Big screen? Lots of screens? These places can fulfill any sports-watching desires.
Holy Grail Tavern & Grille Banks
The locally owned restaurant is a great option on game day, being across the street from Great American Ball Park. It has long bar tables, more than a dozen small tables, a patio and a rotating list of draft beers that won't cost you $7 a pint. Let's not forget the 30 HDTVs lining the long bar and sitting high on the walls of the dining areas. With these, you will see the Reds from many angles, and keep up with other major sports happenings.
Rick's encompasses what anyone could want in neighborhood establishment: it's a sports bar, restaurant and night club all in one. The menu features Italian specialties as well as American favorites. Awesome drink specials are offered on weeknights and local bands jam on weekends. There are over 70 TVs, so it's almost guaranteed that your game will be on - you could even watch 10 games at once! Don't let the cold weather get you down, as Rick's has a heated outdoor patio, equipped with two plasma TVs. They also offer a shot and beer of the month and daily specials that change every month.
As its name implies, Longnecks Sports Grill offers a long list of longneck beers, as well as other drafts and imports. This sports bar isn’t all about the beer, though - there’s the full menu, complete with wings and their pot roast sandwich. Thanks to the impressive amount of mounted TVs, it's one of the best places to catch a game in the area. Stop in Monday for some free pool, Tuesday for select $2 beers all day, or Wednesday after 9 p.m. for their $1 beer, $1 burger deal.
The sister of Longneck's Bar and Grill, Shortneck's offers gourmet burgers, generous drink prices and HDTV. During Reds season, hit up the patio, where picnic tables and cornhole games are aplenty – or stay inside and cool off with a $5 pitcher during happy hour. Shortneck's beer and mixed drink lists have included Stella Artois and those from the Bluegrass Brewing Company; it offers a well-crafted Espresso martini, concocted from espresso, crème du cacao and vanilla vodka, and garnished with coffee beans.
The 5,400 square foot Florence installment of the local, family-owned restaurant chain has something for every fan. The interior features a vintage bar built by the Brunswick company and high-top bar tables. Need to catch that season-defining game? You're at the right place: nine flat screen TVs have you covered. Enjoy the menu's offerings and comfortable weather on their outdoor patio.
Old meets new at Hayloft Tavern, a bar and restaurant from the mind behind Skinny Legs and Cityside. Got a do-or-die game to catch? Sports fans are covered with six mounted flat screen TVs. In a musical mood? Stop by for live rock and country Saturdays, or peruse their TouchTunes jukebox for a recorded smash. Hungry? Their menu is sure to satisfy thanks to favorites like the black & bleu burger. Don't forget to game it up at the bar with their two Megatouch machines. Smoking available at bar only.
Watching sports in a bar is nice and all, but having a bit more to munch on than pretzels and chips is even better. They’ve got a full menu of wraps, quesadillas, salads, sandwiches and appetizers, like the teriyaki hoagie, pulled pork on a Kaiser roll and bacon cheeseburger. For sports bar fans, you really can’t go wrong with the fun, rowdy and free-spirited attitude at Game On.
It’s time for the game – that’s right, the big game - but where to watch it? Easy question. Willie’s is just what you want. With TVs everywhere you look, you’ll never be far from the action no matter where you sit. And if you’re not so into sports, you can always come in for weekly scheduled karaoke and live music. Willie's also has daily lunch specials and happy hour 1-7 p.m. daily and again from 9 p.m. until close.
Ever wanted to play at the Augusta National? Now you can, sort of. At Greenies Indoor Golf and Billiards, experience the nation's best golf courses in one of four golf simulators. There are also seven pool tables and 25 hi-def TVs (including a 120 in. big screen). Greenies offers traditional American bar grub but also sirloin steaks, pork chops and other meaty meals and a covered outdoor deck. At the bar, they've got 12 beers on tap.
Tons of big, flat-screen TVs (including a 90-incher), darts, a sort of VIP-type couch area, a big stage for music on the weekends and even a fireplace (better suited to football season, obviously) keep this large space feeling cozy.
Seven mounted TVs keep the fans covered at the sports-themed hookah haven known as Bambooz. Pool, pinball, and a TouchTunes jukebox are good for filling in the commercial breaks, and the kitchen rolls out specials daily. For weekends, Fridays bring cover-free acoustic sets starting at 7 p.m. and Saturday night is ladies night -- the DJ starts the '80s spinning at 9 p.m.
Champions Grille
Champions Grille is a West Side sports fan’s headquarters. They just recently moved next to the Pirate's Den in a new spot with a patio. Boasting multiple hi-def TVs, fans can view virtually any game at any time. Replenish with a menu of appetizers, build-your-own burgers, sandwiches, wraps, pizza, salads and, of course, wings.
Putters Tavern and Grill
Is it a bar that sells food or a restaurant with a bar? Tough to tell sometimes, but you'll find good food a step above typical bar food, such as the Putters Fish Sandwich. TV's can be found in every nook and cranny, or test out your skills on the free putting green. They have the Double Bogey menu everyday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. with everything under $5. Other weekly events include Kids Eat Free on Mondays and no happy hour, Surf and Turf on Tuesdays with acoustic music, wing and beer night on Wednesdays, Karoake and DJ Ryan on Thursdays and Nascar on Sundays.
Putters 2 Putt Tavern & Grill
Putters 2 Putt Tavern & Grill is a great place to have a drink and watch the game with your friends. There is a vibrant golf theme, with greens painted on the floor and even a putt-putt hole to try out your skills. Fresh-made wings with award winning sauce are a favorite.. The menu is also filled with sliders, wraps, burgers and pizza; just see if you can make up your mind! They crank up the volume for some live music on Friday and Saturday nights, Wednesdays mean karaoke and Thursdays they bring in a DJ. If you're feeling daring, ask about the Big Bertha.
This third installment of the golf-themed tavern has the same flair and décor as the others. Head to Putters to kick back and relax while playing pool, darts, or one of the several video games. They’ve got entertainment lined up all week: Kids eat free on Mondays; Island Night on Tuesdays, $2 Long Islands; Trivia on Wednesdays; Burger Madness, $3.99 burgers and a DJ on Thursdays; Live bands on Friday and Saturday and $4 steak hoagies on Sunday.
Tap & Go
Local beers on tap and a spacious back patio make this a fine neighborhood stop. The partnership with the Cincinati Wolfhounds makes it the city's only feverishly fanatic rugby bar.
Downtown workers and sports fans head directly here before and after Bengals and Reds games, thanks to its prime Third Street location. Filled with local sports memorabilia, lots of flat-screen TVs and all the free peanuts and popcorn you can eat, the Head First is a classic sports bar that also serves lunch daily.
Get a taste of Pittsburgh’s rich Italian heritage just minutes from the University of Cincinnati. Their homemade sauce is infused into many dishes, such as the buffalo fries and of course, the Pittsburgh-style wings. Kick back with a cold one and enjoy the game (don’t forget your Steelers...
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