Watching NFL American football

Well a late night on Saturday meant that i had to puss out this week. God I hate getting old. Hope everyone's having fun.

No worries. It was me and Rose and some other non-TTers. I stayed through halftime of the second game but everything was pretty mellow compared to last week.

Perhaps more will come next week if there's a more interesting game. I'm starting to like Salamas more and more - the owner is so nice. I wouldn't mind continuing to go there. Only problem I see is that the back room got pretty smoky last night (and this is coming from one who enjoys an occasional cigarette). Roman actually stopped by briefly but had to leave because of his allergies - Sorry Roman, I felt bad that you couldn't stay

One problem is that the door to the outside was closed last night for the first time, but this will be more common as the winter wears on. I think the only solution here is to try to enforce a no smoking policy in the back room. If people want to smoke they can at least walk out by the bar - the game is still on there as well. This may be difficult to enforce as there seems to be different people coming in each week, but we can give it a try. If we do a rotation of venues each week things could be better as well - Belushi's in particular has much better ventilation.

True - and belushi's has higher celings too which helps. I will note that I didn't notice how smoky everything got until I went to put on my winter coat this morning and realzed it reeked of stale cigs. YUCK (and thank goodness for febreeze!)

I'm all for belushi's next weekend - it also means I can stay a little later since we're on a line I can get home from easier.

Yes, the owner of Salama's (Mr. Salama, I presume) is pretty rad. But that's a good point about the smoke. I'm sure that those of us here would be more than willing to make accomadations, but I don't know how flexible strangers would be. Maybe I've been here too long, but the idea of someone in Germany walking 10 feet so as not to smoke right next to you seems unrealistic. Anyway, I'm in for Belushi's next week. If I'm not mistaken, the Dolphins are on, so Roman's gotta make it down.

This week's NASN football games - October 21, 2007:

19:00 New England vs Miami - NFL
AFC East rivals face off in the Sunshine State with Tom Brady and the Patriots looking to pick up a road win against Trent Green and the Dolphins

22:00 Chicago vs Philadelphia - NFL
Rex Grossman leads the reigning NFC champion Bears into action at Lincoln Financial Field against Donovan McNabb and the Eagles in this Week 7 head to head.

02:00 Pittsburgh vs Denver - NFL
Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers make the trip to Invesco Field at Mile High to take on their AFC rivals, Jay Cutler and the Broncos.

The only question is if Roman will want to join the party, or (as he mentioned last weekend) watch it on his computer since he pays to get ALL the games he can possibly handle at home...

~Rose

Thanks all,

I hope I didn't come across as too much of a jerk. I have been here almost 7 years and I don't think I will ever get used too the whole smoking thing.
If it is Belushi's next week than I am 100% in! (get to watch the Dolphins get their ass kicked yet once again) I really liked the Salmas set up but that little room with smoke is a death trap for me.
3 weeks ago I checked out Juleps New York Bar & Restaurant, Brian the owner, is a TTer and cool. The place has an amazing atmosphere, huge screen and cheap American Budweiser. The only drawbacks are it is a little far away (Charlottenburg, Giesebrecht Str.3 10629) and the food is high-end and a bit pricey. Anyways, if we want to rotate then we should make a list of places, where they are and what they are like. In Spandau there is a place called "The American Sports Bar" and that is exactly what it, awesome atmosphere but the location really sucks. Although, the Spandau S-bahn isn't too far away.
Anyways, Belushi's next Sunday and then we can discuss other possibilities.
See you all there!

At least by the playoffs, the smoking ban should be in effect.

See the HUGE smile on my face!

OK, I'll start compiling the list. Here are the venues that we have so far.

Salama's - Located in Friedrichshain; Small, cozy place; nice owner; large screen TV in a private room

Belushi's - Located in Mitte; Nice sports bar atmosphere; decent food; lots of TV's so there are other options besides NFL (this can be good and bad)

Julep's New York Bar and Restaurant - Located in Charlottenburg; Quoting Roman: "amazing atmosphere, huge screen and cheap American Budweiser"; not sure if that last one is a pro or a con

American Sports Bar - Located in Spandau; like the name suggests, american sports bar atmosphere

Ceili House - Near Ludwigkirchplatz in Wilmersdorf

The Old Emerald Isle - Located in Kreuzberg; we may face stiff competition from fans of the other football

Oscar Wilde - Located in Mitte; again, soccer fans may control the TVs here

So, that's a pretty good list I think. Anyone have any other favorite places that I forgot to include? Do we want to visit each of these in our rotation?

Take Oscar Wilde off the list. They always show Spanish soccer on Sunday nights. At best you get to see the first half of the first NFL game, and that's assuming the person working there can be bothered to put it on (which is not always the case). I've been burned there before.

Hey everyone! I have been looking for an American bar in Berlin showing NFL and am very happy to see a list on this forum! Anyways, I was thinking of popping into Belushis for the early games but does anyone know if it stays open late enough for the late game (would like to watch the Bronco game for a bit if possible)?

I have no idea if they'll stay open for the 2:00 am game. The first two for sure, though.

Belushi's seems to be open nearly 24 hours. They have a hostel as part of their establishment, so they're used to all the tourists being up at "odd" hours.

It does slow down a bit after about 1 am, but they'll have the game on (it's where I pulled an all nighter to watch the Red Sox lose).

~Rose

For those of you healthy enough (I'm going to try to go but don't hold your breath folks since I've been sick for several days) here's a repost of the games tonight - I think the meetup is still at Belushi's:

This week's NASN football games - October 21, 2007:

19:00 New England vs Miami - NFL
AFC East rivals face off in the Sunshine State with Tom Brady and the Patriots looking to pick up a road win against Trent Green and the Dolphins

22:00 Chicago vs Philadelphia - NFL
Rex Grossman leads the reigning NFC champion Bears into action at Lincoln Financial Field against Donovan McNabb and the Eagles in this Week 7 head to head.

02:00 Pittsburgh vs Denver - NFL
Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers make the trip to Invesco Field at Mile High to take on their AFC rivals, Jay Cutler and the Broncos.

I'm sick..really sick. Fever, throat and all.
Fell asleep at 7pm last night.
I really wanted to come but if I do everyone else will get this since it was handed to me by my kids (little carrier monkeys)

Have fun and don't enjoy the Dolphins defeat too much. hahaha

Roman - I think I'm getting over what you have now! Get well soon.

Get well soon. I had it a week or two ago.

Alright sports fans. Attendance dwindled to two last week, but we soldiered on bravely. A couple issues came up, however.

NASN vs. Sky:
We went to Belushi’s on the assumption that the Pats-Dolphins game would be on. It wasn’t. We were instead treated to the sight of Tampa Bay and Detroit attempting to play football. The reason for this? Belushi’s was showing Sky, not NASN, and the two had different games on. This needs to be taken into consideration in the future when choosing a venue. To the best of my knowledge, the following venues have the following networks:

Salama’s: NASN
Belushi’s: NASN and Sky (I’m sure they would have switched over if we’d asked)
Emerald Isle, Ceili House: Sky
Juleps New York Bar (the place Roman mentioned): no idea, but I’d guess NASN

The logic behind this is that NASN is available on the Kabel Deutschland digital cable package, while sky requires having a satellite dish pointed not at the satellite serving Germany, but rather the one serving the UK. You also need a technically illegal subscription (you are only permitted to have a Sky subscription in the UK and Ireland). The Irish pubs that make they money from showing English soccer therefore go in for Sky, while nobody else has a reason to fork out all the money it costs (I’ve looked into getting it at home, and it is quite expensive).

Sound at Belushi’s:
It’d sure be nice if they’d turn it on. With different people there to watch different things on different screens, I understand the cacophony that would ensue, but it’s still a bit annoying watching a game in silence.

So where does that leave us? This week’s schedule.
NASN:
17.00: Giants – Dolphins
21.00: Redskins – Pats
No late game due to baseball

Sky:
17.30 Giants –Dolphins
21.15: Saints – 49ers
Not sure if they ever have the late game
*note: the games are early this week because we are changing our clocks this weekend while the USA is not. The time difference to the east coast will therefore only be 5 hours. Also, the Giants – Dolphins game actually starts at 18.00, but it seems that both stations are doing a lot of pregame.

So that’s good news. We all get to go to bed an hour early!

Now, which venue for this week? If people are interested in watching baseball later (I’m not, but you might be), we need to go someplace with NASN, as Sky does not carry baseball to my knowledge. So that’s Salama’s, Belushi’s and maybe Juleps New York Bar (someone should call ahead, in that case).

I’m open. The early start time means I’m a little more willing to venture out than usual, so if Roman can swear by Juleps, I’d give it a go. Otherwise, I am as always in the Salama’s camp.

Thoughts, wishes, confessions?

As always, I am on the fence. I'd be up for Salamas, Belushis, or Juleps.

So, you might ask, "Why is this guy even posting?"
Well, just to let everyone know that I'll be there (wherever there is).

Hey all...almost recovered (the cold, not the damned game)

Juleps is a very nice, clean and friendly place. If we don't mind the munchies being a bit pricey then I say lets give it a go.
Juleps NY Bar & Restaurant has Happy Hour All night long Cocktails 4.85€ Great Wings & Burgers available till midnight. Tel. 030 8818823 in Charlottenburg Giesebrecht Str.3 10629
2.50€ Budweiser
BZ wrote (check online) best Burger in the City Blind Test

I called and we are reserved for 6-6:30 Sunday. Let me know if we change our minds.

And we get to watch the Dolphins get creamed again...and again..and again (SOB!)

Way to take the bull by its horns.

When you say pricey food, what exactly does that mean (it just determines whether I have dinner beforehand)? Their website is the opposite of informative: http://www.juleps-berlin.de/

€4.85 cocktails and €2.50 Bud are good deals, though. But I hope this doesn't mean that I have to drink Bud.

Hey, if BZ likes it ...

Edit to note: don't forget, the game starts at 18.00, not 19.00 as in previous weeks. An 18.00-18.30 arrival means missing the start of the game.

Wow, that is a really uninformative website!

The food in the pictures looks good, although I can't imagine drinking a Bud with some of those entrees. Alright, I guess I'm drinking Manhattans all night!

BTW, who or what is BZ? Gimme a break, I'm a newbie. I'm really interested in the "Blind Burger Test". I'm imagining a blindfolded restaurant critic being dragged (literally) to burger joints all over the city. I love the concept.

Prices..well.

Burgers run between 9 and 12 Euro, I think the wings were around 10 Euro (not sure how many you get but the portions that I saw were pretty big)
That's all I remember.

For a quality burger with fries, that's a fair price. It just better be a step up from McDonald's (and Belushi's, for that matter). Wings. Hmm. Germany. Could they be good? I’m doubtful. But maybe.

BZ: if you've ever been on the train heading to work in the morning and noticed a naked woman on the back page of somebody's newspaper, you've probably seen the BZ. As for a 'Blind Burger Test', I was thinking more along the lines of taking the visually impaired around to different restaurants.

I like that one too! In the US it would be a reality show. Maybe it is already...

Stop making me laugh...every laugh ends up being a half hour of coughing. Stupid cold.
My fellow workers think I have the plague!

Oh, if you have any extra naked blind women lying around, bring them along on Sunday for a burger (my wife is gonna kill me if she reads this).

I'm working this weekend... but... tentatively, you're invited to belushi's for the 1AM start of the world series... on Sunday. I left out on Sunday. DUH. (long day at work).

More specifically Sunday night. So 01:00 CET Monday, if you want to get picky.

Just in case anyone is as clueless as me: Don't forget about daylight savings tomorrow! Turn your clocks back an hour.

Otherwise you'll arrive early with nothing to do but drink Bud

Ok...I will be at Juleps at 5:30 for a 6pm kick-off.

See you then.

I'll be in shortly before 6:00. Going to watch some soccer and hit the happy hour a couple doors down at the Irish Harp first.

OK, football fans, here is the schedule on NASN for this week:

7PM - Carolina vs. Tennessee
10PM - New England vs. Indianapolis
2AM - Dallas vs. Philadelphia

I can't seem to find a schedule for Sky Sports - their website is not very helpful. Anyone know which games are on Sky this week?

If there's a good game (read: Green Bay vs. Kansas City, or perhaps the Seahawks game) on Sky then I would like to go to Belushi's, assuming that's the only option for Sky. If not, Salamas will work for me, or we can try a different place.

Thoughts?

Try this : http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12949,00.html
for Sky's NFL Schedule

<Text deleted by drichard>

Ahh, OK thanks.

So here it is (for those to lazy to follow the link):

7PM - San Diego vs. Minnesota
7PM - Jacksonville vs. New Orleans*
10:15PM - New England vs. Indianaplois
10:15PM - Seattle vs. Cleveland*
2:15PM - Dallas vs. Philadelphia

So, my next question is: What does the asterisk mean, exactly. Here's what they say on the website:
* Interactive - via the red button. Times and game choice are subject to change.

What exactly is this "red button"?

Not so sure I like the concept of "interactive" games either. So I'll be expected to, what, take a few snaps at QB? Seems like such a bother. I'd much rather just let the professionals play while I sit and have a few beers.

Is everyone aware that the BBC are showing the 2008 and 2009 Superbowls. BBC Superbowl press release

Thread drift ...

The "Red Button" is the red Fastext button on your remote that activates sky's "interactive" service. In truth, it's closer to providing access more channels than a true interactive service. For true interactive service, you need your Sky box plugged into your telephone line.

Having had Sky for 7+ years, I took it out 3 years ago and the only things I miss are NFL and Premiership foorball, my wife misses the speedway, and the kids Nick Jr. Given the current cost of a Sky with sports subscrition, (~38GBP PCM), we make do with Freeview (DTT).

Honestly, the 'Red Button' is going to be too much effort for any of the Sky places to deal with. If Belushi's can't be bothered to turn the sound on, how do you think they're going to react when you ask them about the mysterious 'Red Button'? Carolina-Tennessee doesn't really grab the imagination, but then again neither do San Diego-Minnesota or Jacksonville-New Orleans.

I'm plugging for Belushi's. After the beating my wallet took last Sunday, I could use something a whole lot cheaper this week.

Glad I found this Forum!!! I am a huge Packer fan from Milwaukee,WI... I will be in Berlin from Christmas over the New Year and was fretting over the fact that I might miss live Packer action. The last game is against the Detroit Lions (Dec. 30th) which could have huge playoff implications!!! I would not be surprised if the start time is changed with the NFL's flex scheduling. I noticed your list of bars that show NFL games in Berlin and which ones are better than others. If anyone can suggest the best one to watch the Packers/NFL games---- it would be greatly appreciated!!!

THANKS GO PACK GO

From one Packer fan to another I can tell you that it's really hit or miss. I've only seen one live Packer game this year, and that was the Bears game.

There are two networks here that will carry games:
North American Sports Network (NASN) - All of the bars on our list have this network. It seems to mostly have AFC games
Sky Sports - I think that only Belushi's has this.

Each of these networks will play one game per time slot. So, that's 3 on any given Sunday. Of course, sometimes they show the same game. And then there seem to be some favorites of whoever picks the games. For example, we had to sit through three weeks in a row of Jets games.

Anyway, check the schedules for both networks about a week before the game that you want to see. Also, check your messages for another option for watching games.

So, you'll be in Berlin watching the game on Dec. 30th and I'll be at the game. My first time at Lambeau!! I'll be sure to wave when the camera is on me.

Blaaaaa. Totaly effed that up. It's been that kind of a week. What I meant to say is, I'm plugging for Salama's.

I thought that was a strange suggestion for you.

Salamas is fine with me.

Thanks for the info Ronk!! Awesome that you will be going to Lambeau! You are going to love it-- tremendous energy there! I made it to the Packer-bear game, a loss, but still a great experience!

Sounds like Salamas is the place to be?!

I'd just check in on this forum the week before the game. I'm going to be out of town that and the Sunday before, and as ronk says he'll be in the frozen tundra. I think we're the two main proponents of Salama's on this board, so I suspect the others will go elsewhere. There should be a good crowd in there even if everyone else from this board is at Belushi's or somewhere else, though. I just hope they put that game on. I don't know what the other games are, but you can be sure the Pats will be on, and probably the Jets.

Old Emerald Isle also gets Sky (we watched the Super Bowl there), but might be showing the other kind of football any given night.

So where is the place to see the Hawk's game??? I want to know an "official" site so my lady and I can be there to enoy the festivities. Either Belushi's or Schlomo's, or whatever the hell the name is... let us know and we will be there! Charlottenburg seems a little far however...

Hey all!

The fins have a bye week so I am in for game one at least. Where and when (has NA switched time yet)?
I am OK with Belushi's or Salamas (depending on the smoke thing).
Who is all coming tonight?

Well, Belushi's is the only one that may be showing the Seahawks, but there is the issue with the Sky Network and the "red button" (see earlier posts). Basically the Seahawks game is the alternate game in the late time slot and the people behind the bar at Belushis's would have to make a special effort to get that game on instead of the Colts-Pats game. I understand from others on this list that it's unlikely that they would do that. So, you may be out of luck for the Seahawks. Sorry.

The official football-viewing venue for this week is Salamas. Thus, we'll get to see the NASN games for the week (don't remember what they are, check above, or here).


I'll try to arrive a bit early and attempt to enforce a no-smoking policy for the back room.

Don't worry about the smoking thing tonight, I have to babysit (one of the very few drawbacks of having a family). By the time the wife gets back it will be 9:00...too late for me to head out. Will watch a game here.
Have fun!

So Salama's tonight eh? What is the going rate for beers there? Do they have any specials or anything? This dollar/Euro conversion is really kicking my ass.

I'm new within this topic, .. is it possible to join your group this evening in Salamas bar?