Best spots to watch the games

Dublin Square, located on the west side of East Lansing's downtown strip, is a sophisticated stop with upscale food, monstrous space and a sassy staff. Order 16-ounce draft specials at the main mahogany bar, park it in front of the 13 flat-screen TVs, and spend halftime shooting stick or throwing darts in the designated smoking room in the back. Check out appetizers like Smithwick's Shrimp Skewers, wrap your paws around the signature fish and chips or just try to say no to the devilish Chocolate Seduction Cake. --BJ Hammerstein

Named after minor league baseball team the Lansing Lugnuts, this venue just blocks from Michigan's Capitol has three projection screens, 14 other TVs, a game room with pool tables and video games, and an outdoor patio. Daily drink specials make this laid-back bar & grill a preferred stop.

No trip to East Lansing is complete until you hit neighborhood pub Peanut Barrel. Maneuvering through the cozy establishment for the big game will require determination, but holes do open up at the bar and the handful of tables inside. If the weather is nice, 14 tables are lined up on the scenic outside patio overlooking Grand River. For a 3:30 p.m. kickoff, the place fills up around 11 a.m., but there is a ticket-holder mass exodus around 3 p.m. that presents a golden opportunity for the second team to jockey for position. The Barrel has great tradition, incredible burgers, flat-screen TVs, five beers on tap and multiple bottled beers. The peanuts now come in the baskets, and you'll find dartboards, a pool table and the best jukebox in town. --BJ Hammerstein

Not your typical sports center, the Riv is a Michigan State mainstay situated in the center of downtown East Lansing. It features traditional bar food, including burgers, sandwiches, grinders and salads. Check out the new Mac & Cheese Bites and the Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup. Three pool tables, darts, arcade games and three big-screen TVs make this a perfect place to play. For evening celebrations, the Riv has lines out the door as coeds jockey for drinks and a sweet spot on the dance floor. --BJ Hammerstein

Stop in at the Spartan Hall of Fame Cafe across from the Eastwood Town Center for a bite to eat, a drink or just to look around. Championship banners hang from the rafters, and framed photos of historic MSU sports moments are on full display. The spot combines family fun, sports addiction and American cuisine, with multiple flat-screen TVs showcasing all the action. Specialty drinks include the Tailgate Rum Runner, the Golden Margarita and the signature Stadium Colada. There's even a Spartan Hall of Fame souvenir glass. --BJ Hammerstein

An Irish theme greats you along with multiple big screen plasma TVs, a dance floor and an array of excellent food and beverages. Menu features Irish favorites such as corned beef & Sheppard's pie along with a wide variety of items guaranteed to satisfy anyone in your crowd. Enjoy multiple beers from our taps as well as nightly drink & shot specials.

Right in downtown Ann Arbor, Score Keeper's is jam-packed with college students every night of the week. Expect a line on weekends. With drink specials like $1 Long Islands and $2.75 pitchers of beer, it's worth the wait. Not to mention mingling with the best and brightest U-M has to offer. This is the spot to catch a game (Wolverine fans only) and throw back a few. With an impressive 27 beers on tap, there should be something for even the snobbiest beer drinker. The menu is full of sandwiches, wings and an assortment of fried munchies to sop up the booze. If you're looking for the score, either for the game or the girl in your Chem class, Score Keepers is the place to be. --Erin Branstner

The Bistro Sports Bar & Grill is the perfect place to watch any sporting event or just relax with friends. With six full-size pool tables, a wood and marble bar, exposed ductwork ceilings, 5 projector screens, 22 flat screens, a unique drink menu, recipes prepared by an award winning chef, entertainment four nights a week and various theme nights. --Andrea K. Farmer

This down-to-earth sports bar still scores major points with the college crowd with its 60 oz. pitchers of beer for only $2. If that's not enough, Long Island Iced Teas are only $3. After that, join your friends in a game of pool or darts if you're still standing. --Andrea K. Farmer