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An overhead shot of a group of people at Underdogs Cantina. Underdogs

15 Knockout Sports Bars in San Francisco

Where to eat, drink, and watch the professionals play

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Even as the Niners failed to make the Super Bowl and the Warriors continue to flail, there’s no better time to find your go-to sports bar. Whether it be for a World Cup match as iconic as France versus Argentina or for a hopefully-much-more-inspiring season for the Giants, it’s just common sense to know which haunts are ideal for catching any game. There are many fine options: historic Bus Stop in Cow Hollow, newcomer to South Beach Underdogs, North Beach mainstay Green’s, resurrected Mad Dog in the Fog, and more. Here are the must-hit 15 sports bars in San Francisco.

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The Boardroom

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The Boardroom, now joined to the former location of Capp’s Corner, added more TVs, outdoor seating, a pool table, and a bigger menu of bar snacks, which still includes its signature bacon-wrapped tater tots. There’s even a kids menu for young sports fans, and on the exact opposite end, there are Tequila Trivia Tuesdays, which start at 8:30 p.m.

Bus Stop

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After a $300,000 bathroom redesign (making the toilets ADA-compliant and then some), this 102-year-old Cow Hollow bar is back in business. The owners are known to buy everyone at the bar food on game day, so make sure to swing through if you’re hungry — but if they roll their eyes don’t tell them Eater SF sent you.

Greens Sports Bar

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Greens is never short on crowds of sports-loving neighborhood dwellers, all of whom flock there for draft beers and whatever game is on TV. The windows open onto Polk Street, giving it an airier feel than most dark, divey sports bars in town. Check out the many autographed, framed photos on the wall for a quick lesson in sports history.

Ace's Bar

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New York sports fans have a haven in Ace's, which has diehard devotion to the Giants, Yankees, and other NYC sports teams (there are even seats from the old Shea stadium inside). Along with tallboys and draft beer, the bartenders mix up a mean bloody mary. And, every time the home team (in this case, the NY team) scores, "New York Groove" blasts on the speakers. There's no food, but you can bring in your own.

San Francisco Athletic Club

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A combination of more upscale environs (than your average sports bar); tons of seating; a good, large food menu, and shuffleboard make San Francisco Athletic Club a bit fancier than most others on this list. Reserve a table in advance.

The Pig and Whistle

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There may be no greater destination for English sports fans in San Francisco than this Geary Boulevard pub. Ownership hails from the United Kingdom, with bangers and mash and chips (read: fries) on the menu. Loyal soccer fans show up for World Cup games, as do droves of University of San Francisco students for just about any type of game.

Underdogs Cantina

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This Sunset District-born sports bar empire has spread its roots to within just a block of the Giants' home base. Owner Doug Marschke says this outpost is for families and kids, complete with arcade games and Skee-Ball upstairs. Drop by before the first pitch.

An overhead shot of a group of people at Underdogs Cantina. Underdogs

Trademark

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Multiple TVs, craft cocktails, a big selection of beers on tap and in cans, plus boozy milkshakes can be found at this SoMa sports bar. Trademark also has a patio out back for day drinking, plus games like Skee-Ball and beer pong should one need a break from the excitement of the match at hand.

Hockey Haven

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Hockey Haven isn’t actually a haven for hockey, its owners admit, but its original owner was a former hockey pro and its present owners say that to change the bar's name after all these years (it opened in 1949) would be bad luck. That said, the bar has five big TVs “with sports on constantly,” cheap drinks, standard pub grub, and a cast of regulars ready to cheer players of any sport on to victory.

Mad Dog in the Fog

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This Haight Street bar originally lived down the street, soundly in Lower Haight, but reopened in August 2022 with flags of various international soccer teams streaming in the wind. Sister bar to Kezar Pub a neighborhood away, fans come here for the cheap drinks and plentiful seating.

Kezar Pub

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After all these years, Kezar is still known for the quality of its wings, which are perfectly saucy and spicy. Cheap(ish) drinks, a plethora of flat-screen TVs, and old-school sports memorabilia round out the experience, which is a healthy mix of sports bar and Irish pub.

Hi Tops

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The Castro is the perfect home for Hi Tops, the city's gay-designated sports bar. Tuesday is trivia, and Thursday is “gym class” night, when people dress in wrestling gear and go-go boys hand out shots. Amidst it all, there are tons of TVs and better-than-average bar food.

Yancy's Saloon

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A classic Inner Sunset sports destination, Yancy's offers seriously comfortable surroundings for watching your team take home the W. Strong drinks at reasonable prices and a lively crowd make watching the game here an excellent experience. Unfortunately, the only food option is popcorn, but if you grab some carryout nearby they'll let you bring it in.

The 500 Club

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This Guerrero Street bar is the absolute G.O.A.T. in the Mission District sports bar world. The owner just opened a jazz club in the Marina, but this no-frills haunt still keeps the Niners blaring and a photo booth in the back.

Valley Tavern

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Thirty-nine beers on tap, a grill out back on the outdoor patio, and plenty of viewing room inside all contribute to Valley Tavern's elevated status as a comfortable neighborhood sports bar. There are 17 televisions inside and an additional six on the tiered outdoor patio, so you'll have no problem getting to watch your particular game.

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The Boardroom

The Boardroom, now joined to the former location of Capp’s Corner, added more TVs, outdoor seating, a pool table, and a bigger menu of bar snacks, which still includes its signature bacon-wrapped tater tots. There’s even a kids menu for young sports fans, and on the exact opposite end, there are Tequila Trivia Tuesdays, which start at 8:30 p.m.

Bus Stop

After a $300,000 bathroom redesign (making the toilets ADA-compliant and then some), this 102-year-old Cow Hollow bar is back in business. The owners are known to buy everyone at the bar food on game day, so make sure to swing through if you’re hungry — but if they roll their eyes don’t tell them Eater SF sent you.

Greens Sports Bar

Greens is never short on crowds of sports-loving neighborhood dwellers, all of whom flock there for draft beers and whatever game is on TV. The windows open onto Polk Street, giving it an airier feel than most dark, divey sports bars in town. Check out the many autographed, framed photos on the wall for a quick lesson in sports history.

Ace's Bar

New York sports fans have a haven in Ace's, which has diehard devotion to the Giants, Yankees, and other NYC sports teams (there are even seats from the old Shea stadium inside). Along with tallboys and draft beer, the bartenders mix up a mean bloody mary. And, every time the home team (in this case, the NY team) scores, "New York Groove" blasts on the speakers. There's no food, but you can bring in your own.

San Francisco Athletic Club

A combination of more upscale environs (than your average sports bar); tons of seating; a good, large food menu, and shuffleboard make San Francisco Athletic Club a bit fancier than most others on this list. Reserve a table in advance.

The Pig and Whistle

There may be no greater destination for English sports fans in San Francisco than this Geary Boulevard pub. Ownership hails from the United Kingdom, with bangers and mash and chips (read: fries) on the menu. Loyal soccer fans show up for World Cup games, as do droves of University of San Francisco students for just about any type of game.

Underdogs Cantina

This Sunset District-born sports bar empire has spread its roots to within just a block of the Giants' home base. Owner Doug Marschke says this outpost is for families and kids, complete with arcade games and Skee-Ball upstairs. Drop by before the first pitch.

An overhead shot of a group of people at Underdogs Cantina. Underdogs

Trademark

Multiple TVs, craft cocktails, a big selection of beers on tap and in cans, plus boozy milkshakes can be found at this SoMa sports bar. Trademark also has a patio out back for day drinking, plus games like Skee-Ball and beer pong should one need a break from the excitement of the match at hand.

Hockey Haven

Hockey Haven isn’t actually a haven for hockey, its owners admit, but its original owner was a former hockey pro and its present owners say that to change the bar's name after all these years (it opened in 1949) would be bad luck. That said, the bar has five big TVs “with sports on constantly,” cheap drinks, standard pub grub, and a cast of regulars ready to cheer players of any sport on to victory.

Mad Dog in the Fog

This Haight Street bar originally lived down the street, soundly in Lower Haight, but reopened in August 2022 with flags of various international soccer teams streaming in the wind. Sister bar to Kezar Pub a neighborhood away, fans come here for the cheap drinks and plentiful seating.

Kezar Pub

After all these years, Kezar is still known for the quality of its wings, which are perfectly saucy and spicy. Cheap(ish) drinks, a plethora of flat-screen TVs, and old-school sports memorabilia round out the experience, which is a healthy mix of sports bar and Irish pub.

Hi Tops

The Castro is the perfect home for Hi Tops, the city's gay-designated sports bar. Tuesday is trivia, and Thursday is “gym class” night, when people dress in wrestling gear and go-go boys hand out shots. Amidst it all, there are tons of TVs and better-than-average bar food.

Yancy's Saloon

A classic Inner Sunset sports destination, Yancy's offers seriously comfortable surroundings for watching your team take home the W. Strong drinks at reasonable prices and a lively crowd make watching the game here an excellent experience. Unfortunately, the only food option is popcorn, but if you grab some carryout nearby they'll let you bring it in.

The 500 Club

This Guerrero Street bar is the absolute G.O.A.T. in the Mission District sports bar world. The owner just opened a jazz club in the Marina, but this no-frills haunt still keeps the Niners blaring and a photo booth in the back.

Valley Tavern

Thirty-nine beers on tap, a grill out back on the outdoor patio, and plenty of viewing room inside all contribute to Valley Tavern's elevated status as a comfortable neighborhood sports bar. There are 17 televisions inside and an additional six on the tiered outdoor patio, so you'll have no problem getting to watch your particular game.

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