Watching the big game at home has its advantages, but sometimes sports are simply better with a crowd around you.
San Diego has no shortage of places where fans can grab some food, order a drink, and settle in for everything from NFL Sundays and Padres games to soccer, basketball, and college football. Better yet, the city’s options range from traditional sports bars to destinations where watching the game can become part of a much bigger day out.
Here are five San Diego-area spots worth considering the next time game day rolls around.
1. Tom’s Watch Bar – For the Big-Game Atmosphere
Located beside Petco Park, Tom’s Watch Bar is about as sports-focused as it gets.
The venue is built around oversized screens and a 360-degree viewing experience designed to make it easy to follow the action from throughout the bar. Its location also makes it an obvious choice for Padres fans looking for somewhere to meet before a game, celebrate afterward, or watch an away matchup with other fans.
Tom’s shows far more than baseball, though, making it a strong option when several major games are happening at once.
2. Home & Away – For the Patio Experience
Home & Away in Old Town combines a classic neighborhood sports-bar atmosphere with an expansive outdoor setup.
Its large patio and outdoor screen are particularly appealing in a city where watching sports outside is possible for much of the year. The venue also offers a full bar, numerous beer taps, games, and a food menu that goes well beyond a bowl of chips at halftime.
It’s an especially good option for groups that want the social side of game day without spending the entire afternoon sitting indoors.
3. Sandbar Sports Grill – For a Game Near the Beach
There aren’t many cities where you can spend part of the day at the beach and then walk over to catch a game.
That’s the appeal of Sandbar Sports Grill in Mission Beach. Located just steps from the ocean, Sandbar combines sports-bar energy with the relaxed feel you’d expect from its location.
The menu includes burgers, seafood, cocktails and its well-known fish tacos, while its Skydeck adds ocean views to the experience. For visitors to San Diego, it is an easy way to combine two quintessential Southern California activities without traveling across the city.
4. Shakespeare Pub – For Soccer Fans
For fans whose idea of football involves the Premier League rather than the NFL, Shakespeare Pub deserves a place on the list.
The British pub on India Street regularly shows soccer competitions including the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup, along with rugby and major American sports.
Its British identity is a major part of the experience, extending from the atmosphere to traditional pub food such as fish and chips, shepherd’s pie and pasties. Early weekend opening hours also make it useful for catching matches taking place across the Atlantic.
5. Viejas Casino & Resort – For a Full Game-Day Getaway
Not every sports outing has to end when the final whistle blows.
About 30 miles east of downtown San Diego, Viejas Casino & Resort provides an option for fans who want to turn game day into a larger night out or weekend away.
Baron Long Bar & Grill gives sports fans a dedicated place to watch, with 16 TVs throughout the restaurant, including ten 85-inch screens. But the advantage of Viejas is everything surrounding the game.
Visitors can combine the matchup with dinner, gaming, shopping at the nearby Viejas Outlets or an overnight resort stay. There are also spa and pool experiences for guests who want to make a full getaway of it.
That makes Viejas particularly interesting for couples or groups where not everyone wants the entire day to revolve around sports. Fans can catch the game while the broader resort gives everyone plenty of other ways to spend the trip.
Make More of Game Day
The best place to watch sports depends on what kind of experience you’re looking for.
San Diego can deliver a packed sports bar next to the ballpark, soccer in a British pub, a game steps from the Pacific or an entire resort getaway built around the matchup.
Sometimes the game is the main event. Other times, it’s simply one part of a great day out.
