Who will make it to the NBA Finals? In the West, will it be Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers or that other team? And in the East will it be LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers or that other team? Whether you're a completely casual fan like me or a hard-core hoops fanatic and actually know the names of the other two playoff teams (Denver Nuggets and Orlando Magic -- I just looked it up online), you'll fit in at The Red Zone Café & Sports Theatre, at 1804 Cordova Rd. in Fort Lauderdale.

The Red Zone is not the type of place where you'll have to contend with years of spilled beer on the bar counter, repugnant bathrooms and cigarette butts on the floor. As far as sports bars go, this one leans toward the upscale.

The bar area resembles mission control at the Johnson Space Center in Houston but you can simultaneously view all sports, strong man contests -- even tiddledywinks if it's televised. The place offers 13 8-by-9-foot TVs that encircle the rectangular bar, which comfortably seats 30. The ceiling is vaulted, the walls are paneled in richly stained wood and the wood floors are reminiscent of the parquet in the old Boston Garden.

Another reason why your elbows won't stick to years of spilled beer and wing sauce is because The Red Zone only opened three weeks ago. It picked up where the Original Steakhouse & Sports Theatre left off about a year ago.

Before basketball season ends, you may want to try a SlamDunk cocktail (basically an apple martini), one of 12 specialty drinks made here. But if you're already eager for football, get a TouchDown mixed with Skyy Passion Fruit Vodka, Pama pomegranate liqueur and pineapple juice. There are four beers on tap and 12 available by the bottle. You'll need this variety to wash down the six Red Zone Bombs. You can stick to the traditional Jager Bomb (a shot of Jagermeister dropped in a glass of energy drink) or be a bit daring and order a Cherry Bomb, a shot of Jager dropped into a healthy pour of Skyy Cherry Vodka. And don't plan on going anywhere for awhile.

If you prefer to watch the game at a beer and shot joint, head to Boston Johnny's, 2120 N. Dixie Hwy, Hollywood. For those loyal to the legend of Larry Bird, you can commiserate with the other Boston buffs at this laid-back bar now that the Celtics have been knocked out of the playoffs.

But you don't have to hail from New England to comfortably knock a few back here. Feel free to safely support your home team but during football season, leave your New York Jets jersey in your closet.

If that's just not possible, you'll be welcomed with green-and-white sleeved opened arms at HammerJacks Sports Bar & Grille, attached to SpareZ Bowling, 5325 S. University Dr., in Davie.

Jets fans monopolize this sports bar during football season but still make their presence known throughout the year. Catch all of the NBA action and feel free to bad mouth the Knicks during the commercials (as long as you're from New York).

If you're not taking sides, go for the setting and the view at seaside JB's On the Beach, 234 N. Ocean Blvd, in Deerfield Beach. The picture on the flat-screen TVs is remarkably crisp, so if L.A. makes the finals, you'll clearly get a glimpse of what the celebs are wearing courtside.

During downtime, enjoy the stunning scenery. The back patio is just a few paces from the sand and surf, volleyball matches, sunbathers and couples strolling hand-in-hand on Deerfield Pier.

In Fort Lauderdale, a beachside pick is Café Del Mar, 213 S. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., but you'll trade JB's cruise ship party vibe for suave surroundings. You can keep an eye on the game while enjoying a romantic evening complete with Mediterranean cuisine, wine and live music. Beautiful women saunter on the sidewalk in front of the open-air seats, so unlike Kobe Bryant, keep your eyes (and hands) focused on your loved one.

COMING UP

• Catch the reggae rhythms of Jahfé at Revolution Live in Fort Lauderdale at 10 p.m. Friday. No cover charge for Broward and Palm Beach residents ($5 for nonresidents).

• The brilliant Beatles cover band, The Shindigs, play at the Lobby Bar in the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino near Hollywood at 10 p.m. Saturday. No cover.

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