The humble sports bar is always going to be one of the best spots in town. Cheap beer, friendly patrons, and all televisions pre-set to TSN? What’s not to love? The following watering holes take the sports bar concept to the next level.
These are the best sports bars in every state:
Birmingham
This funky bar in Birmingham has all the ingredients for a great sports bar covered — but Paramount Birmingham is also packed with classic arcade games that range from pinball to racing games.
Anchorage
Peanut Farm in Anchorage feels like walking into a good friend’s cabin in the country — if their cabin had over 70 beers on tap and big-screen televisions on every single wall. It’s the biggest sports bar in the entire state but feels genuine and cozy at the same time.
Phoenix
Majerle's Sports Grill is owned by Dan Majerle from the Phoenix Suns and offers an ideal combination of classic sports bar and more artisanal fare. Here you’ll find all the pub food you’d expect from a sports bar as well as a lot of vegetarian and vegan options and international fare like teriyaki chicken.
Hot Springs Village
Sand Trap Sports Bar in Hot Springs Village offers a super cozy and community-driven approach to the classic sports bar. It also boasts a ton of excellent seafood-focused fare and a really mean Bloody Mary with enough toppings to count as a meal.
Mountain View
There are a lot of sports bars to choose from in California but Sports Page in Mountain View stands out thanks to its on-site sand volleyball court, ping-pong tables, and cozy outdoor patio with heat lamps.
Denver
Tom's Watch Bar in Denver is mere steps away from Coors Field — so you know it’s bound to be good! The sprawling sports bar is cozy but large enough to accommodate bigger groups. It also regularly plays game shows like Jeopardy and has great views of Denver below. Oh — and did we mention it also has golf simulators?
Black Rock
The Blind Rhino in Black Rock is widely regarded as the best sports bar in Connecticut thanks to its retro vibe and community feel. Head to this sports bar during any major sporting event and you’re sure to have an unforgettable night. It also has a great selection of classic pub fare along with healthy and vegetarian-friendly options.
Wilmington
There are a lot of great sports bars in Delaware but Stanley's Tavern stands out as the best spot in the state — and it has since it first opened its doors back in 1935. The family-friendly sports bar in Wilmington boasts a cozy patio space and a generous selection of American brews on tap.
St. Petersburg
Looking for a bar that you can bring your fluffiest sports fan to? Ferg's Sports Bar & Grill in St. Petersburg boasts an outdoor dog park on-site so you can head outside and enjoy watching pups frolic in between football plays.
Atlanta
Whitehall Tavern in Atlanta will be your best bet for catching the game while in Georgia. The classic sports bar has a very lively atmosphere coupled with a huge selection of domestic and imported beer on tap.
Honolulu
Rock Bottom Sports Bar & Grill is the best place in Hawaii to catch any sporting event. The best part? This vibrant sports bar also has a secret sushi bar upstairs if you’re tired of the classic chicken wings and nachos.
Twin Falls
Anchor Bistro & Sports Bar in Twin Falls is a relatively new sports bar that has quickly captured the hearts of locals and travelers thanks to its delicious burger menu. It’s a little more bistro-leaning than your average sports bar but the atmosphere still comes alive during game day.
Chicago
There’s a reason that Timothy O'Toole's Pub Chicago has nearly 5,000 five-star reviews on Google — it’s a fun and delicious spot to catch the game while in the Windy City. The Irish-inspired pub boasts billiards, TVs on almost every wall, and a totally wild Bloody Mary cocktail with chicken wings and sliders built into the drink.
Indianapolis
Kilroy's Bar & Grill in Indianapolis is a cozy brick-lined space serving up unique spins on classic pub fare. You’ll find everything from waffle fries and pumpernickel sandwiches to sharing pitchers of neon-hued cocktails available for very fair prices.
Coralville
Iowa Athletic Club in Coralville is one of our favorite sports bars in Iowa. The humble pub offers a huge selection of beer as well as community-style outdoor seating. The cozy interior is classic-sports-bar-meets-Art-Deco-inspired cafe, made even better with excellently executed pizza and burgers.
Kansas City
The Davenport in Kansas City, Kansas is the best sports bar in the state for watching the game with friends. It’s cozy and feels more like a whiskey lounge than your average sports bar. Private lounge options are also available to rent for a more intimate viewing experience.
Louisville
Sports bars don’t tend to have a reputation for great cocktails — they’re usually a cold beer kind of place — but the Troll Pub Under the Bridge in Louisville challenges that assumption. The cozy hidden gem offers creative cocktails that rival the best speakeasies in the state.
Metairie
Hurricane's Sports Bar and Grill does Louisiana proud. The unassuming Metairie sports bar has a robust kitchen with excellent pub-and-more food as well as regular live music and an all-around friendly and vibrant atmosphere.
Auburn
Gipper's Sports Grill in Auburn is a well-loved institution by locals and visitors alike — and once you step inside it's easy to see why. It has a charming and distinctly family-run vibe with perfectly homey takes on pub food, like loaded waffle fries and even Sunday roast dinner.
Multiple Locations
The best thing about Looney's Pub isn’t the big selection of beer or the creative take on pub fare (but they’re great!) it’s the vibe. This bar gets packed with people come game day, and the atmosphere juxtaposed against the colorful neon lights behind the bar and on the walls is unmatched.
Boston
Massachusetts — particularly Boston — is well-known for its Irish pubs and Olde Magoun's Saloon will be your best bet if you’re looking for a pint of Guinness on game day. The cozy space looks like it was sent straight from Dublin. The best seat in the house? The seats adjacent to the huge double window looking straight onto the street.
Detroit
Thomas Magee's Sporting House Whiskey Bar in Detroit was made for sports fans who want to sip on something a little stronger while watching their favorite game. The cozy indoor/outdoor space offers all your classic pub fare alongside a very impressive selection of international and domestic whiskey.
Minneapolis
Utepils Brewing in Minneapolis is by far one of the coolest pubs in the state. Here you’ll be able to grab a pint of site-made beer straight from the source; tables are set up right in the brewery as well so you can see behind the scenes while you sip.
Pearl
We love the Alumni House Sports Grill in Pearl for its tasty classic pub food (be sure to try the shrimp!) and fun atmosphere. It’s no-frills, all fun here, and that is certainly reflected on game day when the whole space becomes alive with locals and travelers visiting from the attached Holiday Inn.
Kansas City
Located in Kansas City, The Blue Line Hockey Bar is considered the best sports bar in the state for hockey lovers. The hockey-themed pub has memorabilia throughout, a dome hockey table, and creative cocktails. There’s also a charming outdoor patio for watching the Kansas City sunset.
Butte
Tucked into a historic former bank in Butte, Metals Sports Bar and Grill is a stand-out spot for catching a game while also digging into a plate of great food. Here you’ll find classic pub fare as well as more elevated options, like seafood pasta and French onion soup.
Lincoln
Big Red Restaurant & Sports Bar Lincoln East is a great spot to catch the game if you have little sports fans in the family. Here you’ll find a fun atmosphere but there’s also a great kids menu and a laidback and friendly service.
Las Vegas
Nevada — particularly Las Vegas — has more sports bars than you could possibly try during game season but Topgolf Las Vegas might be the best spot to check out. The massive simulator complex within the MGM Grand offers incredible views of the Las Vegas Strip and a fun atmosphere for drinking and dining during the game.
Nashua
There’s something about O'Brien's Sports Bar that makes for the perfect game day hang-out spot. The Irish-inspired sports bar is no-frills and welcoming with great deals on ice cold brews and cocktails. The pizza and burger menu is also worth mentioning — and well-worth grabbing if you want something to munch on between plays.
Runnemede
Phily Diner & Sport Bar in Runnemede is easily one of the best sports bars in New Jersey. The massive bar and grill offers a unique fifties retro-inspired decor and a two-storey patio so there’s always room for groups.
Albuquerque
Two Fools Tavern in Albuquerque feels like taking a whirlwind trip to Ireland or Scotland. Here you’ll find an extensive international beer menu and classics like Scotch eggs and Guinness beef stew.
Brooklyn
It’s not easy to narrow down the best sports bar in New York — but Bk Backyard Bar stands out among the hoards of great spots. The Brooklyn sports bar offers plenty of outdoor lawn games, unique container ship seating, and even a beach volleyball court.
Raleigh
Boxcar Bar + Arcade in Raleigh is an awesome spot to waste away a few hours watching the game or playing retro arcade games. The bar offers tons of awesome specials like $1 mimosas and also allows for outdoor food so you don’t have to spend your beer budget on pricey bar snacks.
Dickenson
The best sports bar in North Dakota is by far the Blue 42 Sports Grille & Bar in Dickenson. The vibe is classic sports bar — but you’ll find contemporary dining additions like gluten-free and vegan snacks as well as a big beer menu and non-alcoholic options, too.
Columbus
Victory's Sports Bar is a jack-of-all-trades kind of pub in that, although it specializes in sports, it also offers pool billiards, live music, and plenty of other folly to keep you busy and entertained between plays.
Oklahoma City
Cocko' the Walk is the oldest and most loved sports bar in Oklahoma. Here you can expect a cozy and low key atmosphere complete with dart boards, pool tables, and a very good selection of domestic and international brews.
Portland
Spirit of 77 is certainly not your grandpa’s sports bar — and we mean that in the best way possible. This hip Portland pub offers local draft beers, menu items made from scratch, and an excellent cocktail list.
Multiple Locations
Chickie's & Pete's is the official sports bar of the Philadelphia Eagles and is famous for one other very important thing: crab fries. The crab-focused menu is extremely well-executed and sets this local chain apart thanks to the mouthwatering indulgence (be sure to try the crabby sweets — crab fries made with sweet potato!).
Providence
Snookers Sports Billiards Bar & Grill is everything you’d want from a classic sports bar. There are neon lights galore, TVs in every direction, and cozy booths for getting comfy during the game. This well-loved bar also boasts dart boards and pool tables.
Myrtle Beach
Pop over to The Barrel Sports Bar & Grill in Myrtle Beach for a guaranteed good time — whether it’s game day or not. This sprawling indoor/outdoor sports bar offers great bar snacks and cold beer as well as regular local music and a ton of fun games, from horseshoes to pool.
Custer
Buglin' Bull Restaurant and Sports Bar in Custer feels like walking into your friend’s parent’s basement in college. There’s taxidermy everything affixed to the walls, a tin roof ceiling, and everything is delightfully wood-paneled.
Nashville
There’s always a decent crowd going at Beyond the Edge, which makes the modern sports bar in Nashville so fun. The large booths and outdoor patio seating is comfortable enough to spend the whole day watching the game while the extensive drink menu and excellent pub fare will keep you satisfied.
Arlington
Texas Live! is not your average sports bar — it’s a massive sporting complex in Arlington that feels almost like watching a game in the arena or field rather than watching in a small sports bar thanks to the large cinema-style screen in the center of the space.
South Jordan
The Break Sports Grill in South Jordan is a great spot to catch your team while in Utah. The laid-back atmosphere offers both indoor and outdoor seating, and the pub also happens to be recognized as one of the best places in Utah to order mac and cheese.
Stowe
Rimrock's Mountain Tavern in Stowe is a cozy family-owned establishment that feels akin to watching the game in a chalet. The dining space is incredibly cozy and the stick-to-your-ribs menu offerings will keep you warm and satiated even in the Vermont winter.
Arlington
If you love taking a peek at sports memorabilia, then Crystal City Sports Pub in Arlington will be well-worth adding to your must-visit list. This classic sports bar is packed with sporting artifacts and also boasts a pool table, ping-pong, and more games.
Seattle
Rough & Tumble Pub in Seattle will be the best spot to catch a game while in Washington. The woman-owned sports bar puts female-led sports front and center with an emphasis on encouraging and cheering for female athletes. You’ll never have to fight for the WNBA to be broadcast again.
Charleston
Recovery Sports Grill in Charleston is tucked into the local Four Points by Shereton — but don’t let that fool you. This well-loved spot is anything but an average hotel bar. This cozy spot has more televisions than you can count as well as plenty of games available and even hosts a regular trivia night.
Appleton
Check out Rookie's Sports Bar & Grill if you’re looking for a lively spot to enjoy great food while watching the game. This Wisconsin institution offers a weekly fish fry every Friday, a pool league, and plenty of live music.
Rawlins
Buck's Sports Grill is kitsch to the extreme — and that’s why we love it so much. The Rawlins sports bar is packed with cheeky taxidermy animals, retro signage, and more whimsical decor that gives it a lived-in feel. There’s also arcade games and outdoor seating for savoring sunny days.