By Kevin Wilkeson, PubClub.com Sports Editor
The sounds, smells and spirits of the game are something you can’t get at home. That’s why many fans of NFL and college football teams go to sports bars for games.
Being with other fans cheering on good plays, booing bad plays and complaining about questionable officials calls is a lot more entertaining than watching games at home. Sports bars dedicated to specific teams play the sound of the announcers and often the fight song, along with offering food and drink specials and even games and prizes. Other sports bars show multiple games on several TVs.
Veterans of sports bars such as myself know how to navigate the scene for maximum fun but others are like lost rookies or freshman trying to figure out the system. So here’s a guide on how to watch your favorite NFL of college football team in sports bars.
How To Find A Good Sports Bar
Poke around. Walk through an area and stick your head into different bars. Does it have a lot of TVs? Are there a lot of seats at the bar or tables that face the TVs? Is the place more bar than restaurant?
Also, talk to the hostess/host or a bartender and ask about watching sports there. Is there a particular team they feature or do they show all the games? One way to tell a good sports bar is by their reaction: if they just say something like “oh yeah, we show the games,” then it’s probably a lame bar. On the other hand, if they give you an enthusiastic and knowledgeable response then you know you’ve found a good sports game-watching bar.
How To Find A Sports Bar That Shows A Particular NFL Or College Team
If you are a fan of a particular team then it is fun to watch games with other like-minded fans. Most cities – particularly in Southern California with all the transplants who have moved there – have bars dedicated to specific teams. I’m somewhat of an expert on finding these and used a lot of my knowledge to compile a list of best alumni sports bars in San Diego.
In researching that story I went after alumni groups. I located them on Google but a better resource was Facebook Groups. I searched for, say, Arizona alumni San Diego.” It took quite a while and I had to filter through some out-of-date posts, but eventually came up with a complete list. You can do the same for NFL teams; in fact, I did just that for a friend who is a fan of the Miami Dolphins.
Another way to find a team’s sports bar is the boots-on-the-ground approach. Walk around an area of bars and look for team flags in front of it. Go in advance to a potential bar and ask people in it. If you meet someone from your area of school, or see someone walking around with a team shirt or jersey, ask them where they go to watch the games.
If none of that works, then find a good sports bar you like, get there at least half an hour before kickoff, and ask they staff if they can put your game on a specific TV in front of a barstool or table.
What To Wear At A Sports Bar
Show your pride! Wear your favorite team’s jersey or shirt. I even take team beer coozies and shakers.
Proper Etiquette For Sports Bar Behavior
Alabama fans (including myself) gather in a sports bar to watch the Crimson Tide. Photo: PubClub.coIf you are in a dedicated team bar then you can cheer louder than a regular sports bar because you are among fellow fans. Talk to people, high-five good plays and enjoy the camaraderie. If you are in a general sports bar it’s okay to let out a cheer on big plays; others there will likely be doing the same while watching their team.As far as drinking – I mean, you’re in a bar for cryin’ out loud and you’re going to be drinking – know your pace and your limits. I am lucky in that I have some type of internal system that has me automatically slow down my pace as I start to get buzzed.
What you absolutely do not want to do is get drunk, loud and be obnoxious. If you do that, then not even fans of your team will like you and the bar may kick you out and not let you back in for the next game.
What To Do If You Are Rooting For The Other Team
This can happen and there’s nothing wrong it it. The #1 rule is to be respectful of the other team and its fans. You can cheer your team but do so respectfully. It’s okay to a light cheer or subtle hand jesture like a small arm pump while saying “yes!,” under your breath, but don’t yell, insult the other team or above all, get in someone’s face after a touchdown or big play.
Kevin Wilkerson has spent countless hours watching games in sports bars, including his alumni bar. This article was written by a human with use of AI or ChatGTP.
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