Ducks fans flock to Portland sports bars for Rose Bowl

PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) – Spirit of 77 is just one of many local sports bars that hosted a Rose Bowl watch party on New Year’s Day.

“I really couldn’t think of a better way to start 2025,” said Gus Gianotti, a University of Oregon fan who watched the game from Spirit of 77. “I’m really excited.”

The University of Oregon Ducks took on the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Rose Bowl. On Wednesday, ducks fans flocked to local sports bars throughout Portland to catch the big game.

“We are right across the street from where the Blazers play and our name is a call back to the year the Blazers won the championship,” said Donald Kenney, a co-owner of Spirit of 77.

Since the bar opened its doors 14 years ago, Kenney said it’s been a home for Portland’s sports enthusiasts. On Wednesday, the bar was especially home to Ducks fans.

“For the whole season, we’ve been coming to this bar,” said Petar Crljenica, who came to watch the Rose Bowl with his friends. “We were here for the Ohio State game, the Penn State game, and the environment is really great. You can feel the whole community come together.”

Nearly every seat in the house was taken by a Ducks Fan, filling the bar with a sea of green and yellow. Some fans even went the extra mile with their Game Day outfits.

Crljenica wore his lucky Oregon Ducks poncho.

“I’ve worn it at every game so far this year and it’s been pretty good luck,” he said.

Win or lose, fans and bar staff said it felt good to kick off the new year by getting together to watch the game.

“[There’s nothing like] watching football and being with your friends, hootin’ and hollerin’ and having some beers,” said Kenney.

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