Ok, I'm slightly torn about spectators. I love the karaoke guy, when he does the tenacious d duo it cracks me up every time! I dig it that they have pool/darts/shuffleboard/games. I do not dig their shuffleboard sand policy. I'm used to having my own sand, played a tiny bit back in the day in old ATX and guess what? Every single place provided the shaker. Tonight I had the guy tell me that more sand equals slower pucks. I like to investigate so the following are two excerpts from shuffleboard.net - "Shuffleboard maintenance requires a few different steps. 1. Short term maintenance includes keeping your tables well covered with shuffleboard "sand". This will keep the puck from directly touching the polymer or polyurethane top. AND This material also acts as a protectant, lessening the friction of the puck to the table and allowing the finish to last a longer life." In short more sand decreases friction - more speed not less, and increases the life of a shuffleboard. Who knew?! I keep recommending this place to friends, if you're laid back its a pretty fun time, but I'm not sure I'll play sb again...
(4)
Zachary B.
I love this place! Great food-excellent service-Pool-trivia-darts-shuffleboard-karaoke-TVs-alcohol- what more can I ask for? Everyone is very friendly!
(5)
Leia N.
The food was sooo good and my waitress was freakin awesome, but the karaoke "dj" damaged spectators image for karaoke. He would blatantly criticize people wanting to sing and he apparently only cared to hear himself, and his friends sing while everyone else didn't matter. He seemed to give extra time for favorites to arrive on stage when others rushing to the stage, in a matter of seconds of their name being called, were almost passed even though he could see them sprinting towards him. Worst experience at spectators ever! I've been here many times and have suggested this place but I will never do it again. I can't believe that this "dj" is the only reason I wont want to return or invite friends here again, even though this bar is walking distance and my boyfriend goes here every Sunday for football.
(2)
Aaron M.
I came here for the first time a few weeks ago for a Lobos game and if your a Lobos fan this is the place to be. Food is great and the staff is awesome. Tonight I got the Heavyweight Burrito with Christmas (Red & Green Chile). Great food.
(4)
Clair S.
Go Lobos and chile cheese fries!! Hubby loves the boneless wings. Awesome staff and very decent prices. They pour their drinks well too. The owner routinely visits tables and is so friendly. It's awesome to have a sports bar that welcomes Lobo fans so warmly... You'd think that would be a given in ABQ, but it's not which makes us appreciate Spectators even more!
(5)
Neal W.
Went with my wife to sing some karaoke. The host got us right in as new singers which was cool. We did wait another 1.75 hours for our second turn in a pretty slow looking bar. The irritating part was that the host sang literally every song (as backup, and sometimes as lead over the person singing). If he had something to say to you, he chooses to do it over the mic. This was our only night in town so we went with the first bar yelp gave us. With more time to research we would have gone elsewhere.
(3)
SexyChicken 1.
I really enjoyed the mushroom swiss burger here. The meat was seasoned well, grilled to perfection, and compliments the bun. good food for a great value. i will be back!
(4)
Ricky M.
This place is a total hole in the wall they haven't managed to update to flat screens so they have a bunch of big screen tvs and the bar is in desperate need of a make over minus that the food is pretty awesome great burgers and beer specials. The only thing that prevents me from going back is the atmosphere and the old regulars.
(3)
Carl P.
There are several TVs, the staff is really friendly, and there are always beer specials... And yet, I can't imagine going back. We were by far the youngest people in the place. I'm not sure anybody under the age of 50 was there besides the wait staff. One guy literally came in with an oxygen bottle - I wish I was joking, for his health and mine. Despite the previously mentioned positives and delicious chili cheese fries, the atmosphere and clientele ensure that I won't be back.
(1)
Nusheen D.
Food still respectable, and Jamie is a great server. I just saw on the menu that they have 40+ TV's including 9 big screens (rear projection styles).
(3)
Kathie M.
Locals bar with decent food and friendly staff. Great place to watch a game, shoot some pool or play shuffleboard.
(3)
The T.
Really nice staff, but my burger was not good at all. The air seemed stale, like the AC was not working, and the TV's were less than spectacular. I was passing through town and prefer eating at a local place, but if I am passing through Albaqerque again and need a sports bar, then I will go elsewhere.
(1)
Iowa H.
Great place to watch a University of Iowa football or basketball game if you are in New Mexico. Looking for more Iowa Natives to review this bar, though.
(3)
Kirsten E.
The staff at Spectators is on top of it with service tonight. I haven't been here in a long time and didn't realize what a great social place this is and then the food came, so good. I had a basic bacon and cheese burger but gosh damn it was good. And great place to watch SEA beat WA.
(5)
Kristian R.
I just moved in nearby, and I have to say, the staff here is awesome. They're welcoming and friendly without being cordial or obnoxious. They're conversational without being intrusive and are generally just a cool group of people. It's a great place to wind down with a drink without worrying about noise or big crowds. Plus they have tons of tv's for the days a game worth watching is actually on.
(5)
Christina H.
Spectator's is my team's home. With that said - the pool tables are average and in a good location, off to the side where there is not a lot of traffic. There is an area adjacent with tables for folks to watch sports so it's a nice mix. The service has been excellent and my teammates regularly eat there so the food must be okay, although I have not eaten there myself.
(3)
Sammie L.
This place reminds me of Cheers. It's not your typical tits and ass bar, and it's just a nice, laid back place that isn't pretentious. The staff and food are just amazing. Steve and Sara are awesome and have always been so kind to my husband and I. They always remember us when we go in, and they treat us like regulars, even though we don't go there every day like some typical regulars. Their chile cheese fries are our favorite, and the rest of the food is pretty darn good, too.
(5)
Sarah F.
Been going here for years. Such a fun place! We love the wings! Not too crowded and great service- we will be back.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Noise Level : Average Music : DJ Good For Dancing : Yes Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Coat Check : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Margaret M.
Ok, I'm slightly torn about spectators. I love the karaoke guy, when he does the tenacious d duo it cracks me up every time! I dig it that they have pool/darts/shuffleboard/games. I do not dig their shuffleboard sand policy. I'm used to having my own sand, played a tiny bit back in the day in old ATX and guess what? Every single place provided the shaker. Tonight I had the guy tell me that more sand equals slower pucks. I like to investigate so the following are two excerpts from shuffleboard.net - "Shuffleboard maintenance requires a few different steps. 1. Short term maintenance includes keeping your tables well covered with shuffleboard "sand". This will keep the puck from directly touching the polymer or polyurethane top. AND This material also acts as a protectant, lessening the friction of the puck to the table and allowing the finish to last a longer life." In short more sand decreases friction - more speed not less, and increases the life of a shuffleboard. Who knew?! I keep recommending this place to friends, if you're laid back its a pretty fun time, but I'm not sure I'll play sb again...
(4)Zachary B.
I love this place! Great food-excellent service-Pool-trivia-darts-shuffleboard-karaoke-TVs-alcohol- what more can I ask for? Everyone is very friendly!
(5)Leia N.
The food was sooo good and my waitress was freakin awesome, but the karaoke "dj" damaged spectators image for karaoke. He would blatantly criticize people wanting to sing and he apparently only cared to hear himself, and his friends sing while everyone else didn't matter. He seemed to give extra time for favorites to arrive on stage when others rushing to the stage, in a matter of seconds of their name being called, were almost passed even though he could see them sprinting towards him. Worst experience at spectators ever! I've been here many times and have suggested this place but I will never do it again. I can't believe that this "dj" is the only reason I wont want to return or invite friends here again, even though this bar is walking distance and my boyfriend goes here every Sunday for football.
(2)Aaron M.
I came here for the first time a few weeks ago for a Lobos game and if your a Lobos fan this is the place to be. Food is great and the staff is awesome. Tonight I got the Heavyweight Burrito with Christmas (Red & Green Chile). Great food.
(4)Clair S.
Go Lobos and chile cheese fries!! Hubby loves the boneless wings. Awesome staff and very decent prices. They pour their drinks well too. The owner routinely visits tables and is so friendly. It's awesome to have a sports bar that welcomes Lobo fans so warmly... You'd think that would be a given in ABQ, but it's not which makes us appreciate Spectators even more!
(5)Neal W.
Went with my wife to sing some karaoke. The host got us right in as new singers which was cool. We did wait another 1.75 hours for our second turn in a pretty slow looking bar. The irritating part was that the host sang literally every song (as backup, and sometimes as lead over the person singing). If he had something to say to you, he chooses to do it over the mic. This was our only night in town so we went with the first bar yelp gave us. With more time to research we would have gone elsewhere.
(3)SexyChicken 1.
I really enjoyed the mushroom swiss burger here. The meat was seasoned well, grilled to perfection, and compliments the bun. good food for a great value. i will be back!
(4)Ricky M.
This place is a total hole in the wall they haven't managed to update to flat screens so they have a bunch of big screen tvs and the bar is in desperate need of a make over minus that the food is pretty awesome great burgers and beer specials. The only thing that prevents me from going back is the atmosphere and the old regulars.
(3)Carl P.
There are several TVs, the staff is really friendly, and there are always beer specials... And yet, I can't imagine going back. We were by far the youngest people in the place. I'm not sure anybody under the age of 50 was there besides the wait staff. One guy literally came in with an oxygen bottle - I wish I was joking, for his health and mine. Despite the previously mentioned positives and delicious chili cheese fries, the atmosphere and clientele ensure that I won't be back.
(1)Nusheen D.
Food still respectable, and Jamie is a great server. I just saw on the menu that they have 40+ TV's including 9 big screens (rear projection styles).
(3)Kathie M.
Locals bar with decent food and friendly staff. Great place to watch a game, shoot some pool or play shuffleboard.
(3)The T.
Really nice staff, but my burger was not good at all. The air seemed stale, like the AC was not working, and the TV's were less than spectacular. I was passing through town and prefer eating at a local place, but if I am passing through Albaqerque again and need a sports bar, then I will go elsewhere.
(1)Iowa H.
Great place to watch a University of Iowa football or basketball game if you are in New Mexico. Looking for more Iowa Natives to review this bar, though.
(3)Kirsten E.
The staff at Spectators is on top of it with service tonight. I haven't been here in a long time and didn't realize what a great social place this is and then the food came, so good. I had a basic bacon and cheese burger but gosh damn it was good. And great place to watch SEA beat WA.
(5)Kristian R.
I just moved in nearby, and I have to say, the staff here is awesome. They're welcoming and friendly without being cordial or obnoxious. They're conversational without being intrusive and are generally just a cool group of people. It's a great place to wind down with a drink without worrying about noise or big crowds. Plus they have tons of tv's for the days a game worth watching is actually on.
(5)Christina H.
Spectator's is my team's home. With that said - the pool tables are average and in a good location, off to the side where there is not a lot of traffic. There is an area adjacent with tables for folks to watch sports so it's a nice mix. The service has been excellent and my teammates regularly eat there so the food must be okay, although I have not eaten there myself.
(3)Sammie L.
This place reminds me of Cheers. It's not your typical tits and ass bar, and it's just a nice, laid back place that isn't pretentious. The staff and food are just amazing. Steve and Sara are awesome and have always been so kind to my husband and I. They always remember us when we go in, and they treat us like regulars, even though we don't go there every day like some typical regulars. Their chile cheese fries are our favorite, and the rest of the food is pretty darn good, too.
(5)Sarah F.
Been going here for years. Such a fun place! We love the wings! Not too crowded and great service- we will be back.
(5)