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SF Sports Bars: My 20 Top Picks
By: Jill Loeffler • Updated: September 8, 2025
Are you looking for the best SF sports bars? My list offers a variety of options in Fisherman's Wharf, Union Square, downtown SF, and all around the city.
You'll find options for NFL, MLB, and NBA games. You'll also find great places to watch college football, hockey, and soccer.
You can also watch one of the local teams, such as the San Francisco Giants, Golden State Warriors, or the San Francisco 49ers.
Some of these are dedicated sports bars, and others are regular bars or restaurants with various TVs around the establishment.
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5 Best Sports Bars Near Fisherman's Wharf
You will find several sports bars near Fisherman's Wharf. These are just a few of my favorites.
1. San Francisco Brewing Company
The San Francisco Brewing Company offers a selection of craft beers made on-site and an excellent menu of locally sourced dishes.
Their latest beer – Karl (named after our famous fog) – is a delightful New England-style IPA at 6.8% and full of flavor.
The Alcatraz Amber is a favorite of mine, and you can try experimental brews pulled straight from the tank – a unique experience in SF sports bars.
For beer lovers, this is a classic sports bar that needs to be on your bucket list. It's worth keeping up-to-date with their events list, as there's always something happening.
Location: Ghirardelli Square
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Best Fisherman's Wharf Activities and Tours
2. The Red Jack Saloon
The Red Jack Saloon is a busy and lively bar offering a vast range of craft beers and sports on TV. A friendly welcome is always on hand, and the menu is as expected from this type of bar, plus a few little extras.
This is the sort of bar you'll chance upon once in a while – it's popular with locals and tourists – and is strongly recommended by many satisfied customers.
It is a true New England-style bar in a great San Francisco location.
Address: 131 Bay Street (Fisherman's Wharf)
3. International Sports Club
Sometimes all you want is a simple and traditional bar where you can hang out, make friends, and try a choice of delicious beers from far and wide. And, if you are looking for a bit more, a game of pool and sports on the TV might also help.
I especially love visiting the International Sports Club when the pool tables are free or there are great happy hour deals.
But no matter when you visit, you'll get a fun, friendly, and often lively bar that attracts a cool crowd of sports fans and beer-loving tourists.
Address: 1000 Columbus Avenue (North Beach)
4. The Boardroom
Often reviewed as one of the greatest bars in San Francisco, The Boardroom is a trendy joint frequented by beer and sports lovers and a fun place to try some of the beers on offer.
With 20 taps to choose from, you have a great choice!
The Boardroom is also famous for its stunning Irish coffee – made with its homemade Bailey's recipe – and shows major sports on the large TV screens.
An outdoor patio is perfect for soaking up the sun and enjoying brunch from the excellent menu. It's well worth a visit if you're in town.
Address: 1600 Powell Street in North Beach
5. Players Sports Grill & Arcade
Located on the iconic Pier 39 is Players Sports Bar and Arcade, a must for sports and beer fans, offering 35 TVs and 15 beers from around the world on tap.
A lively, friendly, and popular destination, this is the place if you're looking for a traditional American sports bar experience.
Burgers and pizzas are staples of the menu, and the wonderful Luau lounge provides views of San Francisco Bay and Alcatraz Island.
Location: Pier 39
>> More things to see and do in Fisherman's Wharf
5 Best Sports Bars in Union Square and Downtown SF
You will also find various places to watch the game near Union Square and Downtown SF.
1. Bartlett Hall
Bartlett Hall is famed for its superb small-batch brews of ales and lagers with a seven-barrel brewery on site. Using traditional brewing methods to ensure quality and taste, the bar is a wonderful place to drink and choose lunch or dinner from a menu including pub classics and burgers.
If cocktails are your thing, then Bartlett Hall is among the best destinations for you, but for us, it has to be the ales. What could be better than traditional fish and chips and a pint in such delightful surroundings?
Address: 242 O'Farrell Street
>> More great bars around Union Square
>> More places to eat in Union Square
2. Royal Exchange
A traditional long bar lined with high stools is hard to find, but the Royal Exchange offers you exactly that. A wide choice of carefully curated ales – try the famous San Francisco favorite Anchor Steam's Steam Beer for one – and a great traditional food menu make this a superb hangout for locals and sports fans.
Welcoming, friendly, and accommodating, this bar offers old-school charm with 21 TVs showing the big matches and events, and you'll love the ambiance and the expert service behind the bar.
Address: 301 Sacramento Street
>> More things to see and do in downtown SF
3. The Lark
Colorful and friendly, and with a great choice of quality beers, The Lark is a fine choice if you want to watch the big games with a delicious ale.
For whisky – or whiskey–lovers, this is the place with possibly the most extensive selection of Scottish, Irish, and American varieties in all of San Francisco.
This is a bar for catching up with old friends, winding down after a long week at work, and simply relaxing and enjoying fine ales and a great choice of spirits. Lark Bar is an experience you cannot miss in San Francisco.
Address: 685 Market Street
>> More things to see and do in the South of Market District
4. The Chieftain Irish Pub & Restaurant
Nobody does traditional pubs as well as the Irish, and I can strongly recommend a trip to The Chieftain for an enjoyable pub experience like no other.
Showing American and European football plus matches from around the world, this lively yet relaxed bar is one for the true pub connoisseur and is rated among the best sports bars in SF.
Traditional burgers, bangers and mash, and other pub classics can be washed down with a glass of San Francisco Brewing Company's Pale Ale, one of the many delightful pumps, bottled ales, and lagers that they offer. Try The Chieftain once, and I guarantee you'll be back for more.
Address: 198 5th Street
5. BuzzWorks
Sports fans love the 30 screens on two levels, where you can watch games with sound! BuzzWorks has become a popular gathering spot for KC Chiefs fans, but if you're a fan of any sport, you'll see every championship round of your favorites playing here.
They offer 40 taps with a great selection of craft beer, as well as a full bar, a lively atmosphere, friendly service, two pool tables, and foosball.
This one is on the southwestern edge of downtown, between SOMA, the Civic Center, and the Mission District.
Address: 365 11th Street
10 Other Great Options around the City
You will also find a variety of great locations to watch sports throughout San Francisco. Many of these attract a large number of locals, making them awesome places to hang out and watch games.
1. Rikki’s
This highly anticipated spot recently made its debut as a women’s sports bar and doubles as a lesbian bar. The idea sparked when the two co-owners met playing in SF’s queer soccer club.
They are dedicated to showing women’s professional and collegiate teams, but sports fans will also be able to watch Warriors, Giants, and 49ers games on the bar’s 15 screens. (The timing couldn’t be more perfect, as SF’s new Golden State Valkyries emerge on the WNBA scene this 2025 season.)
Drinks range from creative craft cocktails like the “Queen is King” (named after tennis legend Billie Jean King) to local beers on tap.
Their food menu includes pub hits—such as a beer-battered fish and chips, a smashburger, and a cornflake-crusted hot chicken sandwich—as well as Californian fare, like a vegan beet burger and roasted, spiced carrots with feta dip.
Address: 2223 Market Street
>> More things to check out in the Castro District
2. Richmond Republic Draught House
One of my favorite bars in SF is Richmond Republic Draught House. This is a locals' bar, but don't let that put you off, as there's always a friendly and welcoming crowd in this pub, which specializes in draft ales.
The list changes regularly as barrels are exchanged, but the favorite on the current menu is the superb Mango Hard Seltzer produced from tiny Fick's Beverage Co. in San Francisco. They also have a wide selection of ales, pilsners, and other beers that you will love.
With so many choices here, including barleywines, and TVs that show loads of games, this is the sort of bar you will visit and wish you lived locally – or you may be lucky enough to do so!
Address: 642 Clement Street
>> More to see and do in the Richmond District
3. Splash at Thrive City
Splash does upscale sports bar on a huge scale with its 1,400-square-foot mega-screen that ensures no one misses the game.
Located right outside the Chase Center, this place comes alive with a level of excitement that matches the arena itself. They have delicious cocktails on hand, as well as wine and beers on tap.
This spacious bar's sleek modern design with wrap-around screens and games like golf simulators, shuffleboard, and foosball keep everyone entertained.
The menu offers elevated pub fare, including their take on pizza, burgers, tacos, and fish and chips. Definitely worth a visit if you're in the area, especially when there's a Warriors home game happening right next door.
Address: 191 Warriors Way (Mission Bay)
4. Nickie's Bar & Restaurant
Offering a menu of traditional pub fare cooked to the highest standard by an in-house chef, Nickie's is a go-to destination for sports, good food, and beer lovers in the Lower Haight region of SF.
A friendly and welcoming pub with a choice of classic beers alongside craft ales and fine wines, this is where you can relax with a pint and watch NFL and other major sports.
I like the Scrimshaw Pilsner – a fresh and delightful lager that goes perfectly with the house Irish Breakfast, and there is plenty to choose from if you are an ale fan. A great place to hang out, and it is highly recommended.
Address: 466 Haight Street (Lower Haight district)
5. Hi Tops Sports Bar
Being that San Francisco is known as the "Gay Mecca of the World," a visit to our fair city wouldn't be complete without going to the Hi Top. It is famous for being a LGBTQI bar and a sports bar, so it is a must-visit.
Few sports bars in San Francisco have as exciting an atmosphere when a game is on as the Hi Tops Bar. To say this place gets lively is an understatement – it is usually packed solid! That doesn't detract from its appeal, as a session at Hi Tops is a must-try experience when in the city.
Burgers and other pub classics fill the menu, and when it comes to ale, I recommend the superb Temescal Pils from Temescal Brewing produced just across the bay in Oakland, among many other excellent choices.
There is nowhere else like this place, so if a fun and lively atmosphere is your thing, try Hi Tops.
Address: 2247 Market Street (Castro District)
6. The Kezar Pub
The home of Liverpool FC fans in San Francisco, The Kezar Pub is a traditional American sports bar and offers a great atmosphere, a superb selection of beers, and good pub food.
A welcoming and friendly pub that is easy-going and enjoyable at all times gets lively during matches and is equipped with 20 TVs.
A classic choice would be fish and chips washed down with one of the superb IPAs, and there is plenty of choice for lager lovers.
It doesn't get much better if you're looking for a pub in the Haight-Ashbury district.
Address: 770 Stanyan Street
>> More about the Haight-Ashbury district
7. Dogpatch Saloon
Proudly established in 1912, this neighborhood watering hole is a cozy staple for locals that offers specialty cocktails, interesting beers on tap, and a cool, friendly vibe.
This low-key SF sports bar has plenty of screens with games on, but it's not really the focus. The atmosphere is laid-back and doesn't get too wild, so it's great for those traveling with a mix of sports fans and non-sports fans.
Step into a piece of San Francisco history and enjoy the Dogpatch Saloon! Open until 2 am daily.
Address: 2496 3rd Street (Dogpatch)
8. Bus Stop Saloon
Another timeless local favorite, this historic saloon has been a family-run business in the Cow Hollow district since 1900.
This place gets lively and crowded when a game is on. You will find it buzzing with NFL and college football fans every weekend during the season.
When it's not too busy, you also have your choice of pool and a few other games. They are known to go through five bottles of Fernet per day.
Address: 1901 Union Street (Cow Hollow)
9. 1920Bar
Classic pub food and great beers, plus arcade games and sports on TVs, make 1920Bar an appealing destination for a bite to eat, a cold pint, and a wonderful location to watch the big game.
A friendly and traditional bar with a modern touch, this is a great pub that is mellow but also fun and gets jumping when the games are on. Also, their Jalapeno Bomb with crab meat and spicy salmon is not to be missed!
A choice of draft, canned, and bottled ales, with many of them imported from Japan, makes this unlike any bar you will find elsewhere in "The City by the Bay." Make sure to check out the Koshihikari Echigo beer if you can!
Address: 1808 Clement Street (Outer Richmond)
10. The Wreck Room
This popular watering hole right on the California cable car line in Nob Hill is like a dive bar meets sports bar meets arcade.
They have multiple TVs adorning the walls, as well as fun games like pool, darts, shuffleboard, skee-ball, and even a boxing machine.
Regulars love the fun, no-nonsense vibes and the strong but affordable drinks.
Address: 1390 California Street
>> Discover more of the Nob Hill neighborhood
Hi, I’m Jill!
I’ve been sharing San Francisco travel advice since 2009 and have helped millions of people explore the city like a local. Whether you’re dreaming of sea lions, cable cars, or a great sourdough bread bowl, I’m here to help you plan an unforgettable trip with real tips from someone who actually lives here.
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