San Diego Sports Bars

[JerrySD]

I'm looking for a great hang out to grab a cold one, grab a good bite to eat, and catch an NBA or upcoming NCAA or upcoming MLB game. Selection on draft beers would be great, and hopefully good food also.

[Cathy]

Pacific Beach Bar and Grill

Excellent food.
Lots of beer on tap.
Too many Televisions to count.

[JRSD]

Cathy, IIRC haven't you also mentioned SD Brewing company in the past? That would seem like a good spot to watch the games if the food were decent. They brew their own beer, which I thought was pretty good.

[Cathy]

Oh I love the food at SDBC and the beer, JR,...OP asked about Sport Bars and SDBC has families and sit down and kind of a nicer atmosphere- and not a television view from every table.

PBB&G is more sports bar (The University of Michigan Alums have been meeting there for Football Saturday for years now- and the bar next door is where the Ohio State Alums meet for their Football Saturdays) in that there are televisions *every*where, a string of at least 20 taps (macros, not micro brews) and the food is way better than I had ever expected (try the Sunday brunch tomorrow: it is great)

Because NCAA games last ~3 hours, PBB&G versus SDBC is a better venue for watching TV and being rowdy, as well as being more likely to see and talk with other sports fans..I guess that was more what I was trying to say.

[JRSD]

SDBC's bar area had a pretty impressive number of TV's, but I agree that it would be more of a place to watch a game and relax.

Overall, PBBG probably has the total package in terms of TV's, food and beer selection, but if you couldn't pay me to go and watch a game there on a Sat. night and deal with a line at the door, etc.

I am scared to go there for UM games since the last one I went for was the Rose Bowl 2006 season...

[Cathy]

2006 RB was Texas-SC...

Now, in 2007...UM played SC in the Rose Bowl...did you come in wearing *any*thing red???

Still, PBBG it is a great sports bar.

[JRSD]

I get my years confused, but when I went I was wearing my 1997 UM national champs shirt.

Unfortunately they are 0-3 in the last 3 games I watched in it., so maybe it was the shirt rather than PBBG that jinxed them.

[JRSD]

My advice would differ if you are looking for a place that will have whatever game is on TV vs. having every game on at once, or if there is one particular game you want to see...

The Local (downtown) has a very good selection of beer, many TV's and satellite. I eat there once and had a good sandwich. Downtown Johnny Browns also has interesting local beer on tap, and was a great place to watch opening day of baseball on ESPN last season.

PB Bar and Grill is a good choice as well, although their beer selection tends to be more macros. I would be surprised if they didn't have all of the tournament games on. Be forewarned that it gets VERY crowded with a college-aged crowd on weekend nights. They have more TV's than almost any bar I have ever been to.

Tap Room in PB had an excellent selection of local beer. They had tons of TV's, but I am not sure if they will have the whole NCAA tournament package... The garlic knots were fair, but it is one of the only places that I have even seen them in SD. I didn't try the other food.

Tiny's in OB has some good taps, very good wings and sliders and many TV's as well.

[lovesfood11]

Oggi's Pizzeria and Brewing Company has many locations in San Diego and I think there food is pretty good. Especially there pesto pizza!

[DougOLis]

My personal favorite is either Player's or The Bullpen in Clairemont Mesa. Player's has a ton of TVs and is usually pretty packed; solid beer selection too. The Bullpen normally isn't quite as busy and they don't have as many TVs (or as good of ones) but the service is usually good and it's great for bringing a large group of friends.

The best bet may be to find the bar where fans of your favorite team meet up. That's usually when I've had the most fun.

[jturtle]

I haven't been since they moved locations but I always liked Yogi's in Cardiff, especially their bacon western cheeseburger and they had tons of tv's and would tune you in to whatever game you wanted. But they now have valet parking only in the new location so I am not sure how much they are still emphasizing their sports bar atmosphere.

[El Chevere]

I happen to like to food and ambience at Jimmy O's in Del Mar--same owner as Yogis.

[fishermb]

I am going to SD tomorrow for vacation and am looking for somewhere to watch the Dolphins game before we go to the Chargers game. We're staying downtown, so ideally somewhere nearby and/or on the way to the Stadium. Any suggestions? Don't care about beer selection, do care about food. Thanks!

[happensatonce]

Try Junior Seau's restaurant, we've had lots of fun there "pre-gaming"

http://www.seau.com/

[binkychow]

McGregors! Right next to the stadium, kind of.

[MrKrispy]

they covered two close ones. There is also Trophy's in Hazard Center, located on the Trolley line. Food is average, beer is overpriced, but it might be the most convenient if you are taking the trolley.

McGregors is walkable to the stadium.

[fishermb]

Anything decent downtown?

Are we better off taking the trolley rather than driving?

[DiningDiva]

Yes, you will be better off taking the trolley. Qualcomm was built long before the population of San Diego got so big. The roads to and around the stadium are usually heavily congested on game day both before and after the game.

The trolley, while crowded, is clean, efficient and the easiest way into and out the stadium for a game. The transit system runs extra trains on game day to accommodate the crowds, plus they run blue line specials that go from downtown directly to Qualcomm. Save yourself the hassle and take the trolley.

[Ewilensky]

Downtown Johnny Browns is a fine sports bar, located Downtown and on the Trolley Line. Typical pub fare but some very interesting beers on tap.

The YardHouse is also Downtown, a few blocks from the Trolley line. Mediocre food and mediocre beers on tap.

[DougOLis]

what he said