The Best Sports Bars in the US
I would argue that some sporting events are better shared in a social space than experienced alone on your living room couch. While we all enjoy those weekends when we veg out for hours in front of the TV (like I did this past weekend), with a bowl of chips and dip or salsa, certain sporting events like the World Cup, the Super Bowl, the Stanley Cup, and the NBA Finals just feel more fun and intense when watched with like-minded fans. I know I got even more into the World Cup this summer when I was at my local (downstairs from my apartment) sports bar cheering for Team USA with a bunch of loud, crazy New Yorkers. Oh the highs! Oh the lows… All of it just felt crazy and so much more intense than the games I watched quietly in my apartment (while playing Candy Crush on my phone).
In that spirit, here is a list of 7 big-name but cool and flashy sports bars you have to visit at some point in your life. These were compiled taken from a survey of sports writers, online bar blogs, and tweets from #HungryFans just like you. I should note that I prefer smaller, team-centric bars, where I know I am there cheering with everyone for our team. But as far as the big-named spots go, these are worthwhile:
The 40/40 Club, NYC
Jay-Z’s spot in Flatiron, NYC. It’s a cool spot — and huge. Who knew there was real estate that large left in Manhattan!? The place is fitted with sleek LED TV’s for excellent game watching and if you can get into a private room, you should. They feature sweet paneling, couches, and pool tables. I’m proud to report I’ve hung out there before in a private room and got my billiards on! (I learned to play from Pops). Warning: 40/40 totally has a club vibe with big, menacing-looking dudes outside the two huge double doors waiting to check your I.D. and give you a good once or twice over. Once you get past them, it’s all gravy.
The Burger and Beer Joint, Miami
Hellllo South Beach! So I know on South Beach the dress code is basically straight up butt naked…and therefore French fries fried in duck fat probably wouldn’t be your first choice for minimizing butt dimplage (for girls at least). That said, this place does burgers really well (think Wagyu beef or design your own with toppings like black truffles and foie gras). And the icing on the cake? They do beer even better than they do burgers (99 bottled varieties)! Boasting knowledgeable staff and a friendly crowd, this place also has a dance floor for you to shake the calories right off during TV time-outs! Feeling the competitive spirit? No problem. Finish the Mother Burger ($75) in two hours or less and it’s free! Just be careful what you sign-up for. This burger is the roughly size of a child’s head!
XFinity Live, Philadelphia
A couple years ago I got a tour of what I call the Philly Sports Complex — that giant quad, if you will, that features the Wells Fargo Center, Lincoln Financial Field, and Citizens Park, all set amid a giant sea of parking spaces. In that same space is XFinity Live, an enormous building filled with Broad Street Bullies Pub, PBR Bar & Grill, Spectrum Grill, Victory Beer Hall, the Live! VIP Lounge, and the not-to-be-missed NBC Sports Arena with TVs so big and crystal clear, your head will spin in delirium. Needless to say, I was majorly impressed. And as big as this place is, it’s straight up full and buzzing before games! This may be my favorite spot on the list because by time you’ve gotten here, you’ve already parked at the stadium/arena/ballpark and can more freely enjoy an afternoon or evening of sports bar and gameday debauchery before or after you (may or may not) make your way over to the ballpark to watch the game. Good food, great scene, and like I said before and cannot stress enough, GREAT TV set-up.
Lagasse’s Stadium, Las Vegas
Not your averages Vegas sports book. This place has 100 HD TVs, stadium seating, tons of couches, and a elevated skybox. If you’re feeling super swanky and can have the pocket money, you can also watch the game from a luxury private room complete with gaming consoles and pool tables. Luxury box or not, this place is on the pricey side, but I’d argue that is to be expected on the Vegas Strip. Of all the places on this list, the food is not #1, and it’s not Emeril’s best, but they do try. You’ll find menu items like the Foie Gras Burger or the Muffaletta Pizza. Sometimes I like to just stick with the traditional sportsfood staples like nachos, burgers, and beer. Here, you won’t go wrong with those.
Frankie’s Sports Bar and Grill, Dallas
Imagine a sports bar where the bathroom mirrors are TVs. Yup, that’s Frankie’s and this stuff is important, people! Frankie’s also features a covered outdoor patio that’s pretty nice. Frankie’s doesn’t have all the bells and whistles you’ll find at the 40/40 club, for instance. It’s more of what you’d expect from a sports bar. But what they’ve got going for them is the selection of twenty local and national and beers and fun athlete-themed dishes. The sportsfood basics are pretty basic, so I’d recommend you try some of their specialties including the Walter Payton wings. (I’m a wings girl, so yes, I am biased). Other fun menu items include the Kobe and Shaq chicken waffles, a Usain Bolt sandwich and a Rocky Balboa burger. Other cool activities include a build-your-own-bloody-mary bar and UFC and MLB viewing nights. (Frankie’s carries all MLB games).
Jerome Bettis’ Grill 36, Pittsburgh
Owned by the Jerome Bettis, the legendary running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Jerome Bettis’ Grill 36 caters to a higher-end sports fan clientele. Gastronomic features include Korean beef tacos, a Greg Norman Wagyu beef hot dog, and heaping mounds of nachos that can feed four in one serving. There is also an extensive beer selection to compliment these delicacies, a healthy number of TVs showing a variety of games, and a patio that offers an exceptional view of the Pittsburgh skyline. While Pittsburgh is a town that has its fair share of sports bars, Jerome Bettis’ Grill 36 definitely holds its own as the place to be on game night.
Pete’s Tavern, San Francisco
A thriving sports culture isn’t new or foreign to San Francisco. At Pete’s Tavern, you’ll find yourself located just across the street from the San Francisco Giants’ AT&T Park in the Mission. This place has a cool combo of a laid back SF vibe, mixed with the Cheers mentality where everyone knows your number, mixed with a healthy level of rowdiness when it’s packed on gamenight. At Pete’s you’ll find an extensive beer and cocktails menu that includes creative libations like the Ballpark Cooler and Pete’s Rye Manhattan. Burgers are good too — both of the meat and vegetarian variety. I’m also excited by the garlic curly fries that are tasty and have just the right amount of garlic so that you don’t overwhelm those around you with your breath. (Besides, I’m always a sucker for curly fries).
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Next time it’s game-day/night and you want that shared sports-watching experience (and if you happen to be in any of these cities), head over to one of these spots for what promises to be a good time!
And if while you’re out you order something yummy, be sure to Instagram a photo if it and hashtag it #HungryFanFood!
