Best Sports Bars in Washington

Cheer On Your Favorite Teams At These Winning D.C. Sports Bars


Let's be honest. It is much more fun to watch a game with a bunch of people – even if most are complete strangers. It doesn't matter if they are rooting for your team or not. The game just seems better, right? More opportunities to discuss how great a quarterback's arm is firing, which bullpin pitcher should be brought in during a critical game or how badly the officials are calling the game.   

With multiple professional and college sports teams in the area, Washington, D.C. has tons of sports bars but 10Best has found the top spots to hit on game day.

Want to watch inside a man cave full of pool and foosball tables, dart boards and Skeeball machines? Head to Dupont Circle's Buffalo Billards where you can rent these games by the hour while catching a favorite team play.  

Celebrating an amazing play is always fun but The Big Stick at the Navy Yard takes it a step further. Four friends can take a shot off a wooden ski at the exact same time.

If you are looking for a more sports bistro feel, Cleveland Park Bar and Grill is a great spot to dine on Italian and American fare while cheering on a beloved team.

Whether you are tasting the thrill of victory or the agony of defeat, these D.C. area sports bars will have you covered.


Advertisement

Crystal City Sports Pub
Photo courtesy of Crystal City


Founded in 1994, the pub feature more than 100 televisions for your game day viewing pleasure. Not sure if even Best Buy has that many on display to sell. Chose from one of three levels with the top tier hosting 2 to 8 foot projection screen televisions. The venue serves as a home to multiple college team alumni like Virginia Tech, University of Maryland and Alabama. While watching your favorites try to win, order from their enticing menu of finger foods such as creamy crab dip, stadium pretzel, wings and popcorn shrimp. Salads, soups, pizza and burgers are also waiting to be scarfed down during commercials. Metro: Crystal City

Recommended for Sports Bars because: No mater what sport you are into, one of the televisions will be playing your event.

Gina's expert tip: Not only is the pub the place to watch games byt they also offer trips to see the Washington Nationals and Redskins in person.

Read more about Crystal City Sports Pub →


Meridan Pint
Photo courtesy of Meridan Pint

Featuring more than 20 beers on tap and around 120 available in bottles, this venue is an adult beverage lovers dream. Their drink menu has a strict focus on American craft beer with a majority of their supply coming from local and regional brewers. They also offer a collection of American craft whiskeys. Libations can be paired with seasonal menu items sourced from local and regional farms. Pick from burgers, sandwiches, soups, salads and entrees such as butternut squash risotto or pan seared ribeye with a red wine demi glaze. Make sure to bring a designated driver because you will want to sample many drinks. Metro: Columbia Heights

Recommended for Sports Bars because: Craft beers can make a defeat go down better. Head here on the weekends to see college and professional games.

Gina's expert tip: Pace yourself. Craft beer tends to have a higher alcohol content than regular beers so savor the different flavors.

Read more about Meridan Pint →


Bracket Room
Photo courtesy of Bracket Room

Fairly new to the Metro-area bar scene, this sports lounge and eatery is a popular spot on game day. Co-owned by 'Bachelor' alum Chris Bukowski, the 2,800 square-foot venue fuses a stylish environment with an innovative menu. They claim to have the world's best tater tots on their late night menu so you will have to be the judge of that. Other favorites include boardwalk fries, spinach dip and colossal Maryland crab cakes. Watch the game on one of 35 infinity-edge televisions while sitting on custom built bar stools. Once the weekend rolls around, check out how the bar changes into a lounge to host music and DJs spinning the latest hits. Metro: Claredon

Recommended for Sports Bars because: A great spot for sports fans to grab a drink and catch their team's game.

Gina's expert tip: Check their Facebook page before game day. They offer charts to show which games will be shown where in the restaurant.

Read more about Bracket Room →


Advertisement
Advertisement
Cleveland Park Bar and Grill
Photo courtesy of Cleveland Park Bar and Grill

Combining a sports bar with a bistro, this venue serves up Italian dishes and classic American favorites. Open since 2005, this spot features nearly 40 televisions and a rooftop deck with a view of the neighborhood. Pizzas are made in a wood-fired brick oven so order one to share with several of your buddies. Wash it down with a selection from their bottle, draft and craft beer menu. A number of wines and cocktails are also available. Be sure to check out their happy hour during the weekdays for deals on drinks and certain menu items. METRO: Cleveland Park

Recommended for Sports Bars because: Food, fun and drink mix together well at this sports bistro.

Gina's expert tip: You must try the Cleveland Park original apple pizza. It's on the dessert menu and totally worth the extra calories.

Read more about Cleveland Park Bar and Grill →


Penn Quarter Sports Tavern
Photo courtesy of Penn Quarter

The tavern is a fun hangout for friends to meet up to watch a game or relax with rounds of good conversation. The two-story tavern boasts two full bars, 35 LED flat screen televisions, an enclosed heated patio and a sidewalk cafe. Appetizers like beef sliders, crispy wings and nachos go fast while entrees include a choice of sandwiches, soups, salads, personal pizzas and certified Angus beef burgers. Each night a menu item goes for half price after 7 p.m. A week long happy hour is also a popular draw for the bar that opened its doors 10 years ago. Metro: Archives/ Navy Memorial

Recommended for Sports Bars because: A great venue that courts college alumni groups to come watch games together at their tavern.

Gina's expert tip: Late night is a great time to come but try to also check out their happy hour specials during the week.

Read more about Penn Quarter Sports Tavern →


Advertisement
Advertisement
Nellie's Sports Bar
Photo courtesy of Nellie's Sports Bar


Located inside the former Addison Scurlock Photography Studio, this U Street sports bar strives for a welcoming atmosphere mixed with good times and delicious food. Sure, you can catch the game on one of the many televisions throughout the bar but what's this spot different from the rest is how many different activities they offer. Come for drag brunch on Saturdays and Sundays or drag bingo on Tuesdays. Test your knowledge during 'Smart Ass trivia' or dance your cares away when they bring in a DJ. Hungry? Check out some Nellie favorites with bbq ribs, veggie burrito and Maria's house made empanadas. METRO: U Street

Recommended for Sports Bars because: Offering fun activities like drag brunch and bingo, this U Street staple offers a lively night no matter the date you step in the door.

Gina's expert tip: On a warm night, check out their roof deck.

Read more about Nellie's Sports Bar →


Ventnor's Sports Cafe
Photo courtesy of Ventnor's Sports Cafe

Located in the heart of Adams Morgan, this café is a great place to watch games especially if you a UNC, Philadelphia Flyer, Michigan, Syracuse or Stanford fan. Games aren't the only event you will find on their televisions. D.C. is a political town so you can catch presidential debates and primary voting results here too. Check out their weekly trivia Tuesday event if you are feeling knowledgeable. The venue offers quality traditional bar food like wings, burgers and sandwiches but be sure to check out their house specialties boom boom shrimp and fish tacos. Food is served until 11 p.m. METRO: Adams Morgan

Recommended for Sports Bars because: Whether its games or political primary results, this venue has you covered.

Gina's expert tip: UNC fans take note. You can watch your beloved university face off in games while drinking from blue cups. Check before coming for availability.

Read more about Ventnor's Sports Cafe →


Buffalo Billiards is a man cave dream brought into reality. With 15 pool tables, five dart boards, ping pong and foosball tables and four Skeeball machines, this upscale pool haul located in Dupont Circle offers patrons the opportunity to not only watch the big games on television but play some too. Dozens of televisions including five large projection screens show every sport you can imagine. There are three full service bars and a large patio seating section. After working up a sweat playing games or worrying over them, try the venue's tasty appetizers, sandwiches and salads on their menu. Metro: Dupont CIrcle

Recommended for Sports Bars because: Whether you prefer watching or playing games, this bar has you covered.

Gina's expert tip: The activity tables such as pool, shuffleboard and ping pong, are rented by the hour.

Read more about Buffalo Billiards →


The Big Stick
Photo courtesy of The Big Stick


When your favorite player hits a game winning home run or your team scores a much needed touchdown, most friends will yell, cheer and scream. The Big Stick takes it to the next level. You and your friends can drink a shot off at the same time off a wooden ski. Located within walking distance to the Washington Nationals Park, this venue meshes a rustic, lodge-theme with sports bar food and fun. Their menu changes often so don't be surprised on a return visit to see new items featured. This includes both drink and food menus. METRO: Navy Yard

Recommended for Sports Bars because: With a ski lodge feel and close location to Nationals Park, this sports bar hits a homerun.

Gina's expert tip: You can only do the shotskis if you have a group of four.

Read more about The Big Stick →


The Prospect
Photo courtesy of The Prospect

With a vintage feel yet home to over 40 HD television screens, The Prospect scores with its beer and cider selections and a menu that will leave you wanted to much on seconds. The two-story pub features a seasonal corner patio, a dining room and a bar on each floor. This spot serves traditional sports bar fare like chicken wings and loaded fries but takes their menu up a notch by offering unique dishes like macadamia nut veggie spread, venison chili dog and goat tacos. While the drink menu features many brands you know, they also serve up signature cocktails and local craft beers. METRO: U Street

Recommended for Sports Bars because: Pairing vintage décor with a taste-popping menu of food and drink make this U Street neighborhood bar a great place to catch the game.

Gina's expert tip: Try something off the cider menu. You won't be disappointed.

Read more about The Prospect →


Map

Meet Gina Gallucci White

Gina Gallucci White is an award winning freelance writer with articles appearing in such regional publications as Frederick Magazine, The Daily Record, Montgomery Magazine and The Gazette. She...  More About Gina

Advertisement
Advertisement