In a city like Milwaukee, which has several professional sports teams for its size and more bars per capita than just about any city in the nation, drawing the line between bars and sports bars can be tricky. But we took a shot at it anyway and scooped up just a handful of the Brew City's best sports bars. Cheer on the Packers, Bucks, Brewers and beyond at some of these sporty spots.
The 4th Base
5117 W. National Ave., (414) 647-8509
the4thbase.com
Though the atmosphere inside screams baseball and burgers, the chef prepares some incredible meals on a menu that changes daily; you can even view the featured meats and seafood of the day in the deli case.
The atmosphere is great, especially for baseball, with signed baseballs on display, pennants, autographed pictures, newspaper clippings and plaques from many years back, signs and other memorabilia that crowds the walls.
Brewski's Sports Club
204 N. 76th St., (414) 475-0500
Brewski's Sports Club on Facebook
At Brewski's Sports Club, there are multiple TV screens to cheer on your favorite sports team as you toss back a few drinks and indulge in daily food specials.
The Brick
6343 N. Green Bay Ave., (414) 797-0710
thebrickpubandgrill.com
While you definitely don't want to see any bricks coming from the Bucks, you will want to check out The Brick Pub and Grill in Glendale featuring tasty bar snacks and a cozy atmosphere along with more than a dozen televisions – including three outside on The Brick's patio – to keep tabs on Giannis and company. So no matter who you root for in basketball, this is a "Brick" we can all cheer.
Brothers Bar & Grill
1213 N. Water St., (414) 224-1690
brothersbar.com/milwaukee
This Water Street favorite may look completely different from its prior form, but it's still a great place to take in a big game thanks to two floors (and a patio space) loaded with plenty of tables and 48 televisions complete with NFL Sunday Ticket and all the big UFC fights. And if you're looking for some bonus competition, Brothers also features three pool tables, four dart boards, a pop-a-shot machine and several pinball machines – so even if your team loses, you can still be a winner.
Buffalo Wild Wings
Several Milwaukee-area locations
buffalowildwings.com
Each Buffalo Wild Wings (otherwise known as BW-3 or B-Dubs) location is different – but all of this popular bar chain's locations offer big screen TVs with all of the day's games on plus some trivia games to get you into the competitive spirit as well. There are also several sports-related video games, dart boards and more.
Champion's Pub
2417 N. Bartlett Ave., (414) 332-2440
championspub.com
Champion's is indeed a champion locale to watch the day's sporting action – especially Packers games, where the neighborhood tavern serves up themed eats ("bear sausage" for Bears games or "fried falcon" against the Falcons) amongst a crowd of Green Bay faithful and screens showing the games. Even if you're not there for the big game, though, Champion's is a hidden gem worth finding.
Champps Americana
1240 N. Moorland Rd., Brookfield, (262) 797-6600
champps.com
A national chain that strives to be more restaurant than bar, Champps still offers enough gigantic TVs, scoring updates and game-related specials to qualify it as one of the better places in town to eat a sit-down meal while taking in a game or two. There is little sports memorabilia, but the focus on sporting events and good view of the games themselves on the screens keep you focused anyway. The meals there are also very good, with a wide variety of dishes and beverages available from the bar.
Double D's Pub & Eatery
5171 S. 108th St., (414) 235-4555
doubledspubandeatery.com
It may be called Double D's, but this Hales Corners bar and eatery earns an A on game days. The tavern has plenty of Packers and football game specials plus a spacious spot that shows love for both the big national matchups as well as the neighborhood high school sports.
Drink Wisconsinbly Pub
320 W. Highland Ave., (414) 810-2134
wisconsinbly.com/drink-wisconsinbly-pub/
You can't find a more Wisconsin bar than Drink Wisconsinbly Pub, loaded with all sorts of Sconnie swag and deer season decor – and, of course, tasty brews, whether classic macros or tasty local craft beers. The best decor for a sports fan, though? All the screens scattered across the space, showing the day's games.
Fat Daddy's
120 W. National Ave., (414) 347-0524
fatdaddyball.com/home.php
Fat Daddy's is a comfortable neighborhood spot to watch a game in a classic local dive setting – but the bar is definitely the spot to both watch AND play sports, thanks to its massive outdoor volleyball court yard next door offering you a way to work up a sweat ... and a thirst for a drink back inside the bar.
The Highbury Pub
2322 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., (414) 294-4400
thehighbury.com
The Highbury Pub in Bay View isn't anything like your typical American sports bar. It's a place that emphasizes soccer, a sport in which comes fourth on the American popularity scale behind football, baseball and basketball. But it's number one at The Highbury where passionate soccer fans can go and watch the latest game, sometimes very early in the morning. Beer for breakfast: the best possible to the day! One note, though: It's a Bears bar on Sundays, so if you're cheering on the Packers, perhaps cheer elsewhere.
Hooligan's
2017 E. North Ave., (414) 273-5230
hooligansmke.com
This East Side staple is technically called Hooligan's Super Bar – and if you're looking for a cozy neighborhood place to watch a game, it is indeed a super bar to check out. The bar offers a number of screens to watch the day's biggest games along with a menu of delicious bar eats (including some stupendous wings).
Izzy Hops Swig & Nosh
2311 N. Murray Ave., (414) 249-4489
izzyhops.com
Whether you are trying to watch the game or hang out with friends, Izzy Hops is a great spot to grab a bite or a brew. Izzy Hops drink menu has over 30 craft beers on tap and 30 quality bourbons, while the food menu includes various sandwiches, burgers, wings and pizzas from next door at Divino.
Jack's American Pub
1323 E. Brady St., (414) 763-2830
jacksamericanpub.com
Jack's American Pub on Brady has an abundance of TVs to catch any game including a huge radiant TV screen upstairs – upstairs alone has 12 flat screen TVs. You won't miss any of the games with their NFL Sunday Ticket! Pop over for their wing night deal on Mondays – or grab the shuttle to Miller Park.
Jackson's Blue Ribbon Pub
11302 W. Bluemound Rd., (414) 988-4485
jacksonsbrp.com
Jackson's Blue Ribbon Pub are known for their lively and inviting atmosphere – and are a great choice to watch a game. They keep it local with several Wisconsin beers on tap, fresh ingredients from the greater Milwaukee area and spirits from Great Lakes Distillery. Enjoy wing night on Wednesdays before grabbing a shuttle to the Brewers, Bucks or Marquette games!
Kelly's Bleachers
5218 W. Bluemound Rd., (414) 258-9837
kellysbleachers.com
Brewers fans have flocked to Kelly's for years, and its location near Miller Park will maintain its status as one of Milwaukee's most-loved baseball bars. Kelly's has two big rooms and some smaller rooms featuring three pool tables, five dart boards, video golf and multiple video games. One room features six big screen TVs and there are tons of other TVs throughout the bar.
The menu is mostly standard sandwiches and pizzas, but dinner specials include ribs, shrimp, spaghetti and Mexican food. There is some memorabilia in each room and you can tell that baseball is a major influence here.
Leff's Lucky Town
7208 W. State St., (414) 258-9886
leffs.com
This Tosa sports bar classic has plenty of TVs to catch the game, as well as a large one on the patio for you to enjoy during the summer or on fall nights. Game day specials are plentiful at this sports bar meets friendly neighborhood pub.
Libby Montana
5616 W. Donges Bay Rd., (262) 242-2232
libby-montana.com
Libby Montana may be found not out west but right outside Milwaukee in Mequon, but the neighborhood tavern sure seems as big as the western state, complete with a dining room and even a dome for all-seasons volleyball action. But there's also the cozy main bar that serves up tasty food and drink along with several TVs showing all the football, baseball, basketball and more you could want.
Major Goolsby's
340 W. Kilbourn Ave., (414) 271-3414
One of Milwaukee's older sports bars, Major's keeps 'em coming back with the traditional bar food and drink fare plus some great stuff to look at: lots of old memorabilia adorn the walls, including from the Milwaukee Braves era, Marquette's NCAA championship runs and the Bucks' early years.
Matty's Sports Bar & Grille
14460 College Ave., New Berlin (414) 427-3838
mattysbar.com
Matty's Sports Bar & Grille in New Berlin features a chef-inspired menu inside of its casual atmosphere – and it's even better outside, where they've got an outstanding outdoor tent set-up with TVs, firepits and all sorts of frivolity. Even though it was voted as one of the best sports bars in the city, it's mostly known for the menu, specifically the burgers and pizza.
McGillycuddy's Bar & Grill
1135 N. Water St., (414) 278-8888
mcgillycuddysmilwaukee.com
McGillycuddy's has three levels, multiple TVs and game-related promotions. Sports memorabilia is concentrated on the third level, where there is a cool selection of stuff to look at, especially if you like Brewers memorabilia from their highly competitive years in the early '80s.
The MECCA Sports Bar & Grill
1134 N. Vel R. Phillips Ave., (414) 908-0401
themeccamke.com
Couldn't get into Fiserv Forum for the big Bucks game? Don't spend the game sadly pawing at the windows of the arena for pity and instead head across the plaza to the next best thing to a live arena-like sports experience: The MECCA Sports Bar & Grill. The menu sports a hunger-killing lineup of unique bar food takes and a bullpen of thirst-quenching brews and cocktails to help wash down your grub and another Bucks win.
But here's what you're truly coming to feast on when you come the The MECCA: sports, especially when they come served on a TV as unfathomably mammoth as the bar's centerpiece screen. Add in live-sports-like features and excitement, and you've got a locale worthy of being named after both an arena and a holy place.
Milwaukee Brat House
1013 N. Dr. MLK Jr. Drive, (414) 273-8709
4022 N. Oakland Ave., (414) 539-5826
milwaukeebrathouse.com
What better way to watch some sports than with a brat or five? Both Brew City venues offer delicious menus of bar grub – including, of course, sausages – served with a side of sports shown across several TV screens. And if you're watching the big game in person, Brat House also offers shuttles to many sporting events.
Moran's Pub
912 Milwaukee Ave., (414) 902-0148
moranspub.com
Wisconsinites may be more football fanatics than futbol fanatics, but for those who appreciate the beautiful game, Moran's Pub is a great place to get your kicks – plus it was freshly renovated just a few years ago to bring some new shine to this classic space.
The Newport
939 E. Conway St., (414) 486-1768
The Newport on Facebook
This Bay View hidden gem is mostly a neighborhood hangout for young and old. But even though it doesn't have a ton of TVs, the hangout also makes for a great, animated place to watch games local and national – especially for Packers games, when the bar brings in hot ham and rolls (or other treats) to help soak up another Green Bay win. And for a similar classic atmosphere in a slightly newer locale, check out the owners' other St. Francis spot, Creed's Foggy Dew.
Nomad World Pub
1401 E. Brady St., (414) 224-8111
Nomad World Pub on Facebook
If you're a soccer fan, then I'm sure that you've already been to, or at least heard of, Nomad World Pub on Brady Street. The pub features daily drink specials, including the world's shortest Happy Hour on Monday through Friday, plus there's the extensive and colorful outdoor patio space.
Pistol Pete's
16755 W. Lisbon Ave., Brookfield, (262) 790-9701
pistolpetesbar.com
Pistol Pete's serves up a good place to catch games if you like to hang out west. Half a sports bar and half a restaurant with an attached cigar and scotch bar, Pistol Pete's offers two projection TVs, eight other TVs, pool tables, darts, a good selection of video games and a good menu. There isn't a lot of memorabilia, but if you like NASCAR, they have some interesting things around.
Points East Pub
1501 N. Jackson St., (414) 277-0122
thepointseastpub.com
This hotspot isn't just the home of some of the best wings in the city. (But really, they're outstanding, especially if you're not a fan of sloppy, saucy wings.) Points East features numerous screens showing all the biggest games from basketball, hockey, football, baseball and much more. It's great eats with a great sports bar vibe.
Potawatomi Sportsbook
1721 W. Canal St., (800) 729-7244
paysbig.com
One of the biggest sports bar developments in the Milwaukee area is the Potawatomi Sportsbook. Not only can you make your bets at this casino hangout, but you can watch all sorts of games from comfortable seats with drinks and tasty snacks from the bar nearby. And that's just the temporary sportsbook – just wait until the official version moves in next year!
Red Lion Pub
1850 N. Water St., (414) 431-9009
redlionpubmke.com
Red Lion Pub roars with activity every soccer game day, mainly serving as a hub for fans of footy. This Water Street locale, found in the Tannery row of Milwaukee's Lower East Side, also serves as a festive spot to check out a game and some outstanding pub grub – not to mention their upstairs patio space as well.
Romine's High Pockets
6125 S. 27th St., Franklin, (414) 281-2212
romineshp.com
Romine's is a fun place to watch multiple sporting events while enjoying multiple activities. Football and wrestling fans will especially enjoy the wide selection of events broadcast on over 50 TVs, with a central bar, restaurant, video games and tons of pool tables. The bar and restaurant have extensive food and drink selections and, although sports memorabilia is sparse, the selection of events to watch, drink specials to take advantage of and variety of activities make it a good place to catch a game, or multiple games, especially with a group of people.
Skybox Sports Bar
2213 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., (414) 810-0763
skyboxsportsbar.com
Enjoy food, drinks, gaming and of course sports on one of their nearly 50 high-definition TV screens.
SportClub
750 N. Jefferson St., (414) 808-1588
sportclubmke.com
As its name makes obvious, this is a sports bar. But the vibe is less tawdry memorabilia on the wall and patrons shouting at TVs than convivial, communal revelry – tasteful, casual but still competitive enough a place where you can curse a Liverpool collapse.
Steny's Tavern and Grill
800 S. 2nd St., (414)672-7139
stenystavern.com
Steny's has become a historic Walker Point icon, providing a fun and diverse experience for more than 20 years – as well as a great place to catch any game. You can also grab a shuttle to Miller Park for Brewers games as well as a regular shuttle for Bucks games. Wing specials every Thursday night, and Bloody Mary specials every Saturday and Sunday.
The Tracks Tavern & Grille
1020 E. Locust St., (414) 562-2020
trackstavernmilwaukee.com
The Tracks Tavern & Grille offers daily food and drink specials in a relaxed atmosphere that allows you to have fun with company. You can watch the game on one of the large HDTVs or if you're feeling energetic and sporty yourself, you can join the sand volleyball league.
Three Lions Pub
4515 N. Oakland Ave., (414) 763-6992
threelionspub.com
Three Lions Pub is an authentic British pub that provides patrons with an eclectic blend of English culinary standbys and traditional American cuisine – and all the games you could want to watch too! A giant projection screen is front and center so you can enjoy live sporting events in the grandest possible way. In addition to the screen, the pub also sports four flat-screen HDTVs that are tuned to high-definition sports around the clock.
Who's On Third
1007 N. Old World 3rd St., (414) 897-8373
whosonthirdmke.com
Who's On Third serves up classic American pub/sports bar with full bar and menu featuring grass-fed burgers, chicken sandwiches, deep fried cheese curds, wings, salads and macaroni and cheese. Did we mention the wings? Try them while watching from any of number of TV's including the gigantic one in the back.
