Anyone got a dependable Midtown East spot for Yankees 1pm day games? I keep striking out—TVs on but no sound, or sound but no seats, or the bartender looks at you like you're camping when you order a club soda and stay through the fifth. Need a place where I can sit, hear the game, eat something quick, and not feel like I'm taking up real estate. Not trying to go all the way to the Stadium unless I have the afternoon off.

Blondies on 43rd works for this. It's not fancy but they'll turn the game sound on if you ask and it's not football Saturday. Wings are decent and they don't rush you at lunch unless there's a line. A few regulars mutter at the screen too, so you'll fit in.

Blondies gets packed by 12:30 on a day game. If you want a bit more room, try The Three Monkeys over on 54th. They have enough TVs and the lunch crowd is mostly office people doing the same thing. Sound isn't always on by default but the bartender will usually switch it if you ask before the rush.

Downtown I'd say Blue Haven at Houston and Sullivan. They had sound on for a random Wednesday 1pm game last season, and the burger was fine. Sidewalk tables don't have sound though, so sit inside. Is anyone doing a patio with a TV and actual game audio? That would be the dream.

Thanks, Gowanus_G. Patio with game audio is probably a unicorn—most places say no for noise complaints. I've walked past Three Monkeys a hundred times and never clocked it as a baseball spot. I'll try that first since it's closer than Blondies. The no side-eye for a club soda is big, because I don't always want a beer at noon.

BoroughPark_B, yeah the sidewalk speakers would get shut down fast. But if you're willing to go slightly south of Midtown, Waterfront Ale House in Kips Bay is a good one. They have the game sound on more often than not for afternoon baseball and the food is solid. Not a party bar, more of a hang out and watch the box score spot.

Waterfront Ale House is a good call, but the one issue is if there's a big soccer match or something they'll default to that and it can be tough to get baseball audio. For Yankees day games you're usually fine though. I've sat at the bar for a full game there and nobody rushed me.

Do any of these places do a day game lunch special, or are we just accepting the full sit-down price for a burger and a beer? I'm not trying to spend dinner money on a Tuesday just because the team's playing a matinee. A cheap special would seal the deal.

Gowanus_G, I think Blondies has some kind of wings-and-beer lunch special, but I'm not 100%. Three Monkeys isn't the cheapest but their nachos are big enough to split. Honestly I'd pay a little more if the sound is on and I get a stool with a sightline. Cheap spots with silent TVs are worse than no TV.

Has anyone tried to watch a Liberty afternoon game like this? They play a bunch of early starts and I've walked into places where they have the NBA or NHL on every screen and look at you funny if you ask for the WNBA. Same problem but harder because the sound request feels like an event.

Nolita_N, Liberty sound is definitely harder. Standings in the East Village is one of the few spots that will actually put WNBA on with sound if you ask, but it's small and can fill up. Great for random sports though. If you're just trying to see baseball, it's a different story.

Standings is great but that's a hike from Midtown East for a lunch break. For Yankees day games, I still say Blue Haven if you're downtown, or just do Three Monkeys if you're up near 54th. Don't overthink it—most sports bars will turn on sound if you ask nicely before the place gets slammed.

Appreciate all the recs. Gonna hit Three Monkeys this week and report back if the sound is actually on and the stool situation is real. Only rule: don't sit near the door or the blender, you'll miss every other pitch. Might also try Waterfront Ale House if I can sneak down to Kips Bay.