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The 5 Best Sports Bars in Houston, Rated!

The 5 Best Sports Bars in Houston
  • Atmosphere: The best sports bars have a lively and energetic atmosphere perfect for watching the big game. The lighting, music, and décor should all contribute to the overall vibe of the venue. We paid close attention to how comfortable the seating was, how clean the establishments were, and how well the staff maintained the overall ambiance.
  • Food and Drinks: Food and drink options are crucial in any sports bar experience. We looked at the menus for a wide variety of options that cater to all tastes and preferences. We also paid close attention to the quality of the food and drinks! 
  • Televisions: The best sports bars have numerous high-quality televisions throughout the venue, ensuring that every guest has a clear view of the games. Hence, we considered the number of televisions, positioning, and quality of the picture and sound.
  • Service:  We aimed to select places with friendly and attentive staff who prioritized the needs of their customers. We looked at the speed and efficiency of service, as well as the staff's level of knowledge and expertise regarding the menu and overall experience.

1. Cottonwood

Website: Cottonwood

Address: 3422 N Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX 77018, United States

Contact Info:  +1 713-802-0410

Hours:

  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday to Thursday: 5 to 10 PM 
  • Friday: 4 PM to 12 AM 
  • Saturday: 11 AM to 12 AM 
  • Sunday: 12 to 10 PM 
Google Reviews Score4.3/5
Yelp Reviews Score3.5/5
Facebook Reviews Score3.8/5
Total Reviews4/5
Score Consistency4/5
Atmosphere4.6/5
Food and Drinks4.8/5
Televisions4.7/5
Service4/5

Pros

  • High-definition televisions
  • Large outdoor seating area
  • Vast selection of drinks 
  • Savory buffalo wings and nachos
  • Friendly staff

Cons

  • Filthy restrooms 
  • Noise can be overwhelming 

We recently went to Cottonwood for a night out with our team members. The overall ambiance of the bar was energetic and lively, with a great selection of sports channels. 

First and foremost, the bar had a large outdoor seating area, which could be great for watching games on the big screen while enjoying the sunshine. But we opted to sit inside. 

While the indoor seating area was spacious and comfortable, it became quite noisy during peak hours, making it difficult to converse.

One thing we noted right away that could be improved upon was the cleanliness of the restrooms. They needed a good scrubbing and restocking of essentials such as toilet paper and soap. 

Despite these things, we still had a pleasant time at Cottonwood. 

As far as we could tell, almost every end of the bar seemed to have a television. The televisions throughout the sports bar were high-definition. 

While the sound was sometimes a little overwhelming, we could probably hear it from miles away—which is what you want from a good sports bar. 

Moreover, we liked the diverse menu, with various dishes, including some vegetarian and gluten-free options. We particularly enjoyed their buffalo wings and nachos, which we thought were perfectly cooked. 

Furthermore, their selection of beers and cocktails was vast. We found the drinks to be well-made. 

Plus, every drink we ordered was served promptly to us by the staff—who always greeted us with a friendly smile. 

2. Drift 

Website: Drift 

Address: 1207 W 20th St, Houston, TX 77008, United States

Contact Info: +1 281-804-5920

Hours:

  • Monday to Thursday: 4 PM to 12 AM 
  • Friday: 2 PM to 2 AM 
  • Saturday: 11 AM to 2 AM 
  • Sunday: 11 AM to 12 AM 
Google Reviews Score4.4/5
Yelp Reviews Score3.5/5
Facebook Reviews Score4/5
Total Reviews4.4/5
Score Consistency4.4/5
Atmosphere4.4/5
Food and Drinks4.5/5
Televisions4.6/5
Service4/5

Pros

  • Delicious buffalo wings
  • Spacious bar
  • Modern intimate atmosphere 
  • Wide selection of alcoholic drinks

Cons

  • Overwhelmed servers 
  • Not much entertainment 

Many told us that in the heart of the city, the sports bar Drift has a lot to offer in terms of atmosphere, food, and entertainment. To verify the truthfulness of these claims, one of our team members checked Drift out.

Let us start by saying that overall, he quite enjoyed his experience at Drift, but a few things left him wanting more.

First of all, he raved about the atmosphere at Drift, saying it was fantastic. The bar had a modern, upscale look with a sleek and beautiful color scheme. 

He thought the lighting was perfect, not too bright or too dim, and the seating was comfortable. While he noted that the bar was spacious enough to accommodate large groups, it still felt cozy and intimate.

From what he told us, the food at Drift was also quite good. The menu included classic sports bar fare as well as some unique dishes. 

For him, though, the buffalo chicken sliders were a standout. The chicken was juicy, and the sauce had the perfect balance of spiciness and flavor. 

Additionally, the loaded fries he got were delicious, with crispy bacon, melted cheese, and a drizzle of ranch dressing. He also thought the drinks were top-notch, with a wide selection of beers, cocktails, and wines.

Now, while the food was quite good, the service left something to be desired. His server was friendly, but she seemed overwhelmed, leading to longer wait times for his drinks and food. 

Another issue our guy had with Drift was the lack of variety in the entertainment. Although he said they had a few TVs and a pool table, there wasn’t much else to do besides eat and drink. 

This may not be an issue for everyone, but it could be a dealbreaker for those looking for a more interactive experience.

3. Highline Park 

Address: 600 N Shepherd Dr Suite 499, Houston, TX 77007, United States

Contact Info: +1 832-538-1056

Hours:

  • Monday to Saturday: 11 Am to 12 AM 
  • Sunday: 11 Am to 11 PM 
Google Reviews Score4.1/5
Yelp Reviews Score3.5/5
Facebook Reviews Score5/5
Total Reviews4.5/5
Score Consistency4.5/5
Atmosphere4.5/5
Food and Drinks4/5
Televisions4.7/5
Service3.5/5

Pros

  • Plenty of TVs
  • Energetic atmosphere 
  • Flavorful short rib grilled cheese 
  • Cheap happy hour 

Cons

  • Lack of good service
  • Long waits 
  • “Rock-like” fries

When we checked out Highline Park for ourselves, we immediately noted that the bar was spacious and well-lit. We liked how there were plenty of TVs showing various sports games. 

We thought the vibe around us was energetic and upbeat, making it a great spot to watch a game or just hang out with friends. 

Another of the things we liked was how they had a nice mix of basic bar food and more unique choices. We overheard many around us ordering the fajita fries and the short rib grilled cheese, so that’s what we decided to try. 

However, we had trouble flagging down a waiter to take our order. From what we observed, most of the waiters were scattered around the bar, and the ones we did make eye contact with passed right over us. 

In our opinion, the staff members here could improve by showing common courtesy. It wouldn’t hurt to check on those waiting, even if it is a busy night. 

Needless to say, we had to wait almost half an hour to place our order. 

As far as the food goes, it came out steaming hot, but we thought the fries were as hard as a rock. This detracted away from the overall flavor. 

Despite this, we did like the short rib grilled cheese. The short rib burst with flavor and paired well with the oozing cheese. 

Moreover, as it was happy hour, when we went, we got to sample their wide range of beers on tap and a few of their cocktails at a reasonable price. If you go when it’s not happy hour, prepare to spend a pretty penny, for their drinks aren’t cheap. 

4. Patterson Park 

Website: Patterson Park 

Address: 2205 Patterson St, Houston, TX 77007, United States

Contact Info: +1 832-804-6912

Hours:

  • Monday to Thursday: 2 PM to 12 AM 
  • Friday: 2 PM to 2 AM 
  • Saturday: 11 AM to 2 AM 
  • Sunday: 12 PM to 12 AM 
Google Reviews Score4.2/5
Yelp Reviews Score3.5/5
Facebook Reviews Score4.6/5
Total Reviews4.5/5
Score Consistency4.5/5
Atmosphere4.8/5
Food and Drinks4.4/5
Televisions4.8/5
Service4.4/5

Pros

  • Breathtaking treehouse views
  • Plenty of seats
  • Great position of TVs
  • Top-notch cocktails

Cons

  • Overpriced food trucks 
  • No waitstaff

Many avid sports fans told us Patterson Park is the place to go if you love nothing more than grabbing a drink and watching the game with friends, but in a treehouse atmosphere. So, of course, we had to check out this treehouse bar for ourselves. 

Even though it was somewhat busy when we arrived at 6:30 in the evening, we quickly found a parking spot. Do note that this is a 21+ bar, so expect to show identification before entering. 

As we walked in, there were plenty of food trucks, with crowds gathering around each one. Needless to say, we grabbed some grub from the food trucks before heading up to the top level of the treehouse. 

However, we must say that the food we had from the food trucks was nothing special and a little overpriced—in our opinion, that is. 

Nevertheless, when we made it to the top of the treehouse right away, we thought the views of the city were breathtaking. Plus, the vibe all around us was electric. 

Although it was getting slightly crowded as we left the top floor, we had no problem finding seats because seats were available everywhere.

So, while there were various levels of seating, we decided to sit near the bar, as we noted there was no wait staff, just bartenders. Besides, we counted about 7 TVs around the bar alone, so watching the soccer game near the bar wasn’t an issue for us. 

Furthermore, we liked the variety of cocktails they had on their menu. We thought the cocktails we tried were top-notch and skillfully made. 

5. The Sporting Club 

Website:  The Sporting Club 

Address: 5102 Washington Ave, Houston, TX 77007, United States

Contact Info: +1 713-714-6051

Hours: Monday to Sunday: 11 AM to 11 PM 

Google Reviews Score3.6/5
Yelp Reviews Score3/5
Facebook Reviews Score2.3/5
Total Reviews3.5/5
Score Consistency3.5/5
Atmosphere4.5/5
Food and Drinks4/5
Televisions4.6/5
Service4.3/5

Pros

  • 30+ HD TVs 
  • Extensive selection of beers 
  • Knowledgeable bartenders

Cons

  • Long wait time for food 

From what we’ve observed, The Sporting Club embodies the essence of a sports fan’s haven. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with an atmosphere that screamed, “Let’s watch some sports!”

First, the bar’s layout was perfect for game day. We counted about just over 30 HD TVs scattered throughout the place, which we thought was perfect for the optimal viewing experience.  

Moreover, the bar is spacious, with plenty of room for everyone to kick back and relax while cheering on their favorite teams. 

We thought it was awesome how the walls were adorned with sports memorabilia and jerseys. In our opinion, this added to the overall ambiance of the bar.

Regarding drinks, we found that The Sporting Club has an extensive selection of beers on tap, ranging from domestic favorites to craft beers. 

From our conversations with the bartenders, we noted how knowledgeable they are about the beers they serve. Plus, we got the impression that they were happy to help us find the perfect brew to enjoy with our meals. 

Speaking of food, we noted that the menu at The Sporting Club was diverse. We spotted everything from classic pub fares like wings and burgers to healthier options like salads and grilled chicken—indeed, something for everyone

The food we ordered was tasty, came in generous portion sizes, and was reasonably priced. Although it took a bit longer than expected for our meals to arrive, it’s probably because we ordered many items off the menu. 

Still, the thing that stood out to us the most about The Sporting Club was how the staff went around ensuring everyone had a great experience. We thought it was great that they were quick to refill drinks and take food orders, which is especially important during busy game days.

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