STOCKTON — The great part about any Super Bowl or playoff game is that you don’t even have to be a sports fan to enjoy the National Football League’s biggest stage.
NRG Stadium in Houston will host this year’s extravaganza on Sunday, Feb. 5. Kickoff is 3:30 p.m.
At this point, the two teams playing in Super Bowl LI (51) is anyone’s guess.
We do know that recording star Lady Gaga will headline the live entertainment.
There’s also the gazillion of dollars paid for commercial advertisement.
For the past two years, I went to this Super Bowl party hosted by friends down the street consisting of commercial bingo. The top three finishers received valuable gift cards as prizes.
Of course, I’ve been to other SB parties that featured buy-in squares that gave participants a chance to win a nice pot of cash.
There’s plenty of places on this side of the 209 to partake in the fun.
Here’s my short list:
BOURBON STREET BAR & GRILL
This restaurant and bar inside West Lane Bowl is the unofficial hangout for local fans of the Dallas Cowboys.
Local Green Bay fans, however, have also claimed their share of this place located at 3900 N. West Lane.
Information: Ph. 209.466.3317 / website www.westlanebowl.com.
FAT’S GRILL & BAR
Official home of the Stockton Steelers Fan Club, Fat’s at 4555 N. Pershing Ave. is hoping for the black and gold Super Bowl.
It’ll be up to the Pittsburgh Steelers to get past the Kansas City Chiefs this weekend.
Steelers or not, Fat’s will be open for business as usual come Super Bowl Sunday,  catering to the die-hard NFL fan to the fair weather or the casual fan.
Since 2001, Fat’s has been offering good food at fair prices.
Information: Ph. 209.473.3281 / website www.fatsgrill.com.

FINNEGAN’S
 IRISH PUB
Start Super Bowl Sunday off with breakfast or an early lunch served up with an Irish coffee at this pub and restaurant located at 6002 Pacific Ave.
Information: Ph. 209.951.4782 / website www.FinnPub.com.

THE GRADUATE
This neighborhood bar and restaurant at 2207 Country Club Blvd. has been around for decades, offering a wide variety of pub grub.
 During that time, many Super Bowl gatherings have taken place, from the perfect season orchestrated by the Miami Dolphins of the early 1970s, to the local teams — specifically, the Oakland Raiders and San Francisco 49ers — hoisting the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
The Grad offers plenty of beers on draft along with spirits to go along with that hamburger, specialty sandwich or pizza.
Information: Ph. 209.463.1669

VALLEY
 BREWING CO.
The sports atmosphere includes eight large flat screen televisions and plenty of memorabilia and autographed jerseys.
What better way to enjoy the Super Bowl but with a local crafted beer on tap and a full restaurant menu?
Information: Ph. 209.464.2739 / website www.valleybrew.com.