Celtics-Lakers. Growing up just north of Boston in the 1980s, that matchup was the big sports rivalry, not Red Sox-Yankees, both of whom were mediocre and likely never played a meaningful game that decade. And June meant it was time for filthy dirt balls like Kurt Rambis to get their comeuppance from fine upstanding players like Kevin McHale in the NBA Finals. It's time for the Celtics and Paul Pierce, a man so honorable he's nicknamed "The Truth," to take on the Lakers' squad of brawlers (Ron Artest), junkies (Lamar Odom) and facial enthusiasts (Kobe Bryant) in the NBA FInals. Beat L.A.!
Sullivan's Tap
Located just two blocks from the Garden, a long bar that fills a narrow room with no windows, a floor that's sticky and has broken glass on it--even in the early … afternoon--and Wild Turkey poured not into shot glasses but tumblers make Sully's Boston's best dive bar. Never mind a Lakers jersey, don't wear yellow or purple here period. [link]
Greatest Bar
Directly across the street from the Garden, the best sports bar in Boston according to the Sporting News has 20 HDTVs, including the largest one in Boston (dimensions … unknown, but it's wicked big). Reviews on Yelp are mediocre--expensive drinks served in plastic cups, moronic customers, rude bouncers (some of whom probably went to high school with me). But my buddy Bru, who's knowledgeable about both basketball and getting hammered in town, recommends this place, so let's go with that. [link]
The Bell In Hand Tavern
The bartenders here are among the best in the city: when my buddies asked one to drop a shot of vodka in my Jack Daniels, she didn't even blink. Four Jacks-and-vodkas … later (I'd done some prepartying so back the fuck off), I was splashing around in a puddle out front. I spent the next day on the couch, trying to watch basketball on TV, but unable to see much because I was so hungover I couldn't get my contacts in. Good times! [link]
West End Johnnie's
A bit classier than its neighbors, it's also got a better menu (you'll do no better than Andy Capp Hot Fries at some of these places). Be ready to wait up to 90 minutes … for a table before a game though. [link]
Boston Beerworks
Tourists probably will flock here to watch the games, but its assortment of delicious microbrews mean you should join them. Try the watermelon ale, but discreetly discard the slice of fruit from your drink before your buddies see you lest they consider you as big a ninny as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. [link]
The Four's
Forty-two televisions mean you'll have no problem catching a glimpse of the game at the sports bar ranked #1 by Sports Illustrated (it's a magazine you used to subscribe to). And while its website advertises "whether you are from Boston or LA you can be sure that you will be able to see your team … play," see what happens if you root for the Lakers. [link]
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