Let’s take a look iton the Yankee Stadium bar scene…
Stan’s Sports Bar & Restaurant
“The Bronx’s Best Bar for all the home games.” Stan’s has become a fixture on River Avenue, where many fans stop in before and after Yankee games for a beer. You can hear the rumblings of the 4 train as it passes through, because Stan’s is located right under the tracks. Inside, the bar is chock full of Yankee posters. Pictures and baseball cards featuring the likes of Joe DiMaggio, Reggie Jackson and Babe Ruth. Beer and the haze of cigarettes hang in the air around 5 mounted televisions on the walls, where the Yankee game is being shown. Fans sit in old-style wood bleacher seats, painted Yankee blue and white. The bar has achieved its immense popularity without any advertising, relying on word of mouth and media exposure. “It’s a landmark.”
Yankee Tavern
This bar has been family owned since 1923. It was once a watering hole for Lou Gehrig, Yogi Berra, and Babe Ruth (who was known to buy a round after the game). Every bit of wall space pays homage to the Bronx Bombers. Murals of Mickey Mantle, Yankee Stadium, Joltin’ Joe and Jason Giambi cover the walls. There’s a bat signed by Yogi Berra over the bar. On game days, hours are often extended, and Freddy Sez has been known to stop and bang his frying pan. You’ll feel like you’re in a Yankee Museum. Long wood bar, great bartenders and a full menu is available. The bar is crowded year-round thanks to its location near the Bronx Supreme Court building.
Stadium Billy’s Sports Bar
For a bar in the Bronx that’s got vibe, this is the place to go. Billy’s is a fun and great place to go after a game while you wait for the subway crowds to thin out. There’s a great mix of Yankees fans. You’ve got to love a bar where the Wall Street suits and the Bleacher Creatures can party together. They have a great atmosphere. Die hard Yankee fans were partying like crazy and they were all very friendly and awesome. Theirs beers are quite expensive, especially for the Bronx (people say, “it’s not Manhattan,” but most bars even in Manhattan don’t charge that much for a bottle). They have good music, tv’s all over the place, typical bar food you’d find anywhere and the service is usually pretty quick. Billy’s is your run of the mill bar. Many usually go here because they can’t get in the mobbed Stan’s. You can usually find Bald Vinny (the roll call guy) selling his Bleacher Creatures apparel outisde Billy’s before the games.
Ball Park Sports Bar & Grill
You have it all here. A bar, a souvenir shop, and a bowling alley. Nothing is on tap. Bottles are the way to go. The bar has chrome-plated bar stools. Not very sports related, unless you hit up the souvenir shop. This sports bar is adjoining the Ball Park Lanes.
Ball Park Lanes
Before, during and after Yankees games, this 50-lane alley is jammed with pinstripe groupies. During the hours of a Yankees ballgame, the lanes are busy like an airport terminal. It all feels a little like a OTB facility, but you hear the sounds of pins getting knocked down int he background. The lanes have a different league every night for a marathon 36 weeks starting after Labor Day. The 12-week summer season is on weeknights only. Monday is reserved as beginner’s night and Friday as open bowling year-round.
Yankee Eatery
A Yankees-themed restaurant located on River Avenue that is owned by Louie Dituri. The eatery has been opened for every Yankees home game for the past 14 years. You’ll find a quick service place that serves American cuisine. Expect the average entree to cost under $8. They have the coldest beer in town. “We’re only here when the Yankees are playing,” Mr. Dituri said. “So no baseball, no business. We wait all winter for this.” The shop is open only during Yankees home games, including playoffs.
M. B. Rozell
Kevin Rozell
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