3 min read
Published On14 Apr 2025
Introduction
San Diego may not have an NFL team anymore but football runs deep in America’s Finest City. From former Chargers fans to transplants who brought their team loyalty from across the country, San Diego has one of the most diverse football fan bases in the country. The city’s chill vibe turns up on NFL Sundays and sports bars throughout the county become electric hubs of excitement.
Whether you’re looking for the ultimate game day experience in the Gaslamp, a beachside spot or a neighborhood bar where everybody knows your team’s fight song, San Diego has something for every type of football fan. The city’s perfect weather creates unique opportunities, many venues have outdoor viewing areas where you can enjoy sunshine and touchdowns at the same time.
Our guide breaks down the top sports bars by neighborhood, highlighting each venue’s atmosphere, viewing setup, food and drink offerings and special game day promotions. We also noted which bars are official homes for specific team fan bases so you can find your fellow fans or join the rivalry. So grab your jersey, bring your fantasy football lineup and get ready to experience NFL Sundays the San Diego way.
Gaslamp Quarter
1. Time Out Sports Tavern
Ratings:
🍗 N/A | 🍺 4/5 | 📺 4/5 | 🏀 4/5 | ⭐ 4/5
Notable Features:
- 29 rotating beer taps
- late-night menu for when the game goes into overtime,
- pool tables
- deals on mimosas for daytime matches
2. Bub's @ the Ballpark
Ratings:
🍗 N/A | 🍺 N/A | 📺N/A| 🏀 N/A | ⭐ N/A
Notable Features:
- Located less than a block from Petco Park
- novelty basketball court
- screens every Padres away game
- generous NFL and college football game-day drink deals
3. Nason's Beer Hall
Ratings:
N/A | 🍺 N/A | 📺N/A| 🏀 N/A | ⭐ N/A
Notable Features:
- Retrofitted space dating to the 1900s
- $9 Wagyu hot dog during game-day specials
- 30 flat screens
- 70-foot LED wall, chef-driven menu
4. Whiskey Girl
Ratings:
🍗 N/A | 🍺 N/A | 📺N/A| 🏀 N/A | ⭐ N/A
Notable Features:
- #1 burger in SD according to reviews
- huge and delicious portions
- great happy hour
- fantastic bartender,
5. Gaslamp Tavern
Ratings:
🍗 N/A | 🍺 N/A | 📺N/A| 🏀 N/A | ⭐ N/A
Notable Features:
- Dog friendly atmosphere
- delicious drinks,
- multiple games shown simultaneously,
- excellent service
6. The Field Irish Pub
Ratings:
🍗 N/A | 🍺 N/A | 📺N/A| 🏀 N/A | ⭐ N/A
Notable Features:
- Shipped piece by piece from Ireland
- authentic Irish offerings like Fish and Chips,
- Sausage Rolls, and Shepherds Pie
- features European football on projector screen
Downtown
1. barleymash
Ratings:
🍗 N/A | 🍺 N/A | 📺N/A| 🏀 N/A | ⭐ N/A
Notable Features:
- One of the liveliest spots downtown
- runner-up for best fries in SDM's 2024 best restaurants list
- four different varieties of loaded mac n' cheese
- place on Sports Illustrated's 2019 list of the best places to watch the Super Bowl
3. Bootlegger
Ratings:
🍗 N/A | 🍺 N/A | 📺N/A| 🏀 N/A | ⭐ N/A
Notable Features:
- Old style saloon
- wide selection of beers,
- craft cocktails to choose from
- happy hour specials, excellent food and service
4. Taste & Thirst
Ratings:
🍗 N/A | 🍺 N/A | 📺N/A| 🏀 N/A | ⭐ N/A
Notable Features:
- 50% off drinks during happy hours
- delicious wings,
- exceptional service,
- happy hour
5. The Deck at Moonshine Flats
Ratings:
🍗 N/A | 🍺 N/A | 📺N/A| 🏀 N/A | ⭐ N/A
Notable Features:
- 165-inch video wall and 16 television screens,
- great for big groups,
- loaded nachos
- smoked chicken wings, brisket fries
Little Italy
1. Shakespeare Pub
Ratings:
🍗 N/A | 🍺 N/A | 📺N/A| 🏀 N/A | ⭐ N/A
Notable Features:
- Opened by British expats in 1990
- fish and chips
- full English breakfast, fish and chips
- Premier League games on TV
2. Bar One
Ratings:
🍗 N/A | 🍺 N/A | 📺N/A| 🏀 N/A | ⭐ N/A
Notable Features:
- Excellent food,
- friendly service
- fun and upbeat atmosphere,
- great location
Pacific Beach
1. The Duck Dive
Ratings:
🍗 4/5 | 🍺 4/5 | 📺4/5| 🏀 5/5| ⭐ 5.5/5
Notable Features:
- PB hot spot with $19 bottomless mimosas for early weekend games
- certified Nebraska Husker bar
- tournament food and drink specials
- beach-centered atmosphere
2. Mavericks Beach Club
Ratings:
🍗 N/A | 🍺 N/A | 📺N/A| 🏀 N/A | ⭐ N/A
Notable Features:
- 40 televisions throughout the space
- tournament packages with drink specials,
- 15,000 sq ft space with 5 indoor/outdoor bars
- tournament packages with drink specials
3. Moonshine Beach
Ratings:
🍗 N/A | 🍺 N/A | 📺N/A| 🏀 N/A | ⭐ N/A
Notable Features:
- In-your-face honky-tonk bar and live music venue
- massive wooden dance floor
- one of the largest LED screens in Southern California
- open every Sunday specifically for 49ers games
4. SD Tap Room
Ratings:
🍗 N/A | 🍺 N/A | 📺N/A| 🏀 N/A | ⭐ N/A
Notable Features:
- Home for Detroit Lions fans in San Diego for the 2024 season, pizza
- burgers, and a wide selection of craft beers
- burgers, and a wide selection of craft beers
- extensive food menu
Mission Beach
1. Sandbar Sports Bar & Grill
Ratings:
🍗 4/5 | 🍺 4/5 | 📺4/5| 🏀 5/5| ⭐ 5.5/5
Notable Features:
- What Makes It Special: A Grove institution with 40 beers on tap and 30+ TVs. This was my go-to during college, and those fish tacos are still legitimately famous among locals. The bocce court outside is perfect for halftime.
- Sports Setup: Over 30 TVs with zone sound control. During UM games, this place is pure chaos—in the best possible way.
- Food & Drink: Those 40 beers on tap aren't just for show. The fish tacos disappear fast during games, and daily drink deals keep costs reasonable for students.
- Atmosphere: Student-friendly pricing and authentic college sports bar energy. Gets loud during big games, but that's part of the charm.
- Special Features: 40 beers on tap, outdoor bocce ball court, fish tacos, student-friendly pricing, trivia nights.
2. Draft at Belmont Park
Ratings:
🍗 N/A | 🍺 N/A | 📺N/A| 🏀 N/A | ⭐ N/A
Notable Features:
- 31-foot LED screen, 70+ beers on tap
- rich American pub fare, baked potato tots,
- one-pound fried mozzarella stick
- deals on beer buckets during NFL games
Old Town
1. Home & Away
Ratings:
🍗 N/A | 🍺 N/A | 📺N/A| 🏀 N/A | ⭐ N/A
Notable Features:
- Home field for Kansas City Chiefs fans
- patio with games like cornhole and ping pong
- dog-friendly
- 12-hour smoked pork and chicken for tacos
Mission Valley
1. McGregor's Bar & Grill
Ratings:
🍗 4/5 | 🍺 4/5 | 📺4/5| 🏀 4/5| ⭐ 4/5
Notable Features:
- Old-school Irish pub
- popular spot for post-game partying after Legion rugby matches and SDSU football games
- pool tables
- live music weekly
2. Novo Brazil Brewing
Ratings:
🍗 N/A | 🍺 N/A | 📺N/A| 🏀 N/A | ⭐ N/A
Notable Features:
- 8,000 square feet of space
- 100 feet of LED video walls
- 3,500-square-foot fire pit
- La Ola Dragon Fruit and Azteks Raspberry flavors created with local teams
3. Bully's East Prime Bistro Sports Bar
Ratings:
🍗 N/A | 🍺 N/A | 📺N/A| 🏀 N/A | ⭐ N/A
Notable Features:
- San Diego staple since the early 1970s
- televisions throughout dining areas
- happy hour specials and game day deals,
- shrimp cocktail and prime rib
North Park
1. Fairplay
Ratings:
🍗 N/A | 🍺 N/A | 📺N/A| 🏀 N/A | ⭐ N/A
Notable Features:
- Home field for the Red Devils of San Diego (Manchester United fan group)
- weekly TV guide on Instagram
- opens early for Premier League matches
- weekly TV guide
2. Pretzels & Pints
Ratings:
🍗 N/A | 🍺 N/A | 📺N/A| 🏀 N/A | ⭐ N/A
Notable Features:
- Philadelphia sports team gathering spot
- specializes in pretzels (Bavarian, Philly, NY-style)
- signature beer cheese
- pizzas and sandwiches
Clairemont Mesa
1. The Bullpen
Ratings:
🍗 4/5 | 🍺 4/5 | 📺4/5| 🏀 4/5| ⭐ 4/5
Notable Features:
- Over 60 TVs and bar bites at reasonable prices
- hooting and hollering on Padres game nights
- fight night viewing parties
- website with daily TV schedule
La Jolla
1. Nautilus Tavern
Ratings:
🍗 N/A | 🍺 N/A | 📺N/A| 🏀 N/A | ⭐ N/A
Notable Features:
- During Padres season offers Machado Platter (wings, onion rings, tots
- mozzarella sticks)
- transforms into "Club Nauti" after games
- La Jolla's only sports bar
2. The Spot La Jolla
Ratings:
🍗 N/A | 🍺 N/A | 📺N/A| 🏀 N/A | ⭐ N/A
Notable Features:
- OG San Diego sports bar dating back to 1915
- purchased in 1978 by Chicago bar owners
- ultimate Chicago transplant hangout for watching all Chicago teams
- ultimate Chicago transplant hangout for watching all Chicago teams
North County
1. PRK 101
Ratings:
🍗 N/A | 🍺 N/A | 📺N/A| 🏀 N/A | ⭐ N/A
Notable Features:
- Disneyland for North County sports fans
- large outdoor TVs
- dog-friendly patio, BBQ menu
- half-off beverages every Monday for Carlsbad locals
2. Draft Republic
Ratings:
🍗 N/A | 🍺 N/A | 📺N/A| 🏀 N/A | ⭐ N/A
Notable Features:
- 100+ beers on tap
- golf simulators (Carlsbad location)
- eight lanes of bowling (San Marcos location),
- shuffleboard, arcade cabinets
3. The Hills Pub
Ratings:
🍗 N/A | 🍺 N/A | 📺N/A| 🏀 N/A | ⭐ N/A
Notable Features:
- Dog-friendly patio
- kitchen open until midnight
- bingo every Tuesday for Gulls tickets
- banh mi nachos, garlic ginger wings
Chula Vista
1. 3N1 Sports Bar
Ratings:
🍗 N/A | 🍺 N/A | 📺N/A| 🏀 N/A | ⭐ N/A
Notable Features:
- Triple-threat venue (restaurant, bar
- live broadcasts of boxing and UFC matches
- karaoke on weekends
- live broadcasts of boxing and UFC matches
2. The Canyon Sports Pub & Grill
Ratings:
🍗 N/A | 🍺 N/A | 📺N/A| 🏀 N/A | ⭐ N/A
Notable Features:
- Popular dive serving homemade micheladas and wings
- screens Padres games weekly
- special viewing parties for boxing and UFC
- homemade micheladas and wings
Pacific Beach
1. SD Tap Room
Ratings:
🍗 N/A | 🍺 N/A | 📺N/A| 🏀 N/A | ⭐ N/A
Notable Features:
- Home for Detroit Lions fans in San Diego for the 2024 season, pizza
- burgers, and a wide selection of craft beers
- burgers, and a wide selection of craft beers
- extensive food menu
Point Loma
1. Slater's 50/50
Ratings:
🍗 N/A | 🍺 N/A | 📺N/A| 🏀 N/A | ⭐ N/A
Notable Features:
- Known for its bacon-beef burgers and craft beers
- contemporary space with plenty of TVs for game days,
- gathering spot for Lions fans
- bacon-beef burgers and craft beers
North Park
1. True North Tavern
Ratings:
🍗 N/A | 🍺 N/A | 📺N/A| 🏀 N/A | ⭐ N/A
Notable Features:
- Delicious food
- great ambiance
- happy hour drinks
- outdoor seating available,
Downtown
2. Bootlegger
Ratings:
🍗 N/A | 🍺 N/A | 📺N/A| 🏀 N/A | ⭐ N/A
Notable Features:
- Old style saloon
- wide selection of beers,
- craft cocktails to choose from
- happy hour specials, excellent food and service
3. Taste & Thirst
Ratings:
🍗 N/A | 🍺 N/A | 📺N/A| 🏀 N/A | ⭐ N/A
Notable Features:
- 50% off drinks during happy hours
- delicious wings,
- exceptional service,
- happy hour
4. The Deck at Moonshine Flats
Ratings:
🍗 N/A | 🍺 N/A | 📺N/A| 🏀 N/A | ⭐ N/A
Notable Features:
- 165-inch video wall and 16 television screens,
- great for big groups,
- loaded nachos
- smoked chicken wings, brisket fries
Little Italy
1. Bar One
Ratings:
🍗 N/A | 🍺 N/A | 📺N/A| 🏀 N/A | ⭐ N/A
Notable Features:
- Excellent food,
- friendly service
- fun and upbeat atmosphere,
- great location
East Village
1. Social Tap
Ratings:
🍗 N/A | 🍺 N/A | 📺N/A| 🏀 N/A | ⭐ N/A
Notable Features:
- Amazing food and catering
- phenomenal event manager,
- bar stayed open for after party,
- great selection of craft beers,
2. Punch Bowl Social
Ratings:
🍗 N/A | 🍺 N/A | 📺N/A| 🏀 N/A | ⭐ N/A
Notable Features:
- Endless entertainment options including bowling and arcade games
- spacious layout
- sweet potato & carnitas fries
- Knockoff Burger, craft cocktails
Ocean Beach
1. Wonderland Ocean Pub
Ratings:
🍗 N/A | 🍺 N/A | 📺N/A| 🏀 N/A | ⭐ N/A
Notable Features:
- Located on the West Coast with ocean views from Bird Rock to Sunset Cliffs
- creative cocktails
- seafood-packed menu
- clam chowder-drenched poutine
Pacific Beach
1. Mavericks Beach Club
Ratings:
🍗 N/A | 🍺 N/A | 📺N/A| 🏀 N/A | ⭐ N/A
Notable Features:
- 40 televisions throughout the space
- tournament packages with drink specials,
- 15,000 sq ft space with 5 indoor/outdoor bars
- tournament packages with drink specials
2. Moonshine Beach
Ratings:
🍗 N/A | 🍺 N/A | 📺N/A| 🏀 N/A | ⭐ N/A
Notable Features:
- In-your-face honky-tonk bar and live music venue
- massive wooden dance floor
- one of the largest LED screens in Southern California
- open every Sunday specifically for 49ers games
Seaport Village
1. Mike Hess Brewing - Seaport Village
Ratings:
🍗 N/A | 🍺 N/A | 📺N/A| 🏀 N/A | ⭐ N/A
Notable Features:
- Flatscreen televisions throughout two levels
- house beers
- tacos and burritos from Quiero Tacos
- buzzing outdoor patio
Mission Beach
1. Draft at Belmont Park
Ratings:
🍗 N/A | 🍺 N/A | 📺N/A| 🏀 N/A | ⭐ N/A
Notable Features:
- 31-foot LED screen, 70+ beers on tap
- rich American pub fare, baked potato tots,
- one-pound fried mozzarella stick
- deals on beer buckets during NFL games
Conclusion
San Diego proves you don’t need a home team to have an amazing NFL viewing experience. The city’s diverse sports bars cater to fans of every team, creating mini-communities of like-minded fans each Sunday during football season.
From high-energy downtown spots with massive screens to laid back neighborhood bars where the bartenders remember your usual order, San Diego’s sports bar scene combines the city’s famous hospitality with serious football passion. Many establishments have cultivated devoted followings of specific team fan bases so whether you’re looking for fellow Packers cheeseheads or want to join the Bills Mafia on the West Coast, there’s a place that feels like home.
The food and drink scene takes the typical sports bar to another level with San Diego’s craft beer excellence and diverse culinary options. From traditional wings and nachos to Baja-inspired eats, game day eating is taken to a whole new level here.Get there early as the most popular spots fill up fast, especially for big games. And with San Diego’s weather, don’t forget to check out the outdoor options where you can enjoy sunshine and touchdowns at the same time.
Local or visitor, San Diego’s sports bars have the perfect mix of passionate fans, good food and drink and that SoCal vibe that makes watching football here like nowhere else.
Bibliography
- Local Publications
- Novak, Cole. “20 of the Best Sports Bars in San Diego, by Neighborhood.” San Diego Magazine. April 2024.
- Abate, Mary Beth. “San Diego’s Best Sports Bars for Game Day.” Thrillist. February 2022.
- Popescu, Roxana & Woo, Candice. “The Best Sports Bars in and Around San Diego.” Eater San Diego. January 2025.
- Fan & Nightlife Resources
- Varner, Carmen & Waizinger, Kaylin. “18 Sports Bars in San Diego to Watch Super Bowl LIX.” Locale Magazine. February 2025.
- Thomas, Brad. “San Diego’s Best Sports Bars [Updated 2025].” Say Hey San Diego. January 2025.
- “The Best Sports Bars in San Diego From Downtown to North County.” SoDiego.com. April 2024.
- Team-Specific Resources
- “Detroit Lions bars in San Diego 2024: Find a Lions sports bar near you.” 2nd Home Sports. October 2024.
- “Top 10 San Diego Padres Sports Bars.” Accidental Travel Writer. May 2024.
- “Best San Diego Chargers bar??” Reddit r/Chargers. October 2024.
- Local Tourism & Entertainment Sites
- “Downtown San Diego’s Best Sports Bars for Game Day.” SoDiego.com. April 2024.
- “Best Place To Watch Sports Near San Diego, California.” Google Local Guides. May 2025.
- “Best Sports Bars in San Diego.” Visit San Diego. March 2025.
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