get out at first, you’re not alone.
If you’re looking to meet someone new, either romantically or otherwise, then joining one of the many area teams is a great way to start. It beats the bar scene, and serves as the perfect breakup therapy, should you require it.
–Katie
Do you participate in a spring or summer activity? Which sports or groups are good when it comes to meeting new people? What is your reason for joining an activity? Have you joined a team in the past and met your future husband, wife, boyfriend or girlfriend? Post a comment below, or email me—your responses can be anonymous—at littleredbook@northernvirginiamag.com.
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010
Thrillist is offering $4,350 in cash to whoever can correctly crown the “best sports bar in America”–i.e., the best place for everyday fans to pull up and stool, suck down a few brews and spend some quality time loosing profanity-laced tirades at telegenic jocks flittering across mondo plasma screens–via their ongoing Bar Madness contest (2/24-3/24).
Thrillist prognosticators narrowed the playing field to 12 major cities (Washington D.C., included) and got first crack at laying down their sports bar markers : Hard Times – Clarendon and Maddy’s and were their auto-selections.
Participants can also pitch write-in candidates during the first (Crystal City Sports Pub and Grand Slam are the latest recruits) and third round (3/8-3/10).
Check out the full schedule and per-round prize breakdown here.
Having recently toured some diehard sports hubs, I’m very interested to see how our area fares against more renowned sports capitals (New York, Chicago, Los Angeles).
Meanwhile, what local watering holes would you put up against the rest of the country?
–Warren