Now that the Major League Baseball playoffs are under way and the football season is in full swing, it's time for a scouting report on the area's sports pubs. Taking a cue from major college football conferences, I've divided the local pint-and-plasma screen talent into two divisions. I'll report on the Eastern Division (Raleigh and Wake County) this week. Next week, I'll scout out the Western Division (Durham and Chapel Hill).
Blinco's
6711 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh
785-5060
www.blincos.com
Carolina Ale House
512 Creekside Drive, Raleigh
835-2222
2240 Walnut St., Cary
854-9444
11685 Northpark Drive,
Wake Forest, 556-8666
www.carolinaalehouse.com
Check Web site or yellow pages for other locations
Cleveland Draft House
6101 Highway 42 West, Garner
771-2337
www.clevelanddrafthouse.com
Hi5
510 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh
834-4335
www.hi5raleigh.com
The Pickled Onion
7901-101 Falls of Neuse Road
Raleigh; 848-4161
www.thepickledonionrestaurant.com
The Players' Retreat
105 Oberlin Road, Raleigh
755-9589
playersretreat.net
Sunset Grille
231 Grande Heights Drive
Cary; 380-1991
www.sunsetgrillecary.com
The Upper Deck
329 N. Harrison Ave., Cary
460-9977
www.upperdeckcary.com
Village Draft House
428 Daniels St.,
in Cameron Village, Raleigh
833-1373
www.mydrafthouse.com
Note: Village Draft House is one of six restaurants, all with different names but nearly identical menus, in the Draft House Group; see Web site for other locations.
Woody's
205 Wolfe St., in City Market
Raleigh; 833-3000
8322 Chapel Hill Road, Cary
380-7737
www.woodyscitymarket.com (Raleigh); www.woodysportstavern.com (Cary)