Rating the sports bars

Unless baseball fans are excited about paying $7 for a 20-ounce tap Budweiser inside Target Field, I'm guessing a lot of them might be looking to fill up before heading into the Twins' ballpark.

But where to go? Sports fans need sports bars, and this list should help.

While downtown is the epicenter of Twin Cities nightlife, it actually has very few tried-and-true sports bars. (Where you at ESPN Zone?) Still, a handful of bars plan to show off their sportier sides on game days. And really, all a sports bar needs are burgers, beer and big TVs.

On a scale of 1 to 10, my trusty "fan-o-meter" will help rate the sportiness of each bar (10 being super-fan-friendly):

Hubert's Sports Bar & Grill

Fan-o-meter: 9. The former NBA City is now Hubert's 2.0 -- similar faded memorabilia, slicker presentation. It's also the closest bar to the ballpark, located at the entrance of Target Plaza.

Number of TV sets: 42.

Drink this: The "Twins Splash" is Red Bull, Smirnoff Raspberry vodka, club soda and lime.

Info: 600 1st Av. N., 612-767-2960, www.hubertsmpls.com.

Sneaky Pete's: Fan-o-meter: 8. The sheer volume of flat-screens at this party bar make it a sports fan's dream. Its MLB TV package will keep you up-to-date on all the day's games.

Number of TV sets: 58(!)

Eat this: The daily happy-hour food starts at $2.

Info: 14 N. 5th St., 612-333-8820, www.ultimatefunbar.com.

Bootleggers Fan-o-meter: 7. While it's not a sports bar, Bootleggers is going all out on game days with aggressive specials and the addition of a massive second-level deck out back.

Number of TV sets: 21.

Eat this: No kitchen, but they'll be grilling hot dogs on the deck.

Drink this: One word -- "Beergarita."

www.bootleggersmpls.com

The Ugly Mug Fan-o-meter: 7. Beyond game-day specials, the bar is planning themed events based on the visiting team. For the opening series against the Red Sox, brewery brass from Summit and Sam Adams will pit their beers in a Minnesota vs. Boston faceoff (to coincide with the release of Sam Adams' Summer Ale).

Number of TV sets: 17, including an 8-foot projection screen upstairs.

Eat this: The "Kubel Combo" (named after Twins designated hitter Jason Kubel) gets you a beer pretzel, a ballpark hot dog, a Budweiser and a Twinkie for $10.

Drink this: The bar has made a commitment to bringing craft beers downtown, with 24 taps and 100 bottles.

The Loon Cafe Fan-o-meter: 7. The downtown pioneer might not be the flashiest duck on the block, but three decades of business means they know what they're doing.

Number of TV sets: Remember the stack of old tube TVs above the door? They've been replaced by 13 flat-screens.

Eat this: The chili is so good that the Twins are serving it inside Target Field.

Drink this: The "Grape Ape."

Info: 500 1st Av. N., 612-332-8342, www.thelooncafe.com.

Smalley's 87 Club Fan-o-meter: 9. Former Twins shortstop Roy Smalley has lent his name to this old Champps. Customers can buy sports collectibles right off the wall. The bar also has Twins ticket packages for sale.

Number of TV sets: 20, including a new 115-inch screen. They hope to put a giant screen outside in an alleyway patio.

Eat this: Roy's Hometown Burger is topped with pico de gallo, pepper jack cheese and guacamole.

Drink this: How about a beer?

Info: 100 S. 6th St., 612-335-5050.