Best Sports Bars in NYC for Game Day
Whether its NFL Sunday, NBA playoffs, or World Cup, these bars have the screens, the energy, and the drink specials to make game day right.
1. Standings (East Village)
The ultimate sports bar. Every game, every sport, on multiple screens. Cheap beer, no food (but you can order delivery to the bar). Cash only. Gets packed for big games — arrive early.
2. The Ainsworth (Multiple Locations)
Chelsea, Midtown, FiDi. Upscale sports bar with good food and massive screens. NFL Sunday specials with buckets of beer. More date-friendly than a typical sports bar.
3. Smithfield Hall (Midtown)
The soccer bar. Premier League, Champions League, World Cup — this is where the football fans go. Opens early for morning matches. Pints and full English breakfast at 7 AM.
4. Banter (Williamsburg)
Brooklyn soccer bar with a backyard. Opens at 7:30 AM for Premier League. Good beer selection, chill crowd, and they actually care about the sport.
5. Stout NYC (Midtown, near Penn Station)
Massive space with 40+ TVs. Good for NFL Sunday when you want to watch multiple games. Solid wings and beer specials. Gets loud.
6. Blondies (Upper West Side)
Classic NYC sports bar since 1981. Every game on, cheap pitchers, and a crowd that actually watches (not just there for Instagram). Great for playoffs.
Game Day Tips
- For NFL Sunday: arrive 30 min before kickoff for a seat
- Ask about specials — most bars do bucket deals and wing specials on game days
- Wear your jersey — you will find your people
- For soccer: confirm the bar opens early enough for your match
We watch games at these bars — catch the vlogs on NewYorkNoNavro YouTube.