Houstonia Magazine 2799 Katy Freeway, Suite 250, Houston, TX 77007 Phone: 713-862-4570 • Fax: 713-862-4606

By Claire Anderson and Geneva Diaz

Root for the home team (and good beer) at one of these Houston sports bars.

Image: Shutterstock/Monkey Business Images

BATTER UP, SPORTS FANS. With the Astros (hopefully) on their way to the World Series, the Rockets’ first home game of the season upon us, and football season in full swing, there’s a chance you’ve already been watching The Game—whichever one—from somewhere. Do you miss debating over who will win the game with your fellow Houston fans? Or crave a cold, local beer with tailgate-style bites like cheesy nachos and juicy burgers? 

From organic grub and punny cocktails, to walls covered in HDTVs and sprawling patios, these local sports bars will bring you the best upbeat spectator sport environments that you’re looking for. No matter where in the city you call home base, there’s a space for you to sit back with friends old and new, sip a cold one, and enjoy the game —in whatever style you choose.

Only local and organic food is served at On the Kirb’s three Houston locations, spanning Upper Kirby, Midtown, and Katy. Each location offers a slightly different menu, but expect to find an eclectic variety of food and drink at each to enjoy while football season is in full swing. Choose from authentic Italian-style pizza, signature steaks, salads, and vegetarian-friendly burgers (also regular ol’ beef patties) on the food menu. Order one of their signature cocktails like That One Thyme at Band Camp, a classic movie reference made drinkable with Austin-brewed Tito’s Handmade Vodka , grapefruit juice, and a thyme sprig garnish. 

Patterson Park is a dog-friendly patio sports bar in the Heights, with food trucks, cocktails, and a variety of happy hour specials throughout the week (bikers receive ten percent off seven days a week). The sports bar offers a revolving food truck schedule with different cuisines to pair with a glass of wine, draft beer, or unique cocktails like Booker Tea, a boozy variation of one of Texas’s other favorite drinks, sweet tea. Plus, the laid-back patio bar atmosphere makes watching any major sports team win an even bigger community event.

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This Montrose sports bar has a lot to offer. It boasts 45 65-inch HDTVs and two gigantic HD video walls for watching all major sporting events in high-tech, ultra-modern style. The bar is always offering watch parties for Astros playoffs, UFC fights, and college football season. Their cocktail menu offers signature, seasonal, and classic drinks, along with 25 local craft beers to go with your choice of pizza, burgers, or calamari. You can also rent out the bar for private events. Be sure to keep an eye on their Instagram for other social events, like Friday night happy hour with live music from local bands.

Come to Nick’s Place for some authentic Italian cuisine, and the 40 TVs playing soccer, rugby, baseball, college football, and probably any other sport you can think of, thanks to the wide variety of sports channels they offer. Even if you’re not so into sports, you can still order something for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, or just a cup of coffee. Take your pick of a morning shot of espresso made with imported Italian espresso beans, or an espresso martini for after dinner, made with vodka and Kahlua liqueur. Check out their  Twitter  page to get frequent updates on which games are playing, as well as daily specials and discounts. 

The Den is a standard on-campus student haunt with Cougar football on the big screens, 30 craft beers on tap, and basic eats to choose from. The menu also includes a full liquor selection and basic bar food bites like the sandwiches, chips and queso, the chicken tender basket, and brisket fries. The walls are decked out with eight flat screen TVs and a 200-inch projection screen; the most ideal situation when watching multiple games.

Named after Astros legend Craig Biggio, this Downtown bar located at the Marriott Marquis Hotel is right by Discovery Green. Their menu offers sporty signature drinks like Double Play Lemonade, and over 20 beers from local breweries. Food to snack on during the "big game" includes smoked meats and other BBQ options, tacos, and a classic pecan pie or strawberry cheesecake. Speaking of watching the game, you can do that here on Biggio’s two 30-feet HDTV screens, or the 30 other TVs throughout the bar. Sounds like a home run of a drinking, dining, and viewing experience.

A post shared by Biggio's Sports Bar (@biggiosbar)

With locations all over Houston and a huge variety of special and seasonal events  (including movie trivia, weiner dog and turtle races—although thankfully, not at the same time), there’s always something going on at a Little Woodrow’s . Catch every University of Houston college football game of the season while you (and your dog) hang out on the patio with a ranch water and a slice of pizza. You can get your name on the wall at Rice Village for joining the Big 50 Club by drinking every beer on their list, or try your hand at some duckpin bowling at the  Shepherd  location.

This neighborhood sports bar offers games to watch and to play. Order bar snacks from a short and sweet menu of pizza and chips  to eat while you enjoy an Astros game (check their  Instagram  for info on BYOFood events), or c hoose to compete in a foosball, darts, or video game championship with friends. Texas-brewed and imported beers are available, plus a great selection of both cocktails and mocktails with unique flavors like watermelon, mint chocolate chop, and  CBD-infusion option for any drink . 

Post Oak Ice House, located in the Galleria area, likes to keep it simple. Turn your attention to one of the two 20-foot wide HD projectors or twenty 60-inch HDTVs positioned for your viewing pleasure. Play corn hole out on the patio in between innings while drinking one of the many cold beers that are constantly in rotation. There are also crafted cocktails and spirits, plenty of seating on Adirondack chairs on the patio, and games like Jenga and Connect Four.

Just as their  Instagram  Bio says: “Astros Always On”. If that doesn't sell you, the 50 TVs, two of them measuring over 200 inches, will do the trick. Drift Bar also brings the island vibe to the Heights with their dog-friendly, open-air patio. The venue offers rotating food trucks weekly and a variety of unique drinks like the Oaxacan Old Fashioned, made with tequila, mezcal, and other Mexican and Caribbean flavors, and sweetened with agave. Also on the menu are a number of wines, bubbly included, and draft beers.

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Watch your favorite teams all season long or catch the big games on Social Beer Garden HTX’s big screen TV (and yes, they also show the Dallas Cowboys). There are 44 beers on draft, over 100 craft beers including local Houston breweries (Saint Arnold and Karbach), seltzers, ciders, mead, and kombucha available. For food, they have a rotating food trucks calendar , but the newest thing is a 3-minute pizza carry out machine by Pizza Forno, the only North American automated artisan pizzeria. Choose from various artisan pizza toppings such as pepperoni, barbecue chicken, honey and goat cheese, Hawaiian, and four cheese blend.

This Canadian-themed pub and Midtown neighborhood watering hole has plenty of hockey action—a rare conversation you will hear amongst Texans. Maple Leaf Pub sits across Elgin from Whole Foods and although it’s a longtime home to hockey fans, they show other games and sporting events year-round. The kitchen is open late and the menu includes a cherished poutine, fried jalapeños, and a pickle-flavored beer that everyone should try at least once.

Burger joints in Houston are serious business and Christian's Tailgate, a proper Heights (gastro) Icehouse, is a cult favorite. Load one up with mushrooms, cheese, crispy onion rings, and fiery jalapenos. Other tailgate classics to share with fanatical friends include chicken fajita nachos, mango habanero hot wings, steak fingers, and of course, cheap pitchers of beer. The White Oak location has an open-air concept which is great for good weather days, but all of the Christians Tailgates have an extensive TV spread so you’ll never miss a play.

Toast to your favorite soccer team, and Houston Dynamo legend and owner Brian Ching, at Pitch 25 Beer Park. With nearly 100 beers on tap and a 25,000-square foot venue that includes an indoor soccer pitch and breezy outdoor patio, this beer garden is a soccer fan’s go-to location. Pitch 25 is located just one block from PNC Stadium and known to hold large crowds for watching United States soccer, World Cup matches, Champions League, and all of Houston’s hometown teams and major sporting events. Soak up your beer with chopped BBQ Loaded Fries (or vegetarian cauliflower-made fries) and a Hangover Burger with chipotle, applewood bacon, fried egg, pepper jack cheese, and seasonal jam.

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When it’s too beautiful to stay inside, it’s time to grab the dogs, dress in your favorite sports team’s best, and head over to East End Backyard. This casual and dog-friendly patio has an outdoor projector screen, rotating food trucks, and hard-to-beat cocktails and beer. Aside from being a go-to place for game night, they host other events like paint night, movie night, and Lotería (similar to traditional bingo). 

10/17/2022 By Danielle Wright and Claire Anderson