Fire Ball combines the ambiance of an American sports bar with a truly international worship of sport – any sport. With seven TVs and a big screen often displaying two or three different sports events, Fire Ball is often not as raucous as its American models and many customers can be seen with a drink and one of their sizeable, quality meals, catching up on their particular sporting passion. Of course on big game nights you’ll probably have to squeeze in a little, but the passion of local supporters -especially for perennial underdogs the SoftBank Hawks- will carry you along almost instantly. Sports mania touches almost every part of the menu, with cocktails like “Dead Ball”, “Babe Ruth” and “Ronaldinho”, and a risotto-like specialty dish (pictured), inspired by the custom of losing players taking home sand from the grounds of Japan’s largest High School baseball tournament. (It’s much tastier than it sounds). The walls are thick with signed memorabilia from sports of all kinds- Americans should try to spot a familiar No.23 vest. Since 2007 Fire Ball also hosts twice-monthly live acoustic events (¥1,000 with one drink).
Fire Ball Cafe
B1 Commune Bldg., 2-6-28, Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka
092-732-8688
Open: Every day 18:00 ~ late
Closed: Never
Menu: “Koshien no tsuchi” Risotto (pictured) ¥1,049, “Cleen Up” (Fried chicken w/ fries) ¥734, “F.B.” Loco Moco (rice, hamburger, egg & gravy) ¥1049, “F.B.” Honey Toast ¥629, “F.B.” Salad ¥999
Originally published in Fukuoka Now Magazine (fn128, Aug. 2009)