State Street Brats
State Street Brats, 603 State St., often nicknamed \Brats,"" is one of the most well-known bars on campus for its birthday specials and fun drinking atmosphere. Everyone knows if you go to Brats on your birthday and kiss the buffalo on the wall, a free shot or soda is yours, but many people may not realize that State Street Brats is also a restaurant.
On Super Bowl Sunday, keep this State Street landmark in mind when looking for a hot spot to watch the game. With two big-screen televisions on the second level, several smaller televisions all around the bar and a classic sports bar menu, Brats is a great place to hang out. The bar will open around 3:30 p.m. Sunday for the Super Bowl. The bar and grill has a special menu for the big day, including burgers, brats and dogs, as well as munchies, fries and sides. The food at Brats is as good as its reputation. The burgers are cooked to order, with options of veggies and cheese. Brats will close as soon as the game is over on Sunday.
-Morgan Brickley
Nitty Gritty
It's a well-known fact that the Nitty Gritty, 223 N. Frances St., with its secret Gritty sauce, has some of the best burgers in town. However, a large menu offers some other great choices for Super Bowl fare to share. It includes a wide variety of delicious appetizers from the standard nachos, onion rings and breaded mushrooms to the more unique ""Itty Bitty Gritties,"" miniature versions of the restaurant's famous burgers.
If you're looking for something less carnivorous, the Gritty also offers some tantalizing vegetarian choices with its veggie and black-bean burgers and a wide selection of salads. Prices are reasonable and the atmosphere is always friendly, with multiple televisions for a great view of the game.
-Kristin Czubkowski
Badgerland Bar & Grill
Hotel, motel, Badgerland Bar and Grill. If your team's not doing well, at least you'll get your fill.
The Super Bowl is as good an excuse to eat and drink beer as any. If you're looking for cheap eats and a sports bar atmosphere on campus, look no further than the Badgerland Bar and Grill, 525 W. Johnson St.
Located in the main level of the Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel, the Badgerland features a variety of bar food and more. Suitable fare-like the Badgerland Sampler Platter, which includes a range of traditional bar food like mozzarella sticks, cheese curds, onion rings and chicken fingers, makes for the perfect kickoff. Try the Big Ten Beer Brat or the Bascom Hill Cobb salad.
If you're planning a liquid dinner, choose from a selection of featured Wisconsin wines or local beers like a Fat Squirrel Nut Brown Ale.
If you're going to enjoy the game, don't worry about picking the right spot. The bar and restaurant area comes equipped with six televisions visible from almost any seat. On Super Bowl Sunday, food and drink specials will run throughout the broadcast.
If you drink too much, at least you'll know there are plenty of rooms available to sleep in.
-Brooke Knudson
Angelic Brewing Company
Among Madison bars and restaurants, few make better game-day stops than the Angelic Brewing Company, 322 W. Johnson St.
Lots of bars have big-screen TVs, pool tables and beer, but how many can also boast the best house brews in Madison and some of the downtown's best food?
The Angelic is an ideal spot for any hungry and thirsty Super Bowl audience. For classic football food, try its linebacker-sized orders of nachos, crispy pizzas, or The Believer, which is rumored to be the only roast beef sandwich visible from outer space. Or for something more upscale, the selection of steak, poultry or seafood is just as tasty, and for cold weather food, it's hard to beat the Angelic's homemade soups. But most importantly, try the award-winning beer-especially the smooth Avalon Blonde and crisp Arch Amber.
Just make sure you get there in time to grab a seat. The Angelic's ambience and service only suffer on overcrowded nights. But with a seat beneath you and a meal in front of you, few places will make Super Sunday better than this Johnson Street favorite.
-Amos Posner
