It's been a long time since I went to a Sports Bar to actually watch sports. They are generally crowded with people who are not really interested in sports but go there because the place is trendy and all theye really want is to be in the company of other trendy people. They make a lot of noise, clog the bar and take up the cocktail waitresses time. A bar full of actual sports fans would too, but at least they'd be there for the right reason! Well..I went to one last Saturday to actually watch a game.

I have never watched an entire College Football game in my life. I have never known anyone who played for a college team and the rules are so different from the NFL that I would be lost half the time, so it just never interested me. Enter my grandson, Ryan Mathews, who started playing for Fresno State this year on his full ride. Now I am interested in, at least, Fresno State and WAC football! I doubt I will keep up with any other schools or conferences, but if Saturday is any indication of what is to come in regards to Ryan and FSU, I am in for a great time!

My daughter had told me she heard that a place called "Replay" here in Bako was going to show the FSU vs. A&M game so I called tham and was guaranteed by the owner if I showed up, he'd play it, so come Saturday I put on my Bulldogs shirt and headed down about 11:30 to save a good table for my former wife(Ryan's Gramma and still one of my closest friends) and my best friend and his gal. I figured the place would be jumping, but it was deserted, so I had my pick of tables!

The first thing I noticed about the place was its beautiful and well kept interior and the great layout. Then I noticed the very good looking and friendly bartender and waitresses(dressed in referee shirts and mini skirts). Then I noticed the two BIG screens on one wall and the dozen or more smaller screens on every other wall in the place. When I asked if they were going to show the FSU game the bartender went in the other room to find out and returned with Bubba, the owner. He came and introduced himself and remembered that I had called earlier in the week about the game. He had one of his guys go back and set the BIG screen up for the game.

I ordered a drink and started talking with the staff, who were all very friendly and engaged me in my usual bragging about Ryan. Eventually Bev, Don and Danielle showed up and we took a table. Bubba came by and talked with us awhile about the place and how it operates on the Bar and nightclub sides and listened some more to our talk of Ryan.

I have heard a few negative things about this place where it's nighclub is concerned, like the $20 cover, but I say that keeps the punks and riff raff out, not to mention the broke asses who spend all their money on bling then go to high end nightclubs and don't buy anything. The cover ensures the club can cover costs. It really doesn't matter to me because I am not really a nightclub guy, but I can say this about the Sports bar. It rocks! It's comfortable and big. The staff are very good at what they do and the gals who work there are all hotties with sexy outfits.

Drinks cost what they do everywhere else but most sports bars are smaller and get very congested. This place is huge. Customers came and went throughout the day and none batted an eye as we ranted, raved and jumped out of our seats as our Grandson came in the game at running back, scored a TD and led the team in rushing even though he only played in the third quarter. Thye staff seemed to enjoy us and were happy for Ryan too since he is a local boy and a grandson of now regular game watching patrons.

I'm hoping this blog and word of mouth helps fill some tables there on the coming weekends(they have the NFL games on Sundays as well)and that when I present a copy of this to Bubba, he remembers us and always has the FSU game on one of the BIG screens! I highly recommend Replay to local sports fans who enjoy getting out of the house to watch a game in good company at fun, nice establishments. It's on the corner of Buck Owens Blvd and Rio Mirada and if you go, remember .."GO BULLDOGS AND RYAN MATHEWS #21"!