Best Sports Bars in Phoenix

When you're in North Phoenix, stop by this friendly sports bar in the Deer Valley area. Tucked away in an industrial strip mall, sports fans gather at this large sports grill for above-par bar food and plenty of large-screen TVs to watch the big game. Menu stand-outs include the wings and barbecue pork ribs. They're messy, of course, but that's almost part of the fun. Caps Sports Grill has the NFL Sunday ticket, big ten network, ESPN gameplan, Versus, Fox Sports Net, and MLB Extra Innings. So, you're pretty much covered no matter what time of year it is, and no matter who your rooting for.

Tailgate Sports Bar and Grill in Tempe is the kind of bar that appeals to the after-work crowd. Excellent nightly specials draw in a steady stream of regulars, who stick around to play pool or watch the game on one of the bar's 10 television sets. The ambiance is informal, relaxed, and thoroughly unpretentious. Daily food specials, dartboards, arcade games and free pool on Sundays makes this a popular spot with workers from the neighboring industrial centers, but anyone who enjoys a frosty mug of domestic beer will feel right at home here. Tailgate also hosts weekly live music on its stage.

If your aim is to have fun with friends at a relaxed neighborhood restaurant and bar, check out Boulders on Broadway. The laid back neighborhood spot is a popular spot for happy hour and Tuesday and Sunday night trivia. It's also a fine spot to grab a burger (with the house waffle fries on the side) and a beer. Speaking of beer, the pub offers a rotating selection of brews on tap, offering a bigger selection than you might expect from a neighborhood pub. Plus, you'll find good deals on food and drinks during the happy hour, which happens from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. during the week and all day on Saturday.

Formerly O'Malley's pub, Devil's Advocate Bar & Grill is one of the latest additions to the busy Tempe bar scene. This University-area bar and grill is quickly becoming a favorite after hours destination for college students and locals in the know. Dark wood paneling, plasma TVs and leather seating lend a sophisticated touch that raises the bar from typical college bar ambiance. Daily drink specials, acoustic open mic nights on Tuesdays, and live music on Fridays provides plenty of incentive to get off the couch and head to this chic neighborhood tavern for drinking and socializing. Tempe's hippest new bar.

This bar and grill, owned by NBA All-Star Dan Majerle, pulls in hard-core sports lovers. Dim and lively, its decor is heavy on sports memorabilia, and several TVs allow die-hard fans to keep up with the game. While taking in the ambiance, chow down on burgers, chicken fingers, and other American favorites. Portions are enough to please even the toughest of appetites. If a game is played downtown, be prepared to wait for a seat, especially if the Suns players decide to hang out. If you're not sure what to order, you can't go wrong with the Burger of the Month, an over-sized specialty burger designed for big appetites.

Where do you go to watch live sports in a lively atmosphere, participate in a little off-sports betting, all while noshing on craveable pub grub? You go to Padre Murphy's, a venerable and mega-popular Glendale sports bar and pub that has been a neighborhood draw on Bell Road since 1993. Even if you don't love sports, the ambiance is lively and friendly, and the selection of craft beers on tap (more than 50, at last count) is one of the best in the northwest Valley. The Happy Hour menu is robust, with several food and drink specials offered under $10. There is also a special food menu for late-night snacking and reverse happy hour specials.

When you're in the East Valley, The Hub Grill and Bar in Mesa is a good bet when you're craving hot wings and beer. Watch the big game on multiple high definition TV screens, or settle into a comfy booth and enjoy the house menu specialties. The Hub offers a chef-driven menu of gastropub eats, including southwest-inspired bites like chipotle smoked skins, delectable green chili cheesy bread, stuffed peppers and a full menu of gourmet burgers, pizza, calzones, and fresh-made salads and soups. The bar offers a private room for meeting or celebrations, and a weekday happy hour from 2:12 pm to 6:12 pm.

Half-Moon Sports Grill - with two locations in Moon Valley and the Biltmore area - is one of Arizona's favorite home-grown sports bar chains. The Moon Valley location features a sprawling outdoor patio, multiple high-definition TVs and a food menu of classic American eats. The Biltmore location offers private meeting rooms, upscale flair and a menu inspired by classic Chicago specialties, including Windy City favorites like grilled Italian sausage and Chicago dogs. Both locations feature multiple high-def TVs and lively ambiance, making this one of the city's most popular go-to destinations for watching the big game with fellow sports fans.

If you want to watch the big game, but don't feel like slogging through mediocre chicken wings, stale beer and boisterous crowds, The Attic Ale House might be your kind of spot. This stylish gastropub and tavern serves craft beers, wine and gourmet finger foods in a cozy setting. You can come to pre-game with the happy hour crowd, enjoy the Taco Tuesday specials, or to simply sip on a glass of wine while enjoying excellent views of nearby Camelback Mountain. The setting and menu is versatile enough to please almost everyone looking for something a little different than the traditional sports bar.

The Arcadia Tavern is a favorite neighborhood watering hole and restaurant featuring big comfy leather booths, picnic tables, and a huge wrap around patio featuring excellent views of nearby Camelback Mountain. The tavern also has a built-in state-of-the-art sound system and several plasma TV screens, making this a great popular place to enjoy sports games and live events. The menu offers typical bar fare, served with gastropub flair. Guests nosh on a large selection of appetizers, pizza, salads, classic American sandwiches, and a menu of entrees. The large open air doors in the main room open up to allow for year-round al fresco dining.