Sports bars offer pub grub plus

After indulging in a pint or two from one of the 16 taps at Rally Point Sport Grill (1837 N. Harrison Ave., Cary; 678-1088; www.rallypointsportgrill.com), chances are you'll find yourself wondering why the sink basins in the rest rooms are shaped like the state of Texas. If you guess it's because owner Drew Schenck is a fan of the Dallas Cowboys or University of Texas Longhorns, guess again.

As it happens, Schenck helped design Newton's Southwest, the restaurant that for many years occupied the space now inhabited by Rally Point. He went on to found the Remington Grill chain, which he sold in 1996. Rally Point marks Schenck's return to the restaurant business. In transforming the space into a sports pub, he jettisoned the West Texas decor, much of which had survived its most recent incarnation as a Torero's. But he kept the Texas-shaped sinks for old times' sake.

The sinks are not the only feature that distinguishes Rally Point from the sports bar crowd. Among the numerous HD screens, you'll find a couple of gargantuan 65-inchers. For those seeking a different sort of entertainment, live music and a DJ are occasionally scheduled. The dining room and bar are smoke-free, though smoking is permitted on the sprawling 4,000-square-foot patio. The restaurant is open 365 days a year from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., with the full menu available throughout.

Foodies will find a few welcome surprises, too. In addition to the usual pub fare, the menu includes offbeat offerings such as blackened catfish panini, Scotch egg, peanut butter-banana-Nutella sandwich and a chicken-chunky Buffalo cheese dip made from an old family recipe.

The menu is decidedly more mainstream at The Downtown Sports Bar & Grill (410-140 Glenwood Ave.; 831-0400; www.thedowntownsportsbar.com), which opened recently in the old subterranean Stool Pigeons space on Glenwood South. "The nachos are far and away our best seller," says general manager Bryan Cole, who goes on to explain that the chili and guacamole are homemade and the portion enormous. (Thankfully, a half order of nachos is also available for those of us who aren't sharing with a whole football team.) Other options include jumbo wings, fried calamari, spinach and artichoke dip and a handful of wraps and salads.

Owners Daniel and Robert Stapleton, cousins from Long Island who also own Napper Tandy's, have installed all new flat-panel HD TVs, including an individual 19-inch screen at each booth. They kept the pool tables they inherited from Stool Pigeons, though, as well as the distinctive ceiling paddle fans. The Downtown is open Monday-Friday from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., Saturday-Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.