Tried my usual Astoria place for the Liberty road game last week and they had the Yankees game on the big screen with sound. Liberty on the little TV over the door, muted. I'm not asking for a full pep rally—just a seat, the game on something bigger than a laptop, and sound. I'll travel from Woodhaven to Manhattan or Downtown Brooklyn if it's a real watch. Where are people actually going? Bonus if the place won't decide midgame that a random college football game takes priority.

Honest question from someone newer to this: is it normal to ask a bartender to switch a TV to the Liberty? I went to a sports bar on the UES and felt like I was asking for a favor just to get one screen. They did it, but no sound, and I didn't want to push. Are there bars that already treat Liberty games like a real event, or is it always a ask-and-hope thing?

There are a few places that lean into it, but you have to look outside the generic sports book type spots. My go-to is a small soccer bar off 4th Ave in Gowanus. They'll stick the Liberty on the projector if you get there before tip and the crowd's not already locked into a match. Sound can be negotiated if enough people ask. It's not a dedicated women's hoops bar, but the bartenders get it.

Gowanus is a haul from Woodhaven. If you're already in Queens, hit the back room at a spot off Steinway/Astoria Blvd. Last playoff run they had the whole back room tuned to Liberty and sound up, and the owner's wife is a huge fan so nobody's switching to baseball. Not fancy, but you'll get a stool and the whole room reacting instead of playing trivia. Call the day-of and ask if they're doing the game.

Has anyone tried the official watch party lists from the team? I saw something on social about a bar in FiDi and it looked packed, like standing room only. I don't need the team-run party if it's all raffles and no sound. I just want a low-key place near a subway where I'm not the only one not there for football. Do the official ones actually have game audio or just a room with screens?

Official ones get mobbed and the sound can be hit or miss if the DJ/emcee is doing too much. I'd rather be in a bar where the staff already decided the game is the main event. AstoriaAndy, that back room sounds right. My only worry is walking in and it's a soccer crowd on a Saturday if there's an overlap. You ever see them flip if there's an EPL game same time?

Okay so if I ask for sound, do I tip extra right away or wait and see? I don't want to be cheap but I also don't want to bribe someone to do their job. What's the move—hand over a card and say 'put the Liberty game on and I'll start a tab'? Or mention it before ordering? Help.

Just open a tab and ask before it gets busy. No need to wave cash around, but if you're asking a bartender to change the main feed away from a game with a full bar, buy a round for your group and leave an extra buck or two on the first tip. If they say no, don't be a jerk—if you're under four people, ask for a side TV with sound in your section, not the whole room.

Woodhaven_W, in the playoffs the back room stays Liberty, even if there's an overseas soccer game. The regulars know. It can get tight for big games but it's not a mob. Get there about half hour early, grab a two-top near the wall so you're not in the server lane. They'll put the game on the big TV back there and keep the front for whatever else. Sound is loud enough to hear the calls, not club loud.

Are these local spots walk-in only, or should I try to call and hold a stool? I'm in Manhattan and would come over with one friend who doesn't do crowded well. Also do they have food, or is it just chips and a hot dog roller? Not trying to bar-hop hungry after work.

Most of these spots are walk-in. If you call, someone might say 'we don't do reservations but it's open,' which is code for get here early. If you really want a seat, go with a small crew and have one person hover near the back room while the other grabs drinks. Food at the Astoria place is basic—wings/burgers, nothing to plan around. I usually eat before or hit the taco truck after.

Just tried a spot on 14th that had the Liberty game on with sound in half the bar. Asked as soon as I walked in, started a tab, ordered wings. It worked. The bartender even switched a second TV over for us. Thanks for the advice—feeling less weird about asking. Now I need to make the Astoria back room one of these nights.

Good. Once you find two or three places that say yes, you stop caring about the places that won't. My rule: if the game is on but muted and the bartender can't tell you why, it's not your spot. If you wind up at the Astoria place, post back if it's still a Liberty room this round. I'll make the trip if the G train isn't doing weekend shuttle nonsense.