The 10 Best Sports Bars in NYC, 2013

Football has returned, and it’s again time to break out your favorite jersey and huddle around your favorite flat screen. While there’s no place quite like home to watch a game, sometimes it’s nice to get out of the house. Using a complex game plan based on metrics like drink specials, food, attire of the wait staff, and selection of games–both on TV and in-house–we’ve rounded up our top 10 sports bars in NYC.

10. Standings, 43 East Seventh Street

The massive amount of sports memorabilia lining the walls of this spot makes up for the fact you’ll have to stand shoulder to shoulder with the guy next to you. Eight televisions hang throughout the narrow space, and the great beer selection will have you making new friends in no time. The bar won’t play music during games but will blast the game audio, which is great unless Joe Buck is announcing. There’s also a free bagel bar on Sundays during football season, which makes up for the lack of food options, or you can order in from nearby establishments.

9. Mulholland’s, 312 Grand Street, Brooklyn

Wings, wings, and more wings make this Grand Street bar a stand-out place to watch the game on a busy strip. Twelve HD flat screens, a backyard patio, and a fireplace to warm you up–or burn your betting slips–give the space a classy and open feel. Comfort comes by way of a full menu, neighborly service, and plush couches, which might make you linger well beyond the end of the game.

8. The Garden at Studio Square, 35-33 36th Street, Queens

Bigger is better at this Long Island City beer garden, where sports fans have the option of watching their favorite teams compete on a 160 foot outdoor super screen. The space is also a popular location for UFC fight nights and FIFA soccer, though drink specials like $10 pitchers of Coors Light and $5 sangria for the ladies make football season extra special. If you prefer eating alone, the bar features over 30 flat screens and a full grill menu with tailgating specialties like kielbasa and bratwurst.

7. Legends, 6 West 33rd Street

“Football” fanatics frequent this this multi -level restaurant and bar near Koreatown for its expansive selection of soccer games and boxing matches. The bar also features fun events like drunk FIFA Xbox tournaments for those athletes who prefer to do their talking on the digital field of battle. The spacious and upscale interior sets the stage for a full dinner and drink menu, with happy hour NFL specials that include $4 drafts and $15 buckets of brews. No matter what country you root for in the upcoming World Cup, Legends is bound to have it on the big screen.

6. The Keg and Lantern, 95 Nassau Ave., Brooklyn

Though Greenpoint may be well-known for its eclectic mix of non-sport loving hipsters–unless you count the bicycle fans–this oyster bar and pub grub specialist is one of the best options for catching a game in the area. Plenty of seating, an outdoor patio, and starters like deviled eggs and braised octopus help the place stand out from a fine selection of worthy weekend dining options. A sign in the window advertises 32 beers on tap, which means this place goes over well with armchair athletes.

5. Village Pourhouse, 64 Third Avenue/982 Amsterdam Avenue

The number of TVs here is rivaled only by the number of craft beers at this sports bar for the beer snob. A rowdy crowd packs the place most weekends, and specials like two-for-one seasonal beer and margaritas ensure any person with a pulse will have a great time. There’s a unique vibe for each room in the house, but, large tables and booths fill up quickly so it’s best to arrive early. The food selection and service help give Pourhouse the edge over an area saturated with watering holes, and the collegiate atmosphere gets everyone pumped up about their alma mater’s athletic prowess.

4. 4th Down, 170 North Fourth Street, Brooklyn

With life-size board games, skee ball, and air hockey available, one might forget this place actually features games on television. The space is reminiscent of a tricked out garage, though this one is complete with friendly bartenders and a small but effective beer selection. The spot is a big hit on Saturdays for college football fans–though people who appear to be training for world Jenga championships can be spotted throughout the week.

3. Croxley Ales, 28 Avenue B

Proving the marriage between good beer and good wings stands the test of time, this Alphabet City stalwart is still one of the best places to catch the game on the east side. Ten cent wings and over 30 taps–not to mention a fun bro-free young crowd–make for a a good excuse to head this way whenever a game is on. The large collection of booths makes it a great place for groups, too, as do specials like $5 beers of the week for parties of six or more.

2. Kettle of Fish, 59 Christopher Street

For the historical sports fan, this 1950-era subterranean Village lair provides a classic atmosphere to catch a game, especially if you’re a Packers fan. The bar’s mixture of cheap beers, darts, and a killer jukebox make this an ideal spot for rallying the troops to come out for athletic action.

1. Brother Jimmy’s, multiple locations

What more could you ask for when looking to set up shop for a game? Well, maybe a few less finance guys, but everything else about this successful chain is a crowd-pleaser. Plates of BBQ, drink concoctions served in buckets and bowls, and staff members that might be more decked out in game gear than you are make these locations a go-to option for any sporting event, especially for expats dying for some non-New York area coverage.