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Steelers fans at Giordano Bros.
Steelers fans at Giordano Bros.
Photo: Giordano Bros.

The Top 39 Bars to Watch College and NFL Football in San Francisco

Whether you're rooting for an out-of-town team or are a 49ers Faithful, here are 39 great bars to catch the game.

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Steelers fans at Giordano Bros.
| Photo: Giordano Bros.

For football fans, spring and summer can seem endless; fret no more as fall—and football—are finally here. If you're a 49ers, Raiders, Cal, or Stanford fan, you could always watch the game at home, but sometimes you need to get out and enjoy the camaraderie of it all. And if your allegiances lie elsewhere, then you're probably wondering where you can find like-minded fans. Here are 39 awesome San Francisco bars broken down by fan base where you can catch NFL and NCAA games, drink a few beers, and maybe even make some new friends. Here's to football!

· The 15 Best Sports Bars in San Francisco [ESF]

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Ace's Bar

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New York Giants fans stranded on the wrong coast can be found at this Tendernob dive, where the Giants meetup group congregates weekly. University of Wisconsin fans, this is also your spot.

Black Magic Voodoo Lounge

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With Abita Amber on tap and a coterie of fans chanting "Who dat?", New Orleans Saints supporters will feel right at home in this slice-of-Louisiana lounge. You may even get to partake in a pan of homemade jambalaya brought by a fellow fan.

Blackthorn Tavern

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Blackthorn is definitely a Niners bar, but thanks to a long wall of flat screen TVs, you have a great shot of finding whichever game you want.

Blue Light

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Miami Dolphins fans should make the pilgrimage to this Cow Hollow bar to catch their team in action. Syracuse and Tennessee fans also congregate here.

Bus Stop

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This Cow Hollow sports bar is shared territory: the SF Dallas Cowboys fan club can usually be found here, as can the Indianapolis Colts cheering section. (There's also sometimes a contingent of Cowboys fans at Pete's Tavern in SOMA.) If you're a fan of Virginia Tech, UCLA, or Georgia, this is also your go-to spot.

Connecticut Yankee

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As the name implies, this sports bar is the place to be for all things New England. The New England Patriots and UConn are both well-represented during games.

Danny Coyle's

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Both Seattle Seahawks and San Diego Chargers fans can be found getting loud and proud at this Lower Haight Irish pub—up to and including standing on the tables. It's also a gathering place for UNC supporters.

Dolores Corner

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Chicago Bears fans can meet and greet at this Noe Valley bar, home of the Chicago sports fans meetup group. They sometimes bring along Chicago dogs with all the trimmings.

Final Final

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Minnesota Vikings fans, look no further than this Marina sports bar, which offers the bonus of free popcorn. Iowa, Nebraska, and Purdue fans also call this one home.

Giordano Bros.

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Given that Giordano's specializes in all-in-one Pittsburgh-style sandwiches, it's no surprise that Steelers fans congregate at both its locations. There's a sizable Steelers contingent at Shanghai Kelly's as well.

Greens Sports Bar

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Greens has more than 20 TVs so there are always fans from all over. It gets packed, so get there early if you want a seat.

Harry's Bar

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Notre Dame fans head to this Pac Heights bar to cheer on their team.

Hi Tops

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SF's first sport bar specifically for the gay community, this place is crowded and rowdy with 49ers' fans on Sundays.

Irish Times

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There are 11 giant flat screen TVs, but the 49ers get priority for sound.

Jake's Steaks

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A joint specializing in Philly cheesesteaks is an accommodating one for Philadelphia Eagles fans. During games, Coors Light is $3/pint, and a Bud Light bucket is 6 for $15.

Monaghan's

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Penn State fans go wild during games at this Marina spot, which has been known to open as early as 6 am for East Coast morning games. They have free popcorn, too.

Northstar Cafe

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Buffalo Bills fans, welcome home: the Bay Area Bills Backers have patronized this friendly North Beach dive for more than 20 years. This is also the go-to bar for fans of LSU.

Mucky Duck

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The Mucky Duck definitely shows lots of football, but you can also see the American kind, especially if it's the 49ers, on the weekends. Nine TVs and free popcorn.

Pedro's Cantina

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Right next door to Pete's, this Mexican offshoot from the same owners is the place to gather for Ohio State fans.

Pete's Tavern

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This massive sports bar unsurprisingly plays home to a few different contingents, including the Florida Gators, Arkansas, Illinois, and some Dallas Cowboys fans as well.

Cheer on the Oregon Ducks and do a shot or two of Fernet at this Tenderloin favorite. Browns fans also like to make an appearance here on Sundays, but the Niners game will always be on as well.

Red Jack Saloon

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Washington Redskins fans cheer on their team at this North Beach bar, which has a Ms. Pacman machine for the commercial breaks.

San Francisco Athletic Club

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This brand-new sports bar in Lower Pac Heights has already been claimed by Denver Broncos fans. Check out the Meetup group for more intel.

Shanghai Kelly's

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Steeler Nation takes over this Russian Hill bar on Sundays.

Stock in Trade

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It's a Niners bar, but there are plenty of TVs (and bottomless mimosas).

Ted's Sports Bar & Grill

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Iowa fans head to this hidden SOMA sports bar to cheer on their team.

The Abbey Tavern

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Thirteen TVs and a big screen make this a go-to spot for football fans that's a 49ers bar, but also somehow a go-to spot for Seahawks fans (who gather in the back room).

The Boardroom

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St. Louis Rams, Clemson, and Iowa State fans head to this relaxed North Beach sports bar.

The Brick Yard

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Fans of Arizona (both the university and the Cardinals), Alabama, Michigan, Michigan State, and Texas have to share territory at this Cow Hollow spot, where you can expect more than a modicum of trash-talking as a result.

The Dubliner

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With 13 TVs, your game is bound to be on, but you know the drill: 49ers get priority.

The Taco Shop at Underdog's

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Ten plasma screens and all the tacos you could ever want. The 49ers get sound as do all big games.

The Wreck Room

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The SF New York Jets fan club comes to order each week at this Nob Hill joint, which offers $3 bottles of Angry Orchard cider during games.

Thieves' Tavern

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Baltimore Ravens fans congregate for every game at this low-key Mission dive bar. Follow local group Ravens in the Fog for intel on meetups.

Get your Arizona State cheering on at this North Beach bar, which features happy hour straight through until 10 pm.

Valley Tavern

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This Noe Valley bar has almost 30 TVs and 40 beers on tap. If the Niners aren't on, the team with the most fans gets the game sound.

Wild Hare

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South Carolina Gamecocks meet for every game at this newish bar in Lower Pac Heights.

Yancy's Saloon

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This cash only bar feels like your living room except with 14 TVs, many of which will be showing the 49ers if they're playing.

A few different bars lay claim to the wide swath of Green Bay Packers fans, but this one is the classic. The Green Bay Packers Meetup group occasionally rotate through other spots as well. This is also the place to go to cheer on the University of Kentucky.

Kezar Pub

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It's across the street from and named after the 49ers original stadium, but that hasn't stopped Eagles' fans from making it their own. There are over 20 TVs, but you'll still need to arrive well before your game if you want a seat.

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Ace's Bar

New York Giants fans stranded on the wrong coast can be found at this Tendernob dive, where the Giants meetup group congregates weekly. University of Wisconsin fans, this is also your spot.