15 Best Sports Bars in San Diego For Game Day

It’s that time of the week again, you’re craving an ice-cold craft beer, want to watch the upcoming game, and need somewhere to do so. 

Sports bars are pretty much everywhere in San Diego. They’re almost like a refuge for football fans and those fond of a beer. 

But which are the best sports bars in San Diego? Well, we’re here to show you!

Best Sports Bars In San Diego – Downtown

Bub’s at the Ballpark San Diego

Address: 715 J St, San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (619) 546-0815
Website

Bub’s at the Ballpark resides among downtown San Diego’s main attractions.

Visiting Bub’s is a must when you’re stopping by San Diego. It’s known for a bustling atmosphere where locals and tourists get together to watch the top games.

The modern sports bar is decked out with high-end flat-screen TVs and provides all kinds of entertainment, from an outdoor basketball court to shuffleboard. The Circle Bar is where all the action happens, surrounded by wooden stools and fitted with multiple plasmas. If you’re feeling peckish, the Steaky Steakums is a yummy dish that everyone raves about.

Try to plan your trip for a Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Friday between 3 and 5 PM. They have some incredible happy hour food and drink specials, like $1 wings or $5 draft beers.

The Deck at Moonshine Flats

Address: 335 Sixth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (619) 255-7625
Website

Located at Moonshine Flats, The Deck is an outstanding open-air bar famed for its chilled out atmosphere and scrumptious BBQ smokehouse menu. It offers some of the tastiest bar food you’ll ever try including beer-battered fish tacos, double-decker burgers, and much more. 

Besides watching your favorite sporting matches, The Deck has a number of backyard-style games you can play, like corn hole and ping pong. It’s easy to understand why this is a favorite among sports bars in downtown San Diego.

The Deck gets massive crowds, especially for game day specials, where buckets of beer are only $30 until 6 PM.

Time Out Sports Tavern

Address: 634 Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101
Website

The locally-owned Time Out Sports Tavern is another one of the great sports bars in San Diego. Opening its doors in 2011, it has fast transformed into a vibrant venue for sports enthusiasts to cheer on their teams.

With 29 craft beers on draft, pool tables, a bunch of old-school arcade games, and knowledgeable staff who know exactly how to craft the tastiest cocktails, the Time Out Sports Tavern has it all.

Time Out Sports Tavern’s menu comprises a combination of dishes from American and Mexican cuisine. Whether you’re after a sloppy burger or a nourishing burrito, you’ll be looked after. Happy hour is every afternoon between 4:30 and 6:30 PM, with tons of discounted beers, cocktails, and appetizers.

Knotty Barrel East Village

Address: 844 Market St, San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (619) 269-7156
Website

Catering to local drinkers since 2011, the Knotty Barrel is tucked away on Market Street and has a huge selection of beverages. They carry over 100 beers and 20 craft beers on tap.

Since Knotty Barrel has a fantastic relationship with local farms, the dishes are made with fresh ingredients guaranteed to fulfill your hunger after a few pints.

On select dates throughout the month, Knotty Barrel features specials like $25 bottomless mimosas or $2 off beers during happy hour. Every Thursday night, there’s a trivia event between 8:30 and 10:30 PM, so get yourself down there for that.

Social Tap San Diego

Address: 815 J St Suite #101, San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (619) 398-8938
Website

Home to die-hard Padres fans, Social Tap is located beside Petco Park, and is a favorite location for pregame brews or cocktails.

Social Tap presents its own version of sports bar food, with twists like carnitas banh mi tacos and the behemoth 3/4 lb fish & chips. Their specialty cocktails are excellent, especially the Call Me Old Fashioned, made with a Milam & Greene triple cask bourbon.

Of course, baseball is the beating heart of Social Tap. However, they also showcase other live sporting events like UFC, football, and lesser known San Diego sports teams.

Barleymash

Address: 600 Fifth Ave #6916, San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (619) 255-7373
Website

The notorious Gaslamp Quarter is known for some incredible bars, one of them being the Barleymash sports bar and restaurant. The establishment provides an All-American dining experience with a beer and bourbon-infused menu, plus modern TVs showcasing domestic and international sporting events.

Every night of the week, there’s a new event at Barleymash; some nights it’s DJs, while on others, rock bands. No matter what’s on, you’re in for a treat, making this one of the best sports bars in San Diego.

Princess Pub & Grille

Address: 1665 India St, San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (619) 702-3021
Website

Visit San Diego’s original British boozer, the Princess Pub & Grille on India Street. There’s no better place to watch live soccer games than here, whether it’s the Premier League or the MLS.

The Princess Pub & Grille is like any quintessential bar in the UK, with a touch of the US of course. Their menu contains traditional British dishes, such as cottage pie, plus American delights like the New York grilled reuben. The main TV screens are placed around the bartop, so plan to arrive before kick-off for a good seat.

Different specials are available on certain days of the week, but one you cannot afford to miss is the weekly Sunday roast. This is a famous meal eaten throughout the UK consisting of beer, potatoes, vegetables, gravy, and a Yorkshire pudding.

The Bootlegger

Address: 804 Market St, San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (619) 794-2668
Website

The Bootlegger Bar on Market Street is the home of the Alabama Crimson Tide and the San Fransisco 49ers. Offering a brilliant craft beer selection and a friendly vibe, you’ll find it’s easy to stay for the whole evening.

While the main bar is where the hub of activity happens, don’t leave without popping into their MiNiBar, San Diego’s smallest bar. You won’t last in there too long, especially on a warm summer’s day.

There’s a special every day at Bootlegger. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays are happy hour, Tuesdays are Build Your Own Nachos, Thursdays are BYOB, Saturdays and Sundays are Bubbly Lunches.

Stout Public House

Address: 1125 Sixth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (619) 702-7933
Website

It wouldn’t be a list of San Diego sports bars without mentioning an Irish bar! Cue the good ol’ Stout Public House on Sixth Avenue. Mid-week, it’s seen as a spot for a cheeky pint and a bite to eat. As soon as the weekend rolls in, it turns into a bustling bar with fans cheering on their teams from all over the country.

The menu comprises an array of starters like chicken tenders, entrees like Irish bangers and mash, and homemade desserts. Of course, not to forget, there’s also plenty of beers, wines, and spirits for patrons to enjoy.

Since you’re in an Irish bar, you may as well sample the Guinness. It’ll make you feel like you’re in Dublin!

Bar One

Address: 1532 India St, San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (619) 738-8978
Website

Bar One is a relaxed sports bar in the lively district of Little Italy that’s always jam-packed on game days. The venue has large TVs in view of most tables, unless you’re sitting on the outdoor patio, something fans will be happy to know.

Order all the traditional bar bites from the all day menu, like chicken tenders and fries, fish and chips, and cheese steak sandwiches, the list goes on. Draft beers are the drink of choice at Bar One, but if that isn’t your thing, there are additional options like seltzers and wines.

Best Mission Beach / Pacific Beach Sports Bars

Guava Beach Bar & Grill

Address: 3714 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA 92109
Phone: (858) 488-6688
Website

Guava Beach Bar in Mission Beach amalgamates comfort and chaos (in a good way), promising an exciting visit for all sports fans. They show pretty much every sport you can think of, NBA, NFL, MLB, college football, all on their large-screen HDTVs. Main events are displayed on the huge, 10-foot HD projection screen.

Food is at the forefront at Guava Beach Bar, with a mix of Mexican and American delicacies. Mahi tacos, carne asada fajitas, stuffed burgers, fresh salads – you name it, they serve it.

Take a night off and relish Guava Beach Bar’s award-winning Best at the Beach Margaritas, made with one of their fifty 100% blue agave tequilas. You choose your poison.

Just because the game’s wrapping up doesn’t mean the fun has to stop. Gather your buddies and play a game of pool, darts or giant Jenga, you’re sure to have a good time.

Sandbar Sports Bar & Grill

Address: 718 Ventura Pl, San Diego, CA 92109
Phone: (858) 488-1274
Website

Next up, we have Sandbar Sports Bar & Grill on the Mission Beach Boardwalk, a fun establishment with a SoCal vibe. It’s a two story venue with a Sky Deck providing visitors with undisturbed views of the Pacific Ocean. Undoubtedly, you’ve had worse views while watching the game with a beer in hand.

The Sandbar Sports Bar & Grill serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and has a substantial selection of tequilas and cocktails.

Monday to Friday, from 3 until 6 PM, is happy hour, and they host a Taco Tuesdays event every week from 6 PM. It’s always buzzing down there, regardless of whether there’s a game on, so don’t wait around too long.

Dirty Birds Bar & Grill

Address: 4656 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA 92109
Phone: (858) 274-2473
Website

Head on over to Dirty Birds Bar & Grill at Mission Boulevard to try their specialty wings which have been ranked among The Top Wings in America by Yahoo Sports. A portion of these bad boys, and a chilled beer, while watching the local team is the recipe for an excellent day out.

The bar is designed and decorated to give visitors that traditional sports bar feeling. With wooden stools, a high-top bar, multiple large-screen TVs, and old football jerseys hung on the walls, the Dirty Birds Bar & Grill is the ideal spot for you and the crew to gather on weekends.

House margaritas are only $10, Moscow mules are $11, and Monday – Friday between 3 and 6 PM, select pitchers are half price.

Hopefully, you’ve enjoyed our list of the best sports bars in San Diego. As you can see, there are pubs for sports enthusiasts all over the city, from North Park to East Village, and downtown.

Your next outing for the game is sure to be a good one.

Last Updated on July 4, 2023 by Maria Haase

The post 15 Best Sports Bars in San Diego For Game Day appeared first on San Diego Explorer.