1. Brittany’s Restaurant & Sports Bar, 12449 Dillingham Square, Lake Ridge   

Brittany’s is home of the local Pittsburgh Steelers Fan Club. So, on a typical Sunday night, you might see 100 patrons in Steelers jerseys celebrating in the private room. Brittany's owner Bob Geck Sr.  suspects the room will be, “slam full,” for Super Bowl Sunday, making it an ideal spot for Steelers fans. It’s also a great spot for any sports fan because it has 29 televisions, including one that is 50 inches.   And Brittany's has been in the community for 20 years, with Bob Geck Sr. and Jr. taking ownership in 2006. 

Geck Sr. said that with 15 choices, Brittany’s has the best selection of wings for the best prices in town. And on Sunday they will have a Buffet, “with a roast pig as the headliner.”  Brittany’s is also a great place to play pool, and while the main bar can be smoky, they have non-smoking rooms with some of the biggest television screens.

      2. Original Steakhouse and Sports Theatre, 4179 Merchant Plaza, Lake Ridge

According to Marketing Manager Caroline Picket, the Steakhouse has, “Great atmosphere and televisions that you can’t miss from any angle.  Plus, the bartenders have been here since we opened five years ago, so they’re experienced and knowledgeable.” 

The Steakhouse has a 40-f00t-wrap-around bar and walls lined with 10 large projector screens for watching sports.  They offer 20 different appetizers, include unique dishes, such as BBQ chicken potato skins.

The bar area does get smoky, but there are also booths and televisions outside of the bar areas.  Booths inside the bar area sit eight and make it a comfortable place to meet with friends. 

   3. Down-Under (Occoquan Inn & Tavern), 301 Mill Street, Occoquan 

If you haven’t heard of Down Under, then you need to go down down under ... under the Occoquan Inn and Tavern that is.  Down Under is a small bar with three televisions, but great food and an intimate and friendly environment. 

It’s also a place where people can order off a small bar menu of hamburgers, hotdogs and shrimp, or main dishes such as Fillet Mignon.  Yet this Sunday there will be plenty of home-made chili, as Down Under is hosting a Chili Cook Off.  There are prizes, but John the bartender there said it’s mainly about "bragging rights.” The bar is also accepting donations for the VFW.

This Sunday, John expects a, "Good crowd.  We get a lot of Steeler fans, Giant fans, and of course Redskin fans.”

Most of Down Under’s customers are Occoquan locals.  Thought it’s a small group, “they can get rowdy,” he said. Down Under is nonsmoking.  This makes it a good option for people who want a real bar atmosphere, but not a smoke-filled room.

    4. Cheeseburger In Paradise, 13458 Minnieville Road, Woodbridge   

Cheeseburger in Paradise is the famed Jimmy Buffet Restaurant that makes you feel like you are dining in the Caribbean.  However, it’s also a great place to watch the Super Bowl, since it has 16 large televisions and wings with 10 different sauces, plus other popular football dishes, like sliders, and of course, cheeseburgers.

Hospitality Manager Jill Higham said the atmosphere is “laid back,” but expects there to be a, “fun, lively atmosphere on Sunday.” 

Perhaps that is because Cheeseburger has games planned, and they will be giving away gift certificates and raffling off dinners for two.  But best of all there is a spirit contest, so Higham tells guests to dress up and paint their faces too. Cheeseburger is nonsmoking, and besides beer and liquor, has a menu of speciality mixed drinks, just like a Caribbean resort.

To contact the writer, e-mail her at stcydevaney@gmail.com