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The Cleveland Browns open another season on Sunday -- 1 p.m., against the Pittsburgh Steelers -- and Browns fans are hoping for the best as they gather to watch the team in area bars.

(Associated Press)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- No, the parking lot isn't the Muni lot. It accommodates a lot fewer cars.

But a Sunday at the Maple Grove feels like a home game, even when the team is away – and you can expect more of the same when the Cleveland Browns take on the Pittsburgh Steelers at 1 p.m. Sunday.

The Maple Heights bar is a meeting spot when the team is away for the Southeast Cuyahoga County Browns Backers. The parking lot has accommodated RVs and many a pregame grilling party. The bar, meanwhile, is decorated with brown and orange streamers. Even the plates and napkins fit the theme.

"They've been coming ever since the team returned," says Maple Grove owner, Nick Summa. "And they've never lost their enthusiasm – they're really psyched about Johnny Football."

Watching parties at the Maple Grove -- 14832 Pease Rd, Maple Heights; 216-475-4224 – means more than meeting and cheering with other Browns fans. It means not having to clean up the house after the game.

Here are six other spots where you can cheer on the Browns in good company:

Local Tavern, 5513 Pearl Road, Parma, 440-882-3365; local-tavern.com: This relatively recent addition to the Parma bar scene is tossing together two September traditions: football and clambakes. It also has a laid-back party vibe and a stellar outdoor patio with a full-on cabana.

Old Angle Tavern, 848 West 25th St., Cleveland, 216-861-5643; facebook.com/Old.Angle.Tavern: While it's regarded as another kind of football bar – where the game is played with a round ball – it's homey but lively place to watch NFL action.

Shula's 2 Steak and Sports, 6200 Quarry Lane, Independence, 216-901-7852; donshula.com/shulas-2-cleveland: This longtime hang out named after former Browns player and John Carroll grad Don Shula is a mainstay for fans who like to eat well while watching a game without having someone bark in your ears. OK, there's still some barking – but not right in your ears.

VSP Lounge (aka Skeets' VSP Lounge and Restaurant), 3551 East 93rd St., Cleveland, 216-441-2904; facebook.com/skeets.vsp: Whoa, this should be interesting. The East Side bar-eatery is also favored spot for Steelers fans. So expect a lot of jeering and heckling.

Charlie Rogers or as he's known by his friends "Skeet" is the operator of Skeet's Place, a joint that hops on Sundays and attracts Browns and Steelers fans alike.

Winking Lizard, 14018 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood, 216-226-6693; winkinglizard.com: A superstore of sports bars, there are enough TVs to follow all the games. Whoa, it's like being in Best Buy with good food! It opens at 11 a.m. Sunday.