DINING

Sports bars are usually equated with rowdy crowds who consume large amounts of alcohol while cheering on their teams or favorite players. But that is changing. Some bars have upped the ante with fine dining, plush seating and signature cocktails while fans luxuriously watch the game.

When you’re in New York and a team or player you’re following is in another area, we've rounded up five bars in the city where you can watch and revel at a new level:

J. Bespoke

This venue describes itself as “an upscale speakeasy cocktail lounge in Manhattan with a focus on sports programming.” The bar is tucked discreetly behind a café, so it’s an exclusive hideaway for sports enthusiasts seeking an elevated cocktail experience. In traditional sports bars, screens are like tractor beams for irises and attention. Not so at J. Bespoke. Helmed by brothers Jesse and Eric Jacobs, J. Bespoke was conceived to fill an untapped niche – a refined venue that plays athletic events in an upscale setting. With just 50 seats and attentive, personalized service, the lounge offers a luxe counterpoint to the city’s mainstream sports bars. You’ll enter J. Bespoke through an unmarked brass door at the back of Irving Farm, New York. The well-appointed space boasts high ceilings, wood paneling and a comfortable seating environment. The video and sound system is also excellent, featuring 4K LED flat-screen TVs and immersive audio, ideal for big games and J. Bespoke’s curated playlists. Once programming is over for the night, TVs are hidden away and cocktails, bites and music take center stage. J. Bespoke is located at 121 East 27th Street.

To try: Beverage: G.O. Paloma, fashioned with hibiscus-infused Milagro silver tequila, ghost tequila, Aperol, fresh grapefruit juice, fresh lime juice, ginger and soda. To eat: Charcuterie 22 with prosciutto, parmesan, Spanish olives, spiced nuts, dried fruit, artisanal crackers and whole-grain Dijon mustard.

Death & Co.

Home to some of the freshest and most delicious cocktails in town. This elevated experience in the East Village comes with exemplary service and is recommended as a “must-do” while in the Big Apple. Servers are friendly and smart, and the bar is the place to be if you want to talk in-depth about obscure spirits. Hidden from prying eyes, Death & Co. has an atmospheric speakeasy atmosphere that is dark and delicious. This is a no-stand bar, so everyone needs to take a seat. It’s on everyone's get-in list and some people have waited months, but when you are an LVH guest, if you want to experience Death & Co. we will do our utmost to get you a table. At Death & Co. you will find downtown types in button downs, Williamsburgers grabbing a drink before heading home, and dates showing displays of affection at tables. This place has dominated the “best of New York” lists since its opening in 2007. Incidentally, the cocktail menu changes twice a year. Death & Co. is located at 433 East 6th Street.

To try: Beverage: Some Weird Sin, fashioned with Smith & Cross Navy Strength rum, Zacapa 23-year-old Grand Dad 114 bourbon whiskey, Lustau 'San Emilio' Pedro Ximenez sherry, Moroccan spiced bitters. To eat: Pork belly skewer, apple pickles and whiskey caramel.

Extraordinary Townhouse Anastasia

Located in the heart of Tribeca, Townhouse Anastasia has a refined, contemporary style all its own. With room to accommodate up to eight guests, this residence embodies modern, urban living. Guests will enjoy an indoor pool, sauna, wine cellar, home theater room and a library, among other amenities. It is the ideal home for your comfort when in the city to watch US Open tennis matches.

The Up & Up

For the Up & Up, follow the illuminated arrow pointing down the stairs leading from MacDougal Street into an historic space, once home to the Gaslight Cafe, the birthplace of the Beat Generation (think Allen Ginsberg and Bob Dylan) and venue for some of the most storied musical acts. Nestled among the William Morris wallpaper, marble, brass, and wood, you will find a new kind of neighborhood cocktail bar – one where hospitality and skill work in concert. Guided by the mantra, high-end, low-key, the Up & Up is the ideal marriage of an intimate cocktail den and a social, comfortable, neighborhood bar. Servers are very knowledgeable about the beverages, so if you tell them your preferences, they will be sure to recommend a drink to your liking. This place has been mentioned with positive accolades in countless media outlets. The Up & Up is located at 116 MacDougal Street.

To try: Beverage: Papa Love Mambo, fashioned with Real McCoy 5 rum, Mr. Black Cold Brew coffee liquor, grapefruit juice, lime juice, demerara, and Angostura bitters. To eat: Charcuterie plate with cheeses and Jamon Serrano Gran Reserva ham, crackers.

The Keg Room

The Keg Room is an up-scale casual Irish-American sports bar and restaurant located in the heart of the city. It has a warm and welcoming interior with beautiful Celtic decor, and its center rectangular island bears all four of its sides to its patrons, making it one of the longest bars in the city (more than 100 feet). With 60 taps and 48 unique beers on draft, 40 bottled beers, several rotating seasonal beers, an ample food menu and 45 TV screens complemented by four large screen projectors, The Keg Room is ideal to watch your favorite sporting events and games. The venue is close to Herald Square, Madison Square Garden, Bryant Park and the Empire State Building. The Keg Room is located at 53 West 36th Street.

To try: Beverage: Impact Wrench IPA Triple – at 10% abv, this beer, by Industrial Arts Brewing, has a full-bodied, Iupulin flavor that packs a punch. To eat: The Keg Room sampler with chicken wings, calamari, Mozzarella sticks and vegetable spring rolls with an assortment of dipping sauces.

City View Racquet Club

Just minutes from downtown Manhattan, City View Racquet Club not only offers a place to play tennis and squash indoors, but also has a contemporary lounge featuring delicious beverages and decadent cuisine, not to mention breathtaking views of the city skyline. The seating next to the fireplace is elite, yet cozy. The staff is attentive and friendly. City View Racquet Club is located at 43-43 32nd Place, Long Island.

To try: Beverage: A classic Cosmo with a twist. To eat: Sushi rolls, roasted chicken or salmon pasta. Or you can nibble away at a fruit and cheese platter.

Wherever you choose for your vacation, LVH is on board to ensure you get into those establishments considered the best of the best. LVH team members have been known to use their magic wands to attain the seemingly unattainable for their guests. So, if you plan on attending an event in Manhattan, we invite you to contact one of our client relations team members who will begin the planning process for you. LVH will not only arrange the finest, full service accommodations, but will build a tailor-made itinerary for you reflecting those things you would like to see and do in the city that never sleeps!