Downtown San Diego’s Best Sports Bars for Game Day
Updated April 26, 2024
While San Diego does not currently have many sports teams, the city is full of transplants from all over the country and the globe. It is also home to a number of bars with a large variety of locally brewed beers. Therefore, you’ll find that sports bars in San Diego offer a wide variety of sporting events to view while you enjoy world-class eats and craft drinks.
WHISKEY GIRL
Looking for the best Gaslamp sports bars in San Diego? You’ll find just that at Whiskey Girl. In the heart of San Diego’s Historic Gaslamp Quarter, at 702 Fifth Ave, it’s one of the area’s longest-running entertainment venues. Specializing in an American-classic menu, you can settle into the game with your Chicken Wings, a cocktail, OMG Nachos or fan- favorite Fish Tacos (also a great spot for Taco Tuesday in San Diego). What they’re known for are the over seventy whiskeys that you’ll be able to enjoy while watching the game on any one of over a dozen TVs. True to being one of the best San Diegan sports bars Whiskey Girl caters to Padres fans with game-day specials on beers, buckets, and shots. Check out their Happy Hour specials from 3pm-7pm on weekdays, in addition to their Taco Tuesday specials that run from 4pm-10pm.
THE FIELD IRISH PUB
Courtesy of The Field
Looking for something a little different? Head over to The Field, a San Diegan pub known for their authentic Irish offerings that even our neighbors across the pond can vouch for. No plate is more authentic than their Fish and Chips. However, you can’t go wrong with their Sausage Rolls or Shepherds Pie for a bit of great food. A small pub that looks transplanted directly from Ireland, The Field features European futbol on their projector screen. Also, it offers specials during Padres games, valid two hours prior to all Padres home games. When you need the best place to watch sports in San Diego, for UK futbol The Field makes the cut. Happy Hour runs from 3pm-7pm, on weekdays, where you can get your fill of Black & Blue Sliders and Irish Potato Skins. Just don’t forget your Guinness or Kilkenny Cream Ale! Visit them at 544 Fifth Avenue.
HALF DOOR BREWING
Courtesy of Half Door Brewing
If you love the pub feel and are looking to stop into a place on the way to the ballpark, Half Door Brewing is the quaint, old-world pub you are looking for. Located in East Village at 903 Island Ave and just steps away from Petco Park, this brewpub is the perfect place to stop for “a wee taste” of Fried Goat Cheese, HDBC Burgers, crispy chicken sandwich or a White Truffle Flatbread to grub on before watching San Diego’s beloved sports team. Accompany either plate with a Roark Red Ale or Irish Mule before heading over to the stadium to start your outing off right. The proprietors, the Drayne family, offer a natural, welcoming environment that is evident in their menu and décor. Their Happy Hour runs from 4pm-6pm during the week. However, it is not valid on days the Padres play at home. Looking to take it up a notch? Take advantage of being in the “Craft Beer Capital of America” and watch the game from different local breweries by doing a San Diego Pub Crawl!
GASLAMP TAVERN
What makes for a great sports bars in downtown San Diego? Gaslamp Tavern says it’s their hand-crafted cocktails, local beers, and game day. Also located in San Diego’s Historic Gaslamp District, at 868 Fifth Ave, the Gaslamp Tavern shows you how it’s done when it comes to the best sports tavern to watch football in San Diego. In fact, it’s one of the best restaurants in the Gaslamp Quarter. Brunch is available on Saturdays and Sundays, aka Game Day, until 2pm! There’s nothing like a Smoked Brisket Bowl with a couple of poached eggs and a Brown Derby while watching Sunday morning football to end your weekend on a high note. Need a pick-me-up to get you through the week? Happy Hour takes place on weekdays from 3pm-6pm. Then there are the daily deals you won’t want to miss, like their Ghost Fries on Tuesdays or Wing Wednesday.
BUB’S AT THE BALLPARK
Courtesy of Bub’s at the Ballpark
Probably one of the busiest bars on any game day, Bub’s at the Ballpark is one of the best, if not the best sports bars in San Diego. Not only is it right around the corner from Petco Park, but its open-concept architecture flows from the street into the bar. This creates a very inclusive social environment for all sports fans and regular diners. Grab a Ballast Point Swinging Friar Ale or any of their other thirty taps or eighteen specialty bottles, and pick your flavor of Bub’s Famous Grilled Wings. That’s right, none of that deep-fried stuff with these guys! You’ll find them at 715 J Street, with Happy Hour weekdays from 3pm-5pm and Wing Wednesday Specials from 3pm-close. If it’s wings you need, Bub’s is the place to be!
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Most PopularPETCO PARK
Courtesy of San Diego Padres
Obviously, Petco Park has the quintessential sports bars downtown San Diego has to offer. In addition to stadium seating, Gallagher Square has lawn seating and standing room areas, Petco Park has some of the best breweries and restaurants in all of San Diego right within its gates. While you’re cheering on your favorite team, you can enjoy the local flavors of brisket from the iconic Randy Jones BBQ, craft cocktails from Cutwater Spirits Rum Bar, Ocean Beach’s best burger by Hodad’s, pork belly served up from Carnitas Snack Shack, or even a .394 Pale Ale by Alesmith, a special Padres brew. For a truly unique experience, head over to The Loft restaurant and bar in the Western Metal Supply building. Built in 1909 and later declared a historical landmark in 1978, The Loft is the largest indoor venue at the park with The Rail seating giving you a unique view of the game below. The rooftop is great for parties or events and is ideal for groups of 30-300 if you want to host your next birthday or corporate event. For those real baseball fans, you can even go on a Petco Stadium Tour to go behind the scenes!
If you’re in America’s Finest City for a game and want to explore more of the gaslamp quarter, check out the Brothels, Bites and Booze culinary walking tour, which is full of the curiosities that make up San Diego’s questionable past. Taste original food and drink flavors from four restaurants along the way as recommended by your San Diego tour guide, and learn what makes San Diegans so unique.
JOHNNY WAHOO! GOLF BAR
Courtesy of Johnny Wahoo! Golf Bar
One of the newer, more event-focused sports bars downtown San Diego has to offer, Johnny WAHOO! Golf Bar immerses you in interactive gameplay while providing quality bar fare and inventive cocktails. We’re talking nightly games on their Full Swing golf simulators that can be programmed to over thirteen different sports, including dodgeball, baseball and even football, right in the heart of downtown. Go online to book in advance for your friends or for a team building group. Simulators rent by the hour, with prices varying by time and day. Plan an early tee time on the weekend and enjoy the Wahoo Brunch; for $25, you can enjoy bottomless mimosas until 2pm! More of a bacon-in-your-Bloody-Mary fan? Pair one with your Braised Pork Belly Benedict or the salsa verde chicken Chilaquiles. Looking for something during the week? Hit up Par.Tee.Time. from 3pm-6pm, Monday through Friday, for the Wahoo! happy hour. Plan on watching the game, such as Thursday Night Football, on one of nearly twenty TVs while enjoying great food and draft beer. They even turn on the audio for the full Thursday Night Football experience, making it one of the best bars to watch football in San Diego. Visit them at 527 Fifth Ave, and check out their weekly promotions and seasonal events.
THE LOCAL
The Local in Downtown San Diego is a quirky spot that’s been jazzing up the local scene since 2003. The menu is a playful mishmash of American pub faves and zesty twists – think Brisket Poutine with a kick or Lobster Tacos that’ll have you doing a double-take. With a vibe as chill as a beach day and a menu that’s all about fun, The Local is where you go to let your hair down and your taste buds run wild!
Swing by Tuesday through Friday from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM to snag $5 off select apps, enjoy resident craft beer and wine for just $5, and treat yourself to $10 specialty cocktails. Each day offers something different, like Tequila Tuesday with its tempting $3 street tacos, making it a blast to visit again and again.
For the latest on their Happy Hour and other specials, check out The Local’s specials page.
PUNCH BOWL SOCIAL
Punch Bowl Social in San Diego’s East Village is a vibrant spot that seamlessly blends gastronomic delights with entertainment options galore — think bowling, karaoke, an arcade, and more! This place is happenin’ and has a lively menu to match. Standout dishes include the sweet potato & carnitas fries and the Knockoff Burger, alongside a diverse array of punches and cocktails like their signature Punch, Margaritas, and Classic Daiquiris to get the party started. It’s the perfect destination for kids and sports fans who are kids at heart who want to eat, play, and drink!
Written by: Melissa
Melissa hails from San Jose, CA, and has been a San Diego local for five years now after a 10-year long pit stop in Los Angeles. In L.A., she began her writing career crafting digital content for a wide range of clients, including The Real Talk Show, Sharon Osbourne, Hank Azaria, Time Life, and Cardinal Financial. She’s excited to be able to use her passion for writing to introduce people to some of the best spots in San Diego, many of which she has already frequented or has on her ever-expanding list of things to do … In her spare time, she enjoys taking her puppy Milo to all of the best dog beaches in SD, grabbing a glass of wine or a cup of joe at new places, and hosting watch parties for The Bachelor/ette TV show.
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