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Sixty seasons call for a little dressing up. The Nets return to Barclays Center tonight, October 21, for their home opener against the Charlotte Hornets, debuting throwback uniforms and a commemorative court as the franchise begins its anniversary season.
Tipoff is at 7:30pm, but you can start the evening earlier along Fifth Avenue, where nearby bars offer places to eat before you head inside or settle in without a ticket. From a projector-equipped neighborhood spot to a gluten-free pre-game dinner, here’s where to join the opening-night crowd.
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Where to celebrate the Nets’ home opener near Barclays tonight:
For one of the closest options, start at The LayUp Bar at 47 Fifth Avenue, about a two-minute walk from Barclays. The bar regularly shows Nets, Liberty and Knicks events and opens at 4pm on weekdays. (Its midnight closing time leaves room for a postgame drink, too, whether you’re celebrating a win or drowning your sorrows.)
Just down the block, Uncle Barry’s at 58 Fifth Avenue shows NBA games on multiple TVs and a projector screen. The neighborhood bar follows both the Nets and Knicks and it's open Wednesday from 3pm to 2am.
For dinner, head to The Beer Garage at 148 Fifth Avenue, with an entrance on Douglass Street, about an eight-minute walk from the arena. Its Park Slope kitchen offers a completely gluten-free menu, including wings, fried pickles, chicken nachos and burgers, plus more than a dozen beers on tap. (The Beer Garage closes at 10pm on Wednesdays, so it’s better for a pregame meal than a guaranteed seat through the final buzzer.)
If you have tickets, leave time for the anniversary extras inside Barclays: opening night brings red, white and blue Classic Edition uniforms inspired by the Nets’ ABA roots, plus a court with more than 575 former players’ names across its apron. Brooklynettes and Team Hype performances will help launch the celebration. Doors open at 6pm, giving you time to take it all in before tipoff.