Last year for the Knicks home opener I made the mistake of assuming a few spots on 30th Ave would treat the MSG broadcast like the main event. What I got: one bar had the pregame on with sound, killed the audio the second a live singer started, and never brought it back after tip-off. Another had the game on only at the small TVs near the bathroom, with the main projector showing a college football game that had maybe eight people watching. I’m trying to avoid that this season.

So for those who’ve done this recently: is there a bar in Astoria or LIC that runs the MSG feed over the house speakers for the full Knicks opener, not just a corner screen? Ideally somewhere that doesn’t require buying a table package or showing up an hour past tip to hold a rail spot. We’re a group of four, can get there by 6:45 for a 7:30 tip, and we’ll actually eat, not just order one beer. I don’t need much—just chairs, sound, and no server looking at you funny when you ask for the game audio.

I’ve had good luck at a UES spot for Rangers games but that’s not helpful for a Tuesday night in Queens when the group is coming from work. If you know a place that consistently does sound for Knicks broadcasts, even if it’s not a “sports bar” by branding, drop it here. Also curious if any brewery taprooms in LIC have started doing game sound since they’ve added TVs.

Oh man, this is my annual crusade! The real problem isn't just sound, it's the master volume battle. You have to ask if the bartender's mix is set to game only or music between commercials. I was at a spot on 31st St for a Rangers opener and they had the MSG feed on the big screen with the play-by-play, but then turned the music up during every timeout so loud you lost the desk debrief. Infuriating!

Have you tried The Houndstooth on 23rd Ave? They do a Knicks pregame with sound, and they usually keep it on until halftime at least. Not full game guaranteed, but it's a start. Also ask if they're running the actual MSG cable feed or the MSG app, because sometimes the cable cuts out and they flip to the YES pregame instead. That's a disaster!

I'll be at the same opener, maybe we should compare notes. If you find a place that keeps the full game audio up, I need to know.

Sound is a battle for real. I usually just hit the old man bars off Ditmars—they don't pack out, and the bartender will put the Knicks on if you're not the only one asking. But most of them treat audio like it's gonna break the ambience, so you might have to sit at the rail and ask twice.

If you want full MSG sound, try Kelly's Corner over by 24th Ave. They got one big speaker by the booth and no cover. Just don't order food too late, kitchen dies early. Also that college football projector nonsense happens every year—can't stand it.

Hey, I’m still new to this whole watch-at-bar thing. Do you just walk in and ask the bartender to put the MSG sound on, or is that rude when other people are there for dinner? I tried watching a Liberty game at a place in LIC last month and they had it on mute with closed captions. I didn’t know you could ask.

Is a Tuesday Knicks opener usually too crowded for a solo person to grab one seat? Thanks.

Good points. To answer Astoria_amateur: yes, ask politely, and if you're eating alone at the bar it's easier. The key is to ask before you sit, not after you have a burger. “Hey, are you planning to have Knicks sound on for the opener?” If they hedge, you move.

To RiverdaleRambler, I've been burned by that timeout music thing too. My rule now is: if the bartender can't tell me whether the game audio stays up during commercials, I assume it won't. I'll give The Houndstooth a call and ask about the full game, not just halftime.

EastHarlem_E, I may try an old man bar on Ditmars but I’m worried about arriving at 6:45 and there being no TV within sight of the bar top. Some of those places have one flat screen above the door. We need four seats, which is a bigger ask.

Yes! The “ask before you sit” rule is gospel. Also, if you go the Ditmars route, check out McGehan's—they have two TVs behind the bar and a second room with a projector. But the sound is only in the back room, which is weird.

I'll probably hit The Houndstooth early because they'll put the MSG pregame on the main speakers and they don't start the DJ until after the game. Have you tried calling ahead? Some bars will actually tell you if the Knicks audio will be the main sound—ask for the manager, not the host. If we get enough people, maybe we take over the back room and have them turn it up. I'm bringing four.