The 6 Best Sports Bar Cities in America
Whether you’re rooting for the home team or (quietly) cheering against them, every city has a favorite sports bar where you can hang out, order some greasy grub and watch the big game along with all the other sports fans in town.
But these six cities prove that there’s so much more to a sports bar than just flat screens and an ample beer selection — it’s also about creating an electric game day atmosphere and a sense of community. Since we’re in the midst of the start of college football season and everyone’s flocking to their favorite spot to cheer on their team over beer and wings, what better time to highlight America’s best sports bar scenes that every fan needs to experience?
In This Article
1. Dallas, TX
Whether you cheer for the Mavs, the Rangers or the Cowboys, there are tons of sports bars for every kind of fan in the Big D — all equipped with the sweet nectar that is local Texas brews. This is especially welcomed by the fans who don’t want to pay for the hefty parking fees at Jerry World (AKA Cowboys Stadium in Arlington) or for those who really do love the atmosphere of a truly great sports bar.
Some favorite spots among Dallas sports fans include the Katy Trail Ice House in uptown Dallas, which has a 50-foot long bar, a communal beer garden and was recently crowned “best margarita” in the city — quite a feat for a bar in Dallas. Other favorites include Christies Sports Bar (a Dallas institution), Press Box Grill, Frankie’s and Truck Yard, a trendy outdoor space where you can order from local food trucks, sip on craft beer and even order drinks from a treehouse(!) bar. Finally, the 24-foot HD screen, arcade games and six full-service bars make spending an entire Sunday Funday at Hero easy. Located next to the American Airlines Center in Victory Park, Hero is the perfect spot for Dallas Mavericks (NBA) or Stars (NHL) fans, too!
2. Indianapolis, IN
No matter how you slice it, Indy is one sports-crazy city. While the city is synonymous with the Indy 500, there is so much more fun to be had in Indianapolis. Whether they’re cheering on the Colts, the Pacers or catching a Hoosiers game, Indianapolis residents love their sports — and fans have no trouble finding a cozy (or rowdy) spot to watch the big game.
Although you’d never guess it, one of Indianapolis’s most popular sports bars is Chatham Tap. This English-style pub is known as a soccer hotspot, playing all of the English Premier League, Champions League and European Championships for the soccer enthusiasts in town (who don’t mind drinking early in the morning).
No sports bar experience is complete without excellent bar food, and Ale Emporium doesn’t disappoint. Snack on their famous Hermanaki wings while watching the game on one of their numerous TVs and trying any one of the beers on tap. At High Velocity, there are more than 60 HDTVs, a fully stocked bar and a rotating burger of the month. Finally, at Kilroy’s Bar & Grill, enjoy the game and all of the game-day specials that come with it, including $10 mimosa pitchers and $20 beer buckets.
3. Madison, WI
Scott Van Pelt of ESPN once declared Madison, WI, to be “America’s greatest college sports town,” not only due to the intense Badger fandom of the students at the University of Wisconsin but also because the entire city is so passionate about their hometown team. In addition to a lively gameday atmosphere on campus, Madison also boasts some great sports bars — perfect for those days when you couldn’t snag a ticket or feel like standing out in the cold.
Pooley’s Sports Bar is one of the most popular gameday hangouts, featuring 38 flat-screen TVs, plenty of sports memorabilia and even an indoor volleyball court with a busy league schedule. And, if you are looking to pregame the big game in Badger’s Stadium, Pooley’s offers roundtrip transportation for just $15.
Another Madison institution, State Street Brats, has one of the best patios in town and some seriously delicious brats (that somehow taste even better when the University of Wisconsin gets a W). Get the ultimate game-day experience at Sconniebar, affectionately paying homage to Wisconsinite’s nickname, “Sconnies.” The popular spot is packed when the Packers and Badgers play, and there are plenty of TVs (nearly 40!) and an extensive selection of local brews on tap to keep you going through the fourth quarter. Madison sports fans also love to toast to their team at Lucky’s 1313 Brew Pub, Players Sports Bar and Jordan’s Big 10 Pub.
4. Pittsburgh, PA
With the exception of an NBA team, Pittsburgh has it all for sports fans: the Penguins, the Pirates and the Steelers. Routinely ranked in the top sports cities in the country, Pittsburgh is a place that knows a thing or two about what makes an excellent gameday atmosphere and, more importantly, who has the best gameday food.
When Pittsburghers aren’t heading to Heinz Field or PNC Park, they’re going to Carson City Saloon, housed in a former bank with three floors of fun, rows of televisions and plenty of wings for hungry sports fans (who may get a little rowdy come game time).
Tom’s Watch Bar is all sports, all the time — seriously, some sort of game is on every night. There is a massive 360-degree screen to cheer on the team, and numerous other screens are scattered throughout this popular spot. Mike’s Beer Bar is right across from PNC Park, making it the ideal place to pop in before or after a Pirates Game. Other beloved spots to sidle up to the bar and take in sports are The BeerHive, Birmingham Bridge Tavern and Mario’s Southside Saloon.
5. Milwaukee, WI
The city of Milwaukee relishes in being the underdog — and makes no apologies for cheering on their beloved Brewers and Bucks. And it’s paid off in recent years, so there’s no better place to relish in the romanticism of sports than at any one of the city’s beloved bars.
Major Goolsby’s, named one of the top sports bars in the country by Sports Illustrated, is hallowed ground in the city, serving up cold beers in a sports museum-like atmosphere where fans of all stripes are welcome. Business Insider also featured another Milwaukee treasure, Who’s on Third, on their list of the best sports bars in the U.S., which fans love because of its cheese curds and unbelievable 120-inch projection screen. And passionate Packers fans can take advantage of the spot’s VIP Tailgate Shuttles on gameday.
A mecca for fans is The Mecca Sports Bar and Grill in the heart of the Deer District, the city’s premier location for sports and entertainment. A massive 42-foot HD screen and 100 additional TVs throughout the space mean you won’t miss a minute of the action. Plus, fans can enjoy several gameday specials, including $15 pitchers and $5 Bloody Marys and Mimosas that can be paired with half-price hot dogs and brats. And while Milwaukee may be known as a beer town, the bar scene here is much more diverse than most people realize.
6. Tuscaloosa, AL
There is no better sports bar experience than one in a college town, and Tuscaloosa takes the cake.
The University of Alabama is easily one of the most dominant teams in college football and a big part of Tuscaloosa’s crimson beating heart. Love ’em or hate ’em (and let’s face it, many college football fans do), their talent and fanatic gameday atmosphere is undeniable. But if you aren’t heading into Bryant-Denny, you still have some excellent options for rooting on the 18-time national championship-winning Crimson Tide.
The Houndstooth, located just a few blocks from the stadium, was once named the best sports bar in America by Sports Illustrated and is undoubtedly the most raucous place in town to watch the game outside the arena. You’re guaranteed not to miss a single play by the Tide, even if you head to the bathroom with two televisions inside — just in case.
Another popular sports joint in town is Gallettes, one of the oldest bars on campus and home to the famous Yellow Hammer drink, which is so mystical that it even got its own write-up on Bleacher Report. Innisfree Irish Pub is another popular gameday spot, with a great selection of beers on tap and Irish pub food.
Fans can also enjoy the big game at Rounders, a hybrid nightclub and sports bar with over a dozen TVs on “The Strip,” or The Wheelhouse Pub, a cross between an arcade and a traditional sports pub.
If you’re headed into Bryant-Denny, visit Rama Jama’s for 2-for-1 mimosa bottles and a National Championship BLT, which is currently served with 18 strips of bacon.
Editor’s Note: As a die-hard Tennessee Volunteers fan, it hurts me to say that Tuscaloosa is a great sports city, and Gallettes’ iconic yellow cups are elite. I may or may not have half a dozen in my cupboard as souvenirs from trips to T-Town.