NEW YORK CITY — For the first time in 20 years the New York Rangers have made the Stanley Cup finals, and bars are gearing up to serve both devoted and fair-weather fans.
The Rangers are set to play the first of at least four games against the Los Angeles Kings, on Wednesday night. The two teams are scheduled to duke it out again on Saturday night in Game 2.
Here are some spots across the city where fans can catch the game and perhaps a drink special:
Windy City Ale House at 7915 3rd Ave. in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
The sports bar gets so busy during a Rangers game that Windy City Ale House is usually at capacity when a game starts, according to co-owner Steve Swartz. For every Rangers goal scored, Windy City plays the team's goal jingle and "everybody in the building sings so loud you can hear it from five blocks away," he said. During the Stanley Cup games, the bar is offering its regular drink specials of $10 Bud Light pitchers and $15 for a pitcher of Goose Island 312 craft beer.
Bounce in the Flatiron District and Midtown East
The sports bar and day drinking hotspot Bounce has renamed a cocktail in honor of the Rangers for the Stanley Cup. The Go Blue cocktail is shaken and poured over ice with Bullet Rye, simple syrup, fresh lime juice and muddled blueberries, according to owner Cole Bernard.
Molly Wee Pub at 402 8th Ave. in Chelsea
The Irish pub and sport bar's manager, Alicia Sheppard, has the spot all decked out in Rangers flags for the Stanley Cup. Molly Wee Pub will be offering up drink specials whenever the Rangers play in L.A., said Sheppard. These drink specials include $4 drafts of Bud Light and Miller Lite, $5 red or white wine and the pub’s specialty frozen drink called the Molly Pop with vodka, orange juice and whipped cream for $5.
Bar-Coastal, 1495 1st Ave., in Yorkville
During each game throughout the Stanley Cup finals Bar-Coastal will have $5 Molson Canadian drafts and $16 pitchers of the same beer, according to bartender Jim Fiorina. Rangers flags are hanging in the space and for a little Madison Square Garden atmosphere, a siren goes off every time the Rangers score.
Warren 77, at 77 Warren St. in TriBeCa
With early investors including former Rangers star Sean Avery, Warren 77 considers itself a venue for true hockey fans, according to the general manager at the bar. Rangers memorabilia such as old photos capturing candid moments in the teams history, a replica at the Stanley Cup and old hockey masks worn by layers fill shelves and walls.
