There’s nothing like the fall sports calendar, especially when the Rays are in the playoffs. You may already have your spot of choice, or maybe you’re jumping in on the fun for the playoffs. Either way, these are some of the best sports bars St. Pete has to offer.
Whether you’re a die-hard fan, a casual supporter, or simply looking to enjoy the weekend vibes downtown, you’ll find the perfect spot. Here are some of the best sports bars (or at least bars with plenty of TVs showing sports) in the downtown area of St. Pete, as well as EDGE and Grand Central favorites.
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Localz Sports Bar
- What to like: Not only is Localz the only sports bar on Beach Drive, this place has more TVs than Best Buy. There is tons of room, very good food, and very friendly staff, with a massive paid parking lot about 30 feet away – 5 out of 5 stars.
- Where to find them: 1 Beach Drive SE
Voodoo Brewing Co.
- What to like: “Brewery” and “sports bar” aren’t often synonyms, but the new hotspot downtown is perfect for gameday. They have tons of TVs (visible from any seat in the house), great wings and appetizers, a full bar, and, naturally, plenty of good beer.
- Where to find them: 220 4th Street North
Dog Bar
- What to like: The game is on, and your dogs are invited. You may think of Dog Bar as being more dog-friendly than sports-friendly if you haven’t been, but stop by any Saturday or Sunday (or other gameday) and you’ll see eyeballs glued to every TV. Plus, they always have great food trucks and some of the best beer selection in town.
- Where to find them: 2300 Central Avenue
Ferg’s Sports Bar and Grill
- What to like: Obvious thing is obvious, but there’s nowhere like Ferg’s for gameday, no matter what sport. It’s always a party, there are roughly a dozen different bars, you can mobile order from your table, and the food and drink are both good and affordable.
- Where to find them: 1320 Central Avenue
Mary Margaret’s Olde Irish Tavern
- What to like: While you can also catch American sports at their designated times, this is the go-to spot for football of the actually-using-the-foot variety. With TVs inside and out, it’s downtown’s number one spot for Premier League and all big soccer games. (Note: Mary Margaret’s closes at 4:30 pm on Super Bowl Sunday.)
- Where to find them: 29 3rd Street North
Trailer Daddy
- What to like: Great drinks, downtown’s tastiest sandwiches (from Tony D’s), and one of the best weekday happy hours in the city: Monday-Thursday from 5-7 pm, half-off everything at the bar. The lively spot on the Jannus Block checks a lot of boxes.
- Where to find them: 217 Central Ave
Colony Grill
- What to like: The pizza. My goodness, the pizza. It’s fantastic, though if you don’t like pizza you may want to eat beforehand—it’s the only thing on the menu. Almost half of the massive restaurant is dedicated to bar seating, and there isn’t a bad seat in the bar to watch any of the many TVs. I once spent 12 hours here on a Saturday watching games.
- Where to find them: 670 Central Avenue
Par Bar
- What to like: The Grand Central District has tons of great spots for food and drink, but there are only a few places to watch a game. Par Bar is the neighborhood destination for sports fans (alongside drinks and mini golf, of course).
- Where to find them: 2253 1st Avenue South
Steve’s Tavern on The Avenue
- What to like: One of the few remaining dive bars left in town, Steve’s Tavern is a lively gameday spot and the only one where smoking is allowed indoors (which is good info to know whether you fall on the for or against side of smoking). Also – cash only!
- Where to find them: 933 Central Avenue
Engine No. 9
- What to like: Sriracha wings, loaded tater tots, rib-sticking burgers, and personal TVs at every table. If you’ve been to Engine No. 9, you’re already hungry. If you haven’t been—get your appetite ready.
- Where to find them: 56 MLK Jr Street North
The Galley
- What to like: St. Pete’s “legit local pub” is exactly that—the perfect spot for locals to stroll in, order some wings and beer, and sit for hours watching game after game. The atmosphere is always lively, the food is always hot, and the drinks are always cold. The Galley is always gameday ready.
- Where to find them: 27 4th Street North
Where’s Jubes
- What to like: Where’s Jubes has some of the cheapest drinks anywhere downtown (especially during happy hour), and their indoor/outdoor setup on the corner of Central Avenue makes it a natural gathering place. Stay for hours or pop in for a quick cocktail and score update.
- Where to find them: 277 Central Avenue
Mutts & Martinis
- What to like: With perhaps the best TV-to-barstool ratio in town, Mutts & Martinis features more than two dozen TVs, while also providing a place for the dogs to cut loose and enjoy themselves. It’s a win for everybody involved, and hopefully whoever you’re cheering for, too.
- Where to find them: 2900 Central Ave
Dublin Drop
- What to like: Few spots in Downtown St. Pete can boast this much space, and with the TVs displayed near the top of their high-ceilinged walls, there’s not a bad seat in the house. The ostensibly Irish bar also offers a good mix of Irish eats and traditional American pub grub, so there’s something for everyone.
- Where to find them: 129 1st Avenue North
More great spots to catch a game include Angelo’s, Golden Isles, Five Bucks Drinkery, Ford’s Garage, Taphouse 61, Trophy Fish, Three Birds Tavern, Crafty Squirrel, Oak and Stone, and The Local Draught House.
