Fun Sports Bars To Visit In New Orleans

Watching any sports match at a bar is a unique experience in itself – however, doing so in New Orleans is (to borrow an Obama line) “a whole ‘nother level of cool.” Whether it’s because the Big Easy houses some of the world’s most loyal fans, or that the city loves to toast to any potentially memorable sports celebration, NOLA sets the bar when it comes to getting together to root for a team. So if your favourite team has a game during your NOLA vacation, here are seven fun spots where you can catch the match.

1. The Bulldog Uptown

The Bulldog Uptown

Known for its Wednesday happy hours, The Bulldog Uptown is a beer tavern located in the heart of the city’s famous entertainment district – Magazine Street. Offering more than 48 brews on tap (mostly craft and local), over 100+ bottled beers and a full selection of cocktails, this dog-friendly joint also features award-winning pub fare, patio seating and a huge, outdoor TV screen where sports lovers can watch any major sports match. The Bulldog, which has won titles such as ‘Best Beer Selection’ and ‘Best Bar Food,’ opens weekly starting 11:30am, and on Saturdays and Sundays at 11am.

3236 Magazine St, New Orleans, Louisiana 70115, +1 504 891 1516

The Bulldog’s famous tap fountain, courtesy of The Bulldog Uptown.

2. Markey’s Bar

Markey’s Bar

A local favorite, Markey’s Bar is a laid-back dive bar in New Orleans’ Faubourg Marigny/Bywater district. Famous for its Monday night Trivia, this neighborhood staple, religiously frequented on Sundays by WHO DAT worshippers, features inexpensive drinks, over 27 craft beers on tap, pool tables, dartboards and a shuffleboard, as well as a hard-to-beat happy hour, which runs from 11am until six in the afternoon on Fridays. Perfect for those looking to experience the game with a local atmosphere feel, Markey’s opens daily from 2pm, except for Saturdays and Sundays, when the pub starts running at 11am.

640 Louisa St, New Orleans, Louisiana 70117, +1 504 943 0785

https://instagram.com/p/BLoiN5Wgcrc/?taken-at=1467479

3. American Sports Saloon

Bar, Pub Grub, Wine, Beer, Cocktails

Hailed as one of the French Quarter’s best sports bars, American Sports Saloon first opened its doors in the late 1890s. This Decatur Street tavern, which houses the largest second floor public balcony in the Quarter, serves typical sports bar food, on tap and bottled brews, and specialty cocktails from Sunday through Thursday starting at 11 am, and at nine in the morning on Fridays and Saturdays. Because they’re subscribed to every sports package (NFL Sunday Ticket, NBA League Pass, NHL Center Ice, MLB Extra Innings, to name a few), the American Sports Saloon, whose views overlook the historic French Market, Gov. Nicholls and Decatur Street, is the go-to spot for those looking to catch the game near all of the city’s main attractions.

5. The Rusty Nail

The Rusty Nail

Opened in 2006, The Rusty Nail is a dive bar meets hip downtown pub located in the Big Easy’s Lower Garden District. Ranging from Monday cheesesteaks and Tuesday po’boys to Wednesday tamales and Thursday burgers, this urban oasis features an eclectic food truck/pop-up line-up, as well as specialty cocktails, local and regional beers, a vast scotch selection, and live music. A must-visit destination for both local and traveling crowds, the Nail, which bills itself as the ideal spot for watching the game, catching-up with friends or just simply unwinding from the daily hustle, opens at 4pm from Monday through Thursday, 2pm on Fridays, and 12 noon on weekends.

1100 Constance St, New Orleans, Louisiana 70130, +1 504 525 5515

The Rusty Nail outdoor patio, courtesy of The Rusty Nail.

6. Finn McCool’s Irish Pub

Finn McCool’s Irish Pub

Voted the best neighborhood bar in New Orleans, Finn McCool’s is an Irish pub located in New Orleans’ Mid-City neighborhood. This Belfast-born tavern is known for featuring across-the-world football leagues including Bundesliga, Premier League, La Liga, as well as all US national team games, major tournaments such as the World Cup, UEFA European Championship, and other mainstays of the viewing experience. It opened in the Crescent City in 2002 and since then has marked its place among the city’s main sports bars. All inside a laid-back atmosphere, Finn McCool’s, named after the legendary Irish folklore giant, provides grade-A service and affordable drinks every day of the week starting at 11 am.

3701 Banks St, New Orleans, Louisiana 70119, +1 504 486 9080

7. Barcadia New Orleans

Barcadia New Orleans

Located in New Orleans’ Central Business District, Barcadia New Orleans is a gastropub known by locals as the go-to spot for big sport matches. While this downtown hangout, open daily from 11am until 2am, offers delicious burgers, wraps, and a vast list of craft beers, their best feature is perhaps their gaming bar, which includes everything from arcade machines to board games. Aside from its game room fun, Barcadia is home to a back-end lounge called ‘Ohm’ – a contemporary Asian-themed eatery and social club where guests can enjoy food, specialty cocktails, and live music.

601 Tchoupitoulas St, New Orleans, Louisiana 70130, +1 504 335 1740

Barcadia New Orleans dining room, courtesy of Barcadia New Orleans.

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