Barney’s Beanery, Broxton Avenue | Courtesy of Barney's Beanery
Football season and fall are almost here, and that means citizens of the City of Angels will be taking their beach bums to the sports bars nearly every day of the week to watch their favorite teams compete. Now that LA has a football team, the stakes are especially high, and interest has peaked. Not sure where to go to watch the big game? These are the best bars where fans of any sport will be welcomed with a beer, cheer, and an unbeatable atmosphere.
Q’s Billiards Club
Sports Center
Q's Billiard Club & Restaurant, Los Angeles | Courtesy of Q's
Owned by Barney’s Beanery (also on this list), Q’s Billiards Club knows how to do big sports games right. Expect plenty of seating for large parties to all gather around and watch the game together – they will even cover some of the many pool tables to accommodate extra guests. They also have great bar food, pitchers of beer to go all around, and even a patio where patrons can watch the game al fresco while enjoying the sunshine.
It sounds like a touristy Mexican restaurant, but for some reason, Cabo Cantina is a hot spot for sports fans. Maybe it’s because they have two-for-one 24-ounce margaritas pretty much all day, every day, or maybe it’s because Tuesdays are all-you-can-eat tacos for one price. Either way, it’s a great place to snack on a heaping pile of nachos while screaming for your team to score.
Barney’s Beanery, Broxton Avenue | Courtesy of Barney's Beanery
Talk about a sports lover’s dream. Barney’s Beanery features hundreds of TVs, with at least one at every booth. They also have shuffleboard, pool tables, and foosball games to play, and just about every sports channel you can get. It’s been a staple in LA since the first location opened on Santa Monica Blvd in West Hollywood in 1920, and now, there’s even one in the airport. They have the most quintessential greasy, delicious bar food you’ll find in the city. The Westwood location also has great daily specials on beer and cocktails that will get a lot of bang for your buck.
Owned by a native Chicago family, O’Brien’s on Main is a haven for sports fans who may also be transplants from other cities. If avid hockey and football fans are looking for a specific game that isn’t as West Coast oriented, they’re sure to find it on here, with other compatriots also watching it. Located right off Main Street in Santa Monica, it’s dark, dingy, and makes customers feel like they’re in a real Irish pub.
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There are two main locations of Busby’s, East or West, and they each serve up macho sports fun in large servings. Each restaurant has multiple rooms and bars; therefore, they can deal with big crowds without it being too difficult to get a drink. In addition, they have lots of games in the backrooms like ski ball, basketball hoops, and other arcade games – there’s even a mini golf course inside! They also hold beer pong tournaments so that you can compete while you watch the real athletes compete on the big screens.
Los Angeles has its fair share of Irish gastropubs and divey venues, but Molly Malone’s is one of the most esteemed. Known for their great service and even better musical acts at night, this family-owned establishment has been open for decades. They’re sure to have all the important games on during the daytime and will even project it on a large screen in one of the back rooms. Plus, their cocktails are some of the best on Fairfax.
