Toronto Blue Jays playoffs: Where to watch Games 1 and 2

If you didn't score tickets to the opening game of the American League Division Series at Rogers Centre on Thursday afternoon but plan to play hooky anyway, there are plenty of places to enjoy the game with a few hundred, or a few thousand, of your closest friends.

Late Wednesday, Mayor John Tory announced that Blue Jays games will be broadcast on a big screen outside city hall. That followed an announcement a week ago that the City of Brampton will broadcast games on a big screen in Garden Square.

But if you'd rather enjoy a beer on a bar stool, there are plenty of spots around town that will have all screens tuned to your favourite team.

Real Sports Bar & Grill, 15 York Street

This place is usually chock-full of Maple Leafs fans, but the city's most popular hockey haunt will be a bastion for baseball in the coming days. The bar's automated phone message says its reservation spaces are already full, but the bar stools are first-come, first-served.

Left Field Brewery, 36 Wagstaff Drive

This Leslieville brewery has become an increasingly popular place for east end baseball fans to watch the Jays, and it will be no different for the playoffs. The Tap Room, where visitors can enjoy the brand's eight different baseball-themed beers, will have all televisions tuned to the Jays.

The brewery only serves until 9 p.m., but will remain open as long as games are on. And while it doesn't serve food, fans can bring in their own or order from nearby eateries.

Sports Centre Cafe, 49 St. Clair Avenue West

No matter where you're sitting in this midtown institution, you'll have a great view of the game thanks to dozens of screens on the walls and behind the bar.

Rally Sports Bar & Smokehouse, 1660 O'Connor Drive

This popular East York sports bar can hold you and 300 of your closest friends. Call ahead to reserve a table if you're worried about getting stuck watching at home.

The Dock Ellis, 1280 Dundas Street West

West-enders are spoiled with a handful of great sports bars, and The Dock Ellis (named after a former major league pitcher) is one of their favourites. The joint doesn't open until 3 p.m., but it will open early for Friday's lunch-time Game 2 start.

The Dizzy Gastro Sports Pub, 305 Roncesvalles Avenue

Another west-end option is The Dizzy, which bills itself as a "gastro sports pub" for the foodie sports fan.

Staff there promise that every time the Jays play, "it will be on every screen and with full sound." Alright, then.