Super Bowl week did not start well for NFL fans triggered by the sight of Kansas City star Travis Kelce’s girlfriend.
Taylor Swift’s night at the Grammy Awards on Sunday — including a record-setting fourth win for Album of the Year and the surprise announcement of a new album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” set for release on April 19 — was a reminder that she does not need to use the NFL to boost her brand. It’s the other way around.
The NFL community that will gather for Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas this Sunday is filled with good men who lead exemplary family lives and do generous work in their communities. This too often gets overshadowed by sensational headlines of domestic violence, bar brawls and fatal car crashes.
Can someone explain why NFL fans who share homes with wives and daughters (or who hope to do that someday) begrudge the fleeting sight of one of pop culture’s defining female role models as she supports her boyfriend at work?
How is this not a moment (literally measured in seconds) of the kind of healthy, nurturing relationship we wish for our kids (everyone, really)? Like Jay-Z’s frank advocacy for his wife at the Grammys last Sunday.
One of the many public watch parties scheduled in South Florida when the Super Bowl kicks off at 6:30 p.m. Sunday is at Thrōw Social in downtown Delray Beach, which will lean into the sideshow of the game during an event called Here for the Commercials, which includes Swifty themes and is open to anyone age 15 and older.
Here are some other unique places where people will gather to root for the San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs and Team Taylor.
BROWARD COUNTY
Downtown Fort Lauderdale: The traditional Super Bowl closing of Southwest Second Street, the main drag through the Himmarshee District party zone, will begin at 4 p.m. Sunday. Presented by The Den Sports Bar & Lounge, the event will include the 49ers and Chiefs on a 20-foot LED screen, tailgate games, a DJ, giveaways and more. The all-ages party (21+ to drink) features a couple of specials: $50 open bar from 4 to 6 p.m., $150 for all you can drink and eat from 6 p.m. until the end of the game. The Den is at 201 SW Second St. Visit Instagram.com/thedenftl.
Las Olas: The first Super Bowl party at The Palm Room, which opened last year on Fort Lauderdale’s tony Las Olas Boulevard, begins at noon. Among the specials: $25 for buckets of beer or seltzers, $60 open bar from 4 to 6 p.m., and $50 Tailgator co*cktails (usually $60), which serve two to four people. Post-game specials include $100 bottles of Ketel One Vodka or Milagro Silver Tequila. The Palm Room is at 825 E. Las Olas Blvd. Visit PalmRoomFTL.com.
Progresso: Patio Bar & Pizza in Fort Lauderdale’s Progresso neighborhood opens its party at 3 p.m. with all-day specials including half-off wings and $5 espresso martinis. They’ll show the game on big screens inside and out on the patio. Patio Bar & Pizza is at 901 Progresso Drive. Visit Instagram.com/patiobarpizza.
Fort Lauderdale beach: If you are out to Insta-torment football fans in San Francisco and Kansas City, the party at Bamboo Beach Tiki Bar is virtually on the sands of Fort Lauderdale beach. Located in back of the Ocean Manor Beach Resort, the bar will show the game on 15 screens, including two projector screens. They also are touting celebrity guests, including former NFL stars Oronde Gadsden and Lorenzo White. Bamboo Beach Tiki Bar is at 4040 Galt Ocean Drive. Visit Facebook.com/BambooBeachTikiBar.
Hard Rock Hollywood: You can party like you’re Tom Brady with the Bora Bora Cabana Big Game Experience at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, with a private bungalow overlooking a lagoon. Accommodations include pool access, three food platters (bottle service is a la carte) and private butler service. The package costs $1,000, plus tax and $200 gratuity, for up to 15 guests. The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood is at 1 Seminole Way. Visit SeminoleHardRockHollywood.com.
Hard Rock Hollywood: DAER dayclub outside The Guitar Hotel at the Hard Rock is touting the “largest outdoor LED screen in South Florida” for its party, which begins at noon. The event, with a buffet of football-friendly food, costs $30+. DAER is at 1 Lucky St. Visit HardRockNightlife.com.
Hollywood Beach: The Big Game Day Buffet watch party at Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort begins at 6 p.m. and will add new dishes to the buffet each quarter, from Buffalo chicken wings, loaded potato skins and grilled beef sliders (also Impossible sliders) to fourth-quarter features such as cupcakes, brownies, mini cheesecakes and mousse shooters. Each quarter also brings a new drink special. Price: $55 (plus tax/tip) and $40+ for kids age 12 and younger. Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort is at 1111 N. Ocean Drive. Visit MargaritavilleHollywoodBeachResort.com/experiences.
Hollywood Beach: The game will have some competition at Sunset Club, the rooftop lounge at the Costa Hollywood Beach Resort, where the 6:30 p.m. kickoff will happen around the time guests typically take advantage of the unobstructed view of the sunset. The party will include big-screen viewing, burgers and wings, and specials on beer buckets and pitchers. A table reservation is $40 per person, which is applied to the check. Costa Hollywood Beach Resort is at 777 N. Ocean Drive. Visit Facebook.com/sunsetclubrooftop.
PALM BEACH COUNTY
Downtown West Palm Beach: Roxy’s Pub, the iconic drinking spot in downtown West Palm Beach, will host a Super Bowl blowout beginning at 3 p.m. in the middle of the 300 block of Clematis Street. The free block party will include the game on a big screen, food and drink, and music from DJ Matte Black. Roxy’s is at 309 Clematis St. Visit Facebook.com/roxyspub.
Downtown West Palm Beach: Bodega Taqueria y Tequila in downtown West Palm Beach (along with locations in Fort Lauderdale and Aventura) will party from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. with game-time specials on an assortment of signature tacos, nachos, wings and other items. Drink specials include Monopolio lager paired with a shot of Producer Mezcal for $12 and $10 off margarita pitchers. Bodega’s West Palm Beach location is at 118 Clematis St. Visit Facebook.com/bodegataqueria.
Lake Worth Beach: Lilo’s Streetfood & Bar hosts its fifth annual Papa Joe’s Super Bowl Party from 6 to 11:30 p.m. with more than a dozen TVs inside and on the patio, a loaded buffet and drink specials. The all-you-can-eat buffet (wings, ribs, nachos and more) costs $21+ in advance; the all-you-can-drink deal (house liquors, house wine, domestic beers) costs $40+ in advance. Prices go up $10 on Sunday. Lilo’s is at 701 Lake Ave. Visit Facebook.com/liloslakeworth.
Delray Beach: Thrōw Social in downtown Delray Beach will host the Here for the Commercials watch party beginning at 6:30 p.m., featuring a 22-foot video wall that also may show the Super Bowl. The evening will include Commercial Bingo, tailgate food specials (including 10 wings for $10), bucket specials ($20 domestics, $25 imports/High Noons), beer pong, cornhole and Jenga. Throw Social is at 29 SE Second Ave. Visit Instagram.com/throwsocialdelray.
Delray Beach: Your first drink is $1 when you wear a Chiefs or 49ers jersey during the party at Atlantic Avenue Yacht Club in downtown Delray Beach. The fun runs from 6 to 10 p.m. and includes free game snacks and team-themed drinks for $5. Atlantic Avenue Yacht Club is at 2 E. Atlantic Ave. Visit Facebook.com/AAYCdelray.
Boca Raton: A favorite of Florida Atlantic University students, alums and faculty, The Irishmen has plenty of TVs inside and out. Their “whistle to whistle” unlimited drink specials include $35 for domestic drafts, well drinks and house wine, or $50 for domestic and import beer, all bottled beer, call drinks and house wine. Wings will be 25% off all night. The Irishmen is at 1745 NW Boca Raton Blvd. Visit Facebook.com/TheIrishmenPub.
Staff writer Ben Crandell can be reached atbcrandell@sunsentinel.com. Follow onInstagram @BenCrandellandTwitter @BenCrandell.
