Celebrate Football Season With Fries and Field Goals at These OC Bars
Football fans, rejoice! It’s that time of year again, and we are ready for another epic season of tackles and touchdowns. There is nothing, and we mean nothing, better than posting up on a Saturday or Sunday to snack, sip and watch your team score. Whether you’re a college football connoisseur or an NFL fanatic, these 14 Orange County sports bars will give you a home-field advantage with 50-yard-line views. There’s no need to fumble with the decision—win or lose, we’ve got your game days covered.
Mutt Lynch’s
Down… set… Mutt! Mutt Lynch’s is a Newport Beach institution that’s as rowdy as they come on football Sundays. This day-drinking destination has been firmly rooted in the DNA of its host city since 1976 when it was originally located on the Balboa Peninsula next to the Fun Zone. After an unfortunate fire in 1982, they moved the bar to its current and enduring location next to the Newport Beach Pier. Mutt’s loves hosting trivia nights and daily happy hours, and with TVs galore and 40 beers on tap, you won’t miss out on a single down.
Location: Newport Beach
Rock & Brews
If you haven’t heard of Rock & Brews, you haven’t been keeping up with Locale. This place welcomes all, from your real babies to your fur babies. There are some heavy-hitting investors behind the enterprise (hello, Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley and Dave Furano!)—all of whom know how to combine hospitality with rock and roll. Since 2010, Rock & Brews has been electrifying your restaurant experience with 50+ beers on tap and delicious game-day eats like the giant Bavarian pretzel and Alice Cooper’s Poison Burger.
Location: Tustin, Buena Park, Corona
Helmsman Alehouse
Helmsman Alehouse is a brewhouse located on the bustling Balboa Peninsula that goes off on game days. To pair with your pint, choose between fan favorites like chicken and waffles, prime rib sandwich and their signature Brewcuterie pretzel—a Bavarian pretzel with craft beer cheese, fried pickles, cheese curds, brie, prosciutto, hot ink slices, black olives and mustard. They offer football season drink specials from open to close on Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays, which look something like these—we’re talking deals on cocktails, pitchers of beers and more. They have TVs located inside and on the patio, so you can get some fresh air if your team is making you sweat.
Location: Newport Beach
Daily’s Sports Grill
Daily’s Sports Grill has been catering to sports fans since 1993. With locations in San Clemente and Rancho Santa Margarita, these South County spots have over 20 TVs and plenty of seating. Their events calendar is stacked with things like line dancing, live music and redneck rodeos. Both locations serve brunch on the weekends during football season, and there are often menu items devoted to the sport. Order the Touchdown Platter for the table, then focus on the game! This place looks and feels like your stereotypical Orange County sports bar—don’t be afraid to wear your jersey and yell at the TVs.
Location: San Clemente, Rancho Santa Margarita
10/25
Old Crow Smokehouse
Meet your Pacific City pit crew at Old Crow Smokehouse in Huntington Beach. Located just steps from the sand, this restaurant and bar serves up smoked everything with a side of screaming fans. There’s a full bloody mary bar and bottomless mimosas for $25 on Saturdays and Sundays during brunch hours. They are also known for delivering award-winning barbecue on old-school cafeteria trays with large screens lit for game days. Bring the fam and invite friends—there’s plenty of room for everyone! Pro tip: Order the country nachos for the table—it’s the ultimate edible centerpiece.
Location: Huntington Beach
StillWater Spirits & Sounds
Located above Dana Point Harbor is a pitstop with a pre-prohibition theme called StillWater Spirits & Sounds. With 30 beers on tap, craft cocktails and a comprehensive wine list, you’ll never get bored with your boozy beverage of choice. Start with a Sideline Margarita or NFL Draft Flight, and be sure to try their Chef’s famous Wings and Fan Favorite Sliders (only available during games). Plus, with theme nights and live music featuring some of your favorite cover bands—not to mention 15 HDTVs for watching all the games—this place is a hoot and a half.
Location: Dana Point
OC Local Taproom
Family-friendly patio? Check. Games on all the tables? Check. TVs lining every bit of wall space? Check! OC Local Taproom in Laguna Niguel wants to make your game days a full-fledged experience. They offer specials on certain days, like Tap Takeovers on Thursdays, as well as brunch on weekends. If you are starving, order the monster nachos—a platter large enough to feed eight people. They also have a signature quesapizza (yes, it is what it sounds like) to keep your inner linebacker at bay. Staff members at this taproom are called “tour guides” because they want customers to have the best time!
Location: Laguna Niguel
Golden Road Brewing
Golden Road Brewery helped spearhead the craft beer scene in Southern California—they turned non-beer drinkers into discerning beer drinkers. With brewpubs in Anaheim and Huntington Harbour, the home of the Mango Cart wheat ale makes waves no matter where they open up. The Sunset Beach location is ideal for hanging out with fellow football fans. An outdoor patio boasts waterfront views, a perfect place to post up with your pup and enjoy some tuna nachos. They have all-day happy hour on Mondays, so you can gear up for the game with bottomless beers. Their Anaheim location is a stone’s throw from Angel Stadium and features a patio filled with fun lawn games and plenty of shade. With 30 beers on tap, variety really is the spice of life here.
Location: Anaheim, Huntington Beach
Lopez & Lefty’s
Lopez & Lefty’s is all about great food and great service in a stellar environment. Conveniently located near Disneyland, the restaurant offers a range of traditional Mexican dishes, including tacos, enchiladas and burritos, all made with fresh, high-quality ingredients. They offer brunch on the weekends, so you can grub during the early games. This watering hole has over 25 draft selections, a full bar and weekly specials, like $8 pint-and-a-shot combos on Thirsty Thursdays.
Location: Anaheim
The Hive Sports Bar and Grill
You know we love our off-the-beaten-path Anaheim activities. This city is way more than just its Disney-loving identity. Exhibit A: The Hive Sports Bars and Grill. This football-loving sports bar features a fabulous new breakfast menu, including favorites like blueberry Danish pancakes, breakfast Mexican pizza and pancake tacos. They also plan to open doors earlier when football season starts, so there’s no excuse to miss an early game. Seasonal specials include $3 mimosas, $3 well drinks and a specialty drink menu. Some other football specials include carne asada fries, birria quesadilla and a sampler platter to pair with any of their 18 beers on tap.
Location: Anaheim
Station Craft
You know which town doesn’t get enough hype? Dana Point. This sleeper city is a reformed surfer town turned trendy dining destination—and we are here to spill the secret. From Truly Pizza to Coastal Kitchen, there’s a lot to explore in this South County gem, but let’s focus on where to catch a game. Station Craft is a super cool brewery with a huge LED screen inside for game-day viewing. Anywhere that serves fried pickles is a first-round draft pick for us. Game seekers on Monday and Thursday nights will get to take advantage of happy hour from 4-6 p.m.
Location: Dana Point
Surf City Ale House
Surf City Ale House in Huntington Beach is a place with two patios and a beergarten courtyard, so you don’t have to fumble your way through a crowded inside bar. This Orange County sports bar might love football more than you do. They offer special deals depending on who’s playing, and they aren’t afraid to pick favorites. Between us, they love the 49ers and tend to give 50% off select appetizers for those who love them, too. Drink discounts are plentiful during football season, perfect for watching a game on any of their 20 HDTVs. Fans feel seen here—not just the Niner Gang.
Location: Huntington Beach
Harbour Rackhouse
Harbour Rackhouse is a local haunt that comes alive during football season. With a U-shaped bar flanked by TVs on all sides, fans flock here to cheer on their favorite teams. This place has a casual, sporty vibe and serves up American-style cuisine with a modern twist. Their menu is diverse, featuring juicy burgers, hearty sandwiches, fresh salads and seafood dishes. They have a handful of pool tables to pass the time between quarters and a fully stocked bar to drown your sorrows if your team doesn’t prevail. When it comes to brews, expect a full craft beer list and six rotating handles.
Location: Huntington Beach
Classic Q
Off of Macarthur Boulevard in Newport Beach is a watering hole made for watch parties with more TVs per square foot than you could ever imagine. This is the ultimate sports bar in Orange County, where you become family with other fans from the moment you step foot inside. Pro tip: this is a Packers bar, so expect prioritization of those games on Sundays. They also celebrate by serving Sunday breakfast until noon during football season, so you can run a blitz on your breakfast burrito. With draft, sparkling and wine lists at the ready, this spot fills up fast. Be sure to get there with plenty of time to score some seats!
Location: Newport Beach
