The best sports bars in L.A. to watch the big game

What is it? A two-story Long Beach bar and restaurant that has kept the city entertained with live sports broadcasts from around the world since 1979.

Why we love it: Two whole stories of big screens! While the novelty of satellite TV has worn off, the extensive collection of sports memorabilia and two giant projection screens are still plenty of fun today. Peruse baseballs signed by Willie Mays, Joe DiMaggio, Ty Cobb and even Babe Ruth, plus autographed gear by Shaq and Muhammad Ali. Crowds run thick here during NFL season, and over 30 TVs will keep you plugged in for every second of the game.

Time Out tip: Stop by on Mondays for two-for-one burgers with the purchase of any appetizer.

Address: 5236 E 2nd St, Long Beach, CA 90803

Hours of operation: Mon–Thu 11am–midnight, Fri 11am–1am, Sat 9am–1am, Sun 9am–midnight

What is it? A longtime biergarten on La Brea serving traditional Bavarian fare like schnitzel, sausages and homemade pretzels. 

Why we love it: NFL games get wild at Wirtshaus, where a sprawling selection of German brews is served up alongside an extensive food menu. Grab a seat at the bar or at a communal table on the dog-friendly patio and sample over 35 beers—go for a $13 flight of 5 beers. If beer isn't your thing, there's a selection of mostly California and German wines on hand, as well as a ping-pong table and flat screen TV. In a truly L.A. twist, the bar even offers options for those on gluten-free and vegan diets; every meat-based sausage is also gluten-free. 

Time Out tip: Come on Wednesdays at 8pm for trivia night.

Address: 345 N La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Hours of operation: Mon–Wed 4–10:30pm; Thu 4–11pm; Fri, Sat 11am–11:30pm; Sun 11am–10:30pm

What is it? A kitschy sports bar chain with five outposts across L.A. County.

Why we love it: The West Hollywood location is the original outpost of this mini-chain, but you can also find one in neighborhoods across L.A.: Pasadena, Westwood, Burbank, Santa Monica and Redondo Beach. You’ll find a crowd of sports bros and ladies all sidling up to the bar, enjoying one of 60 TVs (complete with sports packages galore), and imbibing in an array of beer choices. There’s plenty to look at off-screen, too: They’ve perfected the tacky-on-purpose look, with everything from license plates to sports memorabilia hanging from the walls.

Time Out tip: Barney’s also stays open on Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year’s Eve if you’re looking for company on a major holiday (or maybe trying to avoid your family).

Address: Multiple, incl. West Hollywood, Westwood and Burbank

Hours of operation: Varies by location

What is it? A bustling neighborhood bar in Pico-Robertson.

Why we love it: Filled to the brim every weekend, Founders Ale House offers casual neighbourhood pub atmosphere (and prices). Board games, dart boards and arcade fun upstairs keep locals occupied most evenings and weekends, but Founders Ale House turns into a party on game nights, when the bar breaks out a large-scale projector. The vegan-friendly bar menu includes chickpea sliders and jackfruit tacos, but omnivores will find plenty of meaty burgers, fried chicken wings and even corn dogs to munch on while watching baseball, football, basketball or whatever else floats your boat.

Time Out tip: Founders has one of the best daily happy hours in the city (Mon–Thu 4–7pm, 10pm–close; Fri 3–7pm, 10pm–close; Sat, Sun 1–7pm, 10pm–close), with discounted sliders, nachos and more.

Address: 8771 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90035 

Hours of operation: Mon 4–11pm, Tue–Fri 4pm–midnight, Sat 9am–1am Sun 9:30am–midnight

What is it? A Palms sports bar with an industrial feel. 

Why we love it: Located in a former auto shop, the Garage boasts lots of big screens and a casual crowd—the perfect set-up the next time you're going out to watch the big game. A large selection of beers might go without saying, but the Garage's extensive bourbon and whiskey menus will put hair on your chest as well. Known for attracting Philadelphia Eagles fans and always down to stream the latest MMA or UFC fight, the Garage is a solid sports bar option for those living in and around Culver City.

Time Out tip: For a quieter atmosphere, head to the Motor Club next door, which also offers karaoke on Friday and Saturday nights.

Address: 3387 Motor Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90034

Hours of operation: Mon, Tue 4pm–midnight; Wed 11:30am–2am; Thu 11:30am–midnight; Fri–Sun 11:30am–2am

What is it? A West L.A. mainstay for game days with surprisingly well-made cocktails.

Why we love it: The clamor of beer-chugging students from a block away should immediately signal that this isn't going to be a mellow night out—stepping inside the Nickel Mine is like walking into a well-maintained frat house. There's free WiFi, a bookshelf chock-full of novels no one is reading, communal tables covered in board games and 20 mounted flat-screen TVs beaming nonstop NFL, NBA, MLB, NCAA, NHL and UFC. Muster up the willpower of a freshly legal-to-drink and scour the packed-to-the-gills space for a place to plant yourself for the evening.

Time Out tip: The Nickel Mine also has an on-site parking lot that’s free after 9pm.

Address: 11363 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025

Hours of operation: Mon–Fri 3pm–2am; Sat, Sun 10am–2am

What is it? L.A.'s largest brewery and the juggernaut of the Southland beer scene.

Why we love it: While Goldenroad’s kingpin status is due to the company's much-maligned acquisition by Anheuser-Busch, it hasn't degraded GRB's hop-forward beer selection—or its Atwater Village location's bustling beer-garden atmosphere. GRB's original space features bright-and-airy interiors and a shaded outdoor area, plus TVs in every direction. While heavy on IPAs, GRB also serves wine, gluten-free cider and—perhaps most unique—a range of vegan food. 

Time Out tip: You can also find Golden Road sold in bars and bottle shops across SoCal.

Address: 5410 W San Fernando Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90039

Hours of operation: Mon–Thu 11am–10pm, Fri 11am–midnight, Sat 10am–midnight, Sun 10am–10pm

What is it? A Southern California sports bar chain with two locations in the South Bay.

Why we love it: Baja Sharkeez is all about the kitsch—and the flat-screen TVs. Watch just about any game your heart desires from the collection of more than 60 TVs hanging around the Mexican beach-themed bar, whose tipples include frozen drinks, 22-ounce “schooner” cocktails, beer buckets, shot specials and more. Watching a morning game? If you’re early-to-rise for your team, Sharkeez usually offers breakfast specials, mimosas, Bloody Mary stations and bottomless coffee bars for early weekend games.

Time Out tip: Before 8pm, children and those under 21 are allowed past the door; in fact, Baja Sharkeez even offers a kids’ menu.

Address: Hermosa Beach: 52 Pier Ave, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254; Manhattan Beach: 600 Highland Ave, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

Hours of operation: Hermosa Beach: Mon–Fri 11am–2am; Sat, Sun 9am–2am; Manhattan Beach: Mon–Wed 11am–midnight; Thu, Fri 11am–2am; Sat 9am–2am; Sun 9am–midnight

What is it? A Marina del Rey sports bar known for its weekly turtle races on Thursday nights.

Why we love it: Brennan’s massive outdoor patio and an extensive craft beer list, plus the requisite number of TVs to watch football, soccer and the like. If you’ve been roped into watching the game, the bar also has games of cornhole going on the green and an indoor pool table. The turtle races, however, are the stuff of legend: Imagine a crowd of over one hundred gender-neutral tech bros drunkenly cheering and placing bets on which turtle will enter the ring first. All proceeds go to charity. Just remember no pointing, booing, or touching—it disturbs the turtles.

Time Out tip: Beyond turtle races, Brennan’s also hosts trivia on Wednesdays and a Jeopardy!-style live event on Saturdays. 

Address: 4089 Lincoln Blvd, Marina del Rey, CA 90292

Hours of operation: Wed 4pm–midnight; Thu 4pm–1am; Fri 4pm–2am; Sat noon–2am; Sun 10am–10pm