When I was in Las Vegas just a week ago, I was surprised by how locals — many who until recently couldn’t tell a hockey stick from a yard-long, souvenir drink holder — had jumped on the Golden Knights bandwagon. And who could blame them. The Vegas Golden Knights, a brand-new addition to the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the NHL, have also caught the attention of hockey fans everywhere, particularly from Greater Vancouver whose home-town Canucks never made the playoffs this year.
That’s encouraged many fans to head to Sin City in hopes of scoring ticket to a Golden Knights game. The Golden Knights, by the way, have been playing incredibly well and are heading into game five of the playoffs tomorrow night (May 2) against the San Jose Sharks.
So just in case you head to Vegas for a game and can’t find tickets, or if you’re there for an away game, there are plenty of other options for watching on the big screen and taking in some epic viewing parties.
The D in old Downtown Las Vegas is the official partner of the Golden Knights so it's a great place to attend official viewing parties in Downtown Vegas.
Topgolf has massive screens where they show the games and you can shoot some golf, knock back some beers and even swim during the commercials. Seriously, you have to see this place to believe it.
Beerhaus is a great sports bar right in the Park, which is in front of Mobile Arena where the Golden Knights play. There's usually a parade into the game starting from there. The kitchen rounds out the experience with savory sausages, sandwiches and snacks all made with hormone-free meat and locally sourced produce. Grab a cold brew, play some bar games and make some friends on the outdoor patio.
Lagasse's Stadium is a sports bar at the Palazzo with food by Emeril Lagasse. This new breed of sports bar was inspired by Lagasse's love of tailgating. It also has comfortable couches and more than 100 screens to watch the game on.
Blondies Sports Bar and Grill in Planet Hollywood has more than 60 big screens, ranging from 12 to 32 feet. Look for daily food and drink specials.
The Toshiba Plaza has been hosting official watch parties during the play offs. These events feature everything from special appearances by their mascot Chance, the Golden Aces, Knight Line presented by Drumbots, and the Golden Knight. Fans have the chance to shop for Golden Knights gear from retail trucks on-site.
And for those who can’t make it to Vegas for a game, here are some ideas for places to cheer on your second pick (after the Canucks) in the playoffs.
Red Card Sports Bar and Eatery
560 Smithe St.
With two eight-foot screens and 16 high-definition TVs, Red Card is a popular spot to catch any game. Look for daily food and drink specials. A schedule of live games they’ll be broadcasting daily is listed on their website.
136 West Cordova
The Charles Bar sits at the bottom of the Woodwards building in Gastown and has a nine-foot high-definition screen for watching the game. Its unique V-shape design means everyone has a great view of all things hockey and NBA.
180 West Georgia St.
The Shark Club’s proximity to Rogers Arena and B.C. Place makes it a no-brainer for watching the game. The fact it has two 12-by-seven-foot screens, as well as TVs placed around the room means there’s no chance you’ll miss any action.
Colony Bar: Main Street location
2904 Main St.
This Mount Pleasant pub features plenty of high-definition TVs and shows all major sporting events. Bonus: It has 18 local craft breweries on tap, making it a destination for beer enthusiasts.
The Sportsbar LIVE! at Rogers Arena
99 West Georgia St.
The Sportsbar offers a high-energy space to get in on the action. Immersed in the midst of Rogers Arena, fans watch the game surrounded by heart-pounding audio-visuals and more than 100 4K high-definition TVs. Enjoy hockey, football, basketball and all other major sporting events at Vancouver’s longest bar, which runs the length of the NHL blue line at 90 feet.
1262 Davie St.
This popular West End bar is almost as popular for its over-the-top caesars as it is for watching the game.
1208 Granville St.
Located near the corner of Granville and Davie streets, you can catch the game on one of their 24 high-definition TVs and nine-foot projection screen.
Atrium Inn, 2889 East Hastings St.
The PressBox, located just across the street from Hastings Park and the PNE, features numerous large-screen TVs for watching the game. The interior of this popular spot has been designed to let customers feel like they’re sitting in a stadium’s press box.
sthomas@vancourier.com
@sthomas10
