BengalsWest

SUNDAYS! SUNDAYS!! SUNDAYS IN 2026!!!!

My Bengals brethren and sistren,

Lo, how many moons have passed since a full gathering of our community has met for the rite of passage so known as "Sunday Football?!"

I have anticipated your THIRST for our heroes in Orange-and-Black to return again to claim their place as the rightful heir to the Trophy of Sir Lombardi. Some sign, some proclamation that "Who Dey in LA" has returned from an offseason devoid of the competition that all have craved.

With that, I began cooking. A smattering of roars, a hint of orange, and a twist of black. A heaping cup of camaraderie and just a pinch of pride. Voila.

BengalsWest is BACK for an unprecedented 18th season (est. 2009). During that time, members have come and gone, multiple fire hydrants have appeared in group photos, and stuffed animals were worshipped and then sadly burnt in alleys weeks later.

Appearances in the NY Times, LA Word, LA Weekly, 700 WLW, and countless other media outlets. Blossoming romances. Friendships built far beyond the bar. Mysterious nicknames that still live on amongst the OGs.

Four different bars and numerous bar ownership changes, each more happy to have us than the last.

A Super Bowl in our own backyard. Bus trips galore and other group travels.

I know most of you know all of this, but if you ever want to hear about past exploits, gather round and let one of the original gangstas spin you a tale.

If you haven't figured it out, my name is Sam (aka Samwise, aka Fearless Leader), and I began this group smack in the middle of a packed Patriots bar as Tom Brady threw bombs to Randy Moss and 60+ New England fans cheered with delight. I looked at the other three Bengals fans and said: "Wouldn't that be so cool?!" and got to work that day. Little by little, it grew. Eventually we started to outnumber the Pats fans and went in search of a new home.

The rest, as they say, is history.

Why am I making such a big deal out of this? We defied the odds. People couldn't believe there were fans of our ilk around these parts... and we OWNED it. I trademarked our name and logo so that no one could ever be us. Part of us? All are welcome. But BE us? Impersonators be damned.

I left LA in 2021 when Covid was still an issue. It broke my heart. I thought about taking the name with me. Todd (or "El Capitan") convinced me to let him take a swing at it. But this was MY baby, and it was hard to let go. I was on the phone with the Toddfather several times a week to make sure everything went well.

As it turns out, Todd did an admirable job in my stead, and I'm grateful for that. However, Ohio beckoned (as it does) and Todd has moved back.

Once again I wondered if I should have the gang rename the group and take BengalsWest with me. How incredibly selfish, though. This group is about so much more than a name. The friendships that can be formed from having a single thing in common are nothing short of miraculous. From the banks of the Ohio to the shoreline of the Pacific, BengalsWest stands for something and has a reputation for being "how it's done."

I anticipate a move back to the area soon, hopefully during the season. But someone has to steer this ship and make sure we are not just watching football, but are the best fu***ng group of people you want to watch ball with.

Richie has been a great friend since one of the first times he stumbled onto our group. He embodies everything the group is about: A love of the game, a love of people, and dedication to everything he does.

Richie introduced me to Danielle on my first visit to the CanTiki. He prefaced our meeting by telling me how much she always wanted to be involved in all facets of the group. So much so that I'm turning over the social media keys to BW straight to her.

I trust the two of them even more than I can throw them (which, in Danielle's case... well, I think pretty far).

I will be here opening week and look forward to meeting those of you that I don't know. As for game prep, well, I'll hand that over to Danielle and Richie.

Thanks so much for being a part of the greatest displaced fanbase ever.

And with that,

2026!

CanTinki!!

WE'RE SOOOO BACK!!!

Who Dey,
Samwise

Hmmmmm...

Certainly looks like the signs of a .

Who Dey, Die Hards! Todd here. I hope everyone is safe and well wherever you’re spending the summer.

After 4 or 5 seasons as el Capitan of BengalsWest, I am returning the helm back to our founder (and forever Fearless Leader), Sam. As you may know, I moved back to Ohio just before last season for personal reasons, but continued doing the social media. Today, I’m stepping down to allow the next chapter of our story to begin.

There are too many great experiences to recount them all, but I’ll hit the highlights the best I can. The Super Bowl year, our first year back post-pandemic, was truly special in so many ways. We packed 2-3 bars through the playoffs, we made a minor splash on Ohio, L.A., and national TV and radio broadcasts, and made hundreds of new friends. The next season was our first at The CanTiki (then known as the 513) and we met even more fantastic people, and found our best home yet, by far. We got to meet Bengals Ring of Honor members Issac Curtis and Corey Dillon, as well as watched a game with Hall of Fame Cincinnati Reds broadcaster Marty Brenneman. We danced around like fools in the Thursday Night Football intro. We even made our first BengalsWest trek in many years to watch our boys at SoFi.

I have to say the most rewarding part of this group is the community we kept building after Sam gave me the reins. I couldn’t be prouder of our little group, especially after leaving L.A., continuing to see my friends carry on with the dignity and sense of fun BengalsWest has stood for since 2009. Of course, none of this could have happened without a core group of die hards I don’t even need to name - they know who they are. I love you dorks.

Football Sundays meant the world to me for years, and anyone who has been with us on game days knows exactly why. I have always said we are the best fans in football, and I damn well mean it. I miss all of you greatly, but I know the "Who Dey in LA" spirit will carry on.

Who Dey 4 Eva,
Todd

SUNDAY!!! Join us at our home base for the Big Game! Kick-off is at 3:30, but doors open at noon for the best seats! Featuring special game day drinks and grub, and the best service around...how can you go wrong? BE THERE

The CanTiki - 11100 Magnolia Blvd, North Hollywood

l

SUNDAY! Our final meet-up of the season as our boys host the Browns. Doors at 9:30 for 10am kick-off. Come on out for game dey food and drink specials with the gang, as we close it out properly. WHO DEY

The CanTiki - 11100 Magnolia Blvd, North Hollywood

Arizona 12.28.25

The CanTiki - 11100 Magnolia Blvd, North Hollywood

SUNDAY! Join your BengalsWest buddies as the Bengals host the Cardinals. Doors open at 9:30 for the 10am kick-off. Plenty of gameday specials on food and drink, the game with sound on multiple screens, and the best fans in football! Be there, and WHO DEY

The CanTiki - 11100 Magnolia Blvd, North Hollywood

Miami 12.21.25

The holidays don't scare away the diehards. Joey B is looking to make the last few games of the season fun to watch. Join us!!!

The CanTiki - 11100 Magnolia Blvd, North Hollywood

SUNDAY! Grab a friend or two and join your pals as we face the Fish in Miami. As always, lots of tasty food and drink gameday specials to be had in addition to all the games! Doors open at 9:30 for 10am kick-off, so be there and WHO DEY!!!

The CanTiki - 11100 Magnolia Blvd, North Hollywood

SUNDAY! Join your BengalsWest pals for the Ravens in Cincinnati. Doors at 9:30 for 10am kick-off. Loads of drink and food specials so come get some! WHO DEY

The CanTiki - 11100 Magnolia Blvd, North Hollywood