Scarborough is home to many sports bars, but I have always been curious which one is the best, so I chose to investigate. My ideal sports bar is one with originality. It has something unique about it and its atmosphere.
I came across Sports Café, also known as Champions, at 2839 Eglinton Ave. E. I decided this was the kind of sports bar I wanted to spend my nights in, watching my favourite hockey teams and my favourite fighters duke it out on UFC event nights.
Champions Sports Café opened in 1998. It has a loyal clientele because of its pool tournaments, food and drink specials and an open patio.
Manager Nikki Grigoiadis said that their most popular food special is on Mondays and Wednesdays. You can get your choice of six or 12 wings, with veggies and dip on the side, for an unbeatable price of $6.95 for six wings and $12.95 for 12.
There are over 100 televisions throughout the bar playing NHL, NBA and UFC events. However, what is distinctive about Champions is that they have a glass-encased room with several televisions hosting off-track wagering. Normally it’s packed with people looking up at the televisions and writing down their bets.
Johnathan Clarke, 52, has been coming to the bar for years.
“I try and come here a couple days a week to have a pint or two and sometimes indulge in some betting with the horse racing or watch a hockey game,” Clarke said.
Grigoriadis said the bar clientele is like Cheers, the popular 1980s television show.
“Everyone knows everyone else, and everyone is on a first-name basis,” Grigoriadis said.
Whether you have a passion for horse racing, enjoy a friendly atmosphere, or like indulging in a plate of wings while watching the Leafs lose to the Canadiens, this is the place for you.