New York City. The center of the world. Especially when one of our teams wins a pennant! You can hear the whole city roar, all nine million of us plus tourists. You can probably hear it all the way in New Jersey! If you can be in New York City when one of our teams wins a title, it’s a hopefully more than once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Some of the most famous sporting contests have been held in New York City, like the remarkable boxing match between Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali. But it’s the hometown teams who really keep the fires burning. Did you know a New York team played in the very first Super Bowl? Yup! It’s true! Look it up.
New York City is home to a cabal of iconic sports teams, most of whom are world famous. Stealing the bases, you have The Yankees and The Mets. Shooting the net, you got the Knicks, where NBA stars like Patrick Ewing have ruled the court. On ice you have the NY Rangers. Even WNBA teams.
And of course, football, the top streaming sports category. Can’t believe football is more popular than basketball? Check out this infographic about US sports streaming! New York’s two legendary NFL teams are: the New York Giants, who play in New Jersey. Whaattt? And the New York Jets, who play in New Jersey. Whaaattt?
Fortunately, not to worry. You don’t have to go to New Jersey. Not when you can watch their matches at some of the best sports bars in New York City and quite possibly the world!
New York City is made up of five boroughs. Manhattan, Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens and Staten Island. No matter what borough you find yourself in, you won’t have a problem finding a great place to cheer on your favorite team.
Here is a quick rundown of the best sports bars in New York City, by borough:
Manhattan
Manhattan is home of the iconic Madison Square Garden, where the Rangers score their goals and a sports mecca every fan should see. Sightsee the garden, then catch your favorite games at Slattery’s on 36th Street. Slattery’s offers typical pub fare and killer crab cakes, but the real claim to fame is the outdoor televisions!
If Slattery is too slammed, try Stout on 33rd street, a triple-tier sports paradise with a wide selection of beers from across the globe!
Speaking of the globe, another storied New York sports team is the Harlem Globetrotters. If you’re on their turf, try Harlem Tavern, which has exceptionally tasty bar snacks and a beer garden where you can watch the games.
Brooklyn
Brooklyn, the former home of the Dodgers, has a couple of havens for sports fans, taps ready to serve.
Union Grounds in the Carroll Gardens neighborhood of Brooklyn has a distinct advantage: you can request any game you like, and they will put it on. First come, first serve. Speaking of serving, the bar serves all the sports bar staples at long tables.
If international sport and drink is your bag, Black Horse is the place to catch European games and a rotating selection of imported brews. Black Horse is in South Slope, the neighborhood formerly known as South Park Slope.
The place for hockey games is the Keg and Lantern, which can be enjoyed in their outdoor garden. Keg and Lantern is for the ‘upscale’ sports fan, whatever that is.
Queens
Both the best sports bars in the borough of Queens are in an up-and-coming neighborhood fast turning into the ‘Williamsburg of Queens.’ Williamsburg is a very hip but over gentrified section of Brooklyn.
The first option is Break Bar and Billiards. The attraction here is you can play your own games in between games! Besides big screens and a projector, you can play ping-pong, air hockey, and arcade games!
The Irish Rover is a classic watering house, where watching sports is as much a competitive sport as playing sports.
The Bronx
The Bronx is home to Yankees Stadium, where some of the most famous home runs in history have been hit!
The best sports bar near Yankee Stadium is authentic as they come. It’s Yankee Tavern, a bar dedicated to New York City’s hometown pride!
Staten Island – You have to take a ferry to get to Staten Island, so it’s a hike. But if you’re already there, try Daddy-O’s BBQ and Sports Bar on the South Shore. Their indulgent screen count is rivaled only by their even more indulgent menu.
Of course, the most-anticipated sports moment in America is when the NFL kicks off its season- literally – on September 4th, culminating the next winter at the Super Bowl. Maybe the Giants will make it this year. Because ain’t no party like an NYC in the Super Bowl party!
Born and raised amidst the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple, I’ve witnessed the city’s many exciting phases. When I’m not exploring the city or penning down my thoughts, you can find me sipping on a cup of coffee at my favorite local café, playing chess or planning my next trip. For the last twelve years, I’ve been living in South Williamsburg with my partner Berenike.