Nothing says “sports” like being surrounded by multiple televisions, eating fried food, hearing hoots and hollers from people nearby, drinking cold beer, and then getting the food and beer stains out of your shirt the following day.
Here’s a list of locally owned and operated sports bars in the Old Pueblo to catch the game and grab a drink with pub fare.
Located just south of downtown and across the street from the train tracks, Barrio Brewing Co. is the perfect respite for those looking to get a great craft brew to go with their sports watching.
Great food is offered up along with at least 10 beers and seasonal selections.
More info at barriobrewing.com.
Bob Dobb’s, which shares ownership with Fourth Avenue mainstays The Hut, O’Malleys Bar & Grill, and Corbett Brewing Company, is often seen as a headquarters for all things Chicago sports. You’ll notice Cubs and Bears memorabilia hanging around and mixed in with the University of Arizona Wildcats logos. Plus, their patio is a prime location for people-watching.
The British-style restaurant and pub is located on the south side of Tanque Verde before you get to Sabino Canyon and plays host to all sets and styles of soccer hooligans. 15 flat-screen sets are strategically placed throughout the restaurant and pub for your viewing pleasure.
For more information, visit canyonscrown.com.
From the outside, it’s clear to see why it’s called The Depot because there are a couple of train cars attached to the side, which are filled with numerous pool tables. The other half of the building is a dark, yet clean, sports bar filled with TVs in every direction, several beers on tap, and a menu that has weekly specials like Taco Tuesday and Wiener Wednesday.
For more information, The Depot on Facebook.
This casual, beach-themed restaurant is a great little spot to watch the games on the north side of town. Flip-flops and fish tacos are the norms here but owners and Tucson natives Scott and Fini are huge sports fans.
Fini’s Landing’s new concept, The Landing, is just as fun and located in Oro Valley.
For more information, visit finislanding.com and landingov.com.
This popular University stop has a wide range of eats, drinks, and events to keep you entertained (game or no game). Pull in for a beer with some friends and watch the game (if you can find a seat, it gets packed).
For more information, visit frogandfirkin.com.
The building itself is awe-inspiring with a 12-foot carved wooden bear out front to the massive upper deck that is always popping to the vast side patio and also the huge front bar.
The food offered is light years away from traditional bar food with Southwestern cuisine being offered including carne asada and carnitas.
For more information, visit gentlebens.com.
This 3,000-square-foot restaurant features 30 beers on tap and shows all sports on their televisions. The reclaimed wood and Edison bulbs give it more of a microbrewery feel rather than a dive bar.
For more information, visit growlerstaphouseaz.com.
There are more than enough big-screen HDTVs at both locations and shuffleboard, pool tables, foosball, video games, and batting cages. From slow-pitch softball to fast-pitch baseball, Home Plate is perfect for the active sports fan as well as the armchair athlete.
Plus, there’s plenty of beer and cocktails to enjoy with their food, which is standard American pub fare with items like Buffalo wings, burgers, hot dogs, pizzas, and sandwiches.
For more information, visit homeplatemarana.com.
This locally owned East Tucson sports bar is geared up and ready for the masses. Indoor and outdoor seating is available, food and drink specials are offered on game days, and TVs are aplenty.
With beers flowing and the game on, what more could you need? Oh, snap, a kid’s play area — they have that, too.
For more information, visit hopssportsgrill.com.
If you’re hungry, get one of the burgers with meat ground by Dickman’s Meat and Deli. It’s also one of the few places in town that offers steak fingers, but be aware that the kitchen closes at midnight.
Three pool tables are also available in case you need a break from the televised sporting events
For more information, follow Jeff’s Pub on Facebook.
Good vibes are what you’ll find at both locations. When it comes to music, hip-hop, and country music coexist in peace. The original Louie’s Pub, found near the corner of Fort Lowell Road and First Avenue, opened in 2017 and Louie’s Cantina made its debut over on the east side in 2022. Both have their own style but are equally as fun when it comes to rooting for your favorite team.
Read our September 2022 article, “Louie’s Cantina: Owners of ‘Louie’s Pub’ bring the vibe to the east side.”
For more information, visit Louie’s Pub on Facebook.
Multiple screens, pool tables, poker nights, darts, a jukebox, and they even have live betting on-site (just keep walking near the back of the building past the restrooms). You can always count on Midtown Tavern to host a UFC fight and other special events in that realm.
For more information, follow Midtown Tavern on Facebook.
With an awesome menu, cold beers, and plenty of TVs to watch, this northwest side bar and restaurant is a must-visit for all sports fans. For fans of local beer, Monsoon’s usually keeps a handful of local craft brews on tap from nearby spots like Button Brew House.
For more information, visit monsoonstapandgrill.com.
Mulligan’s has always been a hidden neighborhood sports joint but they’ve stepped up their kitchen game in recent years. Especially their burgers.
For more information, visit mulliganstucson.com.
It’s hard to miss this spot when driving by because there’s a bottle of wine in the parking lot the size of a T-Rex from the Jurassic Park films. Aside from their TV screens, pool tables, dart boards, beers, and fun bar food, they also have live music on certain nights.
For more information, follow Nancy’s Boondocks on Facebook.
The televisions often display music videos and telenovelas but they’ll also play sports when the time is right. Their michelada is a beast and worth its own trip — snack on the massive array of garnishes while watching the game.
If you’re downtown, you should definitely check out their new location on Congress. Sure, it turns into a dance party on most nights but they’ve got an array of TVs that’ll keep you occupied on game day.
For more information, visit yourneighborhoodbar.com.
After their last upgrade, the two-story University joint now features over 60 big-screen televisions. The giant Jenga and Connect Four help kill time during commercial breaks.
While they built their reputation on pizza, don’t miss out on their loaded tots and sandwiches on fresh-baked bread.
For more information, visit noanchoviesaz.com.
O’Malleys may be known for its nightlife, but they also serve food. With burgers, sandwiches, and salads, guests have a large number of options to choose from. Plus, they’ve got a nice patio that still has a great view of the games on TV.
For more information, visit omalleysonfourthtucson.com.
On The Rocks is a bar, yes, but it is also a family place. It’s just a nice change of pace at a place along that stretch of east side territory. Having an honest bar with honest drinks and food inviting neighbors of all varieties is a presence bearing longevity in any circle of service.
Read our August 2022 article, “On The Rocks: An east side bar with seriously good eats.”
For more info, visit ontherockstucson.com.
The fresh and talented team in the kitchen is going to be headed up by Executive Chef Griffin Armstrong of Little Love Burger and HUB Restaurant & Ice Creamery notoriety. Speaking of the kitchen, it has doubled in size thanks to construction crews.
Playground’s remodel also includes new furnishings to the interior bar, rooftop bar, and bar cinema areas.
Read our November 2022 article, “Playground is reopening with a new executive chef, menu & playful renovations.”
For more information, visit playgroundtucson.com.
TVs, shuffleboard, pool tables, beer, and bites. This place on Oracle Road has it all for hardcore sports fans. There’s even a lounge area for when you need to relax or an outdoor patio equipped with cornhole.
If you are a bar that serves food and has mozzarella sticks on your menu, they better be at least decent. For fans of mozzarella sticks, the Red Garter is the stadium for your new favorite fried team. The mozzarella sticks are crispy, perfect, gooey, and more than just decent. They are decadently delicious.
Read our October 2022 article, “Rockin’ burgers & decadently delicious bites at Red Garter.”
Risky Business has plenty of TVs to keep you busy during game time, and also works as a great place to take the family to lunch or dinner. They’ve even got a kid’s menu to keep the little ones satisfied.
For more information, visit riskybusinesstucson.com.
This west-side gem is an anomaly. It attracts all walks of life with families in the restaurant eating classic Italian dishes on the right while off to the left is the sports bar with a second-level pool hall.
There are several big-screen TVs available for the masses and a good beer selection of both macro and craft beers including several local Arizona options. The food in the bar includes standard nachos, hot wings, burgers, and sandwiches but it’s always tasty and fair-priced.
For more information, visit rustystucson.com.
If you live out in Marana and love sports bars, chances are you’ve been to The Station, which is located next door to an actual Fire Station. Aside from the cold beers and tasty bar food, the interior walls are covered in servicemen and women’s patches to “exemplify The Station’s gratification for our homegrown heroes.”
For more information, visit thestationtucson.com.
If you’ve been in Tucson for any amount of time, you’ve most likely heard about Trident Grill, either at the original location at Speedway and Campbell or the other spots on Swan just south of Fort Lowell, on South Craycroft, and on Ina and Shannon. And don’t forget about the sister restaurant Trident Pizza Pub.
For more information, visit tridentgrill.com.
There’s a lot to choose from on the menu like the Full English Breakfast, which comes with two sausages, two pieces of bacon, two eggs, black and white pudding, baked beans, grilled tomatoes, sauteed mushrooms, and a piece of toast.
Plus, if you’re an early riser, they’re open before 7 a.m. on certain days depending on what time the games are on.
Read our October 2022 article, “The Union Jack is now open on Main Gate Square.”
For more information, visit theunionjackbar.com.
