If you frequent sports bars at all, you may find yourself seated in front of the big screen with the same ol’ same ol’. This isn’t to say that a giant juicy burger, fries, and wings don’t hit the spot sometimes. But you can change it up at these spots with menu items that taste as good as your team is looking this season.
BaseCamp
Kale salad, Asian ribs, rock shrimp hush puppies
The guys behind BaseCamp set out to make it an anomaly in the sports bar scene. With craft beers, locally sourced food, and an everyday happy hour, you can find your team, some good food, and some great deals here.
B.D. Riley's
Traditional fish and chips, Irish nachos
B.D. Riley’s always feels like football heaven. Cozy booths, a heavy wooden bar, TVs you can see from any angle, and open 365 days a year. They’re locally owned and are opening a new spot in Mueller soon, replete with another handmade bar from Ireland.
Billy’s on Burnet
Turkey Reuben, club sandwich, vegan Frito pie
Long before Woodrow’s moved in, Billy’s on Burnet was the go-to spot for sports-watching. It’s got a great OG Austin vibe, a tiny-but-mighty outdoor patio, arcade games, and craft beers galore. Head there 2-6 pm each day, and experience their “happiest hour” between 4-5 pm.
Blackfinn Ameripub
Tuna poke, ting yang shrimp, The T-Bird
Home to many an alumni club game-watch, weekends here are super busy. You’ll want to call and make sure they have your game on but once you’re there, the menu will make up for the crowd. It’s likely that no matter what you’re craving — pasta, pizza, salad, chocolate — Blackfinn will have it.
Cover 3
Grilled ruby trout, jumbo scallops, Allandale salad
Leveling up bar food in Austin and now in San Antonio, Cover 3 set out to create a place with outstanding sports, food, and service. You can still get one of the best burgers in town here, but now and again, maybe indulge in a chilled shrimp and crab tower during the soccer match.
Jack and Ginger's
Fresh pretzels, shrimp corn dogs
Jack and Ginger's is part of the new Rock Rose development. They offer pub grub with a twist. Shrimp corn dogs, fried cheese hush puppies, Reuben tater skins. Each weekday they have happy hour with $5 wells and select appetizers and $7 beer flights.
Lavaca Street Bar
Raw bar, mahi tacos, Naughty Cat
The dream team from downtown has taken their partnership to the next level. This sporty spot has more TVs than you can count, fresh seafood, cold beers, and a super fun buzzy vibe. They have a daily happy hour from 3-7 pm and Tecate Tuesday continues with $2.50 Tecates.
Liberty Tavern
Chicken liver mousse, ancient grains risotto, lamb ham
Don’t let the hotel location fool you, Liberty has some great sports bar chops. With 10-plus TVs, three cocktails on tap, 12 rotating local beers, and a bangin’ menu, you should belly up to brunch while taking in some basketball.
Mister Tramps
Brie pizza, crawfish bisque
It’s not exclusive to soccer but you’ll find many a footie fan here. They come for the multiple TVs, the craft beer on tap, and the Brie pizza (Brie, pear, fig, pecans, roasted garlic with basil-pesto) and the spicy, creamy crawfish bisque.
The Tavern
Spinach and strawberry salad, white wings
It’s weird to talk about the salads at a sports bar, but The Tavern has a pretty abundant selection of the leafy stuff. Southwest Caesar, caprese, spinach and strawberry, Southern chicken salad ... it’s practically health food. Which is great considering there’s no way you can come here without getting the famous white wings.
Toss Pizzeria and Pub
Pork belly carbonara pizza, stuffed pretzels
Giant outdoor area, covered outdoor seating, crafty cocktails, and hand-tossed pizzas make this place a kind of heaven for sports fans. The pork belly carbonara pizza gets a lot of love, likely due to the number of fried eggs on top. Drop in on Wednesdays for half-price wings.
Hush puppies at BaseCamp.
