This time of year is a dream for sports fans. Super Bowl Sunday marks the peak of the NFL season, the NBA is in full swing, international soccer is reaching a fever pitch, and baseball season is just around the corner. With so many games to follow, the excitement can be overwhelming and exhilarating—much like a nail-biting primetime matchup.
While St. Pete offers a wealth of attractions, from art galleries to Italian restaurants, finding a spot that focuses on The Big Game can be challenging. Thankfully, there are plenty of great places throughout downtown, the EDGE District, and the Grand Central District where you can catch all the action.
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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.
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
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
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
The Avenue DTSP
- What to like: Other than the excellent burgers, The Avenue may have the best TVs-per-square-foot ratio of anyone downtown. The mix of indoor, outdoor, and bar seating (all with TVs close by) gives you an option no matter your mood.
- Where to find them: 330 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
Par Bar
- What to like: The Grand Central District has tons of great spots for food and drink, but there is a dearth of places to watch a game. Par Bar is the neighborhood destination for sports fans, and you can always count on good food trucks to keep you well fed (alongside drinks and mini golf, of course).
- Where to find them: 2253 1st Avenue South
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
The Studio Public House
- What to like: The only British pub in the downtown and adjacent area, Studio Pub is a favorite for international soccer. Chef Mike is churning out some of the best food anywhere in St. Pete. Get the Dragon Vindaloo Curry if you’re feeling feisty, or stick with the classic fish and chips.
- Where to find them: 2950 Central Avenue
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
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
Ride ‘Em Cowboy
- What to like: Another of the rare Grand Central District locales to catch a game, Ride ‘Em Cowboy has lots to like. In addition to some stellar eats from Proper Meats (think elevated pub fare), they’re also a little more under the radar among sports fans, so snagging a seat with a good view of the TV is rarely difficult, including a stool pulled up to the outdoor bar.
- Where to find them: 2451 Central Avenue
More great spots to catch a game include Angelo’s, Five Bucks Drinkery, Ford’s Garage, Taphouse 61, Trophy Fish, Three Birds Tavern, Crafty Squirrel, 32 Grand, Oak and Stone, The Local Draught House, and Who’s On First.
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