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UWS Bars are Pumped as Knicks and Nets Get Set for Playoff Runs

May 22, 2021 | 9:30 AM
in NEWS
10


Dive 75 will be showing the games.

By Maya Mau

For the second time in NBA history, two New York City teams have qualified for the postseason, and it’s not just fans who are pumped up. Sports bars on the Upper West Side are hoping the good vibes from the teams’ success help them rebound after a tough year too.

The last time both teams qualified for the playoffs was in 2013, when the Knicks were the second seed in the Eastern Conference and the Nets, who had just moved to Brooklyn from New Jersey, were the fourth seed.

In the first round, the Nets, the second seed, will face the seventh seeded Boston Celtics. The first game of the series will be at the Barclays Center at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday. The New York Knicks, in the fourth seed, will face the fifth seeded Atlanta Hawks. Their first game will be at Madison Square Garden at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday. 

New York City teams’ success in professional basketball comes at a time when Upper West Siders are increasingly eager to enjoy all that New York City has to offer. As such, many bars plan on showing both Knicks and Nets playoff games.

Dive Bar has four locations on the Upper West Side (96th & Amsterdam, 101st and Broadway, 75th & Columbus, 106th & Amsterdam) and typically shows whichever games are in demand.

“We will probably show both games, since they are big games,” an employee at Dive Bar said. “If a lot of people are watching and interested, we will turn the sound on.”

Emerald Inn (72nd between Broadway and West End), an Irish-style pub, said that they were “definitely” going to show both New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets games. When asked if they had seen enthusiasm from patrons about either team’s success, an employee said, “The Knicks.” 

Bodega 88 (88th & Columbus), which serves Latin-style small plates, also noticed enthusiasm among customers about the playoffs.

“We will be playing both games,” an employee at Bodega 88 said, “On Wednesday, there were a few fans watching the [Western conference play-in] game, and they were really excited.”

Lion’s Head Tavern (109th & Amsterdam) is at the nexus of Morningside Heights and the Upper West Side and is looking forward to taking advantage of NYC open streets on the weekend.

“We have a couple of television sets, so we’ll definitely be showing the playoffs,” an employee at Lion’s Head Tavern said.

Across the street, Amity Hall (109th & Amsterdam) is also planning on showing games from both series.

“Between restrictions being loosened and summertime, the fact that there are two teams in the NBA playoffs from New York that are not usually there is exciting to people,” an employee at Amity Hall said.

With loosening pandemic restrictions, warmer weather, and successful New York professional basketball teams, bars on the Upper West Side are optimistic that this summer their establishments will be significantly busier than they have been this past year.

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Duh
Duh
4 years ago

Hold the presses! Bars will use TVs to show sports and will encourage people to stop by to drink.

0
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GeezLouise
GeezLouise
4 years ago
Reply to  Duh

You must be fun at cocktail parties

0
Reply
Fatty Belly
Fatty Belly
4 years ago

75th St. between broadway & west end ave, I just walked by, found a cabaret live performance this Saturday. It was spectacular and my energy revived just by looking at. I hope someone post performance schedule at the same location from now on.

0
Reply
lynn
lynn
4 years ago
Reply to  Fatty Belly

Was this inside somewhere or is it part of the series of street performances that were mentioned for that block? Thanks!

0
Reply
Fatty Belly
Fatty Belly
4 years ago
Reply to  lynn

The show was outside, open to pedestrians.
Most likely it was an event in the city approved locations.
https://www.westsiderag.com/2021/03/12/6-local-streets-to-come-alive-with-performances-as-city-launches-open-culture-program

0
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sg
sg
4 years ago

The NBA is a joke…it is no longer a sports league. Just a bunch of entitled, spoiled people that run, jump and agitate. No need to watch any of the games except the last two minutes…the is no defense. And don’t get me started on the hypocrisy of all affiliated with the league. They sell out to China, a major oppressor of minorities and the world’s bullies (Taiwan), but push false narratives of systemic racism and the rest of the nonsense at home. The league’s ratings are dismal and only the Chinese cash cow keeps it afloat. I hope it goes bust…and soon!

0
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John Plumber
John Plumber
4 years ago
Reply to  sg

I agree 100% but that Knicks playoff game yesterday was pretty exciting. NYC loves its basketball, even if the NBA as an organization is insufferable

0
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BR
BR
4 years ago
Reply to  sg

Sir, this is a Wendy’s.

0
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Dominic
Dominic
4 years ago

Sounds like potential super-spreader events for circulating covid variants. There is no reason to imitate neanderthal states like Texas and Florida.

0
Reply
GeezLouise
GeezLouise
4 years ago
Reply to  Dominic

It’s May 24th. Have you seen the stats on % of vaccinations lately?

0
Reply

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