Nothing Says Fall Like Beer, Touchdowns and Tasty Pub Grub
Football szn is officially here, which means it’s time to throw on your jersey and head to the nearest pub! We’ve been waiting months for a reason to drink beer, and now we’ve got one. But before you turn on the tube and spend your Sundays on the couch, we’d like to introduce our favorite sports bars and restaurants where you can catch a game in San Diego. With beer on draft, tasty fare and plenty of flat screens for optimal viewing, you’ll quickly realize why these 17 sports bars in San Diego are total touchdowns. Here’s to big punts and even bigger pints!
Dirty Birds Bar & Grill
With several locations throughout San Diego, Dirty Birds Bar & Grill has become a legendary watering hole for NFL fanatics. This local gem has mastered the art of serving up some of the city’s tastiest wings, making it a touchdown for sports enthusiasts. With a lively atmosphere and a dedicated crowd of die-hard fans, it’s easy to get swept up in the game-day excitement here. Quench your thirst with their “brew with Tullamore D.E.W.” combo (a beer with a shot of Tullamore D.E.W. for $5), then order some wings at halftime to tide you over. The hardest part will be deciding which wing sauce to choose—they have 40 different types!
Locations: Multiple throughout San Diego
Park 101 Carlsbad
Head to Park 101 in Carlsbad for their rotating food specials, including hot-ticket items like surf ‘n’ turf fries and smoked tri-tip tacos. This place is massive—it’s an 8,000-square-foot, multi-level complex with a giant LED screen. Reservations are recommended, so call ahead—and don’t forget to try one of their frozen strawberry margaritas!
Local Insight: Park 101 offers happy hour from 3-6 p.m. on weekdays, so you can catch a Monday or Thursday night game and enjoy discounted drinks!
Location: Carlsbad
Fairplay
New to the North Park neighborhood as of last year, Fairplay is an industrial-chic hangout perfect for game time. The interior has an old-school gym feel, and while Fairplay has several TVs throughout, it positions itself as a community-oriented space that’s “a little sporty.” The menu is chock-full of innovative pub grub bites like fried pickles, queso soyrizo dip and carnitas fries. To drink, there are 19 beer taps, as well as cocktails on draft and the classics like margs and mules. Your best bet? Throw on your jersey and come experience the Fairplay hype for yourself this Sunday.
Location: North Park
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Half Door Brewing Co.
For those who love a more intimate game-day viewing experience, Half Door Brewing Co. is the perfect spot. Located in a charming and historic building, this brewpub boasts a diverse selection of handcrafted brews and a homey neighborhood feel. Picture this: Sipping on an Irish Mule made with Tullamore D.E.W, house ginger syrup, lime and Angostura bitters while cheering on your favorite team on their TVs. It doesn’t get more festive than that!
Location: East Village
11/16
The Field Irish Pub
The Field Irish Pub brings a touch of the Emerald Isle to San Diego’s sports scene. Tucked away in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter, this pub offers a cozy and welcoming atmosphere with plenty of Irish charm. On game days, their traditional Irish breakfast is a must-try, featuring hearty servings of black and white pudding, bangers and eggs. With multiple screens broadcasting the games and a lively crowd, it’s the perfect place to witness the NFL action. Have their bartenders whip you up a frozen Irish coffee crafted with Tullamore D.E.W, coffee, brown sugar syrup and cream, and you’ll be game-day ready.
Location: Gaslamp Quarter
11/13
PB Shore Club
This buzzy upstairs bungalow may be renowned for its beach views and fish tacos, but its sports bar atmosphere is certainly something to write home about too. PB Shore Club is equipped with several flat-screen TVs, both indoors and on the patio, so you won’t miss a single touchdown or end zone dance this football season. Throw on your jersey and prepare to chow down on a selection of tasty pub-grub fare! On Mondays, PB Shore Club offers a $10 burger and beer combo and 52% off industry drink tabs. And on Thursdays, you can enjoy $5 wells and slushies and $3.50 and $4.50 taco specials! If you’re bellying up to the bar on a Sunday, however, don’t miss out on the $6 beers and drinks during the NFL games.
Local Insight: To see PB Shore Club’s full food and drink menu, click here!
Location: Pacific Beach
Draft
Get your game face on and head to Draft in Mission Beach’s bustling Belmont Park! With a selection of 70+ beers on tap and a menu of tasty American fare, watching football here is a no-brainer. Snag a seat on the extended outdoor patio for ocean views that stretch all the way from Bird Rock to Sunset Cliffs. Kick-start game day by ordering a draft beer or one of their signature cocktails, such as the spicy Midway Margarita or Belmont Park Mule. Then, snack on shareables like the braised BBQ fries, Buffalo wings, cerveza-battered fish and chips or Draft’s delicious cavatappi mac and cheese. Mark our words: This is the ultimate Sunday football viewing spot.
Gaslamp Tavern
Located in the historic Gaslamp District, this hip sports bar has the laid-back neighborly vibe we all crave on game day. Plus, Gaslamp Tavern’s jumbo baked Bavarian pretzels, loaded tots, wings and brisket sandos will have you making up your own end zone dance. Pair your pub grub with one of their signature cocktails like the Monkey Boogie, made with Johnnie Walker Black Label Scotch Whiskey and Aperol, and cheers to a Sunday well-spent! Pro tip: On Mondays, Gaslamp Tavern offers $2 off all draft beers, drinks and sandos.
Location: Gaslamp Quarter
11/23
The Duck Dive
Enjoy American cuisine, craft beers and cocktails at The Duck Dive’s indoor lounge with TVs or on their breezy patio. This Pacific Beach restaurant and bar is the perfect place to sport your team’s jersey and get a full dose of Sunday football. They also offer a killer weekend brunch from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.—try one of their boozy breakfast shots!
Local Insight: Check out their NFL Gametime Specials, including High Noon Buckets and a Touchdown Platter, as well as Cornhuskers Gameday Specials!
Location: Pacific Beach
Mavericks Beach Club
Located steps from the sand in Pacific Beach, Mavericks Beach Club is the ultimate party destination for sports fans. Join the festivities for Monday night football and enjoy $4 beers, wines and wells and $6 margs, mai tais and draft cocktails. Game day food is provided by E.L.E. Burger. Come for the deals, but stay for the 40 television screens.
Location: Pacific Beach
11/19
Home & Away
Home & Away may be a Kansas City Chiefs bar, but everyone is welcome to come in and order tacos, smoked meats, cold beer and cocktails on game days. “We have a giant patio and huge outdoor LED TV to watch all the action,” says Jonathan Frank, co-owner of Home & Away. You’ll want to snag a spot at this chic, surf-inspired bar for a cocktail and a bite. The menu is full of crafty libations like the Kentucky River—made with bourbon, creme de cacao and peach bitters. And when your crew gets hungry, you’ll love H&A’s spicy surf-and-turf burrito, blackened shrimp tacos and chicken sandwich.
Locations: Old Town
Social Tap San Diego
Located at the edge of Petco Park, Social Tap San Diego offers a relaxed atmosphere for East Village and downtown San Diego locals. They serve craft beer and creative cocktails along with an incredible menu geared toward the highest-quality sandwiches, tacos and more. The modern sports bar recently added a patio with views of Petco Park on the second-floor balcony.
Local Insight: They have 27 TVs, including 90- and 110-inch screens!
Location: East Village
The Rabbit Hole
At The Rabbit Hole, dine-in, takeout and delivery options are available seven days a week. They also have a rocking draft list with on cask, on nitro and growler fills. “We have a front and a back patio with TVs everywhere to watch the games,” says James Gomez, general manager of The Rabbit Hole. Philadelphia Eagles fans seek refuge—The Rabbit Hole is your home away from home.
Local Insight: The Rabbit Hole has specials on food and drinks every day of the week! Check out what’s discounted here.
Location: Normal Heights
Backyard Kitchen & Tap
You won’t really have to elbow your way for a good spot at the TV because Backyard Kitchen & Tap has screens in every corner. Enjoy cozy, welcoming outdoor dining in the Sideyard with an incredible draft and canned beer selection. Both ale appreciators and IPA admirers alike can find something to love at Backyard Kitchen & Tap.
Location: Pacific Beach
Sandbar
Sun, sand and sports collide at Sandbar in Mission Beach! This bi-level, waterfront hotspot is the perfect place to catch a game this fall. The downstairs space features dozens of flat-screen TVs and huge roll-up doors that let in a sea breeze. If you head upstairs to the skydeck, you can relish views of the ocean and Belmont Park’s neighboring roller coaster. In terms of food, you can’t go wrong with one of their breakfast burritos or Big Ass Bloody Marys, and the customizable taco plates are also delish. They also have a tailgate menu and football specials on Sundays during game season!
Location: Mission Beach
The Deck at Moonshine Flats
With its festive, lively atmosphere and selection of mouthwatering BBQ bites, The Deck at Moonshine Flats remains a staple on this list. Grab one of their 32-ounce Big Red Cups to sip on as you play backyard-style games like corn hole, shuffleboard and ping-pong. And when the game kicks off, snag a seat at one of the many picnic tables and enjoy all the action on their state-of-the-art big screens.
Location: East Village
Barleymash
There’s no bad seat when it comes to watching a game at Barleymash. Situated in the heart of San Diego’s bustling Gaslamp Quarter, this high-energy downtown restaurant and bar is all about beer, bourbon and touchdowns. The industrial-style space features a slew of TVs, while the menu is chock-full of tasty flatbreads, different types of fries and mac and cheese, and a hearty selection of sandwiches and burgers. Be sure to pair your pick with one of their signature cocktails; The Ron Burgundy is a must-try.
Location: Gaslamp Quarter
