For Sports Fans (and the Fakers)

They say that it takes a village to raise a child.  Sometimes, the same is true for writing an article about sports bars. Many kind souls contributed suggestions for the compiled list below – a guide to everything you ever wanted to know about where to watch sports but were afraid to ask. We figured that some of you out there might be sports fans...and some of you may just pretend to be a sports fan as a way to meet new guys, in which case, we hope our guide helps you score.


SANTA MONICA

Finn McCool’s Irish pub:  This much-loved gastro pub has a bar that was shipped directly from Dublin.  They have a great beer and whiskey selection, and the food is quite good – try the Irish Nachos or the Finn Skins – but be warned that Main Street parking is always a challenge.  
Location:  2700 Main St @ Hill St in Santa Monica
Phone:  310.452.1734

Daily Pint: This local favorite specializes in beers on tap and whiskey.  It’s cleaner than most dive bars so you don't have to bathe in hand sanitizer after using the bathroom, and it has tons of TVs and games (foosball, shuffleboard, pool).
Location: 2310 Pico Blvd @ Cloverfield in Santa Monica
Phone: 310.450.7631

Busby’s: This friendly, fratty bar near UCLA has a dance floor, pool tables, arcade machines, and foosball, so you will be entertained even if you hate sports.
Location: 3110 Santa Monica Blvd @ Franklin in Santa Monica
Phone: 310.828.4567

O’Brien’s Irish Pub: This local favorite often has drink and food specials.
Locations:  2226 Wilshire Blvd @ 23rd St in Santa Monica, and 2941 Main St @ Ashland (also in Santa Monica)
Phone:
310.829.5303 - Wilshire location
310.396.4725 - Main St location


HOLLYWOOD

The Parlor:
If you've never been a dive type of girl, this gastropub is for you.  It has great food, indoor/outdoor seating, tons of flat-screen TVs.  It has a warm, old school atmosphere that we love.
Location:  7250 Melrose Ave, just west of La Brea
Phone: 323.930.2100

Big Wangs:  This laidback bar is cool, and the staff is friendly.  They also have a location in North Hollywood.
Location: 1562 N Cahuenga Blvd just above Sunset Blvd
Phone: 323.469.2445

Capitol City:
Capitol City is huge, with TV’s everywhere and a spacious back patio.  If there is any type of big game going on, don't forget to make reservations because this place gets swamped!
Location:  1615 N Cahuenga Blvd just below Hollywood Blvd
Phone: 323.465.1750

Dillon’s Irish Pub:
This pub is not exactly feminist-friendly (the waitresses wear sexy plaid skirts), but they have thirty-seven beers on tap for $3, so hey…you win some, you lose some.
Location:  6263 Hollywood Blvd @ Vine
Phone: 323.315.9744


MID-CITY

Goal:  This bar is so popular, it's like the prom queen of sports bars.  
Location: 8334 W. 3rd St. just west of Sweetzer
Phone: 323.655.5955

The 3rd Stop:
This cozy local favorite serves beer and wine only.
Location: 8636 W 3rd St between Robertson and San Vicente
Phone: 310.273.3605

Busby’s East:  This sports bar / dance club is often voted one of the best sports bars in town.
Location:  5364 Wilshire Blvd just west of La Brea
Phone:  323.525.2615
 

DOWNTOWN

Big Wangs: Like the location in Hollywood, but with a (naturally) more downtown crowd.
Location:  801 S Grand Ave at W. 8th St
Phone: 213.629.2449

MARINA DEL REY & PLAYA DEL REY

Baja Cantina:
This affordable Mexican joint has awesome drink specials.
Location:  311 Washington Blvd in Marina Del Rey
Phone:  310.821.2252

Venice Whaler Bar & Grill:  This bar, located right on the Venice Fishing Pier, has an upstairs patio that overlooks the ocean.
Location: 10 Washington Blvd in Marina Del Rey
Phone: 310.821.8737

The Shack:  Try the turkey burger or the Shack burger at this affordable dive.
Location:  185 Culver Blvd in Playa Del Rey
Phone:  310.823.6222


WEST LA

Bar Food: This gastropub has a friendly staff, lots of beers, and good, affordable food – we recommend the sweet potato fries, the potato puffs, and the Thai bangers ‘n’ mash.
Location: 12217 Wilshire Blvd just west of Bundy
Phone: 310.820.3274

Q’s Billiard Club: This bar has over thirty TVs spanning multiple levels.
Location: 11835 Wilshire Blvd between Bundy and Barrington
Phone: 310.477.7550


VENICE

The Brig: This Abbot Kinney favorite gets very crowded, so claustrophobics beware.
Location:  1515 Abbot Kinney Blvd @ Milwood in Venice
Phone: 310.399.7537


LOCATIONS ALL OVER

Cabo Cantina:
Cheap, good Mexican food, with happy hour specials running on Super Bowl Sunday.

Locations:
Venice, Santa Monica, Brentwood, Hollywood, and Newport Beach – check their website (http://www.thecabocantina.com/pages/locations.aspx) for details