Konrad Tweeten and Larry Anderson may have to wake up a wee bit earlier this week.
Minnesota Vikings fans since the 1960s, Tweeten or Anderson arrives at Spectators Sports Bar & Grill each week during the NFL season some two hours before a Sunday 11 a.m. Vikings game to lay claim to the large plasma television in the bar’s front room.
“There’s Jets fans, Philadelphia fans and this year Redskins fans that are vying for that area, but we make sure we get there first,” Tweeten says. “That big-screen TV, that’s us — that’s our area. On any given Sunday, we’ll have 10 to 20 Vikings fans there watching the game.”
This upcoming weekend, however, isn’t just any given Sunday. The Dallas Cowboys — arguably the most revered NFL club in Albuquerque — won a playoff game last Saturday for the first time since 1996.
The last time the Cowboys were in the divisional playoffs was two years ago, but they lost to the visiting New York Giants, 21-17.
“We’ll see if they have the intestinal fortitude to show up,” Tweeten joked of the local Dallas fans.
No problem there, Konrad.
Sports bars around town are bracing for the onrush Cowboys fans Sunday morning when Dallas travels to Minnesota.
“It’s going to be crazy on Sunday,” says Brandi Pino, general manager of Ned’s on the Rio Grande. “About 90 percent of the fans who come to watch the (NFL) games are Cowboy fans.”
Most sports bar managers in town agree with Pino, who says that Dallas’ playoff presence is great for business.
“Sunday is going to be off the hook,” Fox and Hound manager Perry Fields says. “Last Saturday (for the Cowboys-Eagles playoff game), there was not one seat available in here.”
But what makes the Cowboys even more attractive to sports bars is the throngs of fans who have the audacity — or genius — to come in just to root against Jerry Jones, Tony Romo and the ’Boys.
“The Vikings will have a good following in here, the Cowboys will. And, of course, all the Cowboy haters will be here to support the Vikings,” Sneakerz general manager Tavake Misailegalu says.”
And, of course, there are also NFL playoff games Saturday as well, which means bar owners expect fans of the nearby Arizona Cardinals to congregate at their establishments.
Well, except maybe for Uptown Sports Bar and Grill, which lays claim as the local hangout for New Orleans Saints fans. The Saints and Cards play Saturday afternoon.
The place has its own “Saints Room,” otherwise known as the “Lobo Land Room,” in which about 30 Saints fans come every week.
Saints fan John Gonzales used to go to Uptown with his dad and wife and ask to see the Saints’ opponent.
“We’d ask to see the Niners game or the Rams game — whoever the Saints were playing because if we asked for the Saints game, they’d tell us, ‘No!’ Gonzales says. “It used to be a Steelers hangout.”
The Steelers had a bye week a couple of years ago, he says. The Saints fans came marching in to Uptown and haven’t left.
Tweeten is hoping the same happens Sunday at his preferred hangout.
“We need to put in a call to all Vikings fans to support the team,” he says.
The place to be?
n IN MY OPINION the most underrated local bar to watch football or any sports event is Ned’s on the Rio Grande, with their FREE chicharonnes on NFL game day and their $2.00 jumbo dogs makes it a perfect place for my friends & I hang out.
— L Valdez
More opinions on D4
The place
to be?
n WE HAVE a group of about 20 people who have been meeting at SPECTATORS in the Mountain Run Shopping Center (Eubank and Juan Tabo) in the NE Heights of Albuquerque for every Viking game. We have been gathering there for about five years! Any and all Vikings fans are welcome!
— Larry, Konrad
n HOWIES SPORTS Page on Montgomery and Tramway in Albuquerque is by far the best place in town for anything to do with sports. Great atmosphere, great service, good prices, all games all times.
— Lezlee
