Now, we all know the best sports bars have a few things in common — a killer vibe, lots of TVs with different games airing, and a diverse group of fans to cheer with.
What elevates a good bar to the realm of greatness?
Top-notch staff, whipping up smoky, delicious grub, and offering a beer selection that’s as expansive as the ocean, for starters — and that's what you'll find at Broken Barrel Tavern in Palm Bay.
A South Brevard favorite since 2009, at 4700 Babcock St. NE, Broken Barrel is the place to go in Brevard to celebrate all things sports.
With the NFL ticket, and ESPN covering 25 TVs, this "foot-beer themed sports bar" has 35 beers on draft.
More: Faithful and consistent, here are 5 'classic' bars worth checking out in Brevard
"We take our beer seriously, so you don't have to, you can just enjoy it. Beer is supposed to be approachable, so don't try to make it complicated," said Kevin Menard, who owns the bar along with his wife, Rebecca Menard.
Choose from IPAs, lambics, pilsners and lagers, stout and wheat varieties: The tavern has customers covered with plenty of options.
With the bar's full liquor license, guests can be extra-particular about whiskey here, as they have more than five dozen different whiskey offerings, primarily bourbon and scotch, as well as ryes and Irish whiskeys.
From idea to reality
The Menards are making 15 years of ownership at the Broken Barrel, but Kevin reflects on the fact that he never actually wanted to own and operate a bar.
But working his way through the restaurant ranks at Taps Bistro in Palm Bay while a student at Florida Institue of Technology, he realized he actually loved the business.
His marine biology major may not come in handy now, but his education made him study business plans long before putting the dream of the bar in action, he said.
"Fifteen years ago, I probably didn't have enough fear about opening a bar. Probably about a week before we opened, is when I first was afraid," Menard said.
"And that was when I thought, 'Oh my god, what have I done? This is a lot of money. Are we even going to make it?' There was just not enough time to really dwell on it. We worked 130 hours a week the first year."
More: Football. Wings. Beer. Big and bigger TVs: Check out these 7 great Space Coast sports bars
What's smoking?
Menard finds this business rewarding because he gets to see the customers enjoy themselves, mingling, eating and drinking, in the space he and 30 faithful staff members have helped create.
In this 7,300-square-foot venue, fans enjoy a homey, friendly atmosphere, and the drink selection, as much as the food. They use pecan wood and smoke meats from scratch.
Sauce is always on the side, focusing on the rubs and seasonings, while the meat is being cooked. The sauces are meant to accentuate, not mask any lack of flavor. Smoked chicken wings and fall-off-the-bone ribs are highly revered at Broken Barrel.
Prefer upscale pub food instead? BBQ egg rolls with rib meat are a popular choice with the locals. Shaved ribeye, sauteed in the pan to order with Guinness and served with peppers, onions and cheese, is the Barrel's twist on the faithful cheesesteak.
Stand up and work off those wings at one of the three pool tables or dart boards.
Soon to be freshening up their happy hour and offering more drinks and food specials, the Broken Barrel also does catering for large offsite parties, from large weddings to Florida Tech festivities.
Oktoberfest weekend is Oct. 3-5, and they will feature a full German menu.
Amber Olesen is FLORIDA TODAY's food and dining reporter. Reach her at aolesen@floridatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Best sports bar in Brevard: Our top pick is in Palm Bay
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