HAVING A BALL DURING THE BOWL : AREA BARS GEARING UP FOR MORE PARTIES THAN FANS CAN SHAKE A GOAL POST AT.

Byline: Elizabeth Cosin Daily News Staff Writer

Perhaps the best thing about this year's Super Bowl is the matchup, featuring two teams, Green Bay and New England, that haven't made the trip to the big game in more than a month of Sundays.

Better still, it promises - at least on paper - to be an interesting matchup between two exciting teams that actually score points. So, if you're looking to spend the day out on the town, there's a wealth of choices, though Patriots' fans might have to yell loud to be heard over the din of Cheeseheads, as the Packers' faithful call themselves.

And if the game does turn into another Stupor Sunday, you're still likely to find enough things around you to amuse yourself. Area bars are going all out this weekend with lots of freebies, raffles and plenty of food and drink to go with it.

Here's a sampling of Valley haunts gearing up for Super Bowl parties:

Barrel Sports Bar: Three televisions. One big screen. Bring your favorite dish to the Super Bowl potluck. Beers run about $2.25. 4547 Van Nuys Blvd., Sherman Oaks; [phone].

The Bistro Garden: This famous Valley restaurant will have a Super party of its own. Doors open at 1 p.m. for pregame festivities, including a buffet of cold poached salmon, chicken burgers, tuna carpaccio, celery root salad, gravlax and bratwurst. Admission is $35 and includes a Super Bowl pool. Winner gets dinner for two. 12950 Ventura Blvd., Studio City; [phone].

Bull's Eye Grill & Tavern: Usually the spot for Pittsburgh Steelers, the Bull's Eye expects a good mix of fans from both teams. It has six TVs. And if the game turns into a yawner, you can play pool or practice your aim on three hard-tip and four soft-tip dart boards. Specials include a complimentary buffet with fried chicken, meatballs and pasta. Plus, you can get 60-ounce pitchers of beer for only $5. 8516 Reseda Blvd., Northridge; [phone].

Casa Di Pizza: This is one of many spots for die-hard Packers fans. Six TVs and two big screens. The owners plan a special buffet, gift giveaways and halftime raffles. Beer discounts for fans coming in wearing the green and gold of Green Bay. 7543 Fallbrook Ave., West Hills; [phone].

Champions Sports Bar: Next to LAX, this national sports bar has 19 TVs and two big screens. Expect a full buffet spread featuring lots of football food, from wings and chili dogs to potato skins and pasta. Draft beer special: Get twice as much for the same price. 5855 W. Century Blvd., Los Angeles (at the LAX Marriott); [phone].

Clancy's Blue Whale Bar: Nine TVs, $2 special on bottled beers and a hot dog bar and buffet for the big day. Expect a good mix of fans here. 219 N. Central Ave., Glendale; [phone].

Coach's: There are just a few tickets remaining for Coach's Super Bowl Party. For the $15 admission, you'll get a Coach's T-shirt and a throughout-the-game buffet. Wings are half-price and there's a football-throwing contest scheduled for halftime. 43451 Gadsden Ave. (off Avenue K), Lancaster; [phone].

Corbin Bowl Sports Lounge: Admission of $6.50 gets you into this 16-TV sports bar (including one big screen) and a buffet spread featuring sub sandwiches, potato salad, chili and a range of snacks and other goodies. Take part in the third annual QB-1 trivia contest for $10 and you might go home with more than just a full stomach. If your team isn't winning, you can always take a turn at one of three dart boards or two pool tables. 19616 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana; [phone].

Antojitos Mexicanas: Normally home to devotees of the Bears, Dolphins, Broncos and 49ers, this place draws the serious football fan. Four TVs and food and drink specials. 6263 Van Nuys Blvd., Van Nuys; [phone].

PC's Bar and Grille: Formerly the Last Chance Saloon. Admission to PC's Super Bowl bash is $35, but it includes a full buffet with four main courses and all you can drink from the beginning of the game until the end of the game. Four TVs. 4250 Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley; [phone].

Pineapple Hill Saloon and Grill: Mostly Green Bay fans will come by for the five TVs here and the food specials, including three chili dogs for $1. Kitchen opens at 10 a.m. Drink mai tais for $4.25, premium wells for $3 and $2.25 for bottled beers. 4454 Van Nuys Blvd., Sherman Oaks; [phone].

Sagebrush Cantina: Watch the Super Bowl in style as you partake of the Sagebrush's famous Sunday brunch. For $19.95, brunch includes 50 hot entrees from crab legs, oysters and clams to turkey, ham, ribs and lots of desserts. Champagne is complimentary. Twelve TVs and live music beginning at 4:30 p.m. Doors open at 9 a.m. Reservations optional, but recommended for bigger parties. 23527 Calabasas Road, Calabasas; [phone].

Sam's Saloon: This Oxnard haunt will have its annual big Super Bowl party, featuring a chicken barbecue, raffles and Miller Lite specials, including a halftime raffle of the chair that Terry Bradshaw uses in the Miller beer commercial. No cover charge. Features 12 TVs inside and four on a back patio. So you don't miss a moment of the big game, there are even TVs in the restrooms. This is mostly a Green Bay hangout, but New England fans have been spotted there in recent weeks. 3129 S. Saviers Road, Oxnard; [phone].

Santa Clarita Brewing Co.: Several football cash pools and raffles for brewery merchandise. Try one of eight home-brewed beers or sample a choice of 11 other micro-brews from the Pacific Northwest. Beers start at $3.50 a pint and $11 a pitcher. 20655 Soledad Canyon Road, No. 1, Santa Clarita; [phone].

Schoonerville: This Canoga Park restaurant plans to raffle off NFL stuff for the big game with drink and food specials, including $6 for a bucket of five Miller beers and tri-tip sandwiches for $4.99. Watch the game on one of six TVs, including two big screens. 8901 De Soto Ave., Canoga Park; [phone].

Stovepiper: Bring your favorite food for potluck and get specials on light beers and margaritas for $2.50. Both Patriots and Packers fans are expected in this normally Cleveland/Baltimore hangout. Five TVs. 19563 Parthenia St., Northridge; [phone].

Tin Horn Flats Bar & Grill: This old-fashioned western hangout with swinging doors and sawdust floors will be a spot for both teams' fans. It has five TVs and features a sloppy Joe buffet on Super Sunday. 2623 W. Magnolia, Burbank; [phone].

Tree House Sports Bar & Grill: This is the largest bar in Ventura County, though one of the rooms will be closed for a private bash. In the other, however, there are still two big screens and 25 TVs, plus a full-service bar. Beers run about $2.25 and there's a full menu, including seafood and steaks. Doors open at 9 a.m. Mostly Green Bay fans are expected. 2830 Tapo St., Simi Valley; [phone].

Weber's: Sixteen TVs, three big screens. A really good mix of fans expected. If you can't yell and scream, don't come here. That's the motto for this down-home football lover's haven. Winner of a halftime football-throwing contest can take home a really cool (and very big) trophy. This year, there are food specials and a unique, hourlong, all-you-can-drink, make-your-own-Bloody Mary table for $5. Beer drinkers can sample from more than 100 micro-brew choices (115 bottled beers, 27 drafts). Both Green Bay and New England fans are expected, but be prepared for a noisy, fun atmosphere. 19312 Vanowen St., Reseda; [phone].

Yankee Doodles: There ought to be something for everyone in a place that has 40 TVs, five big screens and 22 pool tables. Drink and food specials and raffles for the big day. 21870 Victory Blvd., Woodland Hills; [phone].

CAPTION(S):

2 Photos

Photo: (1) Pat Bradbury, left, Karyne Berson and Stere Arau appear to subscribe to the motto at Weber's in Reseda: If you can't yell and scream, don't come here.

(2) Weber's owner Brandy McKay holds a trophy available to the winner of Sa halftime football-throwing contest.

Hans Gutknecht/Daily News