Best Places in Orange County to Watch Football
Written By: Ryan Whitehead Orange County Places to Watch Football
The 2018 football season has arrived and fans are eager to throw on their favorite jerseys and cheer on their team. Many restaurants and bars in Orange County open their doors to devout fans with enticing grub and drinks that will keep the good times rollin’, no matter if they win or lose the game. However, which bars have the best deals? The most elaborate TVs? The best fare? Here are some in OC that offer something for everyone:
Orange County Places to Watch Football
Grill Master
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Make your way to Oak Grill at the Fashion Island Hotel Mondays at 5 p.m. to fuel up for football season and take advantage of NFL specials. At the bar and fireside, catch the game while sipping on any 16-oz craft beer for just $5. Complement your brew with $8 tri-tip nachos, piled high with spicy pinto beans, ghost pepper salsa, queso Oaxaca, cilantro crema and avocado.
Oak Grill
Fashion Island Hotel
690 Newport Center Dr
Newport Beach, CA 92660
949.760.4920
Orange County Places to Watch Football
Just Eat It
Jimmy’s Famous American Tavern
Head to JFAT on Monday and Thursday nights for happy hour from 3-8:20 p.m. Make game night one to remember with delish appetizers and beers at happy hour prices. It’s a win-win, even if your team loses.
Jimmy’s Famous American Tavern
25001 Dana Point Harbor Dr, Ste F140
Dana Point, CA 92629
949.388.8900
Orange County Places to Watch Football
Food + Football = Heaven
The spot opens at 9:30 a.m. every Sunday during the regular season, so join the fun and fill up on $5 bloody marys and bottles of champagne for $10 if you really want to make it a celebration. The food is top notch as well, with locals calling this one of their faves for some good noms.
Lopez & Lefty’s
1759 S Claudina Way
Anaheim, CA 92805
714.300.0000
Orange County Places to Watch Football
Big Leagues
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Is it even football season if you don’t have a giant heaping of wings to chow down? The spot might not be best for watching the game, but we’re big fans of planning ahead for a viewing party to make sure you deliver when it comes to feeding your crew. Just make sure you have napkins aplenty.
Epic Wings N’ Things
28621 Marguerite Pkwy, Ste B6
Mission Viejo, CA 92692
949.481.0999
Orange County Places to Watch Football
Beer We Go!
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This brewery makes for the perfect spot to enjoy the game. With delicious beer, artisanal flatbreads and several TVs, you’ll have the ultimate game day. Plus, the location happens to be in one of the most beautiful cities in the USA!
Native Knowledge: Laguna Beer Company holds game nights for events like bingo and trivia night!
29851 Aventura, Ste D
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
Orange County Places to Watch Football
Screen Time
The self-proclaimed “First Modern Sports Bar in America,” Legends Sports Bar looks to cement its status in Surf City, their second location after the famous original spot on 2nd Street in Belmont Shores. With plenty of TVs and an extensive menu, both college and pro fans will be taken care of.
Native Knowledge: For Monday Night Football attendees, don’t miss out on the two for one burger madness offered from 6-9 p.m.
301 Main St
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
714.374.2175
1/1
Eat, Cheers, Repeat
H.H. Cotton’s provides that local, neighborhood feel for football fans. With a quieter and more intimate atmosphere, this is a great place for fans to enjoy a game without the hassle and chaos of a packed sports bar. H.H. Cotton’s offers up the usual bar food with the a few twists like the Crispy Fried Calamari with house tartare and sweet chili sauce. Yum!
Native Knowledge: If your team plays either Monday or Thursday nights, get there early for happy hour from 3-6 p.m. Items are $3 including sliders, baked pretzels and street tacos. Well drinks are $5, select wines for $4 and craft beers are $2 off.
201 Avenida Del Mar
San Clemente, CA 92672
949.429.3321
Orange County Places to Watch Football
Booze Cruise
Sports rivalries play a huge part in football, but what happens when two football rivals partner up to open a restaurant? You get Cruisers Pizza Bar Grill. Located on the Balboa Peninsula with a second location in Huntington Beach, Cruisers features 30 big screen HDTVs as well as the largest 4k projector in OC. Cruisers also comes complete with Chicago cuisine staples like deep-dish pizza.
Native Knowledge: Cruisers has four different viewing areas in the restaurant, and the patio allows patrons to enjoy other activities like beer pong and giant Jenga.
801 E Balboa Blvd
Newport Beach, CA 92261
949.220.9414
Sammy Showdown
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Most football fans will assume a franchise sandwich joint is the last place they would catch a game. But, don’t judge a book by it’s cover, as Board & Brew is much more than a standard joint for picking up a turkey on wheat. Board & Brew’s collection of craft beers, mostly from local breweries, allow patrons to still enjoy watching a game while they demolish a sammy. The taps always change which keeps beer fans curious, but can attract football fans that are into the craft beer scene.
27000 Alicia Pkwy, Ste B
Aliso Niguel, Ca 92667
949.207.1027
Early Bird Gets the Beer
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Mutt Lynch’s has established its status along the Newport Beach boardwalk as a top bar to watch football. Arrive early for a spot, as space does fill up quickly. The bar opens at 7 a.m. daily, which sets it apart from its Newport counterparts. With countless TVs spread all throughout the bar, there’s not a bad seat in the house. Plus, the “good ole bar” feel and it’s close proximity to the ocean enhances your Sunday Funday experience.
Native Knowledge: Despite their overwhelming menu, the best way to enjoy a day at Mutt’s is to get one of their famous schooner beer glasses or their pint sized mimosas.
2300 W Oceanfront
Newport Beach, CA 92663
949.675.1556
This article is brought to you by one of the many talented writers associated with Locale Magazine! We are a group of locals (whether born and raised or transplanted) who love this county we now call home!
