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Much like the iconic bar, "Cheers," in the show of the same name, people enjoy going to bars for the social aspect, interacting with like-minded people over a pint, to relax and unwind after a hard day's work. While not all bars are places "where everybody knows your name," and at times they are not "always glad you came," there is, after all, only one official "Cheers," every bar in each state is unique and special to those individuals that frequent it.
Bars may go by different names – saloon, pub, tavern – but the gist is the same, defined by the Oxford Dictionary as a counter across whichalcoholicdrinks orrefreshments are served. According to IBISWorld, a company that provides industry research reports, forecasts, and company databases, there are more than 67,500 bars and nightclubs in the United States, which include sports bars.
The word bar dates back to the 12th century, believed to have derived from the old French word 'Barra rod' or 'Barre', meaning barrier or rod, and made its way to the English language many years later. It isn't known exactly when the word "bar" was first applied to such establishments but is said to have developed because of the literal bar, a slab of wood or some other material, that separated customers from those pouring potables.
The term "Sports bar" is a much more recent coinage, with the earliest use of the term turned up by the Oxford English Dictionary coming from the New York Times in January of 1975. What was exactly the first sports bar is hotly debated but the concept dates back to 1933, whenPalermo's Tavern opened in St. Louis, Missouri.
St. Louis once hosted two major league baseball teams, the Browns and the Cardinals, and the tavern became popular with local players and their fans. It didn't hurt that the legendary New York Yankees catcher Yogi Berra, a St. Louis native, was the brother-in-law of Palermo's proprietor, Jimmy Palermo. The place started becoming more of a sports bar in 1947 when Palermo installed early 12-inch black-and-white TV sets around the tavern and began filling it with sports (not just baseball) memorabilia. (Palermo's closed in 1966.)
But it is Legends Sports Bar in Long Beach, CA, opened by former L.A. Rams lineman Dennis Harrah in 1979, that calls itself "The First Modern Sports Bar in America." Its website also claims that it "was the first establishment to use satellite technology to broadcast live sporting events from around the world". (One of these establishments might be the perfect place to celebrate Bobby Bonilla Day.)
Choosing which location to frequent may be tough, which is why 24/7 Tempo reviewed "The Best Sports Bars in the United States, Ranked," published by BetUS, an online betting site, and extrapolated the highest-rated example to bring you the top sports bars in every state. The site ranked sports bars based on average Google review scores, the cheapest beer price, and the price of a hamburger.
According to BetUS's calculations, the No. 1 sports bar in the entire country is also the best one in Mississippi — The Project Lounge. Seven of the top 10 sports bars nationwide are represented here, and they may not call you "Norm" when you walk through the door, but they'll most likely offer you a refreshing drink in a fun environment. (No matter how highly rated a place is, these are 13 things you should never order in a bar.)
Scroll down to learn the identity of the best sports bar in every state:
Alabama: 4 Seasons Sports Bar & Grill
- Location: Birmingham
- Price of a beer: $3.00
- Cost of a burger: $6.00
Alaska: 907 Alehouse & Grill
- Location: Anchorage
- Price of a beer: $4.50
- Cost of a burger: $17.00
Arizona: Twin Peaks
- Location: Phoenix
- Price of a beer: $5.00
- Cost of a burger: $13.49
Arkansas: TC's Midtown
- Location: Conway
- Price of a beer: $3.00
- Cost of a burger: $8.00
California: Campus Billiards Craft Beer & Sports Bar
- Location: Cypress
- Price of a beer: $6.50
- Cost of a burger: $14.00
Colorado: Sobo 151 Bar & Grill
- Location: Denver
- Price of a beer: $3.00
- Cost of a burger: $6.00
Connecticut: Cover Two Sports Cafe
- Location: Sandy Hook
- Price of a beer: $4.00
- Cost of a burger: $15.00
Delaware: Sharp Shooters Sports Bar
- Location: New Castle
- Price of a beer: $3.00
- Cost of a burger: $5.25
Florida: North 30th Sports Pub & Grille
- Location: Tampa
- Price of a beer: $3.50
- Cost of a burger: $9.99
Georgia: Mazzy's Sports Bar & Grill
- Location: Roswell
- Price of a beer: $2.99
- Cost of a burger: $10.00
Hawaii: Chez Sports Bar & Grill
- Location: Aiea (Oahu)
- Price of a beer: $5.25
- Cost of a burger: $12.00
Idaho: Anchor Bistro & Bar
- Location: Twin Falls
- Price of a beer: $4.00
- Cost of a burger: $13.99
Illinois: Mullen's Sports Bar & Grill
- Location: Chicago
- Price of a beer: $4.00
- Cost of a burger: $13.00
Indiana: The Free Spirit
- Location: Indianapolis
- Price of a beer: $4.00
- Cost of a burger: $10.50
Iowa: Francies
- Location: Des Moines
- Price of a beer: $4.00
- Cost of a burger: $14.50
Kansas: Little Busters Sports Bar & Grill
- Location: Derby
- Price of a beer: $4.00
- Cost of a burger: $8.00
Kentucky: Hoops Grill & Sports Bar
- Location: Louisville
- Price of a beer: $4.00
- Cost of a burger: $14.95
Louisiana: Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux
- Location: Baton Rouge
- Price of a beer: $3.00
- Cost of a burger: $12.40
Maine: The Depot Sports Pub
- Location: Gardiner
- Price of a beer: $2.25
- Cost of a burger: $10.95
Maryland: Top Hat Sports Bar & Grill
- Location: Parkville
- Price of a beer: $2.75
- Cost of a burger: $10.00
Massachusetts: Lazy Dog Sports Bar
- Location: Lynn
- Price of a beer: $5.00
- Cost of a burger: $6.99
Michigan: Nuthouse Sports Grill
- Location: Lansing
- Price of a beer: $3.00
- Cost of a burger: $9.95
Minnesota: Matt's Bar & Grill
- Location: Minneapolis
- Price of a beer: $4.60
- Cost of a burger: $3.75
Mississippi: The Project Lounge
- Location: Biloxi
- Price of a beer: $2.50
- Cost of a burger: $9.00
Missouri: Lester's
- Location: St.Louis
- Price of a beer: $3.00
- Cost of a burger: $12.95
Montana: The Divide Bar & Grill
- Location: Billings
- Price of a beer: $4.00
- Cost of a burger: $10.95
Nebraska: Bullseye's
- Location: Hastings
- Price of a beer: $3.00
- Cost of a burger: $4.99
Nevada: Carl & Martin's Sports Bar
- Location: Henderson
- Price of a beer: $3.00
- Cost of a burger: $14.99
New Hampshire: Logan's Restaurant and Sports Lounge
- Location: Hampton
- Price of a beer: $3.99
- Cost of a burger: $12.99
New Jersey: Ringside Lounge
- Location: Jersey City
- Price of a beer: $3.00
- Cost of a burger: $8.95
New Mexico: Twin Peaks
- Location: Albuquerque
- Price of a beer: $4.00
- Cost of a burger: $9.95
New York: Mustang Harry's
- Location: New York City
- Price of a beer: $3.00
- Cost of a burger: $22.00
North Carolina: Bralies Sports Bar & Grill
- Location: Durham
- Price of a beer: $3.00
- Cost of a burger: $12.25
North Dakota: The Hub Pub
- Location: Grand Forks
- Price of a beer: $3.00
- Cost of a burger: $12.00
Ohio: Classics Sports Bar
- Location: Columbus
- Price of a beer: $2.00
- Cost of a burger: $4.50
Oklahoma: Cousins Bar & Grill
- Location: Oklahoma City
- Price of a beer: $3.25
- Cost of a burger: $9.99
Oregon: McGillicuddy's Sports Bar & Grill
- Location: Portland
- Price of a beer: $4.00
- Cost of a burger: $9.75
Pennsylvania: Happy Valley Sports Bar
- Location: Dickinson City
- Price of a beer: $3.75
- Cost of a burger: $11.99
Rhode Island: Ladder 133 Kitchen & Social
- Location: Providence
- Price of a beer: $3.00
- Cost of a burger: $14.00
South Carolina: Sports Break
- Location: Green Wood
- Price of a beer: $2.25
- Cost of a burger: $10.00
South Dakota: Cubby's Sports Bar & Grill
- Location: Brookings
- Price of a beer: $3.25
- Cost of a burger: $9.45
Tennessee: Beyond the Edge
- Location: Nashville
- Price of a beer: $4.00
- Cost of a burger: $9.00
Texas: Mister Tramps Sports Pub
- Location: Austin
- Price of a beer: $2.50
- Cost of a burger: $7.50
Utah: The Green Pig Pub
- Location: Salt Lake City
- Price of a beer: $3.00
- Cost of a burger: $14.99
Vermont: Guild Tavern
- Location: South Burlington
- Price of a beer: $4.00
- Cost of a burger: $20.00
Virginia: Crystal City Sports Club
- Location: Arlington
- Price of a beer: $4.00
- Cost of a burger: $7.99
Washington: Queen Anne Beerhall
- Location: Seattle
- Price of a beer: $6.00
- Cost of a burger: $12.00
West Virginia: Kitzie's of Spring Mills
- Location: Martinsburg
- Price of a beer: $3.00
- Cost of a burger: $16.99
Wisconsin: Sluggo's Sports Pub & Grill
- Location: Brookfield
- Price of a beer: $3.00
- Cost of a burger: $5.99
Wyoming: Marty's Family Restaurant & Bombers Sports Bar
- Location: Rock Springs
- Price of a beer: $3.00
- Cost of a burger: $10.99