Where do you watch your favorite professional sports team and why? There is an industry of bars that seek to answer that very question and they all say the same thing, “here.” The sports bars of the world attempt to find the keys to enhancing a simple concept, watching sports. They must find the way to maximize how their food, booze, seating, atmosphere, number of different games playing, audio and visual, and of course the social aspect that makes it worth leaving the house for. Johnny Malloy's has risen to this challenge and of being bar #49.
Johnny Malloy's has its own parking lot that is bound to be full when our home teams are playing. Luckily, this wasn't one of those nights. I made my way through their large but enclosable Patio. The patio gives a place for smokers to enjoy the bar atmosphere during the summer and to sadly stare through the windows at during the winter.
Once you enter the permanently enclosed half of Johnny Malloy's there are some cool booths and a bar that can probably seat a solid 2 dozen people. However, you won't notice that until your eyes have adjusted to the rows of large flat screen TVs that plaster the bar's walls. We took our seats at the bar and waited for the bartender to make his way over to us.
There are currently no soups on the soup and salad menu.
I have a confession to make. I'm from Pittsburgh. This was
important tonight because for the first time in two decades, the
baseball team I grew up with both made the playoffs and had their
first winning season. I know this is when you start getting all up
in arms about the Indians. I love the Indians. I still talk about
their epic playoff game when the actual Cleveland environment rose up
and smited the New York Yankees. Swarms of midges descended on the
brightly lit field testing the grit of our pitcher and theirs. The
latter was found wanting. This being said, the love of a child and
his sports team is one that can last a lifetime. It allowed me for
20 odd years to say over and over again that this is the year. It
wasn't. It becomes a part of you. I root for the Bucs not because
of where I live but because I am a Pirates fan. I even refer to them
as us. If you've moved to another city you understand. The team
closest to you in distance is not necessarily the team closest to
your heart.Luckily, this evening the majority of the people in the bar had decided they wanted the Reds to lose or the Pirates to win so I felt at home. There were a small group, or crowd if you will, of three wearing Reds clothing. Between their team losing and the bar being against them, they left in under an inning. Since, going to Johnny Malloy's the Pirates would make it past the Reds that evening but lose in game five to the Cardinals. The Pirates fans were still the happiest losers you'll find, with some even calling for a victory parade. Next year I'm expecting, no demanding, a Pirates and Indians World Series
Anyway, there was some anarchy with the billing but they got it fixed with no complaint from me.
I wanted to watch a baseball game with my friends. I had as much seating as I needed plus I didn't have to get up to get up to get beer or food, plus I had plenty of options. Johnny Malloys also provided me with extra people to cheer along with me. I was able to see and hear my game better than I would have at home. Johnny Malloy's & Geppettos made my night better than had I watched the game at home. This is what's made this sports bar successful for over 35 years and why you should visit bar #49.
17103 Detroit Ave.
216-529-1400
