The best sports bars in Boston for every fan

It’s the Citgo sign of sports bars. A legendary Fenway hangout, the Cask is housed on a busy corner in the shadow of the Green Monster. Multi-generational groups of Sox fans pack the sprawling interior alongside fair-weather college kids and curious out-of-towners. Upscale bar snacks share table space with classic fried treats, and a lengthy beer list ensures there’s something for every taste. During the warmer-weather months, the sidewalk patio is a must for people-watching before or after a game.

This lilliputian sports bar, from the folks behind the adjacent Trina’s Starlite Lounge, is a dream for those who appreciate a good whisky as much as a good pass rush. The magnificent beer menu includes many a local craft brew, and classic cocktails are prepped in style. As the bar shares a kitchen with Trina’s, expect the same exquisitely prepared guilty pleasures: griddled dogs, sweet and sour pork nachos and pickle-brined fried chicken strips.

The best sports-watching option in the buzzy Seaport features a monstrous video wall—a total of 32 plasma TVs that together create a 32-foot-long, 8-foot-high screen showing the biggest games. Food includes crowd-pleasing apps, lobster rolls, and myriad burgers and dogs, all complemented by 20 beers on draft. And you have to love a sports bar with a water view—nothing takes the sting out of a tough loss like enjoying the late-afternoon light over Boston Harbor.

This no-frills Newton sports pub is consistently packed with a varied crowd, spanning ages, styles and drink orders. What most visitors have in common, though, is their preferred order from the pub’s limited menu: the wings. In a city packed with wings-frying bars, Buff’s stands out, consistently taking top honors from local publications for its juicy, perfectly seasoned specimens. Expect capacity crowds during big Patriots games.

If you can’t nab a ticket to a game, Fenway Park’s Bleacher Bar is the next best thing. Patrons peer out through a huge garage window that looks directly on to the field. Upscale bar snacks and a solid beer list both distract customers from the screens scattered throughout.

Boston’s South End is home to a proudly gay sports bar that welcomes all. They show non-stop sports on all of the screens, in addition to having dartboards, a pool table and one of the best patio scenes in town. You don’t want to miss their wing specials or the free parking our back, Yes, free!

While there are plenty of Southie spots where you can catch the game, Stats is uniquely devoted to the art of gorging yourself on fried food and replays. More than 20 screens are placed strategically around the space so that every vantage point has a solid view. The solid food and drink menus are mostly ignored during big games, when colorful locals come in to scream their teams on to victory.

If you’re looking for a no-frills, high-energy spot to grab a few beers and shots with friends before a Celtics or Bruins game, look no further than Sullivan’s. Make no mistake, this is a dive bar in the true tradition of dive bars. You won’t find fancy food (or any food) at Sully’s, but you will find a welcoming crowd and bartenders that will get you your drinks before tipoff. 

An Irish sports bar in Dorchester’s Savin Hill, The Banshee is the destination for the Barclays Premier League, international rugby and Gaelic football—and it’s also the official pub of RISSC Boston, Celtic FC and several other supporters' groups. The Banshee offers a strong pub grub menu, including a crave-worthy burger served with sauce made from Jameson Irish Whiskey.

When you hit the new(ish) Encore Boston Harbor, head to the casino floor and visit the new WynnBET Sports Bar. Games and sports of all kinds are displayed on more than 60 televisions, including a 10-foot high and 123-foot-long video wall, and there’s ample sports memorabilia on show. You’ll also find a full-service bar and bites from Frank & Nicks—casual Italian snacks from two of the North End’s most famous restaurateurs, Frank DePasquale and Nick Varano—as well as Shake Shack.

This sprawling sports bar is located just steps from the action at Gillette Stadium. Watch your favorite teams on the 25-ft LED TV or one of the other high-def TVs scattered around the 6000 square foot space. The sound system is state-of-the art, and there's both indoor and outdoor seating. There's an extensive bar menu as well as modern New England classics on the food menu.