For football fans, Sunday is the day of the week to look forward to, and seeking out sports-heavy bars and restaurants along with museum and stadium tours is a must. From spots that rock rowdy tailgates to outdoor game-watching parties, here are seven cities that lead the pack on roaringly fun football experiences.
As always, check for travel restrictions and closures before planning your trip.
Phoenix
If game day tickets aren’t in the mix, football fans in Phoenix should hit the Caesars Sportsbook at Chase Field, a massive facility and hub for food, games and more in downtown Phoenix. The indoor-outdoor space is covered in sports-ready LED screens and home to game-friendly grub at spots like Guy Fieri DTPHX Kitchen + Bar and Cold Beers & Cheeseburgers, a spot perched high above left field inside Chase Field.
Hash Kitchen is a popular spot for brunching with friends and family. Choose from hashes, over-the-top pancakes, unique brunch eats and creative remixes on classic brunch cocktails. One of the restaurant’s locations is in Peoria, just north of State Farm Stadium.
If you’re looking to grab a bite while catching a football game in downtown Phoenix, consider the cocktail-forward bars Bitter & Twisted or Little Rituals. For an urban cultural stop, head to the trendy Roosevelt Row Arts District and try one of the many breweries, such as the Pedal Haus Brewery or Arizona Wilderness DTPHX, that all serve tasty bites and homemade brews.
Dallas
Dallas’s Uptown and Victory Park neighborhoods are sports-heavy, with a variety of great bars and restaurants for large groups of fans. If you are looking for a more local feel, head over to Deep Ellum and have a drink at Backyard. If you want another option for a hip dive bar with some of the best bar food in town, Stan’s Blue Note in Lower Greenville also offers karaoke and trivia nights.
For an outdoor bar option, Christies is a place for sweeping city views from the rooftop. If you are curious to see what game day is like behind the scenes, take the VIP Tour of the AT&T Stadium, located 20 minutes from Dallas in Arlington, Texas.
Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh boasts 90 unique neighborhoods, with most being home to sports fanatics. The North Shore is home to two of the city’s major sports venues, Heinz Field and PNC Park, and one of the most popular nearby options for sports viewing downtown is Redbeard’s.
Or head across the bridge to Pittsburgh’s South Side neighborhood to watch multiple games on a number of screens along with eye-catching memorabilia at the Carson City Saloon.
To keep warm and stay toasty on Sundays, Local Bar + Kitchen on the South Side has the city’s largest heated, enclosed rooftop deck. Make sure to engage in local sports history with a visit to the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum, located inside the Senator John Heinz History Center in the Strip District.
Seattle
The city’s original neighborhood, Pioneer Square, sits adjacent to Lumen Field, so you can easily access Seattle’s pre- or post-game activities. College football fans should pay a visit to the University District.
For a unique experience while watching football, Flatstick Pub features a miniature golf course along with TVs so you can catch up on games between holes. For outdoor sports bar options, head to LTD Bar & Grill, or if you prefer water views, The Dock Sports Bar & Grill.
Lumen Field offers stadium tours, which give fans an up-close and personal look at behind-the-scenes areas and views. Also, if you want to shop for your team’s gear before the game, Marshawn Lynch’s popular Beast Mode lifestyle brand has a traveling apparel truck in Seattle.
Boston
A good place to start your sports tour in Boston is in the North End, in particular, Hanover Street, which becomes animated during football season. For a good sampling of bars in the area, North Street Grille is a lively spot. Then, after the game, head to Faneuil Hall and The Black Rose if you’re looking for great people-watching.
Located in nearby Foxborough, Massachusetts, Gillette Stadium, is worth a visit and has become a beacon for football enthusiasts.
Cleveland
To get revved up during game day, downtown Cleveland is your spot. On Sundays, the Lakefront Municipal Parking Lot (locally referred to as “muni lot”) is popular for tailgating, while one of the best places for watch parties is at Barley House.
Check out downtown Cleveland bars that show a variety of games on their screens, like The Winking Lizard or City Tap. If you feel inclined to be outside, visit Thirsty Dog in the Flats or head to Market Garden in Ohio City, both boasting spacious seating areas with large televisions.
To experience a restaurant owned by a onetime Cleveland Brown, visit Mission BBQ, which is partially owned by former left tackle Joe Thomas. Don’t forget to check out the Pro Football Hall of Fame, just a one-hour drive south down I-77 from FirstEnergy Stadium.
Chicago
Surround yourself with other sports enthusiasts in Chicago’s Lakeview and Lincoln Park neighborhoods. You’ll also be able to find the most outdoor sports bar options in the Wrigleyville and Old Town enclaves.
If you like to watch Sunday football in bars with lots of screens, Theory in the River North neighborhood is worth a stop, or check out The Old Plank in Logan Square, which offers several screens reserved for the big game of the day.
Finally, fans of all sports should pay a visit to the Chicago Sports Museum for guided tours.
Green Bay
You’ll find animated game day parties surrounding the pro football stadium on Green Bay’s west side. The Titletown district is full of spots to eat, drink, play and work and is especially full of football fans on Sunday.
Celebrate a win and party all night at Anduzzi’s, Stadium View, Green Bay Distillery or Badger State Brewing, all within walking distance of each other and each with a unique personality and style.
The Packers Hall of Fame and Lambeau Field both offer tours for sports enthusiasts.
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