A few interesting things happened in 1973: In the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos proclaimed he was president for life. The Godfather won best picture at the Academy Awards. Comedian Dave Chappelle was born. United States Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, unironically. And the number song was “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree” by Tony Orlando & Dawn.
Oh yeah, 1973 was the last time the New York Knickerbockers, more commonly known as the Knicks, won the NBA championship. And now, 53 years later, Jalen Brunson and company are on verge of beating the San Antonio Spears to finally proclaim, once again, they are champions of the National Basketball Association. Watch the action on June 13, at 6:30 p.m.
If you’re looking for the best place in New York City to watch them in it all, here are our picks.
Amity Hall
Located in Greenwich Village, Amity Hall is a spacious multi-level bar with massive screens, making it an ideal place to watch a basketball game. It also happens to be an official Knicks bar. When the celebration begins, you can down a Big Mozz, a 12-inch long battered-and-fried stick of mozzarella or a mountain of queso fresco-clad nachos to go along with your pint of Narragansett Lager. 80 W. 3rd St., Greenwich Village, downtown.amityhallnyc.com
Harlem Tavern
This corner bar is a fun, raucous spot to cheer on the Knicks. It’s big, so if you’re looking to celebrate with 399 other fellow Knicks fanatics, this is as good as any place to go. There’s also a beer garden. If you need to stress-eat your way to the fourth quarter, Harlem Tavern has you covered. The fish tacos here are splendid. So are the bourbon-braised short ribs and the Buffalo chicken-topped mac ‘n’ cheese. 2153 Frederick Douglas Blvd., Harlem, harlemtavern.com
BK Backyard Bar
If you’re looking for 40 TVs, an enormous 20-foot high video wall, countless picnic tables, and a seemingly endless flow of beer and booze, then head to BK Backyard Bar. It’s 17,000-square-feet of bibulous debauchery. This is the Brooklyn choice of bros and the people who love them to cheers on the blue and orange as they slam dunk their way to NBA champions. There are 14 brews on tap and even some large-format cocktails, served in a GatorAid cooler. 151 Banker St., Greenpoint, Brooklyn, bkbackyard.com
Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden
It may be historically a Czech drinking spot and the colors of the Czech flag are red, white, and blue, but when the Knicks are playing, the colors at this fun beer garden and beer hall are strictly orange and blue. “Bohemka,” as local Czechs admirably refer to this 107-year-old Central European drinking institution in Astoria, Queens, is so dedicated to throwing Knicks watch parties, they posted an instructional video on their Instagram account. As you’re cheering on the Knicks, down pints of frothy, golden Czech lager and tuck into a plate of goulash and dumplings. 29-19 24th Ave., Astoria, Queens, bohemianhall.com
Last Stop Bar
Take the 1 train all the way to the last stop in the Bronx and you’ll be at the Last Stop Bar. Housed in an erstwhile diner, the Last Stop Bar is the last stop for Knicks fans who like eating excellent Indian food and drinking Long Island iced tea while watching their b-ball team win, win, and win until they are crowned NBA champions. 5977 Broadway, Kingsbridge, Bronx, thelaststopbar.com
Stout—Penn Station
If you really want to party and celebrate the Knicks as close to Madison Square Garden as possible, try getting a table at the Penn Station location of Stout, which has been an official Knicks bar since 2005. Here you can eat a double-stacked smash burger or some extra-crispy buttermilk fried chicken, sip on a Manhattan, and watch the guys in blue and orange dominate on the court. There are other locations near Grand Central, Bryant Park, and the Financial District too. 215 W. 35th St., Midtown, stoutnyc.com
Fulton Hall
Located in Downtown Brooklyn, Fulton Hall is a high-ceilinged spacious bar with handsome exposed brick walls, and a menu of elevated pub grub like smoked wings, gooey grilled cheese sandwiches, and homemade mozzarella sticks. But what really matters is that Fulton Hall is also a fine place to watch a basketball game—and not just any basketball team, but the Knicks on their way to becoming NBA champs. 250 Ashland Pl. Downtown Brooklyn, fultonhall.com
Mustang Harry’s
Set just a couple of hundred feet from Madison Square Garden, Mustang Harry’s is the perfect place to watch the Knicks win it all. After the buzzer marks the end of the game, you can pour out onto the street and go wild in front of MSG. The two-floor bar has 16 large TVs, so you’ll be able to see the game action from nearly everywhere in the bar. If you get hungry, there’s a menu of some good British pub classics, like Shepherd’s Pie and Fish & Chips. 352 Seventh Ave. Midtown, mustangharrys.com
Gym Sportbar
If you like your sports bars to lean into Pride, then point yourself to Gym Sportbar. This two-level gay hang in Chelsea is a fun, welcoming place for any Knicks fans. Since 2005, Gym has been the place to watch any sporting event in Chelsea. 167 Eighth Ave., Chelsea, gymsportsbar.com
Yesterday’s
Greenwich Village’s newest bar is also a damn fine place to watch the Knicks. They have a small handful of plus-sized TVs on the wall and for each Knicks game, those TVs will be on whatever channel is broadcasting the game. Try, if you can, to nab one of the plush leather booths, but likely it will be standing-room only when it comes time for the tip-off of the game. Yesterday’s focus is on classic cocktails, so sip a martini or a Manhattan and dig into a pizza that they make in the wood-fired brick oven. 157 Bleecker St., Greenwich Village, yesterdaysnyc.com
