By Caroline Grogan By Caroline Grogan | July 27, 2021 | Food & Drink,
On July 29th at 8pm, Barclays Center will host the 2021 NBA Draft. Whether you are planning on attending the draft at Barclays or watching the action on ESPN, we have rounded up the best events and bars to watch the draft.
See also: 2021 NBA Finals Larry O’Brien Trophy Awarded in Louis Vuitton Trophy Trunk
Where to Pregame Near Barclays Center
Black Forest Brooklyn
733 Fulton St / Website
Looking to skip the typical fanfare associated with more rowdy sports bars? Forte Greene restaurant and biergarten Black Forest Brooklyn is serving up fourteen handpicked beers on draft, sausages, giant pretzels and other German specialties from the owners who grew up in small towns in the Black Forest region of southwestern Germany. Expect good prices for large portions of authentic food and a cozy neighborhood atmosphere.
Freddy’s Bar
627 5th Ave / Website
Freddy’s is a quirky Brooklyn dive bar with eclectic decor, live performances and a long, fascinating history dating all the way back to the Prohibition era. The bar is open until 4am every night, making it a great place to stop by for a drink before or after the draft.
McMahon’s Public House
39 5th Ave / Website
McMahon’s Public House in Park Slope is a classic neighborhood sports bar with an old-world charm serving up Irish pub fare as well as wine, spirits, cocktails and twenty five beers on draft. The bar is only one block away from Barclays, so grab a seat early before heading over. Be on the lookout for special deals on food and drinks for draft day.
Where to Watch the Draft
The Three Monkeys
236 W 54th St / Website
For a classic sports bar experience, head to The Three Monkeys in Hell’s Kitchen to watch the draft alongside fellow basketball fanatics while enjoying their noteworthy selection of thirty-six craft beers. The bi-level space has more than ten flat-screen TVs so you can watch from any angle, not to mention an outdoor deck on the second floor that is the perfect spot for a summer evening.
Kelly’s Sports Bar
12 Ave A / Website
Sports fans flock to this Irish pub in the East Village, a local spot with happy hour deals and classic pub fare. While Kelly’s is most well known for streaming hockey games, it is also a great place to watch the draft while enjoying their famous creamy pint and sharing a pizza or plate of wings with friends.
Blue Haven
108 W Houston St / Website
Located on Houston Street on the cusp of Greenwich Village and Soho, Blue Haven is an upscale sports bar crossed with a draught beer pub. The restaurant offers a full menu of modern gastropub cuisine including pulled pork BBQ tacos and bacon mac and cheese in addition to a large selection of beers. With sixteen large TVs - one spanning seven feet - you’ll never have to worry about keeping your eye on the draft.
Draft Watch Parties
Karma Sutra NBA Draft Watch Party and Mixer
51 1st Ave / Website
For those in the mood to celebrate the draft with a party, head over to Karma Sutra on the Lower East Side. Their NBA draft party and mixer will feature live music provided by Ewing Athletics’ DJ and Belaire brand ambassador DJ Trase. Burger joint Smashed will provide their delicious double-patty burger with American cheese, griddled onions, pickles and Smash sauce. A camera crew will be present filming guests for an upcoming Knicks fan documentary.
Photography by: Barclay's Center
