Sure, we'd all rather be at the game, but on those nights where you just don't...Where do you go?

I've been stuck on the far west side of town for the last few months, and it's been a bit of a challenge as I haven't really paid much attention on my visits out this way previously...

So here's rundown of the nearby joints I've visited to watch Avalanche games so far this season:

Pifler's - Colfax just east of Simms: probably the best layout for any sized group as it has a large number of flat screen tv's and a variety of watchables to choose from, and even an area with couches  Great food, and decent drink deals most nights.  Always some Avs fans on hand.  Only minus - they don't turn up the volume for the Avs games like I would prefer. I guess it's okay if they treat all other local teams the same way...it's busy and has people cheering for the Avs, so far it gets my high vote. Happy Hour M-F 11am-7pm, different specials every day.

Wrigley's Chicago Sports Bar - Colfax out near Heritage Square: found this place in an internet sweep.  Interestingly the same evening as the Avs played the Blackhawks.  Haven't eaten here, but I've heard it's good, the drinks are well priced and they have enough wide-screen TV's to please.  Game was put on shortly after I walked in the door, always something I make note of, and there were at least some other patrons interested in the game. Not as raucous as I hoped for the Avs. My server was a Blackhawks fan, so that at least made for some good ribbing throughout the night, particularly after the extended shootout win.  Placed 2nd in my ratings. Happy Hour M-F 4-6pm.

The Penalty Box - Wadsworth and Jewell:  I got all excited when I found this place in the listings just from the name alone.  I imagined wall to wall brethren and sisters all worshiping at the hockey shrine.  Then I went there and found the following:  an exterior reminiscent of an adult book store, and interior filled with..one other patron...who noted my jersey and did express wonderment that to that point in the night a bar by this name did not have the game on any of the TV's.  Now to be fair, the barkeep did immediately rectify this situation, and a bar where you can get any drink for $3 at happy hour will remain on my list...but really? Avs game night and no one here to watch.  No widescreen TV's here, every TV here would feel right at home in an 80's basement. Online the menu looked great...unfortunately the kitchen was not open when i arrived at 6:30p...Placed 3rd in my ratings even with these discrepancies...Happy Hour M-F 3-7pm

Jose Oshea's - Union and 6th Avenue: to be fair this isn't a sports bar, but they have added TVs in the cantina area.  The only real trouble is, the TV's are all mounted at an uncomfortable watching angle. I always exit feeling like I need to visit a chiropractor after an evening here.  Now the taco bar is great if you show early for some preparatory drinks, since the games usually miss the happy hour, but advance planning can have you set as far as food an beverage if you note the time and order preemptively.  This noted I really haven't hit avs games here since I've not seen anyone else in Avs gear on game night. I also note that one Monday night while I was enjoying another hockey game at this location, suddenly all the TV's were changed to football at blast off volume. Needless to say, I ended my evening there posthaste. Placed fourth in my ratings.  Happy Hour 4-6:30p, also 10pm-11:30p every day.

Old Chicago - 32nd Avenue and Youngfield St: got shanghaied here on the advice of a buddy in lieu of another bar in the area that I had thought might be good.  Turns out my buddy had been the other bar on a previous outing and I got the feeling that perhaps he was no longer welcome there for reasons he would not reveal, so at OC we landed. TVs right behind the bar, looking good, then for some reason, no Center Ice package, thus no game. Rated last for this reason.  Happy Hour M-F 3-6pm, Su-Th 10pm-12am

Anywho, that's my listing, maybe I'll see some of you out and about one night. Now it's your turn to share. Make sure you note where the place is, as you never know when I might get the urge to roll into your part of town and check out an Avs hot spot. Oh, and be sure to note those happy hours all.