Best Sports Bars: Where to Watch

Check out the list of Orange County sports watching hot spots in each city. Whether you are looking to watch football, soccer, baseball, basketball, hockey, golf or boxing, we have you covered.

Game days are always better at a sports bar because you’ve got bigger TV screens, food, drinks and friends with you to root for your favorite teams. For some fans, the experience rivals attending a game in person because the viewing experience is so good and at a much lower cost and hassle to get in and out of a venue.

Aliso Viejo Sports Bars

Stadium Brewery | 26731 Aliso Creek Rd | (949) 448-9611

Anaheim Sports Bars

Brea Sports Bars

Buena Park Sports Bars

Costa Mesa Sports Bars

Dana Point Sports Bars

Fullerton Sports Bars

Garden Grove Sports Bars

Huntington Beach Sports Bars

Irvine Sports Bars

Laguna Beach Sports Bars

BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse (Permanently Closed) | 280 S Coast Hwy | (949) 494-3802

Laguna Niguel Sports Bars

Knolls Restaurant | 29971 Alicia Pkwy, Laguna Niguel | (949) 495-1453

Lake Forest Sports Bars

Los Alamitos Sports Bars

Burgart’s Sports Bar | 4961 Katella Ave | (714) 820-2800
Griffins Grill | 11272 Los Alamitos Blvd | (562) 794-9337

Mission Viejo Sports Bars

Mulleady’s Sports Pub | 27695 Santa Margarita Pkwy # B | (949) 380-3752
Oggi’s Sports, Brewhouse, Pizza | 24042 Alicia Pkwy | (949) 215-8570

Newport Beach Sports Bars

Orange Sports Bars

Placentia Sports Bars

Clubhouse Grille & Sports Bar | 2053 E Orangethorpe Ave | (714) 528-7000

Rancho Santa Margarita Sports Bars

BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse | 22022 El Paseo | (949) 835-1890
Daily’s Sports Grill | 29881 Aventura | (949) 858-5788

San Clemente Sports Bars

San Juan Capistrano Sports Bars

Paddy’s Station | 26701 Verdugo St Suite B | (949) 661-3400
SJH Sports Bar & Grill | 32120 San Juan Creek Rd | (949) 240-1919

Santa Ana Sports Bars

Seal Beach Sports Bars

Marni’s (Formerly Glory Days Beachside Grill) | 620 Pacific Coast Hwy | (562) 594-3800

Tustin Sports Bars

Rock & Brews | 1222 Irvine Blvd | (714) 760-4307
Tustin Brewing Company | 13011 Newport Ave #100 | (714) 665-2337

Villa Park Sports Bars

The Post at Rockwells | 17855 Santiago Blvd | (714) 921-0622

Westminster Sports Bars

Yorba Linda Sports Bars

Canyon Inn | 6821 Fairlynn Blvd | (714) 779-0880

Unincorporated Area Sports Bars

M & C Grill Sports Bar | 31911 Dove Canyon Dr, Trabuco Canyon, CA | (949) 709-7499

Things Every Sports Bar Must Have

Tasty Food with Variety: Everybody has different taste buds but make sure menu fits what you’re looking for in a sports bar. Shareable foods like wings, pizza, fried food, or popcorn are a must for a large group.

Exceptional Service: A perfect atmosphere with great TVs and top-notch food and drinks is all a waste if there no one around for service or the kitchen or bar is over-loaded and you’re waiting long times for service. Personality and energy matter too.

Great Atmosphere: In a good bar, you can tell what type of place it is just by walking in the door. A good sports bar will have sports memorabilia hanging on the wall preferably from your favorite team. The bar needs to be a clean and inviting place, with a layout that’s not too confusing.

Comfortable Seating: The average person spends four hours at a sports bar. Restaurants and bars often have uncomfortable chairs to move people in and out faster. You are going to spend a lot of time at the bar, you should have a comfortable place to sit, and relax. Overstuffed chairs/recliners, bar stools that have backs and arms, or comfortable furniture can be a huge point of differentiation.

Latest Technology: Large HD TVs are a must but the audio/video can be just as important especially for big games. Wi-Fi service is a plus.

Sight-lines to a Lot of TVs: You want to see the TV or even multiple TVs and that’s why you are visiting a sports bar instead of staying home.

What’s Available: You’re coming specifically to watch sports so look for a sports bar that specifically lists the sports lineup for the day. This means they take their sports seriously and you don’t have to worry about tracking down the staff to turn to a big game.

Drink Selection/Specials: Whether it is a wide variety of wine and beers both on tap and bottle or well drinks, consider what you’re drinking and is it served at the local sports bar. Drink specials are always a bonus.

Other Entertainment: The sports games are great but additional entertainment in between games like an arcade with games lined against the wall, a pool table, darts, or air hockey is a huge plus.

Reservations/Wait Times/Time Limits: Big games can be especially crowded so a reservation is advised, if possible. Other places have long wait times where you’ll miss the game before you get in. Lastly, some establishments have time limits so if you’re looking to watch morning and afternoon football you may have to do so somewhere else.

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Monique McArthur

Monique McArthur is a mother of two, writer, and creator of delicious recipes. In her spare time she enjoys exploring all that Orange County has to offer, traveling, shopping, running with her dogs and spending time with family.