Amazing bar food, even better drink deals, with plenty of beer options, friendly servers and zero pretence. Yes, we’re describing sports bars, the unsung, often dive-ish, heroes of America. Other than a stadium, they’re the most fun place you can be on game day. It's a big weekend for sports fans, so head down to your favourite spot for some food, drink and a slice of the action. Here's our pick from every US state. (Be sure to check individual websites for the latest opening updates and takeout options before you visit.)
The atmosphere at this sports bar in Birmingham is second to none. It describes itself as having a garage meets arcade vibe, with a bar and restaurant, outdoor seating and TVs for catching up on sport. Food-wise, guests love the wings which are so tender the meat falls off the bone and come in three flavours: sweet barbecue, Jamaican jerk and lemon, rosemary and pecorino. It also serves cocktails, has 20 beers on tap and rotating drafts.
If you’re serious about beer, you will love Lavelle’s Taphouse in Fairbanks. It has 36 changing beers on draft and if it doesn’t have exactly what you’re after, the friendly and knowledgeable staff will offer recommendations. There’s a TV which screens games, but when sport is not on it's playing the latest music. There’s no kitchen, but it’s regularly frequented by food trucks such as all-day breakfast purveyors BFD.
If wings are your go-to game day dish, check out CAPS Sports Grill in Phoenix. It serves what customers describe as the best wings they’ve ever had. Bone-in, grilled and re-tossed in house sauce is recommended. But there are so many options such as boneless, deep-fried, sauce on the side and “sloppy” with sauce poured on top – not to mention the sheer quantity of dressings you can choose between such as sweet barbecue, honey mustard and fiery lime.
This old-school pizza restaurant and dive bar in Hot Springs National Park is the ideal spot to watch a game and fuel up on beer, wine and Chicago-style pizza. It's certainly where you'll find the locals. It has super thin crust and gluten-free options too, however customers who don’t usually like deep dish pizza change their minds after trying the ones served here. It doesn't have a website, but you can check out its recent glowing reviews on Facebook and Yelp.
A cute, independently-run craft beer place in the sleepy town of Morgan Hill. The Running Shop and Hops offers artisan draft and bottle beer to take home. It has a great selection of hipster IPAs and customers comment on the cool vibe. Although it doesn't have a food menu, local food trucks include Cochi (barbecue food) and Fire and Rice (Hawaiian dishes).
The bar with the “best screen set-up in downtown” is Society Sports and Spirits, a Texan bar in Denver. Customers say it really understands the sports fan and it regularly updates its followers on what it will be screening on its Facebook page. To drink, it offers beer, local whiskeys and cocktails. Smoked wings and the Triple B burger (with bacon, blue cheese and salad) are the menu's highlights.
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Head to this Bridgeport favourite for superb nachos and wings. Described as off-the-hook, the garlic and Parmesan-flavour wings are a must-order. But there are other options such as honey buffalo, Cajun dry rub and maple chipotle. Meanwhile, there are TVs everywhere, so order some plates and hunker down for the long haul. There's also a second location in South Norwalk.
Ranging from sports bar classics such as pizza and wings to restaurant-worthy burrata, crab diablo soup and lobster ravioli, this cosy neighbourhood bar serves exceptionally good Italian food. TV screens playing sport line the bar where you can get brilliant cocktails such as Moscow mules and bloody marys. What's more, the customer service from Rocco is always outstanding.
This hockey-orientated bar in St Petersburg is a tiny hole-in-the-wall joint known for serving the best burgers in town. The Demi-God is the favourite: an 8oz (227g) patty topped with Cheddar, Swiss cheese, mushrooms, caramelised onions and horseradish mayo. Each table has a mini TV screen and remote control. With this set up, it’s no wonder the same loyal customers have been returning for years.
At this colourful South American sports bar in Athens you'll find some of the best fish tacos you’ll ever try. Everyone who stops by praises them, especially the combination of pico de gallo (salsa) and guacamole. Tacos aside, the steak Cuban sandwich is another hit. What's more it has a large outdoor patio area.
This relaxed sports bar on Kapahulu Avenue in Honolulu is so loved all its tables get booked up days ahead of time and reservations are essential. It serves comfort food dishes such as crispy pork chop and fried rice with bacon, Portuguese sausage, barbecued pork, green onion, peas and carrots. It has a second location in Ala Moana.
Watch the game at Scooter’s Chillin’-N-Grillin, a small, homey and inviting sports bar in Twin Falls. It’s loved for its gigantic flat screens, to-die-for garlic Parmesan fries and bison burger with crispy onion strings, habanero Cheddar, salad and barbecue sauce, which some people say is the best they’ve ever had. It also has 16 beers on tap.
This cosy spot in north Chicago is described as a local Wisconsin-style bar that will transport you to the Badger State. It has wooden interiors and stuffed animals, giving it a rustic, cabin vibe. Meanwhile, cheap beer and excellent quality food – the fried cheese curds are highly regarded – make it the hot spot to watch a game, but reservations are required.
Jerk chicken and reggae while you watch the game is what you get at Jamaican Breeze Sports Bar & Grill in Indianapolis. Customers love its laid-back vibe and the fact you can get Red Stripe lager on draft. The food also impresses visitors from the ackee and saltfish, curry goat and oxtail to sides such as rice and beans, cabbage and plantains.
Locals claim the most TVs and sports channels can be found at 2 Dogs Pub in Iowa City, a favourite of serious sports fans looking to catch their team. The bar food is far above average, with the burgers (there are 22 to choose from), fried cheese balls, onion rings, pretzel sticks and fries all praised. The rotating selection of 17 draft beers gets a thumbs up from drinkers.
The best wings around can be found at The Peanut, a dive-style sports bar with five locations in Kansas. They're huge and spicy – perfect dipped in cooling ranch dressing. Its drinks specials such as £3 ($4) margaritas are also a hit. Its venue on Santa Fe Drive is considered one of the best, although they all get great reviews.
A Lexington staple for over 25 years, Winchell’s is a homey sports bar with 30 flat-screen TVs and an excellent menu. The Funny Farm sandwich (a country fried pork chop topped with country ham, bacon, a fried egg and Monterey Jack cheese on a roll) and the Buffalo Chicken sandwich (a fried chicken breast topped with spicy sauce, salad and blue cheese crumbles on a roll) make great choices.
Just off the beaten track, The Rusty Nail is a sports bar and neighbourhood gem, where you can watch the game and tuck into some great food too. It has a big leafy patio with seating, TVs and visiting food trucks. Drinks-wise, it's known for its cooling cocktails such as Kentucky mules (with Bourbon, ginger beer and lime) and old fashioneds, at very reasonable prices.
A great dive bar to watch the game, grab a table inside or outside at Binga’s Stadium to make the most of its incredible bar food. You can order traditional wings (breaded and fried) or smoked wings tossed in one of its homemade dipping sauces. There are 31 to choose from including Sweet & Sour, Buffalo Bacon Nacho and KGB (creamy jalapeño, basil and black pepper), and you're going to want to try them all.
The best sports bar in Maryland has got to be The Hideaway in Odenton which is heralded as a great place for food. It serves barbecue such as brisket, pulled pork, ribs and smoked fried chicken with mac ‘n’ cheese. Plus tempting appetisers like wings with blackberry chipotle sauce and Crabby Fries (beer-battered fries topped with crab meat, Parmesan and truffle). The tap list doesn’t disappoint either with fruit beer, IPAs and lagers.
This sports bar in Boston has the coolest location, right beneath the bleachers in Fenway Park’s centrefield, it has a huge window that looks straight into the stadium. Aside from prime viewing, it has tonnes of bottle, can and draft beers, plus cocktails like margaritas and mai tais. Food favourites include the Fenway Franks which have the perfect snap and the fragrant and spicy wings.
This local sports bar has gained a reputation for its fantastic food and servers that go out of their way to make you feel valued as a customer. It offers burgers, chicken sandwiches, quesadillas and snacks such as baked mozzarella sticks and nachos. But most importantly, it has 26 beers on draft, 10 TVs, live music when a game is not on and is open from early morning until the small hours.
This sports bar in Bemidji has a great happy hour between 4pm and 6pm which includes two-for-one on tap beer, margaritas, mojitos and house wine. The food options are also top notch and include beef chilli, truffle Parmesan fries, fried cheese curds and walleye fish tacos. It gets five star reviews from sports fans.
A beautiful sports bar on the Mississippi River, grab a seat in its dog-friendly beer garden out front to appreciate its location. Inside, it has plenty of TVs if you’re trying to watch a game, plus 18 taps dedicated to Southern beers. The service is friendly and attentive, and the food is good. The favourites are the burgers, the brisket dip sandwich, homemade fries and onion rings.
If you’re looking for somewhere a bit more riotous to watch the game, Crazy Craig’s Cheeky Monkey Bar is your best bet. Considered the best bar in town, it screens sports, plays music, has pool and the waitstaff are super personable. It serves great cocktails and barbecue plates, with the pulled pork and beef brisket quesadillas not to be missed.
For a great value brunch, head to Hooligan’s Sports Bar in Billings. It has unlimited bloody marys and caesars (bloody caesars are made with clam juice), alongside omelettes, cinnamon roll French toast, fried breakfasts and breakfast sandwiches. The service is said to be exceptional and there are over 20 flat screens for prime viewing.
The best sports bars are those run by people who love watching sport and Oscar’s Pizza & Sports Grille is exactly that, opened by three friends who love cold beer, food and watching the game. They’ve decked out this place with 36 TVs, plus four big screen projectors, so there’s no chance of missing any action. And it has its own way of serving wings: order them “char buffed” and the sauce is baked on for less mess and more taste.
Accompany the game with a gourmet burger at Slater’s 50/50 in Las Vegas. They're made with a blend of beef and bacon and have been called the best in the US. The Original 50/50 is the favourite, topped with Monterey Jack cheese, avocado, a fried egg and chipotle mayo in a brioche bun. Aside from that, it has 50 craft beers on draft and a tonne of TVs.
This characterful sports bar doesn’t look like much from the outside, but O’Brien’s serves excellent food and is loved by all who visit. So come inside for a blackberry margarita, burger or wings and fries. What's more the prices are great and the bartenders are friendly and helpful.
There are a few Irish pubs that go by the name of Mulligan's in New Jersey, but Blackjack Mulligan's Public House in Garfield is many people’s favourite. Customers love the prime rib dinner on Tuesday, which has been compared to what you’d expect to get for £30 ($40) and the spicy and crispy wings with blue cheese dressing. It has even been called the best bar food in the state.
Fans of Boxcar Bar and Grill absolutely rave about the food served here. It has New Mexico classics such as vegan chilli (made with aubergine, corn, poblano chillies and black beans), nachos (loaded with pulled chicken, sour cream and guacamole), and cheesy quesadillas. Plus, everyone who works here goes out of their way to make you feel welcome.
This chilled Irish pub features an old school wooden bar, a darts board and TVs for watching sport. Find a table and choose between bottles such as Bud, Coors and Amstel. Feeling peckish? Check out its short menu of typical pub-grub such as pepperoni pizza, pretzels, and chips and salsa.
A Silver Diner-style joint from the outside, Jax 5th Avenue Deli & Ale House is a sports bar within. It has 24 draft beers, over 100 bottles and cans, and 20 HDTVs so sports fans never miss a moment. It also serves some unconventional dishes such as smoked salmon devilled eggs and thin and crispy crab cake pita pizzas.
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A great place to watch sport in North Dakota, customers consistently compliment Blue 42 Sports Grille & Bar's modern interiors and spaciousness – even when it’s busy it’s not too packed. Planning to eat during the game? It has dishes such as sweet potato fries, mac ‘n’ cheese balls, baked brie and pulled pork sandwiches, plus 24 beers on tap.
A combination of pizza joint and dive bar, JT’s Pizza & Pub is loved for its strong drinks, pizzas which have crisp crusts, TVs screening multiple games and live music. In terms of food, the Founder’s Favorite is a best-seller, topped with pepperoni, mushroom, onion and fresh pulled sausage. Check out the £5.40 ($7) cocktails too, the Manhattan is a hit.
Oklahoma’s most popular sports bar is The Garage Burgers and Beers, a local chain with 16 venues across the state – the one on Oklahoma City's North Robinson being one of the best. It prides itself on its hamburgers, offering beef, turkey, bison and Impossible vegan patties. Customers often say they’re the best they’ve ever tried. So stop by for a Thunder basketball game, a frozen Thunderita (a tequila cocktail) and a bite to eat.
A sports bar with really good food, save your appetite for Coasters Brew Pub so you can fill up on its great menu options. The chicken strip basket, steak frites and fried pickles are all said to be good, but it also serves brunch and bloody marys. Find a table outside if the weather is good or head indoors for a view of the TVs screening games.
Whether your team won or lost, Cleavers is the place to stop by after a game to celebrate (or comfort yourself). It has alcoholic milkshakes and massive hoagies made with quality rib-eye beef. They come in a wide range of variants – the Pizzaz is stuffed with steak, fried mozzarella, pizza sauce and Parmesan.
This cosy tavern was once described as “the opposite of an oversized corporate sports bar” and “like they used to make them”. It serves Korean and American snack food such as bibimbap (marinated steak, spicy pork, tofu or chicken with vegetables, a fried egg and rice) burgers and spicy chicken wings.
This local spot is a relaxing place to watch a game with the friendliness of the owner and staff talked about by everyone who visits. The homemade mozzarella sticks with marinara, huge chicken wings and pizzas are other highlights. Be sure to check out the pool table and darts and you’re set for a great night.
For mind-blowing beer, Lupulin Brewing Company in Sioux Falls is a winning spot. It brews its own and has 27 options on tap to enjoy inside or take home. If you're settling in for the night, you'll want to check out the pizzas and entertainment which includes a TV, video games, pinball machine and board games. It has another location in Big Lake, Minnesota.
At this quaint Nashville sports bar, all sorts of fun things are happening including live music, trivia nights and sports screenings. But be sure to arrive hungry as the food receives rave reviews, from the award-winning burgers and chicken wings to the shepherd's pie.
A stylish dive bar, Maple Landing is where the people of Dallas want to be on game days. It’s known for its epic barbecue which includes a brisket melt, brisket and sausage plate (with sliced brisket, smoked sausage, Bourbon barbecue sauce and two sides) and brisket poutine. The beer selection and atmosphere are also spot on.
A traditional sports bar, The Huddle is a local favourite. It has plenty of TVs, great weekly food and drinks deals such as discounted 24 oz (710ml) mugs of beer on Mondays and Tequila Tuesdays, and a tonne of whiskeys. The loaded nachos with Cheddar, refried beans, sour cream, pico de gallo, jalapeños and homemade chilli are also a winning choice.
A charming sports bar in a charming town, the service at this little hideaway is warm and friendly. On the menu is a mixture of salads, burgers, steaks and seafood, but you should check out the daily specials which include a pepperoni pizza and 10 wings for £15.40 ($20.95) and fish and chips. Meanwhile the drinks menu impresses with Italian wines, IPAs and daiquiris.
Visitors to CP Shuckers’ Oceanfront venue on Pacific Avenue are always impressed by the food. The steamed shrimp, Captain’s Platter (snow crab legs, oysters, clams, mussels and shrimp), grouper tacos, raw clams, fried oysters, wings and chilli are just a few of its amazing options. Fancy a visit? Check out its Facebook to see what games it's screening.
With 18 big screens The Westy in West Seattle is dedicated to showing the best sports games. It serves much more than your average game day food, with a wide brunch menu including biscuit sandwiches, breakfast burritos, croissant beignets and mini doughnuts. To drink, it prides itself on its 100 whiskeys, cocktails and draft beer from local breweries.
This long-running sports bar, open since 1994, is known for its wings and commitment to putting fans’ choice of games on its TVs. Choose to have your crispy wings dry or doused in a choice of sauces including the favourite “Kegler’s Gold” which is a mix of sweet and tangy mustard, barbecue, herbs and garlic, with a touch of heat.
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This college sports bar is known for its Friday Fish Fry where you can choose between options such as battered cod, shrimp po boys, Cajun walleye and grilled salmon sandwiches. It always gets positive reviews and the portions are huge. Be warned, it's a popular spot and tables go quickly, so arrive as early as possible.
Expect great food, atmosphere, service and beer at Lincoln Highway Tavern, a delightful roadside tavern and sports bar in Evanston. It serves a delicious bloody mary and full-strength draft beer. Feeling hungry? The wings, sloppy joe, chilli with grilled cheese, patty melt, brat with sauerkraut and mustard and steak sandwich all come recommended.