Sports & Rec.

Sports & Rec is an upscale sports bar in West Palm Beach’s increasingly buzzy Nora District, just a few blocks from the Brightline station. It arrives in South Florida via NYC’s The Garret Group, the team behind trendy Manhattan nightlife spots like The Garret in the West Village and Rocco’s Sports & Recreation in NoHo. Count on craft cocktails, a coastal-tinged menu of elevated pub fare and an atmosphere optimized for serious sports fans and casual onlookers alike.

The vibe: Pretty much the opposite of your no-frills local sports dive. Sports & Rec leans into the sporty-chic aesthetic with a clay tennis court patio, burgundy and kelly green banquettes, herringbone wood floors, a DJ booth and a massive JumboTron-style screen where you might otherwise find a disco ball. Despite being so pretty, it doesn’t come off as overly precious—folks can get rowdy during watch parties, and families are just as welcome.

The food: Wings, nachos, dips and burgers all make appearances. Many of the fancy takes work, like the nachos topped with queso, pico, pickled onion, jalapeño, crema and guacamole (do add the shaved ribeye for $10.) The crispy mini tacos with tuna tartare were also a highlight. Others left us a touch confused. For instance, there’s no classic hot wing—but the bone-in brown butter buffalo wings were actually quite delicious, firm with crispy edges on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside. A raw bar section, salads and bowls round out the menu.

The drink: The cocktails here are really good—like good enough to make you plan an outing around, even if your interest in “sports” stops at the cute tennis skirt you’re going to wear. You can’t go wrong with a spicy marg (there’s a large-format version for groups), or try one of the clever beer cocktails, like the Yolo Polo (Aperol, High Noon), or a spicy michelada made with a “secret” umami blend and pickled garnishes.

Time Out tip: Happy hour is Monday to Friday from 4 to 6pm, when you can grab $1.50 oyster and other discounted snacks, plus a selection of beer, wine, classic and house cocktails ranging from $6 to $12.