If you are one of the lucky few regular people who got tickets to Tuesday's Giants' NLCS game, chances are you spent a fortune.
If you are one of the hoards debating whether to fork over big bucks to buy tickets from StubHub or Craigslist, then saving a few bucks on parking might make life easier for you too.
Instead of taking out a second mortgage on your about to be foreclosed home to park your car for the Giants-Phillies match up, save yourself some cash. In fact don't drop a dime on parking.
You can avoid the crowds that will pack every Muni and BART line going to the park Tuesday and still park for free by bringing your bike the stadium.
The folks at findingthesweetspot.com point out that AT&T Park actually has amazing valet bike service at every Giants' game and "it's as easy as a coat check at a restaurant."
The best part is the service is completely free -- whether you tip or not, that's your business.
Just race your bike over to the McCovey Cove side of the ballpark, between right and center field. Hand a friendly person your bike and they will hand you a claim ticket and you are then free to walk into the ballpark, with a little extra cash for a Chacha bowl.
If you don't have a ticket and you don't want to deal with crowds in and around the ball park, the San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau has put together a list of spots where you will find big screens and plenty of Giants' fans.
In alphabetical order:
Aurea at The Stanford Court Renaissance San Francisco Hotel
905 California Street
Promotion: Aurea will play the games on five flat-screen televisions. As part of this "rally cap" promotion, guests will receive 50 percent off on all small plates and bar snacks.
4th St Bar & Grill
Corner of 4th & Mission
Hours: Tuesday 1 – 11 p.m; Wednesday & Thursday 4 – 11 p.m.
Promotion: Watch the Giant’s on one of 22 televisions and enjoy nightly happy hour specials 4 – 6 p.m.
Biscuits And Blues
401 Mason St.
Promotion: Four television screens and choice of any beer and yam fries for $1.00
Brick & Bottle
55 Tamal Vista Blvd. in Corte Madera
Promotion: Brick & Bottle features three televisions in the dining room and four in the bar. The promotion includes Scott Howard’s signature burger, fries and a beer or glass of wine for $11.
Jillian’s
101 4th St.
Promotion: View the games from a 50 – foot video wall
Knuckles at the Wharf
555 North Point St.
Promotion: 20 percent food discount for guests wearing team gear.
Larkspur Hotel Union Square
524 Sutter St.
Promotion: The Larkspur Hotel Union Square will offer Happy Hour pricing for the duration of the Giants Game.
McCormick & Kuleto’s Seafood Restaurant
Ghirardelli Square
Promotion: “Special Giants Happy Hour” with $5 drink specials, $3 beer specials and $1.95 to $4.95 food items.
Midi Bar & Restaurant
185 Sutter @ Kearny
Promotion: 11 a.m. to midnight Happy Hour prices during all games, including $5 specialty drinks and wine and $3 beers.
Players Arcade & Sports Grill on PIER 39
Beach St. & The Embarcadero
Promotion: Watch at the bar on one of 20 HDTV screens while snacking on pub grub and one of 30 beers from around the world, or enjoy a personal tableside TV in the dining area! Wear your team’s colors and get a free appetizer for your table (with purchase over $20, not valid with any other offer), or purchase a bucket of beer and get 40 free tokens to play pool or one of 85 arcade games.
Royal Exchange
301 Sacramento St.
Promotion: Royal Exchange is offering an all day happy hour. Guests can root for the Giants (on one of their 17 big-screen TVs) while enjoying $6.75 cocktails, including: the Royal Punch, Blueberry Martini, their famous sangria. For those who arrive before 6 p.m., can enjoy $4.75 bar bites including Pulled Pork Sliders; Crispy Cod Bites and Spinach Dip.
Swank Cocktail Club
488 Presidio Avenue
Promotion: Each game day, from first pitch to close, special pricing on all San Francisco beer and if the Giant’s win, “Pay the Margin” on next round after the game.
750 Kearny Street
Promotion: Specials during the games include Anchor Steam Draft Beer for $3.50 and appetizers for $8 – $10.
Wipeout Bar & Grill at Pier 39
Promotion: Giant projection screen TV.
Sports
302 Bon Air Center in Greenbrae
Promotion: Giant projection screen TVs. Happy hour Monday through Friday, 3 – 6 p.m. including 14 oz. draft beer for $2.75 and $5 pizzas on Wednesday.
