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The fiery Warriors-Cavaliers match-up returns Thursday, May 31, for another best-of-seven NBA finale. Sure, you can watch the games quietly from your couch — or you can join other boisterous members of Dub Nation at one of the Bay Area’s watering holes or sports bars. (There’s even a movie theater getting in on the action!)
Remember, every time a Curry-Thompson-Durant three-pointer swishes through the net you get to pick up a chicken wing and take another bite.
Here’s a selection of viewing options:
Berkeley
Pappy’s, the sports bar named after legendary Cal football coach Pappy Waldorf, boasts the largest hi-def projection screen in the East Bay — 205 inches — and plenty of student fans packed into 8,500 square feet of space. 2367 Telegraph Ave.; 510-405-1000; www.pappysontelegraph.com.
Concord
Where but Legends can you hit the links in the morning, then settle in for the game? This sports grill, located on the Diablo Creek Golf Course, offers 25 TVs and food/drink specials. Call 925-687-4111 for reservations; 4050 Port Chicago Highway; www.legendsdiablocreekbeta.com
Los Gatos
With Double D’s still under construction, your best bets may be the Loma Brewing Co. on North Santa Cruz Avenue and Flights on Los Gatos-Saratoga Road (which has sister bars in Campbell and Burlingame). Neither place is loaded with TVs the way a sports bar would be, but you’re only watching one, right? Check ’em out at www.flightsrestaurants.com and www.lomabrew.com.
Oakland
The newest Dubs fan destination is The Athletic Club, a mega-sports bar that recently opened in the Uptown neighborhood. It’s chock-a-block with TVs and cool sports touches: Walls are lined with wood from old gym bleachers and a trophy case dominates the main room. Wash down your burger or nachos (or vegan cauliflower “wings”) with Line 51’s Dub Nation IPA. Because it’s a new draw, you’ll want to arrive early to snag a table. (Here’s a peek inside.) 59 Grand Ave., Oakland. www.theacoakland.com.
Again this year, the New Parkway theater is hosting a big-screen viewing party for every game of the NBA final. And they’re doing it with a cheeky themed menu of Curry Chicken, Draymond Greens and Run TMC mac-and-cheese. (If you have to ask who TMC is, you’d better give up that coveted seat to a Warriors diehard.) Advance purchase of tickets, $13-$15, is a must (http://warriors.thenewparkway.com), as sell-outs are expected. 474 24th St., Oakland.
In honor of the Warriors’ fourth Finals season, Lake Chalet will unveil its new Tequila Pier Bar, and Oakland rapper E-40 will be on hand with his new high-end line of tequilas. The festivities will run from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 5. His Cuarenta will be served exclusively at this venue during the NBA Finals. 1520 Lakeside Drive, Oakland; www.thelakechalet.com.
At Dyafa, chef Reem Assil’s new place, you can order the Steph Curry at lunchtime. This flatbread is loaded with turmeric-spiced cauliflower, roasted eggplant, feta and roasted garlic. 44 Webster St., Oakland; www.dyafaokland.com.
Palo Alto
If you’re in Palo Alto, you might want to check out the Old Pro with its 24 TVs. Where else can you get a plate of prawn corn dogs with a blueberry honey-mustard dip or a locally raised, grass-fed burger on a brioche bun with some secret sauce all while chugging down a Bud Light? To be fair, the Old Pro has a great selection of craft brews and a full bar, but it’s still got that college town feel. 541 Ramona St. www.oldpropa.com.
Pleasanton
At the Pick 6 Sports Lounge the regular Thursday specials will be in effect for Game One. Look for $2 sliders, $5 John Dalys, $5 Deep Eddy shots and $4 Fireballs all night long. 4825 Hopyard Road; 925-416-0606; www.pick6lounge.com.
San Francisco
Chef/co-owner Nigel Jones’ new “modern Jamaican” restaurant, Kaya, is screening all the games and featuring a “Deep Dub” cocktail crafted with coconut rum, pineapple, hibiscus, almond and pineapple. 1420 Market St., San Francisco; www.kayasf.com.
San Leandro
Ricky’s, the home of the Raider Nation, naturally packs for the place for the Dubs too. With 90 TV screens, everyone gets a good view. 15028 Hesperian Blvd.; 510-352-0200; www.rickys.com.
San Jose
Yard House at Santana Row has a huge bar with an even bigger tap list at San Jose’s swankiest shopping center. There are enough TVs in the place to make sure you can see LeBron glare from wherever you’re sitting. 300 Santana Row. 408-241-9273; www.yardhouse.com.
Rookies Sports Lodge will be entertaining fans at both its more rustic Willow Glen location and its sleeker downtown San Jose restaurant. Each has more than two dozen TVs. 1535 Meridian Ave. (408-445-2121) and 99 S. First St. (408-292-4300). www.rookieslodge.com.
In the SoFA District, the Blue Chip has more than two dozen TVs, a full bar and a menu of comfort food items — including 15 different variations on the cheese steak. 325 S. First St.; 408-971-2898; www.thebluechipultra.com.
Britannia Arms has been a South Bay sports magnet for 30 years, and both the downtown and South San Jose locations should be hopping for the games. Pub grub rhymes so nicely with Dub! 173 W. Santa Clara St.; 408-278-1400; www.britanniaarmsdowntown.com. 5027 Almaden Expwy.; 408-266-0550; britanniaarms.com.
San Mateo / San Carlos
On the Peninsula, you’ll find kindred spirits at the sports memorabilia-filled Sneakers Pub & Grill in San Carlos — which has a full restaurant menu — and the 3rd Avenue Sports Bar & Grill in San Mateo. The former is at 650 Laurel St. (www.sneakerpub.com); the latter is at 78 E. Third Ave. (www.3rd-ave-sports-bar-grill.business.site).
Santa Clara
The Halford may be the only sports bar in the Bay Area likely to get chef Ayesha Curry’s seal of approval. On the menu are Wagyu burgers, roasted beef marrow bones, deviled eggs with black truffles and salads that feature watermelon radishes and goat cheese mousse. And yes, they have the obligatory wings and what-not, plus 71 artisan beers on tap. Reserve a table ahead of time via Facebook or Yelp. 1494 Halford Ave., Santa Clara; www.thehalford.com.
Sunnyvale
FireHouse Grill & Brewery brews its ales and stout onsite and serves them up with a menu of pastas, ribs, burgers, grilled fish and steaks. Reservations: 408-773-9500. 111 S. Murphy Ave.; firehousegrill.com.
Walnut Creek
MoMo’s is the East Bay counterpart of San Francisco’s ballpark neighborhood fave, so expect a lively crowd here on game nights. You can class up your viewing party with oysters, mussels or petrale sole and a choice from the long wine list, or go old-school. Either way, reservations wouldn’t be a bad idea. 1444 N. California Blvd., Walnut Creek; www.momoswc.com.
