Top 10 Best Sports Bars of All Time
Sports bars are one of the greatest ways to find common ground and healthy competition. They are where people make friends and unforgettable memories. Wherever you visit or wherever you live, finding a good drink or a bite to eat is just a small part of what makes the local sports bars unique. From Dallas, Texas to Madrid, Spain, sports bars are all over the world waiting to be discovered. Read on to learn more about the top sports bars in the world.
What Are The Best Sports Bars Ever?
- Kilroy’s on Kirkwood
- Barstool River North
- Puerta 57
- Katy Trail Ice House
- Harlem Tavern
- Bar Kick
- Big Dean’s Oceanfront Café
- Black Market Miami
- Chickie’s and Pete’s
- Slugger’s World Class Sports Bar and Grill
1. Kilroy’s on Kirkwood
Located in Bloomington, Indiana, the home of the Indiana University Hoosiers, this sports bar is a staple throughout not only Bloomington, but the entire state of Indiana. This sports bar goes far beyond college, it is the home of Indiana sports and unforgettable traditions. At Kilroy’s, or “KOK,” you can hear highly repeatable songs, buy merchandise, and get affordable specialty food and drinks. Some of the songs you will always hear at Kilroy’s are “Jessie’s Girl,” “Jack and Diane,” and “Mary Jane’s Last Dance.” The bar acts as a restaurant as well, and it opened as a restaurant only in 1975. It is the perfect place for a daytime meal or late night drinks for anyone 21 and over!
2. Barstool River North
Located in the heart of Chicago, Illinois, Barstool Sports opened this sports bar in January of 2022. Obviously, if you are going to trust anyone to open an unmatched sports atmosphere, it would be Barstool Sports led by Dave Portnoy. His more recent celebrity status gives the bar more fame and media attention. Barstool River North has hosted massive parties for St. Patrick's Day, UFC Matches, March Madness, and more. The combination of a sports bar and sports media company is perfect for younger crowds, especially in the Midwest. Barstool River North is a spot that always has something going on and is perfect for tourism or a local crowd when you are wanting to socialize and watch sports.
3. Puerta 57
Leaving the United States, the third sports bar on this list is one without the large LED flat screens and beer by the pint. Puerta 57, located within the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, home of Real Madrid CF, is an upscale restaurant and bar. This “sports bar” is one of the few where you can see the sport going on right in front of you, making it a unique experience for tourists and local fans. Puerta 57 also hosts private events for upper management or passionate fans. It can hold up to 350 fans in the main room and up to 30 in the several private rooms they have. If you have the chance to visit Madrid for a football game, make sure to stop at Puerta 57 for a fabulous meal or drink.
4. Katy Trail Ice House
Katy Trail Ice House is located in the center of Dallas, Texas, and is the perfect place for a fabulous indoor/outdoor restaurant and bar stop. This spot is placed wonderfully along Dallas’ Katy Trail (hence the name), a place where many locals and tourists go for hiking, walking, biking, and socializing with their families, friends, and pets. The menu at Katy Trail Ice House is incredibly expansive, featuring TexMex, barbecue, and every kind of drink you could think of, from margaritas to quality red wines. Visiting Katy Trail doesn’t have to be a long journey either; hundreds of people stop daily for a quick drink or appetizer on their walk along the trail. It is the perfect spot to hang out and relax during your other activities!
5. Harlem Tavern
Harlem Tavern is located in the Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City. Known best for their food, Harlem Tavern has served as a go-to sports grill and bar since 2011. The Tavern doesn’t only provide sports, but also various live music performances, from R&B to jazz and contemporary. Though it is a newer bar, Harlem locals love to visit during their lunch hours or on late nights during the weekend. If you happen to be in or near Harlem, the Harlem Tavern is definitely worth a visit with friends or family.
6. Bar Kick
Bar Kick is located in London, England, and calls itself the “home of live sport in Shoreditch.” It has been around since 2016 and provides all kinds of live sports for locals and downtown Londoners. Before you even head to the bar either for a drink or a delicious and filling bite of food, you can check their schedule online to see what sports they’re showing and when, just so you can time the game or event you’re planning to see. Additionally, you can book a reservation with a specific sporting request just to make sure you won’t miss an important event. They host private events and small groups too! This is a great place for avid sports fans who cannot miss a game.
7. Big Dean’s Oceanfront Café
Built in 1902, Big Dean’s Oceanfront Cafe is located in Santa Monica, California, and is the perfect daytime food and drink spot to pull your bike up to (or even roller skate to)! The bar’s motto is “where the locals meet and the tourists always return!” Big Dean’s is an amazing and family-friendly spot to casually watch sports in California. With plenty of outdoor seating, televisions, and a large yet affordable menu, this is the easiest stop if you are spending your day on the Santa Monica Pier, the boardwalks, or the beach.
8. Black Market Miami
Located near Downtown Miami and Brickell, Black Market Miami is a newer bar, built in 2011, that locals love and is family-owned. Though Black Market Miami is new, the inside attempts to radiate a feeling of Miami Beach in the 1980s. They have two locations, both in Miami, with the original being downtown. Their menu spans all kinds of drinks and food, ranging from fried pickles to shrimp tacos. The décor inside uses old and authentic newspaper on the walls, with unique velvet seating and dozens of televisions within their 5,000+ square foot space.
9. Chickie’s and Pete’s
Chickie’s and Pete’s is a favorite restaurant in Philadelphia. They have 19 locations throughout the Philadelphia area. Now, many think this place is just a restaurant that offers drinks, but, they make this list for the top 10 sports bars because they are the official partner of the Philadelphia Eagles. Chickie’s and Pete’s is a top spot for parties, events, or Eagles’ game days; after all, Eagles fans are incredibly passionate and always ready to enjoy a game. The sporty restaurant calls themself, “your Philly sports headquarters.” Chickie’s and Pete’s is the go-to place if you are a local or a visitor. If you want the Philadelphia experience, this is the place to go.
10. Slugger’s World Class Sports Bar and Grill
Slugger’s World Class Sports Bar and Grill, or “Slugger’s,” as the locals call it, is a classic midwestern sports bar that not only offers live sports, but also games that customers can play with one another. Inside the bar, you can find air hockey and skeeball accompanied by Chicago sportswear and signage. The bar is located in the Chicago neighborhood of Wrigleyville, and has become the spot for Chicago Cubs fans. Slugger’s is known for their slogan, “It's the people that make the place,” and many locals can attest to that too. Whether or not it be a game day, Slugger’s is always a great place to visit for a quick drink or bite to eat.
Honorable Mentions
- BOXPARK Wembley, London
- Real Sports, Toronto
- LxF, Buenos Aires
- Chatham Tap, Indianapolis
- Stadium View Bar & Grill, Green Bay
- Don and Charlie’s, Scottsdale
- Bar 508, Minneapolis
- Stan’s Sports Bar, New York
- Green’s Sports Bar, San Francisco
- Orange Crate Brewing Company, Syracuse