Super Bowlin' Around Town

It's an American tradition, just like representative democracy and childhood obesity: the Super Bowl. Even people who aren't football fans usually find a way to watch the game (or the commercials, depending on your priorities) and the die-hards view Sunday as some combination of Christmas, graduation, and the non-lame parts of the Olympics all rolled into one. If you don't have plans for the big game already, here are a few options around town:

- Houstonist favorite Beaver's is having drink specials, a special bar mix (which, given Beaver's, should actually be special), and the game on all three screens. Recommended for: Heights people, foodies, carnivores.

- The Stag's Head Pub is having a Singles Super Bowl party, which could put the fantasy back into fantasy football. Or could just leave you there wearing a name tag on your Brady jersey, wondering why the hottie in the pink Strahan jersey won't talk to you. Recommended for: regular readers of Missed Connections, singles (duh), people who like the commercials.

- Big Woodrow's on Chimney Rock is having a crawfish boil to compliment the big game. They're also debuting Jimmy Buffett's new beer, Land Shark. Recommended for: frat daddies, Parrotheads, Cajuns.

- If you're staying in, but want food that goes beyond queso and pretzels, Max's Wine Dive is catering this weekend. Check out their website for details. Recommended for: shut ins, people who aren't sick of Max's, wine drinkers.

- Honky tonk institution Blanco's is breaking its rules and opening on Sunday to host a party, featuring free bbq and the Honky Tonk Heroes providing accom...accomp...music that's waaaay better than Tom Petty's halftime show. Recommended for: people who like free food, people who wear boots every day, music fans.

- Naturally, there are lots of other parties going on too. Chances are that your regular watering hole is doing something, even if it's just changing the channel to the game. Recommended for: people who didn't read this article, people with pre-existing plans.

Now the obvious stuff: the game starts at 5:30pm, but the pre-game has probably already started (on Fox! With Ryan Seacrest!). So wherever you go, go early, stay late, and be safe: call a cab or have a designated driver handy. Especially if you play a drinking game that requires you to take a shot every time a member of the Manning family other than Eli is referenced.