9 of the best sports bars in Denver – The Denver Post
Sports bars seem to come and go in Denver, but a few have become institutions. One of those was LoDo’s Blake Street Tavern, the MVP of the sports bar scene for two decades before suddenly announcing earlier in March that it would close on April 9.
And while Blake Street Tavern is the first bar that many people think about when looking for a venue to catch the game, there are plenty of other awesome spots in Denver to cheer for your favorite team or to root against your most-hated foe. March and April are particularly good times to do that as the NCAA’s Final Four is wrapping up, Major League Baseball is beginning and the NBA and the NHL are heading toward playoff season.
Here are nine of our favorites:
Society Sports + Spirits
LoDo sports bars can sometimes be as two-dimensional as their big-screen TVs. But Society goes way beyond the bland beer and bro-ish feel with two floors worth of sporting bliss. With three enormous projectors, 28 flat-screens and four “sound zones,” Society will always have the game on that you need to see. (Denver sports are featured, although you’ll find fans of the Houston Texans, University of Texas, Pittsburgh Steelers, Iowa State Hawkeyes and others.) The menu includes chicken fried bacon, sandwiches on Texas toast, and wings, wings, wings. 1434 Blake St., Denver
STiX Crafthouse
Some metro area sports bars specialize in specific sports, like basketball, soccer or hockey. STiX Crafthouse, which opened last fall, is one of those. But although fans here love to don their NHL sweaters, they also show up for just about every other sport, since STiX shows them all on 20 different TVs and a 108-inch projection screen. As for the menu, you’ll find craft beer and bar food, like burgers, wings and sandwiches, as well as poutine in honor of Canada. 5777 Olde Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada
College Inn
You could say that the College Inn is nothing special. It doesn’t have the biggest TVs, the trendiest food or a hip location. But that lack of hyperbole is what makes it what it is: one of the last old-school places to watch a game in Denver. Set along a commercial strip that abuts several neighborhoods, the College Inn has undergone ownership changes and renovations over the years, but its drink specials, big TVs, pool tables and sticky floors have remained a charming constant. Order an $11 pitcher of beer, the green chile nachos and root for the home team. 4400 E. 8th Ave.; Denver
Toms Watch Bar
There’s really nothing else quite like Tom’s Watch Bar. The sprawling two-story venue is ensconced in the larger MacGregor Square complex, across the street from Coors Field (and backed by Colorado Rockies owner Dick Monfort). But the real reason to go is the 150 (or more) TVs, the giant screen TV outside on the patio, the electric vibe, and the unusual selection of Coors-produced beers served upstairs in the AC Golden Tank Room. 1601 19th St., Denver
Stoney’s Bar & Grill
Stoney’s has been a lot of things to a lot of people over the years since its first location, on Lincoln Avenue, opened in 2010. And its flexibility — Stoney’s does Taco Tuesday as well as it does St. Patrick’s Day and ugly Christmas sweater parties — is its charm. But the specialty of the house is setting you up on game day, no matter the sport. The massive original location, as well as Stoney’s Uptown, on 17th Avenue, are both great places to show your team spirit. 1111 Lincoln St.; 1035 E. 17th Ave.; plus Stoney’s Cantina on South Broadway and a Winter Park location
Tap & Burger
There are sports bars for getting rowdy, sports bars for fans of specific teams and sports bars to drown your sorrows in cheap beer. But to impress a date or simply live a little larger, there’s Sloan’s Lake Tap & Burger and its sister bar, Highland Tap & Burger. At Sloan’s, it’s impossible not to have a view of the game (or games) because of the plethora of TVs, but more importantly, the food, beer and cocktails are absolutely top-notch. Four locations in Denver, DTC and Westminster
DNVR Bar
Sports nerds unite at DNVR, a well-lit bar that shares space with the DNVR podcasting crew, which focuses on Colorado teams like the Broncos, Nuggets, CU Buffs and CSU Rams. Not only will you find conversations about yards-per-carry and triple doubles, but also a menu stacked with the Forsburger, the Mecklenburger and other classic sports bar fare named for local players. 2239 E. Colfax Ave., Denver
Wally’s Wisconsin Tavern
There are arguably more fans of Wisconsin sports teams in Colorado than any other out-of-state group (although Chicago and Buffalo fans give them a run for their money). But Wally’s Wisconsin Tavern is more than just cheese curds, pretzels and bratwurst. Well, there’s plenty of that, along with Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Bucks, Marquette and University of Wisconsin fans. But there is also that friendly Midwestern feel, along with good service, darts, plenty of TVs and good beer. 1417 Market St., Denver
Sportsbook Bar & Grill
Each one of Sportsbook’s locations is different, although they share roughly the same menu of burgers, wings, beers and the fan-favorite totchos (tater tot nachos). They also share a buzzy, loud vibe that is perfect for those times when you want to let your fandom out. All three spots are loaded with TVs on every wall, although the Wash Park spot has more of a neighborhood dive feel and is located on the garden level with an entrance in the alley. Three locations: Denver, DTC and Highlands Ranch
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