Opening Day of the 2009 season is just a week away and I know you all are bubbling with excitement for the season to finally get underway. And while I'm sure many of you will be in attendance at the game - pictures, tweets, and recaps are greatly encouraged - what about the rest of us schmoes who don't want to brave the overwhelming crowds of the first game of the season?
Obviously, you will have the option to follow along with the game right here on Red Reporter in our world-renowned, state of the art game thread. However, if you are like me and you like to get out of the basement every once in a while and maybe have a drink or two with people you only know by an internet handle, well here's your chance.
Red Reporters will be carousing at a several different venues around the country and your attendance is encouraged. If you are in Cincinnati, you have a couple of options:
Gameday Cafe
537 East Pete Rose Way
Cincinnati, OH
Red Reporters sukr and ash will be in attendance for kegs and eggs starting way too early in the morning. They have offered to arrive early and sequester a table for those that can't make it at the crack of dawn. I may be in attendance as well, depending on if I decide to work that morning or not.
BW3's - Rookwood
2692 Madison Rd # A7
Cincinnati, OH
This is our traditional site for watching Opening Day in the Cincinnati area. Why? I have no idea, but the beer is cheap and the food is decent and they have lots of TVs, so it works. I will definitely be in attendance here along with several other RRs, if history is any indicator.
If you live outside of Cincinnati, perhaps one of these might work for you:
Champps Restaurant
1827 Olentangy River Rd
Columbus, OH
Our own Charlie Scrabbles will be hosting any Red Reporters in the Columbus area who would like someone with whom to watch the game.
Washington DC area
At a yet to be identified location, Brendanukkah has graciously offered to blow off work and watch the game with those looking for a companion. Rumor is that Cy Schourek will also be in attendance, so it hopefully won't be too awkward for you.
Solly's U St. Tavern
1942 11th St. NW
Washington, DC
According to Sister Daedalus, they show Reds games here a lot because one of the bartenders is a Reds fan. Sounds good enough for me. U St. bars are generally pretty rad and not full of popped collars (Georgetown) or Congressional staffers (Capitol Hill). This will be smack in the middle of the Cherry Blossom Festival, but hopefully all the tourists will be concentrated around the Mall and the Tidal Basin. If they do make their way up to U St., chances are good that they'll be checking out that "Ben's Chili Bowl the President went to," and leaving Solly's alone.
Any others?
If you aren't in any of these areas and would like to set up a meet up in your town, speak up. My experience has been that there is usually someone around you who wouldn't mind watching the game with a fellow fan. And trust me, you get over the creepy internet acquaintance thing fairly quickly.
GAME 2 get together
I also want to remind those that might be interested that we will be getting together to attend game 2 as a group once again this year. It's become an annual ritual at Red Reporter to show what real fans we are and brave the usually less than ideal weather to attend a game that 25,000+ fans from the previous game don't think is worth attending. It's always a good time and I hope we can get even greater attendance than the last couple of year. The more is always the merrier.
If you are interested in attending any of these events, speak up in the comments or email me and I will make sure you get in touch with the right person, which is usually me.