Best Places to Watch the Hawkeyes | Fat Tony's Sports Tap

Okay, so I bit the bullet for everyone and over the last couple of weeks I've been stopping here and there in Des Moines to find the best places to watch the Hawkeyes. I thought I would share what I found with you. This isn't a ranking but rather a collection of informational pieces to let you know where to go.

The first stop of the list was Fat Tony's Sports Tap located 1500 SE 1st Street on the Des Moines South side. Fat Tony's has been a number of different bars over the last couple of years. It was probably most famously known to some as Richards Extra Innings. The bar is located directly across the street from Tumea and Son's restaurant, just South of Principal Park.

The first thing you may notice, if it is not the extra large patio, is the wait staff.

(Fat Tony's friendly staff)

Owner Matt Mauro has hired enough help both behind either the large indoor bar or the outdoor patio bar to guarantee quick service. You can find a waitress either outside on the patio or inside at one of the bars few tables. If you choose to sit on the patio you can catch some sun in the open section or hide in the shade under the covered area.

For Hawkeye game days Mauro says he will have the Hawks on all 8 of Fat Tony's flat screen TVs. There are TV's on the patio too. If the Hawks aren't on he will have Direct TVs college football package so you can find the TV with the game that interests you. Mauro also mentioned he has the Direct TV NFL package on Sundays as well.

(inside Fat Tony's)

The outdoor patio is so large that Fat Tony's has a bags game set-up. On game days you can challenge your friends or enter a tournament. Mauro says the pregame atmosphere will be like an Iowa tailgate. Near the bags, on the patio, Mauro will have large grills heating hot dogs, brats, and pulled pork for fans longing for that tailgate vibe.

(Fat Tony's covered patio)

(Fat Tony's uncovered patio)

You'll find plenty of parking on either side of the bar. As far as seating, the exterior is far larger than the inside. It's not tiny, but if you like space like me, the patio is where it is at. Plus, the outdoor patio bar makes getting a refill real easy.

On tap are domestic standards Bud, Bud Light, and Boulevard. Other domestics are available by bottle or by the pitcher. Pretty standard bar drinks, nothing special for the beer snobs. For game day specials or to browse more pictures or information you can check out Fat Tony's on Facebook.