Any bar that greets patrons with a mural of Adam Viniteri's game-winning kick from 2001's "Snow-Bowl" has an obligation to be a good sports bar. The Coolidge Corner Clubhouse is no exception. Getting there requires only a short ride down the C line to the lively intersection of Beacon Street and Harvard Street. The Clubhouse is a solid bar and with interesting menu items such as the O.J. Simpson or the LeBron James, it clearly caters to the sports enthusiast.
The Clubhouse's most appealing feature is its diverse selection of draft beers, which rivals any bar in the area. Chances are you will be able to enjoy a pint of your favorite New England micro-brewed treat. Standing as king among the 25 or so draft towers is the rare Sam Adams Imperial Pilsner. You would be hard-pressed to find another area bar that offers this majestically hoppy brew that resembles the bitterness of an India Pale Ale. For those with sophisticated taste buds, expect to shell out $5.50 for most of these beers (before tip, of course).
As the bar and restaurant are crammed into tight quarters, which is not uncommon for the area, it is best to snag a table and enjoy the prompt service. The menu is so large that the appetizers, which include a host of your favorite game-time delicacies, get their own menu. Be aware if you order the large nachos: Towering nearly a foot and a half above the plate, similar to the size of an over-inflated football, you will find yourself playing Jenga when trying to strategically excavate desirable chips. Sports fans will certainly be pleased with the unnecessarily large portion sizes.
Living in an era when it is almost required for a sports bar to have a large flat-screen television, the Clubhouse unfortunately lacks a definitive screen. Smaller TVs positioned at a frustrating, neck-straining height in many spots will put a damper on any game. However, as Coolidge Corner seems to be halfway from everywhere on this side of town, it is definitely worth your time to start - or end - your night at the Clubhouse. B+
2008 Woodie Awards
