Super Bowl Sunday 101: Local Spots to Watch, Party Tips and More

It’s one of the most popular party days of the year. People gather in bars, basements and even around the television in their own homes to watch and celebrate the biggest sporting event in the world: the Super Bowl.

Some who gather are certified sports nuts, while others know little about the teams or the game and find more joy in the commercials than in any play on the field. 

Wherever you fall in the spectrum of Super Bowl fans, we can help fill the gap in every area — and that’s what we’re aiming to do with our guide to Super Bowl Sunday.

See, there’s a little something for everybody in what we like to call “Patch’s Guide to a Super Super Bowl Sunday.”

The Game

• Official title: Super Bowl XLVI (46, for those who aren’t fluent in Roman numerals)
• Where: Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, home of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts.
• Who: New York Giants vs. New England Patriots.
• Who’s favored? New England is a 3-point favorite as of Tuesday afternoon.
• When: Sunday. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on NBC. Pregame starts at 2 p.m.
• Halftime show: Madonna

It’s Your Party

So, you want throw a party for Super Bowl Sunday? Don’t sweat it. Here are a few tidbits that might just make you, or your party, a total hit.

“The key to a great Super Bowl party is to keep it simple,” said Molly Hawkins, events manager at Special D Events Inc. in Royal Oak. “Keep the food simple especially. It’s such an important part of the party. Remember, this might be something that sits out all day. You have to keep it simple.”

Having a dynamite Super Bowl party is easy as long as you remember what the event is all about, Hawkins said. “It’s really about food, fun and the game,” she said. “Plan food that you can make in a Crock Pot or something you can prepare ahead of time.”

Hawkins also suggested bringing out new dishes at halftime to keep the food choices fresh and interesting.

“And fun is a big part of the party, too,” Hawkins said. “Maybe have a friendly game of touch football before, or come up with some game dealing with the commercials. These things keep the fun going and can really make your party stand out.”

Of course, there’s the star of the evening: the game.

“Invite people who are fans of both teams,” Hawkins said. “That really can add to the fun and excitement of the game. And make sure to have a seat for everyone.”

Food is King

The food is among the most important elements of Super Bowl Sunday.

“It’s bigger than New Year’s for us,” said George Najor, manager of Value Center Market on 14 Mile in Madison Heights. “It really is. It’s mostly snacks and finger foods, but it’s a lot of both.”

Najor said chips, dips and salsa are right at the top of the list, along with beer and soda, but he added that vegetable trays, shrimp platters and cheese and meat trays are also popular items around Super Bowl Sunday.

Clawson resident Louis Manggioli, 67, said his favorite Super Bowl dish is, without a doubt, homemade potato skins with cheddar cheese and bacon bits.

“We get them all made up the morning of the game,” Manggioli said. “Then we pop them in the oven when the game starts. They’re ready in 10 minutes, and we eat them all night.”

There are a slew of recipes available, and everyone has favorites. Key thing is, don’t be afraid to whip up your favorite dish for partygoers. 

Let Someone Else Clean Up

If you’re the going-out type, there are plenty of options for you, too. Many bars and eateries run specials for the game and have enough televisions on the walls to be certain that no one misses a single play.

Here are a few popular Super Bowl destinations in Ferndale: