Hanging Out at the Denver Nuggets Watch Party
By Jack Malloy
If you’ve read any of my other posts, you know I like to live it up on a Saturday night. This last one was no different. As I sat on my couch watching Making a Murderer on Netflix and cruising through Instagram posts I’d already seen a few times, one of those annoying ads popped up on my phone that make me question how I represent myself on the internet.
Normally, these things rub me the wrong way because they don’t grasp my interest at all. Like new dating apps to download or watches that I can’t afford. I got one for an underwear mud run. It’s like 10 degrees in Denver, I’m not jumping in any muddy water.
It’s like Instagram doesn’t know me at all. Apparently pictures of me flexing in the mirror at the gym and burnt meals subdued by the inkwell filter puts me in some sort of stereotype.
However, this Saturday evening, they got one right, grabbing my attention. It was for a watch party for the Denver Nuggets game. They were in the Golden State to take on the top seeded Warriors, so the Nuggets’ hype squad set up a watch party for the Denver faithful to cheer on their team together. Awesome.
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Sitting in a rowdy bar, watching the Nuggets against the most exciting team in the NBA, and hanging with a couple hundred fans cheering on the hometown team sounded like a great time. Plus, the venue was only a few blocks from my place. Destiny. I pried my wife off Pinterest and told her to dress warm because we’re heading out.
While I didn’t know what to expect, I had such a unique experience that I figured I’d share my findings with other Nuggets fans, so they can join me at the next one.
I broke it out into three different categories: ambiance, spousal experience, and game factor. From these, you’ll be able to get a feel for what I went through and what you can expect at the next one.
Ambiance
Walking in, I was underwhelmed by the seven other people there to watch. I think two of them were actually there to watch a New Mexico college basketball game, strangely. Still, I had high hopes that this would be a fun event.
Chopper’s Sports Grill has a ton of huge TVs everywhere. A few people from the Nuggets marketing unit, some dancers, and sponsors were there to give a pretty good vibe for the game. We grabbed a prime spot in the middle of it all to make sure we could take in everything around us.
The event was sponsored by an adult beverage company so before our server even had a chance to take our order, the reps came over and gave us free drinks. FREE DRINKS. It was awesome and I feel like I’m writing a Yelp review. Shout out to our waitress. For those wondering, I went with the nachos…great choice. Add the guacamole.
A couple of the ladies from the Nuggets’ dance team were there going around getting everybody entered into a raffle. That’s right, they have raffles at these things apparently and the prizes are great! With so few people there, I liked my chances.
One guy asked what he could win and they told him tickets to the Nuggets vs Hornets game. The fan responded by saying he didn’t care to see two garbage teams play…
First, some Nuggets fan. Second, current fans should realize that this Charlotte team isn’t the same one that won only seven games a few years ago. They are a potential playoff team in the currently stacked eastern conference. C’mon man, not a good look. We’re talking free tickets.
Finally, Rocky, the Nuggets prolific mascot showed up and gave the fans a real show. At one point he tried to play matchmaker between a table of two women and a separate table of two unsuspecting bachelors. I LOL’d. The involved parties were not as amused. They were pretty far apart in age so maybe poor judgment by Rocky, but he is wearing a gigantic head.
Then, he stood on a random guy’s shoulders for some pictures. That mountain lion really knows how to bring it.
Spousal Experience
My wife isn’t much of a sports person, so you need to know if you can drag your hot date, kids, or grandma down to the pub for the next watch party.
For the most part, my wife was just hanging not minding the game too much at all. At one point she heard the announcer mention Kenneth Faried’s name, perking up letting me know she knows him. He’s still the only player she knows. That’s about all she said for the game.
In a turn of events at half time, her name got called as part of the raffle. Even though the Nuggets marketing man butchered the pronunciation, she excitedly ran up to grab her prize. An inflatable basketball, a sweet Nuggets koozie, some rockin’ shades, and two tickets to the Nuggets vs Hornets. Lower level, $55 face value. What a get!
She was stoked for her victory. I was jealous. Another victory for her in this relationship. So yes, bring family and friends, but be ready for a pride hit.
Side note: Other raffle winners included guys that were there for New Mexico game and guy that didn’t even want to see the Nuggets play the Hornets. He won four tickets. Some lady, eating dinner, not even in the bar/event area won a ball signed by Jusef Nurkic. I’m bitter. Hype crew, we need to be more selective with who gets to go in the raffle.
Game Factor
The Nuggets came back from 26 points down in thrilling fashion to send the game into overtime before barely losing to the Warriors on the road. The intensity really picked up in the fourth quarter and made it a great game to take in.
Danilo Gallinari came back from his ankle injury and played great. Jusef Nurkic also made his season debut. I forgot how big of a human he is. I’m excited for him to help out the Nuggets in the front court.
The dancers and Bud Light ladies took off before the end along with a few of the other fans. It was a little disappointing, especially with how great of a game it was. Definitely representational of the support the Nuggets are receiving right now at the Pepsi Center.
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Between the free drinks, raffle intensity, cool bar, and great game, I was impressed and had a fun time. While I would love to keep these small to improve my chances of winning sweet tickets every time, having a bigger crowd will only make these more exciting.
So come out to the next one and cheer the hometown team on. It takes place Thursday, January 28 at Bout Time Pub & Grill. For more information and future dates, check out the Nuggets website. First round of free drinks are on me, but don’t win my tickets please.