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15 Knockout Sports Bars in San Francisco

Where to eat, drink, and watch the professionals play

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The San Francisco Giants make the summer sensational, while the Niners and the Warriors make sure the fall is dynamic. There’s the Women’s World Cup for those dialed in on the international scene, and the San Jose Sharks for the ultra-local Bay Area sports fans. No matter your poison, one would be a fool to embark upon a sports-viewing extravaganza without sidling up at one’s time-tested sports bar. Proper San Franciscans have their bars in mind already, but for the uninitiated — or those looking for a change of scenery — here are 15 watering holes ideal for catching the big game.

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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

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.

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. Right around the corner lies the reopened Mad Dog in the Fog, another worthy destination for international matches.

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.

Lomo Libre Cantina

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San Francisco-born-and-raised Jose Calvo Perez took over the former Underdogs location in 2022 and has already made the venue into a TV-laden den of tacos and tequila. Happy hour is 3 to 6 p.m. every day, and, Wednesday is wing night when wings go for just 75 cents.

An exterior shot of Lomo Libre on Irving Street. Paolo Bicchieri

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.

O’Brien's Irish Pub

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This relatively new Taraval Street Irish pub is worth a visit for the upscale food and drink, but all the local games are on the TV here, too. There’s a happy hour 4 to 6 p.m. and brunch on the weekend including $4 mimosas and corned beef and cabbage.

The Ave Bar

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A true locals spot, this Ocean Avenue mainstay is open every night of the week until 2 a.m. There are DJ and comedy nights, yes, but pull through for NBA and NFL games, too.

A packed bar at the Ave. The Ave

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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

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.

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. Right around the corner lies the reopened Mad Dog in the Fog, another worthy destination for international matches.

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.

Lomo Libre Cantina

San Francisco-born-and-raised Jose Calvo Perez took over the former Underdogs location in 2022 and has already made the venue into a TV-laden den of tacos and tequila. Happy hour is 3 to 6 p.m. every day, and, Wednesday is wing night when wings go for just 75 cents.

An exterior shot of Lomo Libre on Irving Street. Paolo Bicchieri

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.

O’Brien's Irish Pub

This relatively new Taraval Street Irish pub is worth a visit for the upscale food and drink, but all the local games are on the TV here, too. There’s a happy hour 4 to 6 p.m. and brunch on the weekend including $4 mimosas and corned beef and cabbage.

The Ave Bar

A true locals spot, this Ocean Avenue mainstay is open every night of the week until 2 a.m. There are DJ and comedy nights, yes, but pull through for NBA and NFL games, too.

A packed bar at the Ave. The Ave

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