🎟️ Desert Magic | Aug 29 — Get Tickets & View Featured Chefs →Get Tickets →
Tucson FoodieCelebrating local food, drink, and community.
“Bear Down at Playground”: Catch the next UA away game at official watch party hot spot

“Bear Down at Playground”: Catch the next UA away game at official watch party hot spot

Feb 5, 20192 min read


If you’ve been in Tucson all of your life, or perhaps have only lived in the city for a few months, you know the local sports fanatics like to bear down.

Although, bearing down isn’t always easy. What if your favorite University of Arizona team decides to pack up, travel elsewhere, and lay down the hurt against another team on their own stomping grounds?

Luckily, Playground Bar & Lounge is helping you get your game on with weekly watch parties, which is equipped with a limited “Game Time” menu to keep you in your seat while the Wildcats hit the court.

The exclusive game day menu features some of the favorites, such as the Pickle Fries or the Onion Rings, but also select appetizers you wouldn’t often see on the menu — like the Tostito LocosPlus, it would’t be complete without specials on wells drinks and select draft beer and wine. There’s a cooling collection on the sidelines to help you keep your cool throughout the game’s toughest situations with just $4 each.

The menu’s definitely something to drool about — just avoid the double dribble.

Various Game Time menu items at Playground Bar & Lounge
Various Game Time menu items at Playground Bar & Lounge (Photo by Jackie Tran)

“Game Time” Watch Party Menu

  • Chicken Basket – buttermilk chicken tenders, fries, ranch, and house sauce ($5)
  • Chili Cheese Fries – house chili, cheddar, and onion ($6)
  • Chili Cheese Dog – beef frank, house chili, cheddar, and onion ($6)
  • Tacos (2) – price and available depends on the day
  • Tostitos Locos (choice of beef or chicken) – Salsa Verde Tostitos chips, ranchero beans, verde cheese sauce, cabbage, avocado crema, chipotle mayo, crema limon, red onion, and cilantro ($6)
  • Asada Fries – salsa verde cheese, grilled steak, caramelized onions, topped with guacamole, pico de gallo, sour cream, and cilantro ($5)
  • Onion Rings – with barbecue sauce and ranch ($5)
  • Pickle Fries – with ranch and house sauce ($5)

Sure, watching the game at home is great, but have you ever rooted for cats in style?

The Playground recently went through some renovations including a new garden courtyard, a much larger climate-controlled rooftop that offers one of the best views of the Tucson skyline, and a front patio that provides the sights of sounds of downtown.

Front patio at Playground Bar & Lounge (Credit: Jackie Tran)
Front patio at Playground Bar & Lounge (Credit: Jackie Tran)

Keep in mind, the exclusive “Game Time” menu will also be available during the other sports partners games throughout the season. If the Wildcats aren’t playing, or if you’d just plainly rather watch one of the others, the game day specials still stand.

Playground Bar & Lounge is located at 278 E. Congress. For more information about the Happy Hour, menu, and more, visit playgroundtucson.com.

This is a paid feature. Learn more about Tucson Foodie advertising options.

Article written by:

Matt Sterner

Matt Sterner

More about Matt

At a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.

He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.

If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.

Advertisement

Weekly digest of new openings, events, and guides. No spam.

Take Tucson Foodie with you.

Discover the best local spots, browse the dish database, build and share your to-visit lists, support local, and join the Foodie Club when you're ready.

Follow @TucsonFoodie134.2K followers
12 WEEKS. 12 THEMES. ONE DELICIOUS TUCSON SUMMER. 🌵🌞❤️

From May 18 through August 9, Tucsonans ate their way through the city one themed week at a time, and now the receipts are in. From coffee and tea to wine, vegan eats, Asian cuisine, Sonoran favorites, happy hour, and everything in between, 12 Weeks of Foodie Summer was all about eating local and supporting the businesses that make Tucson so special.

THANK YOU, TUCSON, for showing up and eating local with us all summer long. And a huge thank you to our presenting sponsor @visittucson, our partners @510south, @bbbsouthernarizona, and @azwinecollective, and every locally-owned business that made this campaign possible.🎉

More in @addiewankenobi’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com12 WEEKS. 12 THEMES. ONE DELICIOUS TUCSON SUMMER. 🌵🌞❤️ From May 18 through August 9, Tucsonans ate their way through the city one themed week at a time, and now the receipts are in. From coffee and tea to wine, vegan eats, Asian cuisine, Sonoran favorites, happy hour, and everything in between, 12 Weeks of Foodie Summer was all about eating local and supporting the businesses that make Tucson so special. THANK YOU, TUCSON, for showing up and eating local with us all summer long. And a huge thank you to our presenting sponsor @visittucson, our partners @510south, @bbbsouthernarizona, and @azwinecollective, and every locally-owned business that made this campaign possible.🎉 More in @addiewankenobi’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com
Located at 5526 E. Grant Rd., @Casapitatucson serves Mediterranean and Middle Eastern favorites alongside American breakfast and burritos.

Owner Amna Al-Qaisi, known as Mama Amna, has spent more than two decades feeding Tucson. Originally from Iraq, she lived across eight countries throughout the Middle East, bringing those culinary traditions with her to Tucson.

Her family has operated several beloved Tucson restaurants over the years, including Sinbad’s, Geronimo’s, Gyro King, Arabic Express, and Golden Falafel.

In this video: Hummus, bulgur dip, fattoush salad, vegan falafel samoon, chicken shawarma, mixed grill + Dubai drink.❤️

Read @jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.comLocated at 5526 E. Grant Rd., @Casapitatucson serves Mediterranean and Middle Eastern favorites alongside American breakfast and burritos. Owner Amna Al-Qaisi, known as Mama Amna, has spent more than two decades feeding Tucson. Originally from Iraq, she lived across eight countries throughout the Middle East, bringing those culinary traditions with her to Tucson. Her family has operated several beloved Tucson restaurants over the years, including Sinbad’s, Geronimo’s, Gyro King, Arabic Express, and Golden Falafel. In this video: Hummus, bulgur dip, fattoush salad, vegan falafel samoon, chicken shawarma, mixed grill + Dubai drink.❤️ Read @jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com
Join the Tucson Foodie team for a very special dinner at @sawmillrun. A culinary journey from the Sonoran Desert to the summit of Mount Lemmon. TOMORROW! Aug 15, 6-8pm.❤️ 

Tickets in bio.
MENU👇🌲

AMUSE:
Forest Floor
Hazelnut Soil • Whipped Goat Cheese • Black Garlic • Pickled Mushroom • Crispy Mushroom • Mountain Herbs

FIRST COURSE: 
Desert Oasis
Compressed Melon • Whipped Feta • Chiltepin Vinaigrette • Pickled Cucumber • Toasted Pepitas • Mint

SECOND COURSE: 
Campfire Embers
Roasted Bone Marrow • House Chorizo • Pickled Shallot • Cilantro • House-Made Blue Corn Tortilla

THIRD COURSE: 
Juniper Ridge
Juniper-Smoked Pork Belly • Charred Corn Succotash • Prickly Pear Gastrique • Dehydrated Jalapeños

PALATE CLEANSER:
Aspen Breeze
House-Made Lemon Sorbet • Candied Lemon • Fresh Mint

FOURTH COURSE: 
Granite Peak
Mesquite-Grilled Vera Earl Beef • Smoked Tomato Chimichurri • Charred Heirloom Tomato • Crispy Shallot

DESSERT: 
Summer on Mount Lemmon
Arizona Honeycomb Ice Cream • Roasted Willcox Peaches • Huckleberry Compote • Almond Streusel • Honey Tuile

#tucsonevents #tucsonfoodie #mtlemmonJoin the Tucson Foodie team for a very special dinner at @sawmillrun. A culinary journey from the Sonoran Desert to the summit of Mount Lemmon. TOMORROW! Aug 15, 6-8pm.❤️ Tickets in bio. MENU👇🌲 AMUSE: Forest Floor Hazelnut Soil • Whipped Goat Cheese • Black Garlic • Pickled Mushroom • Crispy Mushroom • Mountain Herbs FIRST COURSE: Desert Oasis Compressed Melon • Whipped Feta • Chiltepin Vinaigrette • Pickled Cucumber • Toasted Pepitas • Mint SECOND COURSE: Campfire Embers Roasted Bone Marrow • House Chorizo • Pickled Shallot • Cilantro • House-Made Blue Corn Tortilla THIRD COURSE: Juniper Ridge Juniper-Smoked Pork Belly • Charred Corn Succotash • Prickly Pear Gastrique • Dehydrated Jalapeños PALATE CLEANSER: Aspen Breeze House-Made Lemon Sorbet • Candied Lemon • Fresh Mint FOURTH COURSE: Granite Peak Mesquite-Grilled Vera Earl Beef • Smoked Tomato Chimichurri • Charred Heirloom Tomato • Crispy Shallot DESSERT: Summer on Mount Lemmon Arizona Honeycomb Ice Cream • Roasted Willcox Peaches • Huckleberry Compote • Almond Streusel • Honey Tuile #tucsonevents #tucsonfoodie #mtlemmon
LE BUZZ IS CELEBRATING 30 YEARS!🎉☕️

Tucson staple @lebuzzcaffeplaza celebrates 30 years of business on August 22, and we stopped by their Plaza Palomino location to try some of the August specials created just for this location.

🍒Tiki Cold Brew
Cherry-infused cold brew topped with cream of coconut cold foam

🥣Oatmeal Creme Pie Latte
Espresso, milk of choice, house-made oatmeal syrup and oatmeal creme pie cold foam

🎂Birthday Cake Latte
Espresso, milk of choice, house-made birthday cake syrup and birthday cake cold foam

And the food specials are just as tempting:

• Flan French Toast with flan caramel, house-made flan cream, whipped cream and fresh berries

• Croissant Croque Madame with Black Forest ham, Gruyère, mornay, chives and a sunny-side-up egg

Plus, we got to try some favorites from the main menu, including the quiche and soup, Summer Cobb Salad, LeVeggie Burger and Blueberry Brisket Burger.

2930 N. Swan Rd., Suite 130

Don’t wait too long to try the August specials!❤️

Read @jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com 
#tucsonfoodie #tucsonfoodLE BUZZ IS CELEBRATING 30 YEARS!🎉☕️ Tucson staple @lebuzzcaffeplaza celebrates 30 years of business on August 22, and we stopped by their Plaza Palomino location to try some of the August specials created just for this location. 🍒Tiki Cold Brew Cherry-infused cold brew topped with cream of coconut cold foam 🥣Oatmeal Creme Pie Latte Espresso, milk of choice, house-made oatmeal syrup and oatmeal creme pie cold foam 🎂Birthday Cake Latte Espresso, milk of choice, house-made birthday cake syrup and birthday cake cold foam And the food specials are just as tempting: • Flan French Toast with flan caramel, house-made flan cream, whipped cream and fresh berries • Croissant Croque Madame with Black Forest ham, Gruyère, mornay, chives and a sunny-side-up egg Plus, we got to try some favorites from the main menu, including the quiche and soup, Summer Cobb Salad, LeVeggie Burger and Blueberry Brisket Burger. 2930 N. Swan Rd., Suite 130 Don’t wait too long to try the August specials!❤️ Read @jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com #tucsonfoodie #tucsonfood