Toronto Game Watching

[shandeezy7]

I'll be in Toronto this weekend for NBA All Star weekend and want to make sure I can watch both the Thursday and Sunday SU games. Anyone know of any good sports bars in the area that might actually show college basketball (and not pee-wee hockey or whatever instead)?

 

[OrangeTown]

For some reason I want to say POC44 is from there...

 

[Hogtowncuse]

For some reason I want to say POC44 is from there...

I'm from TO...but would guess that the only possibility is the Real Sports Bar...but suggest you call first.

 

[jncuse]

I lived in Toronto until 2007 and still in Canada (which is relevant)

The short answer:
- Thursday - Yes.
- Sunday - Maybe

Most bars should have the Cable Sports Package that includes some College Sports. This package picks up all ESPN / ESPN 2 basketball games, and some other games. I have the Sports Package and I confirmed that the Syracuse / Florida St game is on Thursday.

I viewed the game list online for Sunday, and Syracuse-Boston College is still listed as "TBD" -- to be determined. So it may or may not be on... and also Rogers (my carrier) seems to pick up more college content than Bell (the other cable carrier) for their sports package. So Sunday is still an unknown, but I am 90% confident it will be carried on my Sports Pak. But with Bell? Don't know.

One problem for Thursday is that the Maple Leafs play at 9:00 that night and against the superhyped Connor McDavid. They will want to see all the pre match preview and other hockey games before the Leafs game comes on. Puckheads gotta Puckhead.

I used to go out to watch some Syracuse games from 2000-2005. When hockey was on, I could still see the Syracuse game but I may not be in the main area. Once I was at a place where there was 3 main screens side by side. and the waitress without knowing changed one of the screens to Syracuse. Well Pucktard Nation at the table beside me went nuts -- they needed their hockey on all 3 main screens. I hate to move.

A few suggestions downtown that I think would carry the Thursday game for sure**:
- Real Sports
- Hoops Bar and Grill (gets bad reviews food and service wise, but given the name of the bar you should be able to enjoy a basketball game)

I think pretty much any major Sports bar downtown could accomodate you on Thursday, because they should have a Sports Pack. You don't even need to ask about the specific game -- just call them up and ask them if they have the Sports Package that carries College Basketball games, and if you could get a screen to watch it.

Sunday is more of an access issue than anything else.

** Although I moved in 2007, so I can't be certain

 

[jncuse]

I'm from TO...but would guess that the only possibility is the Real Sports Bar...but suggest you call first.

I doubt that is the only possibility. I am sure many bars have the Premium Sports Package -- I knew of two places to watch games back in 2003-2005 that were close to my place in North Toronto.

But you do give the best advice -- call first, and ask the bars if they have Premium Sports Package that includes College Sports. If so Syracuse will be on.

 

[shandeezy7]

I lived in Toronto until 2007 and still in Canada (which is relevant)

The short answer:
- Thursday - Yes.
- Sunday - Maybe

Most bars should have the Cable Sports Package that includes some College Sports. This package picks up all ESPN / ESPN 2 basketball games, and some other games. I have the Sports Package and I confirmed that the Syracuse / Florida St game is on Thursday.

I viewed the game list online for Sunday, and Syracuse-Boston College is still listed as "TBD" -- to be determined. So it may or may not be on... and also Rogers (my carrier) seems to pick up more college content than Bell (the other cable carrier) for their sports package. So Sunday is still an unknown, but I am 90% confident it will be carried on my Sports Pak. But with Bell? Don't know.

One problem for Thursday is that the Maple Leafs play at 9:00 that night and against the superhyped Connor McDavid. They will want to see all the pre match preview and other hockey games before the Leafs game comes on. Puckheads gotta Puckhead.

I used to go out to watch some Syracuse games from 2000-2005. When hockey was on, I could still see the Syracuse game but I may not be in the main area. Once I was at a place where there was 3 main screens side by side. and the waitress without knowing changed one of the screens to Syracuse. Well Pucktard Nation at the table beside me went nuts -- they needed their hockey on all 3 main screens. I hate to move.

A few suggestions downtown that I think would carry the Thursday game for sure**:
- Real Sports
- Hoops Bar and Grill (gets bad reviews food and service wise, but given the name of the bar you should be able to enjoy a basketball game)

I think pretty much any major Sports bar downtown could accomodate you on Thursday, because they should have a Sports Pack. You don't even need to ask about the specific game -- just call them up and ask them if they have the Sports Package that carries College Basketball games, and if you could get a screen to watch it.

Sunday is more of an access issue than anything else.

** Although I moved in 2007, so I can't be certain

Awesome, thanks for the advice! Was thinking that Sunday would be the hardest game to find, as it looks like it's listed only on ESPN Full Court/ESPN 3. Found out the hard way for the GA Tech game that ESPN 3 does not work in Canada.

 

[dollarbill44]

The Loose Moose (Front Street downtown) might have it. I usually go there when I'm in Toronto as it is convenient to many hotels (Intercontinental, Royal York, Ritz Carlton, etc). They have a ton of screens usually split between hoops and hockey and a great beer menu. But, like others have suggested, call first.

 

[shandeezy7]

The Loose Moose (Front Street downtown) might have it. I usually go there when I'm in Toronto as it is convenient to many hotels (Intercontinental, Royal York, Ritz Carlton, etc). They have a ton of screens usually split between hoops and hockey and a great beer menu. But, like others have suggested, call first.

Perfect. Royal York is where I'll be, so something within walking distance is preferred. I'll give them and Real Sports Bar a call.

 

[DonLightfoot]

Correct - ESPN3 and Watch ESPN not available for us Canucks. The Sunday game is being broadcast on ACC Network so you may be able to watch it on-line at "theacc.org". Of course, that will all depend on The Royal York's WiFi and if there is any bandwidth restrictions. I'm lucky in my area as an ABC affiliate in Watertown, NY carries most of the Syracuse "ACC Network" games, including this Sunday.

Good luck. Have a "real" Labatt's Blue for the game(s) rather than the watered down American import equivalent

 

[cliftonparksufan]

Awesome, thanks for the advice! Was thinking that Sunday would be the hardest game to find, as it looks like it's listed only on ESPN Full Court/ESPN 3. Found out the hard way for the GA Tech game that ESPN 3 does not work in Canada.

I was in Mexico for the Dec 30th Pitt game. Didn't realize it wouldn't work there either. I ended up listening to a Pitt feed with Dick Groat and some other Pitt homer. They had nothing good to say about Syracuse at all. It was very painful to listen.

 

[jncuse]

These are the Premium Sports Channels the game is on tomorrow, if you want to let the bar know when you call. They will know if those channels are active or not.

Bell - Channel 395
Rogers - Channel 433

Good news, it also appears the Sunday game is on as well as I see a listing for the game on Bell (and I can only assume one is coming on Rogers), so if you find a place Thursday...

Bell - Channel 393
Rogers - TBD

 

[CuseTroop]

For some reason I want to say POC44 is from there...

philly

 

[NYCSUGrad]

I'll be in Toronto this weekend for NBA All Star weekend and want to make sure I can watch both the Thursday and Sunday SU games. Anyone know of any good sports bars in the area that might actually show college basketball (and not pee-wee hockey or whatever instead)?

If worse comes to worse and you can't watch the game/s you can watch them at home either on ESPN watch, they archive games, or if you dvr one that might be on tv.

 

[shandeezy7]

If worse comes to worse and you can't watch the game/s you can watch them at home either on ESPN watch, they archive games, or if you dvr one that might be on tv.

I'm not a DVR sports kind of guy. If I miss it live, that's the end of it for me.