At 200 Fifth: Football, and Many Televisions to Watch It On

It was 7:40 p.m. on a Monday night football double header at Fifth Avenue’s . The happy-hour crowd had dwindled; TV screens lit the room in a glowing ambience familiar to fans of sports bars.

Each of the bar’s 70 TVs were tuned into the NFL Network or ESPN in anticipation for the NY Giants versus the Minnesota Vikings and Baltimore Ravens versus the Houston Texans and a cozy crowd of about 15 took refuge from the snow among the presence of ales, spirits and hot plates.  

Shamus King, a husky, friendly bartender with a thick Brooklyn accent, walked the long bar approaching revelers with a familiarity that one only receives at a neighborhood joint.

King has been bartending at 200 Fifth for eight years. He recognizes a lot of the same faces each week. At 200 Fifth, new patrons quickly become locals themselves, lured by the many, many televisions and equally extensive beer list. With 40 beers on tap, there is something for everyone — from old standards such as Budweiser, and Yuengling to Dogfish Head IPA, Harpoon and Arrogant Bastard.

“It’s the only true sports bar in the area,” said King. Large groups of Pittsburgh Steelers fans, Giants, Jets and New England fans congregate each Sunday here to root for their team.

“Last week during the Pats and Jets game it was like the Superbowl,” King said. “You could barely get in here.”

On this particular Monday evening, the Giants took an early lead. The crowd swelled and rowdy fans huddled around the bar and booths.

Bernadette Fitzpatrick, 45, an “ear doctor” at a Manhattan V.A. hospital and Jackie Olmsted, 41, a Wall Street law firm employee, stop by 200 Fifth at least once a week. Shamus recognizes Fitzpatrick as the “Tampa woman” and immediately took her order.

Fitzpatrick and Olmsted are Tampa natives and have been living in Park Slope for less than a year. In a short period they’ve developed a special bond with the community.

Fitzpatrick beams when asked what she likes about 200 Fifth.

“If you gotta go out, you have to come here,” Fitzpatrick said.

As 9:30 p.m. approached, both games were well underway. The Giants were winning by double digits. The merrymaking was in full swing.

Dave Diehl, a New Jersey native whom began as a server and was promoted to manager in less than three years, attributes the bar’s special atmosphere to the neighborhood at large.

Diehl points to the dining room wall where several paintings hung.

“All these painting are done by locals,” he said. “The merchants and restaurants work together.” 

He feels a sense of camaraderie walking along Fifth Avenue on his way to work. 

As the games petered out and snow covered the streets, inside the crowd continued to eat, drink and growl at the screens.

“You can go to Buffalo Wild Wings,” said Diehl, “but it won’t be the same.”