The Olympics might have originated as an an ancient Roman display of physical beauty and premier strength, but this is 2012, the point now is the eating, drinking, voyeurism, and generally being inactive that the Games give you an opportunity to enjoy. With the big show taking place in pub-happy London this year, you can pass off your bar tab as the price one pays for cultural authenticity. After all, it might take a pint at the Phoenix to fully appreciate rower Henrik Rummel’s well-endowed disaster. So cheers to the fact that while records are broken and teenagers’ dreams are being dashed in Olympic Park, we can chill with our buddies and crack up at professional divers’ faces. Party like an Olympian — need a drinking game to pass the time? — with this list of fine establishments that showing the games if you ask nicely, satisfying both your appetite and burning need to watch ridiculously fit people sweat in spandex.
Abbey Tavern 4100 Geary, SF. (415) 221-7767
Bus Stop Bar prime time coverage M-F 8pm-midnight. 1901 Union, SF. (415) 567-6905
Columbus Cafe 562 Green, SF. (415) 274-2599
Danny Coyle’s 668 Haight, SF. (415) 558-8375
Hard Knox Cafe and Soul Kitchen 6526 Third St., SF. (415) 648-3770
Kennedy’s Irish Pub and Indian Curry House 1040 Columbus, SF. (415) 441-8855
Kezar Pub 770 Stanyan, SF. (415) 386-9292
King of Thai Noodle House 1268 Grant, SF. (415) 391-8219
Lefty O’Doul’s restaurant and cocktail lounge 333 Geary, SF. (415) 982-8900
The Mucky Duck 1315 Ninth Ave., SF. (415) 661-4340
The Phoenix Irish Pub 811 Valencia, SF. (415) 695-9811
Portal’s Tavern 179 W. Portal, SF. (415) 731-1208
The Royal Exchange sports bar and restaurant 301 Sacramento, SF. (415) 956-1710
The Taco Shop @ Underdogs 1824 Irving, SF. (415) 566-8700