By Paige Quiggins
Students of the University of Louisville are not the only fans in the community to show their support and admiration for the men and women Cardinal basketball teams.
Local dining and drinking spots are welcoming fans, and showing wear their loyalties lay.
Beef O’Brady’s, located in Central Station at Third Street and Central Avenue is known for its Cardinal paraphernalia lining the walls and ceiling, and the fans match accordingly. Upon entering the Irish pub, a U of L banner lines the bar wall along with autographed basketballs, helmets and jerseys. Every seat is a good seat to watch the sporting events with 22 hi-definition televisions in the house.
During the March 4 game, fans filled the place to the brim sporting their Cardinal jackets, t-shirts, hats and spirit. One gentleman had a solid gold cardinal ring, which he proudly paid licensing fees for. Even though the fanatics in Beef’s are mainly proud Cardinal supporters, they have been known to switch a set or two at the customer’s request to watch other schools play.
Bearno’s pizzeria, located on Cardinal Boulevard., supports the Cards as well with their drink specials for March Madness. It has four HD TV’s along with the opportunity to play trivia while watching the games if requested. Manager Russell Allen said he plans to continue the drink specials throughout March Madness and usually pulls in a decent crowd during the games.
Harlow’s, formerly known as Tailgater’s, located on Floyd Street across from Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium, said they will be having appetizer and drink specials to attract Cardinal crowds as well. Equipped with 22 HD TV’s, the manager said if the crowd is large enough, he will gladly turn all of them onto the Cardinal channel.
Kyle Moats, associate athletic director, said that due to the current contract with Insight, no game-watching parties will occur on campus. Moats said the contract does not include certain special ESPN channels which air the games. In order to have the parties, students who wish to watch the action on-campus will need to wait for the championship games.
According to Moats, Champion’s sports bar and restaurant, located at 280 W Jefferson Street, was a gathering place for some March Madness games. The bar has 4 large projector screens, and over 17 HD TV’s and usually has a majority of the screens airing Cardinal games.
Hoop’s restaurant and bar, located at the corner of Strawberry Lane and Southside Drive said they usually have a large amount of Cardinal fans, but often do not have a majority of the screens tuned into Cardinal channels because of other avid sports fanatics seeking to watch other games.
While many local bars are seeking to support the Cards, it seems those closest to the campus will attract the most fans and are including the most March Madness specials.
