Of the three, professional football fans put a premium on location. Watch the game at a bar? Head to the stadium? Or throw a party at the house?

I've found grabbing a stool at a local tavern to be the easiest route to gridiron fulfillment. It's better to have a good-looking bartender and ice-cold drinks to balance the loss or that much-needed win.

I know a decent spot. So after watching a couple of hours of pre-game analysis Sunday, I picked up a few friends to catch the early games at Smokin' Joe's Cigar & Coffee, 1448 Main St., Sarasota (365-3556).

After examining the various games on each of the dozen or so flat screens positioned on the walls throughout the place, we moved to a table and chairs across from the bar.

The place has high ceilings with huge black-and-white photos of sports greats lining the walls above the bar. There was Ali screaming at Sonny Liston to get up from the canvas, and Pete Rose airborne over a base. Pure inspiration.

I ordered a drink from the raven-haired bartender -- two Red Stripes and a Black-and-Tan. Total: $13.50. Smokin' Joe's isn't a place to eat. Sure, you can order a ham, turkey and cheese sandwich for $5.50. But it's a place for smokers and drinkers.

And the yellers. That's what a group of New England Patriots fans watching a game near the entrance did as their team battled Buffalo. Bucs fans were just as noisy during the first half, but were mostly quiet during the last two quarters.

Highlights of New Orleans' Reggie Bush zigzagging around beefy linemen broke up the depression of Tampa Bay's inevitable shutout by Baltimore. Then it was on to the 4 p.m. games.

Don 't overlook the "Remarkable Hearts" reception for the premiere of "Poetry of the Women of Sarasota" at 5 tonight at Soulspeak Studio, 535 Columbia Court, Sarasota. No cover. Call 366-6468.

The 27th annual "WMNF Birthday Bash" features more than a dozen musical acts beginning at 7 p.m. Saturday at The Cuban Club in Tampa's Ybor City. Performers include Chuck Prophet, The Hacienda Brothers, The Randall Bramblett Band, Sarah Borges and The Broken Singles, The Seahorse Orchestra, Freddy Montes y Su Son, The Juke Joint Kings, Dr. LoHertz and The Soul Survivors, Giddy-up, Helicopter, Can't Do It, The Bohemian Swingers, The Headlights and The Shakes. Tickets are $22 in advance and $27 day of show. Call (813) 238-8001 or access www.wmnf.org .

"Viva La Gina" is a benefit for former St. Petersburg Times pop music critic Gina Vivinetto, who has incurred $30,000 in medical expenses, including three major surgeries. The benefit starts at 6 p.m. Oct. 14 at the Bombshell Gallery, 2536 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. The event features performances from Geri X, Nessie, James McFarland, Rebekah Pulley and Reluctant Prophets, Natty Moss Bond and Sam Bond, Zanesville, Giddy Up Helicopter and Crippled Masters. Admission for the all-ages show is $7. Call (727) 519-5208.

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