NIGHT SHIFT: Football For All at Downtown Bar & Grill

As plates of hot appetizers were delivered to hungry customers sipping domestic and craft brews, the sunlight streaming through the windows at Court Street's betrayed the nighttime vibe that coursed through the establishment.

Seven HD televison sets played every televised NFL game across the country to the delight of the full house, which seemed to support a variety of teams.

Since 2006, the Downtown Bar & Grill has been serving up reasonably priced food and beverages to the residents of Carroll Gardens. During football season, both long time Brooklynites as well as recent additions to the neighboorhood converge to celebrate all things football.

Although New York City is home to two football franchises, the Giants and the Jets, more patrons seemed to be rooting for out-of-town teams than not.

Col, a resident of the Upper West Side, has chosen to make the bar his watering hole for the season. There are other bars that show football games closer to his home, he said, but family plays a factor in his loyalty. His brother lives on Douglass Street, a few blocks away.

"For Sunday games that start at 1 or 4, I'm always here." he said. "For Monday night games, I may stay home."

On this Sunday afternoon, Col and six of his friends were perched at the corner of the bar, cheering on the Redskins and Raiders.

"I'm a Raiders fan," Col said, glancing between two games playing simultaneously. "But my brother has become a Redskins fan recently, so I can support both here."

The Downtown seems to be expert in helping make this happen. Boasting more than six taps, the bar offers something for everyone beer-wise as well as one of the more extensive appetizer menus in the area.

The Downtown may seem tailor made for locals, but the atmosphere is inviting and all patrons seem welcome. And not only football fans, either.

The outdoor seating that rings both sides of the the corner bar were filled with diners unconcerned with the gridiron goings-on inside.

Additionally, cozy chairs in the front of the bar provide space for customers in search of a brief respite from the throng.

Ellie, a Manhattan resident sitting in the quiet corner, reinforced this sentiment.

"I live in Midtown," he explained, "but my girlfriend lives right by here. We just saw this place today, but I plan to come here as much as possible now I know I can watch the Buffalo Bills here."

Outside of the bar, people smoked cigarettes and peered inside occasionally to check the status of games. A local man wearing a Green Bay jersey cuddled his son, also clad in Packers garb. 

"It's his first game," he beamed.