Paul Kushner
The City of Angels might be known for its glitz and glamor, but I’m a fan of the sports scene.
Whether I’m angling to find a spot to while away a lazy Sunday or want to celebrate a championship event with a few dozen strangers, I know that I’ll find something to entertain myself at one of the many fun places to get a drink scattered throughout La-La Land.
To save you the trouble of scrolling through Yelp reviews, I’ve rounded up a list of the best sports bars in LA.
Barney’s Beanery
8447 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
Phone: (323) 654-2287
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Decked out in roadhouse-style decor, Barney’s Beanery is an inviting little juke joint nestled in the heart of West Hollywood, just a few blocks from the iconic Sunset Strip.
Thanks to its laid-back atmosphere and extensive drink list– including Barney’s IPA and Blonde– this casual sports bar is a great place to meet up with your buds and enjoy some suds.
The Greyhound Bar & Grill
5570 N Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90042
Phone: (323) 900-0300
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Located in Highland Park near the iconic Griffith observatory, The Greyhound Bar & Grill is a choice spot for a laidback night.
The gastropub atmosphere is cozy, and I appreciate their wide selection of local brews, like El Segunda Brewing’s Citra Pale Ale.
My favorite time to stop by is during Lovely Hour from 3:00-5:30 when I can get a Penicillin cocktail and an Onion Smash Burger for less than $20 to gear up for game night.
Brennan’s
4089 Lincoln Blvd, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
Phone: (424) 443-5119
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If you’re looking for a chill spot to catch a Sunday game, check out Brennan’s in Marina Del Rey.
This Irish sports bar on Lincoln Blvd. is known for its backyard-style atmosphere and tasty drinks, including some unique finds like Hello Grapefruit and Lil Bo Pils.
Don’t forget to catch one of their infamous turtle races while you’re there!
The Garage on Motor Ave
3387 Motor Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90034
Phone: (310) 559-3400
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The Garage on Motor Ave in LA, near the UCLA campus, has a diehard commitment to sports bar stardom, given that they’ve invested in hanging thirty TVs throughout their fine establishment.
They also have an impressive craft beer selection, with over 20 beers on tap and a full bar menu.
Wirtshaus German Restaurant & Beer Garden
345 N La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Phone: (323) 931-9291
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When you’re craving a taste of Deutschland in the heart of Hollywood, it doesn’t get much better than Wirtshaus.
I daydream all year about Glühwein Season when I can sip on hot mulled wine and dust housemade Apple Strudel crumbs off my shirt while I’m making a ruckus with the rest of the patrons about a technical foul.
Laces Bar
125 N Western Ave #108, Los Angeles, CA 90004
Phone: (323) 498-5098
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Anytime I’m in downtown LA, you can expect to see me making a beeline for Lace’s Bar, a local retro dive with an entire chandelier (shoe-delier?) made out of Chuck Taylor’s.
Get the Stone Patio Magic on draft with a Pressed Cuban sandwich; even the most terrible ref calls won’t feel like such a big deal. It’s that good.
Firestone Walker Brewing Company – The Propagator
3205 Washington Blvd, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
Phone: (310) 439-8264
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I head to Firestone by LAX for most date nights because it’s just fancy enough to justify wearing a sports coat.
We like to whet our whistles on one of their rotating selections of Barrelworks and Propagator Beer before splitting a Rustica Carne pie and Blueberry Streusel.
33 Taps Silver Lake
3725 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026
Phone: (323) 338-7777
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I have some advice that will change your life: Next time you’re nursing a Sunday morning hungover near Sunset Junction, go to 33 Taps Silver Lake and order a Michelada with Breakfast Tacos.
It might not eliminate the headache, but it’ll definitely take the edge off.
Sonny McLean’s Irish Pub
2615 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90403
Phone: (310) 449-1811
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For a classic Irish pub experience, Sonny McLean’s is the place to go.
Located in Santa Monica on Wilshire Boulevard, they’re serving up generous helpings of Bangers & Mash and Shepherd’s Pie with one of the most awe-inspiring tap selections of craft beer in the city.
Go for the Weihenstephaner Hefe-Weissbier, a wheat beer from the world’s oldest brewery.
Founders Ale House
8771 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90035
Phone: (424) 777-0079
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Founder’s Ale House is an excellent spot for a casual night out, and it’s just a few blocks from the Beverly Hills area.
I like to meet up with the boys for Fried Chicken Sliders, Four Roses Old Fashioneds, and football, or as we call it, “The All-American Trio.”
Blue Dog Beer Tavern
4524 Saugus Ave, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
Phone: (818) 990-2583
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Blue Dog Beer Tavern is, by far, one of my absolute favorite sports bars in town.
The atmosphere is super welcoming, and their patio is perfect for grabbing a brew, watching the game, and enjoying great food.
Try their burger – it’s seriously the best in the Valley.
The Nickel Mine
11363 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025
Phone: (818) 538-7401
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The Nickel Mine has everything you could ask for if you’re looking for fun places to go out in LA: big screens, New York-style pizza, and some top-notch brews.
If you like nitro-style dessert ales, ask for a pint of Cali Creamin from Mother Earth Brew Co. Trust me; you won’t be disappointed.
Pijja Palace
2711 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026
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Want to shake up your standard rotation of where to get a drink on Sunset Blvd?
Pijja Palace is not what I would classify as your “typical” sports bar, but it has all the fundamentals plus some mind-blowing Indian Fusion food.
Do the Taj Mahal Lager and a Green Tikka Pijja; you might never order bar wings again.
Legends Restaurant & Sports Bar
5236 2nd St, Long Beach, CA 90803
Phone: (562) 433-5743
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After a long day of chasing the kids around Universal Studios, what could be better than cracking open a cold one at Legends while you unwind with your family at your side and the game on a 240-inch screen?
Order a Belching Beaver Milk Stout bottle and enjoy those silky smooth nitro bubbles.
Big Dean’s Ocean Front Café
1615 Ocean Front Walk, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Phone: (310) 393-2666
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Big Dean’s Ocean Front Café is THE spot for sports fans. Just Santa Monica Pier, Big Dean’s has a retro, beach-bum vibe perfect for catching a game and enjoying the ocean breeze.
They have a decent selection of local and craft beers, but I always get suckered in by the classic Corona and lime combo.
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