News

Bars with satellite await Badger fans

With Charter still in conflict with the Big Ten Network, bars and restaurants across Madison will be televising this Saturday’s game against Ohio State University for those who cannot watch it on regular cable television.

The Nitty Gritty, located at 223 N. Frances St., will be one of the many restaurants airing the game. They have 15 televisions and will be opening at 10 a.m., with both the upstairs and downstairs available for the game. Marsh Shapiro, owner of the Nitty Gritty, said he is eager for the crowd.

“We are very excited about having DirecTV and being able to show the game,” Shapiro said. “So far, we have noticed that we have more people than we normally would have, and I think this Saturday will be a very good test of how many people will go out and watch a game.”

The Stadium Bar, at 419 Monroe St., is also ready for a large crowd on Saturday, according to manager Kathy Semenchuk.

“This is only the second game on the Big Ten Network, but I think any [bar] that has the BTN will benefit from it,” Semenchuk said. “Where you’re going to notice it is the basketball games, where it will make a substantial difference (in crowds) for away games.”

State Street also has a number of bars showing the game, including Hawk’s Bar and Grill and State Street Brats. Hawk’s is not a traditional sports bar, according to owner Hawk Schenkel, but will be showing the game on their big screen.

“[The conflict] is the very reason I don’t have Charter anymore,” Schenkel said. “The last Big Ten game we were busy, and if Badger fans don’t come out this weekend, they’re suckers! We’ll get busier, but not jam-packed, which makes it appealing, I think.”

State Street Brats will also be airing the game through DirecTV, according to manager and University of Wisconsin student Rick Spoentgen.

“[Charter] makes it so people who want to see the game have to come to a place like us,” Spoentgen said. “Normally, our home game sales are very much higher than our away game sales. Saturday’s should be pretty good for an away game because it’s not showing [on Charter cable].”

Other bars that will be showing the Wisconsin versus Ohio State game are Buffalo Wild Wings on State Street, Lucky’s Bar and Grill at 1421 Regent St., Jordan’s Big Ten Pub at 1330 Regent St., and Buck’s Madison Square Garden Tavern at 802 Regent St.

As for students on UW campus, Memorial Union will be showing the game at the Rathskeller. Union South will also have a screen set up where students can watch the big game.

The game on Saturday will be at Ohio State, with the kickoff at 11 a.m. It will be shown exclusively on the Big Ten Network.