Nightlife

Best Sports Bars in Tempe

December 18, 2024

Where to cheer on your favorite sports team in Tempe

In Tempe, sports are a year-round reason to gather, eat, drink and celebrate. From Sun Devil football in the fall and the forthcoming inaugural season of the NBA G League’s Valley Suns this winter to Los Angeles Angels Spring Training in February and March and even the USL Champions Phoenix Rising’s spicy summer season, Tempe is always ready to welcome fans.

As such, Tempe boasts an all-star selection of sports bars to watch your favorite team play live. From NCAA and NBA games to UFC and March madness, Tempe has plenty of bars, restaurants and taverns that invite you out on game day.

Check out our list of traditional sports bars equipped with plenty of screens, spots known for their margaritas and brews, and restaurants with patios that are undefeated.

Sports Bars in Downtown Tempe & Near ASU

CASA
5 E. 6th St., Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-557-8226 

With indoor and outdoor seating, a delicious menu and a roster of bevvies, CASA is a fan favorite. Although this spot is best-known for its block parties on home game days, it’s also an excellent perch to watch an away game. The energy across this expansive, two-story patio is electric (so are the bucket drinks).

Fat Tuesday
680 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-967-3917

Watch the big game enjoying a fruity, fun daiquiri and juicy burger at Fat Tuesday on Mill Avenue. They have tons of daiquiri flavors to choose from, and if those don’t float your boat, check out the beer menu for even more options.

Loco Patron
222 S. Mill Ave., #115, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-699-0922

With an open-air concept and a large patio located along Mill Avenue, Loco Patron is the perfect spot for watching sports and the hustle and bustle of Downtown Tempe. With a margarita in one hand and a taco in the other, I couldn’t imagine a better way to watch a game!

Zipps Sports Grill  
690 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-404-7255 
1860 E. Warner Road, Tempe, AZ 85284 | 480-782-8877 

With daily happy hour specials and delicious wings on deck, we highly recommend Zipps Sports Grill for watching games. Located on Mill Avenue near the ASU Tempe Campus (plus a location in south Tempe), you’ll be able to support your favorite sports teams with lots of local fans. Like any worthy sports bar on game day, it gets busy — so make sure to get your order in early.

Must-try: Zipps is known for its Golden Wings with a touch of sweetness and your choice of spice level.

Sports Bars Beyond Downtown

Boondocks Patio & Grill
1024 E. Broadway Road, Tempe, AZ 85282 | 480-536-9820

If big screens, big flavor and a big patio is what you’re looking for on game day, Boondocks checks all the boxes. Since 2021, this location has been serving Tempe with spirited happy hours, fan-fueled watch parties, weekend brunch and more. Karaoke, live music and various game nights are also on the calendar here.

Brick & Barley
201 E. Baseline Road, Tempe, AZ 85283 |  480-730-9800

This neighborhood bar and grill, located in Mill Towne Center, offers a delightfully robust menu, plenty of craft beers on tap and all the games — from the World Cup to the Kentucky Derby (and everything in between). As seen on Season 4 of “Bar Rescue,” this concept leveled up and it shows. Expect TV views no matter where you’re seated, elevated pub fare and even arcade games and trivia programming.

Mills Modern Social
83 E. Broadway Road, Tempe, AZ 85282 | 602-491-9119

This delightful culinary destination and social hub is the perfect spot for friends to get together for drinks, delicious food and a good time. With TVs and game options galore, and plenty of comfy seating options, it’s ideal for watching your favorite sports teams play with a group of friends. The scratch kitchen offers everything from flatbread pizza and glammed-up burgers to salads, sammies and sweets. The Mill Ave. nachos and made-to-order wings are perfect for sharing — or just keep them all for yourself.

Spokes On Southern
1470 E. Southern Ave., Tempe, AZ 85282 | 480-307-9920

A neighborhood grill and ale house, Spokes opened in 2013 as a comfortable bike-themed concept with the goal of providing scratch-made food in a relaxing atmosphere. The menu ranges from “Southwest-ish” entrees to weekend brunch — and a selection of 27 draft beers, including local Arizona favorites. In addition to all the big games, you’re likely to catch disc golf, trivia, yoga or live music on site.

Sports Bars at Tempe Marketplace

Dave & Buster’s  
2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-281-8456 

Dave & Buster’s at Tempe Marketplace is the perfect pre-game and post-game hangout spot. With more than 36 TVs and a 40-foot WOW Wall, there will be a seemingly unlimited number of screens available to catch the games. Thirsty? Enjoy wine, beer, cocktails or booze-free beverages. Hungry? Try one of six new wing flavors and much more. After the game, channel your inner athlete by playing one of their many sports-themed video games.

Thirsty Lion Gastropub
2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway, #1041, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-968-2920

For all college football and NFL fans, Thirsty Lion has the NFL Sunday Ticket, ESPN Gameplan, Big Ten Package, COX for local college games, and the Pac12 Network at all locations. Fans can also enjoy brunch starting at 10 a.m., with such dishes as the spicy chicken and waffles, the Irish Whiskey French Toast and adobo pork Benedict.

Twin Peaks
2050 E. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-687-3122

With almost 100 large-screen TVs, 29-degree draft beers, craft cocktails and scratch-made food, this is the place to watch your favorite sports team. Twin Peaks Lodge is the destination viewing football, basketball, live UFC fights and more.

Craft Breweries

Fate Brewing Company  
201 E. Southern Road, Tempe, AZ 85282 | 480-590-2395 

If you haven’t checked out this hot spot just south of the ASU campus, you’ll wish you had known about it sooner. With plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, you’re sure to have excellent sightlines to the TV of your choice. Try your hand at corn-hole and giant Jenga during commercials and timeouts while you hang out in the beer garden. Enjoy a pint of the popular Halfway to Heffen on their spacious patio or grab a seat at the expansive bar.

Four Peaks Brewing Company
1340 E. 8th St., Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-303-9967

Four Peaks is a local legend known for its beer, food and location in a historic creamery building that dates back to the late 1800s. When a big game is televised, it becomes a gathering spot for fans! Try anything made with beer bread and order a Kilt Lifter, the No. 1 selling beer in Arizona.

Pedal Haus Brewery 
730 S. Mill Ave., #102, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-314-2337

Known for having the largest patio in Downtown Tempe, Pedal Haus Brewery has award-winning craft beers and televisions at every turn. This supersized restaurant and craft brewery can hold you and your friends on game day. In addition to menu classics like the buttermilk fried chicken and cheddar corn fritters, Pedal Haus recently expanded their food menu to include gluten-free and vegan options. It’s hard to choose our favorite beer here, but we’ll go with the Belgian-Style Tripel.