Tom’s Watch Bar at National Harbor
Project Overview
The Ultimate Sports Bar in DC
Crunchy Tech had the pleasure of working on Tom’s Watch Bar’s newest location, a 12,000-square-foot sports bar at National Harbor in Washington, DC. The client’s directive was clear: fill every square inch with AV. With over 80 video displays, two video walls, projectors, two golf simulators, and a full AV over IP system, every seat at Tom’s Watch Bar delivers the best seat in the house.
The project pushed the boundaries of typical audio-video installations, and its success has led to Crunchy Tech being engaged for four additional Tom’s Watch Bar locations across the country.
Project Challenges
Scaling AV Across 12,000 Square Feet
The project presented significant technical and logistical challenges. Managing over 80 AV endpoints across a large indoor-outdoor footprint required a robust and scalable distribution strategy. The system needed to deliver seamless video to every display, including 14 outdoor screens built to withstand the elements, while maintaining consistent quality and control.
Adding further complexity, the venue incorporated two TopGolf Swing Suite golf simulators, each requiring dedicated AV distribution and audio routing. The timeline was compressed around a firm opening date tied to March Madness, demanding rapid execution. When original equipment vendors could not deliver hardware on schedule, the team was forced to pivot and redesign the system architecture mid-project without sacrificing performance or the launch date.
Understanding Client Needs
Immersive Viewing with Simple, Flexible Control
Tom’s Watch Bar wanted to offer guests 360-degree views of gameplay with personalized audio at every table. Whether a group wanted to watch a UFC fight or an MLB baseball game, everyone needed to see and hear exactly what they chose. The venue required a system capable of running multiple simultaneous sports broadcasts while also supporting live events, DJ performances, trivia nights, and staff announcements.
Despite the extreme complexity on the back end, the management team needed a control interface that was simple and intuitive. Staff should be able to change channels, switch audio zones, and hook up DJ equipment without navigating to a back-of-house rack. The system had to be powerful enough to manage 80+ endpoints yet accessible enough for daily non-technical use.
Technical Solutions
Display, Audio, and Control Integration
To deliver a fully immersive sports-viewing destination, Crunchy Tech integrated a multi-layered AV system combining large-format displays, AV over IP video distribution, zoned audio, and centralized control built around best-in-class partner technology.
| System Category | Components | Role in Project |
| Display System | 80+ commercial displays, 14 outdoor TVs, 2 video walls, projectors | Delivered 360-degree sports viewing across 12,000 sq ft indoor and outdoor spaces |
| AV over IP Distribution | Just Add Power AVoIP network, network switches, CAT6 infrastructure | Enabled flexible, scalable video distribution to all endpoints via IP network |
| Audio System | QSC speakers, amplifiers, DSP, 8-zone audio, microphone system, DJ input plates | Provided independent audio zones for simultaneous broadcasts, announcements, and live events |
| Control Platform | Q-SYS control system, touch panels, wireless iPads | Simplified complex AV management with intuitive user-friendly interface for staff |
| Interactive Entertainment | 2 TopGolf Swing Suite golf simulators with integrated AV distribution | Extended entertainment beyond passive viewing with immersive simulator experiences |
Each system was configured to operate as one networked platform. The Just Add Power AVoIP network served as the distribution backbone, routing any source to any display across the venue. Q-SYS managed audio routing, zone control, and the unified user interface, giving Tom’s Watch Bar staff full command of the environment from touch panels and wireless iPads.
Key Technology Partners
- Just Add Power: AV over IP video distribution, providing the scalable network backbone for routing video to 80+ endpoints across the venue.
- Q-SYS: Control system platform, speakers, amplifiers, and DSP powering the eight-zone audio system, microphone system, and unified touch panel interface.
- TopGolf Swing Suite: Two golf simulators with integrated audio and video distribution for an interactive entertainment experience.
Implementation Methodology
Coordinated Design-Build Execution
The installation was executed through Crunchy Tech’s integrated design-build methodology, fostering collaboration among architects, designers, network administrators, and construction teams from the outset. Strategic planning was critical to merging IT and AV infrastructure into a cohesive system, ensuring the complex AV over IP network operated flawlessly alongside the venue’s standard IT systems.
When original vendors were unable to provide control and AV equipment on the compressed timeline, the team pivoted by redesigning the system around the Q-SYS control platform and Just Add Power AVoIP network. This rapid adaptation ensured that Tom’s Watch Bar met its targeted opening date without compromising the scope or quality of the AV deployment.
Results and Impact
Open for March Madness
Tom’s Watch Bar at National Harbor opened on March 23rd, 2023, with seating for over 500 guests and every AV system fully operational. The venue delivers the immersive, 360-degree sports-viewing experience the client envisioned, with independent audio zones, personalized table-level content, and seamless control from any position in the restaurant.
The eight-zone audio system supports simultaneous sports broadcasts, DJ events, trivia nights, and staff announcements, while the golf simulators add a unique interactive entertainment layer. The intuitive Q-SYS touch panel interface allows non-technical staff to manage the entire system without requiring AV specialists on site.
Finishing the Project On Time
Ready for Opening Day
Tom’s Watch Bar required a massive AV project under an aggressive timeline, with the owners targeting a March Madness opening. When supply chain challenges threatened the schedule, Crunchy Tech redesigned the system architecture to find solutions that worked, ensuring the venue opened on time with the incredible AV experience the client demanded.
The success of this project showcases Crunchy Tech’s ability to deliver innovative, large-scale AV solutions that adapt to real-world challenges. The National Harbor location has set the standard for future Tom’s Watch Bar expansions, and Crunchy Tech continues to partner with the brand on new locations across the United States.