The 13 best sports bars in NYC

What is it? An outdoor bar in Williamsburg that feels like a tailgating sesh all year long.

Why we love it: BK Backyard Bar, an outdoor bar that opened in the height of the pandemic, gives you the warm-and-fuzzy feeling of hanging out with friends in your backyard. With picnic tables, AstroTurf and buckets of beer, you can kick up your feet and pretend that you’re grilling out with your buddies. And if watching sports just isn’t competitive—or dangerous—enough for you, try your hand at some axe throwing. 

Time Out tip: The bar does cover up a bit in the fall with makeshift roofing for an insulated gameday. Post a winter hibernation, the bar reopens again for more open-air fun. 

Address: 151 Banker St, Brooklyn, NY 11222

Opening hours: Wed, Thu 5pm–midnight; Fri 5pm–1am; Sat noon–1am; Sun noon–midnight

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Gotham Sports (@gothamsports)

What is it? A longstanding tavern that's been the answer to game day in Harlem, especially since 16 TVs reside inside this joint. 

Why we love it: Harlem Tavern’s food is legitimately good, making it the perfect compromise for half of a couple who can’t stand sports. Park yourself underneath one of the many screens for the game, then chug a few brews in the beer garden to celebrate your team’s win (or, alternatively, to drown your sorrows after their loss). An order of chicken and waffles or crispy fish tacos will help ease your hangover the morning after the game. 

Time Out tip: Happy hours are one of the best in town, with wines running you only $8, mixed drinks at $ 7 and select drafts at $6. Use that extra money saved to hit the slider bar. 

Address: 2153 Frederick Douglass Blvd, New York, NY 10026

Opening hours: Sun–Thu noon–midnight; Fri, Sat noon–1am

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Irish Pubs of New York City (@nycbypub)

What is it? A lively pub that's flush with disco balls, flashing lights and flags from various nations. However, you might be too locked into the game to notice, given that 27 TVs are scattered about. 

Why we love it: College and NFL? Yup, you can watch it at The Hairy Lemon. MLB, NBA and NHL? Yes, that too. The English Premier League? If you haven't gotten the hint already, this East Village pub is here to suit your sports needs. But if you happen to come with a crew that doesn't adhere to your game day watching schedule, they can always play a pick-up round of pool and nosh on some jumbo wings while you indulge. 

Time Out tip: If you couldn't tell by the various green paraphernalia around you, The Hairy Lemon is a known hangout for Eagles fans, so you can root for the birds here.

Address: 28 Avenue B, New York, NY 10009

Opening hours: Mon–Wed 4pm–1am; Thu 4pm–2am; Fri 4pm–4am; Sat 11:30am–4am; Sun 11:30am–midnight

What is it? A public drinking house with five locations across NYC. But every location is keyed to the same ethos: cold beers, inviting tables and jumbo screens that stream all the action. 

Why we love it: With five locations, Stout's sprawl across the city gives you plenty of opportunity to catch the game, no matter the situation. Want to watch the tail end of the last quarter, but really need to jet home right after? Stout Grand Central is ready for a quick beer before ducking down to the train. Looking to celebrate a win straight out of Madison Square Garden? Fresh off a recent move, the new Penn Station location is just a brisk two-block walk away from MSG. And if you want to watch the game during the winter stretch, the pop-up at Lodge Bar at Winter Park is here for the cheeriest among us. 

Time Out tip: There's an impressive regional and international selection of beers here, by the bottle and the draft. 

Address: Multiple locations

What is it? A queer, women-owned sports bar in Clinton Hill that goes hard for women's sports. 

Why we love it: The idea of a sports bar might conjure a dim, semi-dirty something where the crowd is thick with bros and the floors are guaranteed to be sticky. Not so at Athena Keke's. Swinging its doors open this past December, the sports bar is all about uplifting women's sports in an all-inclusive setting. And that setting is a pink wonderland that reads like a throwback diner with plush banquettes and a slick marble bar. But the TVs and drop-down projection screens help to bring it back to the modern era. As does the food, which cycles through cuñapes and steak sandwiches slathered in a leek chimichurri. 

Time Out tip: Notice all the cat paraphernalia around? Well, it is because the venture is named after the co-founders and partners' cat, whose name is also Cat. See how many feline references you can spot, starting with the complimentary bowls of "meow mix." 

Address: 222 Greene Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238

Opening hours: Mon–Wed 5–10pm; Thu–Fri 5pm–midnight; Sat 11am–midnight; Sun 11am–10pm

What is it? A mainstay of Seventh Avenue, Mustang Harry's has long been a watering hole for the sports-watching crowd for thirty years running. 

Why we love it: If you glean your game-day energy from standing shoulder to shoulder with fellow fans, yelling "Defense!" at the same time, then Mustang Harry's is the bar for you. For over 30 years, the bi-level gastropub has been a home to those looking for a pre- or post-refresh before marching over to Madison Square Garden, only a three-minute walk away. But watching the game here is an experience in itself, as crowds swell to catch every second of the action, which is easy to do as the bar is plastered with over 20 TVs. But if you'd rather a table so you can dig into standard pub fare, including burgers and wings tossed in a house Mustang sauce (aka a sweet chili), that's just as well. Just know you might be screaming to your tablemate, "Can you pass the ketchup?!" as things get loud here. 

Time Out tip: An easy last stop of the night, this mustang offers a late-night happy hour that runs from midnight to 2am.

Address: 352 Seventh Ave, New York, NY 10001

Opening hours: Mon–Sat 11:30am–3am; Sunday 11:30am–1am

What is it? The industrious-looking Break Bar has a little something for every kind of gamer in your life, whether you'd prefer to watch or actually get in on the fray. 

Why we love it: If you're the type to get fidgety well before the seventh-inning stretch, this Astoria games emporium will keep you entertained. In addition to 16 HD big screens and one 105’ HD projector, the sprawling lounge houses 16 pool tables, arcade games (Big Buck Hunter), two ping-pong tables and air hockey, as well as some diversions, like a Pop-a-Shot basketball machine, that actually approximates the experience of playing a real sport (while drunk, of course).

Time Out tip: They've got over twenty beer selections here, available by the glass, pitcher or bucket. 

Address: 32-04 Broadway, Astoria, NY 11106

Opening hours: Mon 2pm–1am; Tue, Wed 2pm–1am; Thu 1pm–4am; Sun 1pm–midnight

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Bronx Alehouse (@bronxalehouse)

What is it? Since 2009, Bronx Alehouse has become a hub for beer geeks with selections by the bottle, can or tap. It is also attractive to the sporty crowd, with its flat screens and dedicated dart room. 

Why we love it: Giants fans and beer lovers alike will find plenty to like at this inviting Boogie Down pub. About a dozen flat screens and one projector screen show NFL, NBA and soccer events, and the patrons are less interested in screaming matches than low-key ribbing. The brew selection, meanwhile, is massive; 16 taps change often, and more than 15 bottles and cans are available. 

Time Out tip: The alehouse is family-friendly. But keep in mind, they do card on Fridays and Saturdays after 9pm.

Address: 216 W 238th St, Bronx, NY 10463

Opening hours: Sun–Thu 11am–2am; Fri, Sat 11am–4am

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Boxers NYC (@boxersnyc)

What is it? A popular gay sports bar stakes a claim on Hell's Kitchen with a three-level spin-off, featuring 20 TVs and a 1,500-square-foot roof deck. The Boxers Chelsea location is just as fun with two levels, pool tables and even a private VIP lounge. 

Why we love it: In addition to showing football (both pro and college), basketball and other sports on its 21 flatscreens every night, “America’s Gay Sports Bar” is a meeting place for many of NYC’s LGBTQ+ sports leagues, including Out Cycling and Pink Pong Foundation. The vibe is more clubby than fratty: DJs spin regularly, shirtless bartenders pour drinks and crowds of amiable young guys pile in on weekends. There’s plenty of space to settle in with a beer and watch a game, and their daily two-for-one happy hour goes all the way until 9pm.

Time Out tip: If you want to drink like the celebs, just know that Seth Meyers and Kristen Stewart went day drinking at Boxer's Chelsea location. 

Address: 735 9th Ave, New York, NY 10019; 37 W 20th St, New York, NY 10011

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 4pm–2am; Sat noon–4am; Sun noon–2am (HK); Mon–Thu 4pm–2am; Fri 4pm–4am; Sat 1pm–4am; Sun 1pm–2am (Chelsea)

What is it? A Brooklyn bar that's known to open its doors for soccer fanatics, even at 7am. It was even named one of America's best sports bars by CNN. 

Why we love it: At Banter, friendly groups of expats and soccer fans head to this spacious, European-style public house to cheer on their footy teams. In season, Premier League, La Liga, Champions League and MLS matches dominate the bar’s flat and projector screens. The rotating selection includes American brews and European drafts, such as the German black lager Köstritzer. Stave off a midday hangover—a hazard of early-morning games—by filling your belly with one of the panini, sausages and savory pies on offer.

Time Out tip: Want to ensure a seat for game day? DM the team on Instagram, @banterbrooklyn.

Address: 132 Havemeyer St, Brooklyn, NY 11211. 

Opening hours: Mon, Tue 2pm–midnight; Wed–Fri 2pm–2am; Sat 7:30am–2am; Sun 8:30am–2am

What is it? A craft brewery with roots in Greenpoint, Keg & Lantern is now brewing all around the city, with outposts in Red Hook, South Williamsburg and the West Village. Plus, the brewery has a fully functioning kitchen that churns out wings every which way (from dry-rubbed to tossed in a "wicked hot" sauce) and sandwiches heavy with carnitas and smashed patties.

Why we love it: Part sports bar, part zen garden, the original Brooklyn brew pub is great for those "one is a die-hard Rangers fan and the other thinks rangers work in parks" couples. Think of it this way: sports fanatics can cheer on the game while everyone else sips wine in a canopied backyard. Relationship problems solved. Even Fido can get in on the fun as the Southside and Red Hook locations serve their own version of a pup cup with pumpkin purée, whipped cream, and Milk-Bones treats. 

Time Out tip: Naturally, you can pick up a six-pack on the way out for your next watch in. 

Address: Multiple locations 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Canadian Sports Bar in NYC (@thecanucknyc)

What is it? This busy sports bar is, as the name implies, high-key Canadian.

Why we love it: Expect poutine, buckets of Moosehead, actual moose heads and—of course—lots and lots of hockey. It’s tough to find a true hockey bar in NYC, and The Canuck is stepping up to the rink with an ode to all things played on ice. (Including, when there are no NHL games, World Juniors Ice Hockey.) If the Great White North isn’t your thing, don’t fret—they also show college football and other sports on the big screens. 

Time Out tip: You can find a lot of Canadian beers here—Labatt, Molson Canadian and Moosehead. You can also find the official drink of Canada here as well: the Bloody Caesar. 

Address: 202 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 4pm–2am; Sat noon–4am; Sun noon–2am

What is it: If you think cozy sports bar is an oxymoron, this single-room East Village go-to will change your perspective.

Why we love it: Not only is the crowd an anomaly—more affable regulars, less rowdy superfans—but the TVs are all kept at a low volume, letting you mingle with other fans in relative quiet (unless, of course, someone’s team is doing well). The draft list at Standings Bar features a rotating selection of microbrews alongside standard fare like Bud Light. Regalia from various teams covers the walls, making it a blessedly neutral home for fans of all persuasions.

Time Out tip: Peep the collection of sports paraphernalia and see if you can find your time. It is a little hard to miss, as it is hanging from the ceiling. 

Address: 43 E 7th St, New York, NY 10003

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 5pm–1am; Fri 5pm–2am; Sat noon–2am; Sun noon–2am