It's hard to find a place in New York City where you can watch your favorite sports events that is also tame enough to bring all the kids along (translation: no drunk and rowdy bar crowd), but not too lame for parents who want to cheer on their favorite team in a sports bar setting. Interested? Read on.
Foley's
Foley's is one such spot. It offers a fun pub atmosphere with a classic Irish bar and tables for families. If your kid begging you to visit Cooperstown, you can save the big bucks and hit up Foley's instead, which has enough baseball memorabilia to rival baseball's Hall of Fame. The restaurant features 1,800 autographed baseballs, a bazillion bobbleheads, game-worn jerseys and stadium seats from Fenway and Camden Yards. The connection with Cooperstown is so strong that in 2008 Cooperstown approved Foley's Irish American Baseball Hall of Fame, which annually inducts Irish players and others affiliated with the game. Also, Foley's is an unofficial headquarters for players, former players, managers, sports reporters and in-the-know families who are thrilled to rub elbows with sports legends.
And it's not all about baseball here, either. Come on game day to watch a big football or hockey event and the place will be jumping. What's remarkable about Foley's is, even though it's located across the street from the Empire State Building in a part of the city that is the furthest thing from a neighborhood, it somehow achieves a cozy, familiar neighborhood ambiance.
There's also a Little League Menu with the most affordable prices in town: a hot dog and fries is $3.50, a PBJ is $3 and chicken fingers with fries are only $4.50 (and health-conscious parents can substitute fries for mashed potatoes or vegetables).
Micky Mantle's
Another great spot to watch a game with kids in tow, but a completely different ball game in terms of atmosphere, is Mickey Mantle's Restaurant, a huge, polished restaurant that tourists especially love, thanks to the celebrity name.
There’s a bar in front, but you and your kids will want to snag a booth in the multi-level dining room where television sets are strategically placed for optimal viewing of sporting events, day and night. Settle in for ribs and burgers or, hit the Spring Training Menu, which features healthier low fat, low-calorie dishes like grilled fish.
The popular Little League Menu is for kids 12 years and under and offers usual kiddie fare like chicken fingers, macaroni and cheese, pasta with tomato sauce, grilled cheese and burgers with waffle fries. Best of all, every item comes with a Mickey Mantle souvenir.
Another thing this casual restaurant has going for it, is its awesome location across the street from Central Park – so your little sluggers can play Wiffle ball after fueling up. Definitely worth a visit.
The Best Kid-Friendly Sports Restaurants in Midtown
Foley's is located at 18 West 33rd Street, near Fifth Avenue.
Mickey Mantle's is located at 42 Central Park South, near Sixth Avenue.
