Stefan Castellanos breaks down the top sports bars around Claremont

On the eve of March Madness, even the most casual of fans are preparing to fill out their bracket. For many, the upcoming few weeks are some of the most exciting sporting weeks of the year. Throw in the home stretch of the greatest basketball season in recent memory, Opening Day for Major League Baseball, and the Cricket World Cup, and the next month or so sounds downright tantalizing. That being said, lay off the illegal streams and fuzzy Walker Lounge TV and treat these games with the respect they deserve. For those of you who think that all the Claremont Village has to offer is overpriced boutiques and specialty shoppes, you’re mostly right. But there also happen to be several places to sit down, have a beer, and get your spectate on. (To make things easier, I’m going to assume that everyone is of age and that everyone is also drinking. I apologize for any perceived ageism or alcohol-normativity.) Here’s an in-depth look at some options you may have considered and some you probably haven’t.

Espiau’s Restaurant, 109 Yale Ave, Claremont

From a strictly game-watching standpoint, Espiau’s is the best sports bar in the village. The bar area has at least a dozen flatscreens, which may seem like overkill. But come NCAA Tournament time, you’ll be thankful for every one of them. The selection of beers on tap is extensive and prices are average ($5-7 for a pint). This place gets extra points for serving all beers in small and large mason jars. Free chips and salsa are served to all patrons, and the staff are not shy about refills. The restaurant/bar offers a full menu of Mexican favorites, though the food is nothing special. Cheering and booing from sports fans is encouraged, as the bar is separated from the general dining area. Outdoor seating (with TVs) is also available. Espiau’s is nothing too unique, but it’s certainly a solid choice. And now for some rankings (out of 10):

TVs: 9

Drinks/food selection: 7

Gameday specials: 7 (Super Bowl, March Madness)

Fan-friendly atmosphere: 9

Best part: Mason jar beers. One big one of those bad boys will last you an entire Mark Buehrle-pitched baseball game.

Worst part: The bathroom is way in the back. It’s harder to find than the can in the Scripps dining hall.

Heroes and Legends, 131 Yale Ave, Claremont

Just up the street from Espiau’s, Heroes is probably the best-known bar in the village. If I had to describe it, I would call Heroes an upscale roadhouse, where you can throw the shells from your (free) peanuts on the wooden floor and then pay 10 bucks for a bleu cheese burger. Along with their tasty burgers, Heroes offers a wide variety of draft beers, all of which are available in 24-ounce goblets or 32-ounce mugs. Despite having several high definition plasma screens, the game is hardly as ubiquitous as it is in Espiau’s bar area. Furthermore, the lack of a barrier between drinking spectators and general diners makes shouting at the screen a bit less acceptable. A less-than-organized wait staff and no specials on anything (ever!) makes Heroes and Legends the clear second choice for sports fans on the 100 block of Yale Ave.

TVs: 7

Drinks/food selection: 8

Gameday specials: N/A

Fan-friendly atmosphere: 7

Best part: Stone Brewery Smoked Porter on tap; a certain waitress who vaguely resembles a lioness (in a good way).

Worst part: The TV’s are all on mute; no specials on anything ever.

Walter’s Restaurant, 310 Yale Ave, Claremont

Not your typical sports bar (or a sports bar at all, for that matter), but I have indeed had an enjoyable game-watching experience here. When sitting at the bar, two large-ish TV’s are well positioned for your viewing pleasure. Selection of wine and spirits is extensive, but beer selection (all bottled) is average. I had a great time watching the Bulls-Heat game here last week, though we almost gave heart attacks to nearby elderly patrons on several buzzer-beating occasions. Bartenders were very friendly and never once told us to shut up. This place wouldn’t be my first choice, but it surely wouldn’t be my last.

TVs: 5

Drink selection: 7

Gameday specials: 7 (Thursdays, Fridays)

Fan-friendly atmosphere: 5

Best part: Free potato chips; $3 margaritas on Thursdays

Worst part: Draft beer selection; the margaritas aren’t $1

El Ranchero/Sushi Cruise, 984/962 W. Foothill Blvd., Claremont

Since these places are often a package deal for Claremont students, it made sense to rate them together. Similar to Heroes and Legends, these two establishments feature several mounted flatscreens, but leave something to be desired from a spectating standpoint. Assuming you’re watching a Thursday night game (as I have no evidence that anyone goes to El Ranchero or Sushi Cruise on nights other than Thursdays), the game will be near impossible to hear over the yelling and karaoke. On the bright side, drinks are only a buck.

TVs: 6

Drink selection: 6

Gameday specials: 10 ($1 margaritas, $1 sake bombs)

Fan-friendly atmosphere: 6

Best part: Drink specials allow the fans to get as competitive as the athletes

Worst part: Competitive drinking in the restaurants overshadows competitive athletics on screen

Hi-Brow, 547 E. Foothill Blvd, Pomona

Not as convenient as Heroes or Espiau’s but if you’re already going to Sushi Cruise, it’s definitely worth your while to check out Hi-Brow, just west of Towne on Foothill. I was a bit skeptical of this place as I strolled in to watch a Bulls-Lakers game, and even more skeptical of those who frequent it (who told me and my Chi-Town buddies to “go back to the East Coast”), but the Hi-Brow managed to win me over in a matter of minutes. Despite looking like a dump inside and out, it was a great place to watch. The game was being projected onto a huge screen and was ultra visible, the beers were plentiful and cheap ($4), and there were darts and pool for commercial-break entertainment. This place is the epitome of a dive, but one that is friendly to the sports fan. They show the evening’s marquee sporting event and fans can shout as loud as they want (so long as they don’t disturb the Inland Empire boozehounds in the corner). So next time you’re looking to watch the game somewhere dingy, cheap, and awesome, think Hi-Brow.

TVs: 8

Drink selection: 7

Gameday specials: 6 ($1 tacos on Tuesdays; cheap drinks all the time)

Fan-friendly atmosphere: 8

Best part: Ambiance very conducive to trash talking/bar fighting; cheap drinks

Worst part: Finding a designated driver