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This Is the Top Sports Bar in Each State

Freshly baked homemade pretzels and draft beer

This Is the Top Sports Bar in Each State

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 which alcoholic drinks or refreshments 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, when Palermo’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

Courtesy of Roman J. via Yelp

  • Location: Birmingham
  • Price of a beer: $3.00
  • Cost of a burger: $6.00

Alaska: 907 Alehouse & Grill

Courtesy of Jacqui M. via Yelp

  • Location: Anchorage
  • Price of a beer: $4.50
  • Cost of a burger: $17.00

Arizona: Twin Peaks

Courtesy of B G. via Yelp

  • Location: Phoenix
  • Price of a beer: $5.00
  • Cost of a burger: $13.49

Arkansas: TC’s Midtown

Courtesy of Ellen H. via Yelp

  • Location: Conway
  • Price of a beer: $3.00
  • Cost of a burger: $8.00

California: Campus Billiards Craft Beer & Sports Bar

Courtesy of Campus Billiards Craft Beer & Sports Bar via Yelp

  • Location: Cypress
  • Price of a beer: $6.50
  • Cost of a burger: $14.00

Colorado: Sobo 151 Bar & Grill

Courtesy of Sobo 151 Bar & Grill via Yelp

  • Location: Denver
  • Price of a beer: $ 3.00
  • Cost of a burger: $6.00

Connecticut: Cover Two Sports Cafe

Courtesy of Dave T. via Yelp

  • Location: Sandy Hook
  • Price of a beer: $4.00
  • Cost of a burger: $15.00

Delaware: Sharp Shooters Sports Bar

artJazz / Getty Images
Different beer in glasses isolated on black background. Header for website

  • Location: New Castle
  • Price of a beer: $3.00
  • Cost of a burger: $5.25

Florida: North 30th Sports Pub & Grille

Courtesy of Amy K. via Yelp.

  • Location: Tampa
  • Price of a beer: $3.50
  • Cost of a burger: $9.99

Georgia: Mazzy’s Sports Bar & Grill

Courtesy of Rivers C. via Yelp

  • Location: Roswell
  • Price of a beer: $2.99
  • Cost of a burger: $10.00

Hawaii: Chez Sports Bar & Grill

Courtesy of Birdie H. via Yelp

  • Location: Aiea (Oahu)
  • Price of a beer: $5.25
  • Cost of a burger: $12.00

Idaho: Anchor Bistro & Bar

Anchor Bistro Bar via Yelp

  • Location: Twin Falls
  • Price of a beer: $4.00
  • Cost of a burger: $13.99

Illinois: Mullen’s Sports Bar & Grill

Courtesy of Alan S. via Yelp

  • Location: Chicago
  • Price of a beer: $4.00
  • Cost of a burger: $13.00

Indiana: The Free Spirit

Courtesy of Lerin M. via Yelp

  • Location: Indianapolis
  • Price of a beer: $4.00
  • Cost of a burger: $10.50

Iowa: Francies

Courtesy of Mary P. via Yelp

  • Location: Des Moines
  • Price of a beer: $4.00
  • Cost of a burger: $14.50

Kansas: Little Busters Sports Bar & Grill

Courtesy of Kyle S. via Yelp

  • Location: Derby
  • Price of a beer: $4.00
  • Cost of a burger: $8.00

Kentucky: Hoops Grill & Sports Bar

Courtesy of Jeremy J. via Yelp

  • Location: Louisville
  • Price of a beer: $4.00
  • Cost of a burger: $14.95

Louisiana: Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux

Courtesy of Abibat A. via Yelp

  • Location: Baton Rouge
  • Price of a beer: $3.00
  • Cost of a burger: $12.40

Maine: The Depot Sports Pub

Courtesy of David H. via yelp

  • Location: Gardiner
  • Price of a beer: $2.25
  • Cost of a burger: $10.95

Maryland: Top Hat Sports Bar & Grill

Courtesy of Gita G. via Yelp

  • Location: Parkville
  • Price of a beer: $2.75
  • Cost of a burger: $10.00

Massachusetts: Lazy Dog Sports Bar

Courtesy of Marni M. via Yelp

  • Location: Lynn
  • Price of a beer: $5.00
  • Cost of a burger: $6.99

Michigan: Nuthouse Sports Grill

Courtesy of Thomas K. via Yelp

  • Location: Lansing
  • Price of a beer: $3.00
  • Cost of a burger: $9.95

Minnesota: Matt’s Bar & Grill

Courtesy of Brandon J. via Yelp

  • Location: Minneapolis
  • Price of a beer: $4.60
  • Cost of a burger: $3.75

Mississippi: The Project Lounge

Courtesy of Jenna V. via Yelp

  • Location: Biloxi
  • Price of a beer: $2.50
  • Cost of a burger: $9.00

Missouri: Lester’s

Courtesy of Patrick C. via Yelp

  • Location: St.Louis
  • Price of a beer: $3.00
  • Cost of a burger: $12.95

Montana: The Divide Bar & Grill

Courtesy of Jelly M. via Yelp

  • Location: Billings
  • Price of a beer: $4.00
  • Cost of a burger: $10.95

Nebraska: Bullseye’s

Courtesy of Tanner R. via Yelp

  • Location: Hastings
  • Price of a beer: $3.00
  • Cost of a burger: $4.99

Nevada: Carl & Martin’s Sports Bar

Courtesy of Denise C. via Yelp

  • Location: Henderson
  • Price of a beer: $3.00
  • Cost of a burger: $14.99

New Hampshire: Logan’s Restaurant and Sports Lounge

Cold Boozy Rye Whiskey Sour with Lemon and a Garnish

Brent Hofacker / Shutterstock.com

  • Location: Hampton
  • Price of a beer: $3.99
  • Cost of a burger: $12.99

New Jersey: Ringside Lounge

Courtesy of Steve D. via Yelp

  • Location: Jersey City
  • Price of a beer: $3.00
  • Cost of a burger: $8.95

New Mexico: Twin Peaks

Courtesy of Bryant T. via Yelp

  • Location: Albuquerque
  • Price of a beer: $4.00
  • Cost of a burger: $9.95

New York: Mustang Harry’s

Courtesy of Elizabeth S. via Yelp

  • Location: New York City
  • Price of a beer: $3.00
  • Cost of a burger: $22.00

North Carolina: Bralies Sports Bar & Grill

Courtesy of Bralies Sports Bar & Grill via Yelp

  • Location: Durham
  • Price of a beer: $3.00
  • Cost of a burger: $12.25

North Dakota: The Hub Pub

Rouzes / E+ / Getty Images
Craft beer backgrounds. Top view

  • Location: Grand Forks
  • Price of a beer: $3.00
  • Cost of a burger: $12.00

Ohio: Classics Sports Bar

Courtesy of Jenn T. via Yelp

  • Location: Columbus
  • Price of a beer: $2.00
  • Cost of a burger: $4.50

Oklahoma: Cousins Bar & Grill

Courtesy of Cassandra S. via Yelp

  • Location: Oklahoma City
  • Price of a beer: $3.25
  • Cost of a burger: $9.99

Oregon: McGillicuddy’s Sports Bar & Grill

Courtesy of Stacy M. via Yelp

  • Location: Portland
  • Price of a beer: $4.00
  • Cost of a burger: $9.75

Pennsylvania: Happy Valley Sports Bar

Courtesy of Debbie M. via Yelp

  • Location: Dickinson City
  • Price of a beer: $3.75
  • Cost of a burger: $11.99

Rhode Island: Ladder 133 Kitchen & Social

Courtesy of Amanda M. via Yelp

  • Location: Providence
  • Price of a beer: $3.00
  • Cost of a burger: $14.00

South Carolina: Sports Break

Courtesy of Sports Break via Yelp

  • Location: Green Wood
  • Price of a beer: $2.25
  • Cost of a burger: $10.00

South Dakota: Cubby’s Sports Bar & Grill

Courtesy of Thomas B. via Yelp

  • Location: Brookings
  • Price of a beer: $3.25
  • Cost of a burger: $9.45

Tennessee: Beyond the Edge

Courtesy of Beyond the Edge via Yelp

  • Location: Nashville
  • Price of a beer: $4.00
  • Cost of a burger: $9.00

Texas: Mister Tramps Sports Pub

Courtesy of Dawn H. via Yelp

  • Location: Austin
  • Price of a beer: $2.50
  • Cost of a burger: $7.50

Utah: The Green Pig Pub

Courtesy of Kristian A. via Yelp

  • Location: Salt Lake City
  • Price of a beer: $3.00
  • Cost of a burger: $14.99

Vermont: Guild Tavern

Courtesy of Paul C. via Yelp

  • Location: South Burlington
  • Price of a beer: $4.00
  • Cost of a burger: $20.00

Virginia: Crystal City Sports Club

Courtesy of Angela B. via Yelp

  • Location: Arlington
  • Price of a beer: $4.00
  • Cost of a burger: $7.99

Washington: Queen Anne Beerhall

Courtesy of Annie R. via Yelp

  • Location: Seattle
  • Price of a beer: $6.00
  • Cost of a burger: $12.00

West Virginia: Kitzie’s of Spring Mills

Courtesy of Lisa B. via Yelp

  • Location: Martinsburg
  • Price of a beer: $3.00
  • Cost of a burger: $16.99

Wisconsin: Sluggo’s Sports Pub & Grill

Courtesy of Rick R. via Yelp

  • Location: Brookfield
  • Price of a beer: $3.00
  • Cost of a burger: $5.99

Wyoming: Marty’s Family Restaurant & Bombers Sports Bar

Courtesy of Dan K. via Yelp

  • Location: Rock Springs
  • Price of a beer: $3.00
  • Cost of a burger: $10.99
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