Football Sunday:  Where to Watch your Favorite NFL Team in the Bay Area

 Also, find my article here:

https://www.bayarea.com/2016/09/24/sports-bar-nfl-football/

 
Football season has begun and for our Bay Area teams, it’s looking like an optimistic start despite all the controversy. Growing up in California during the Joe Montana and Steve Young days, I always rooted for the 49ers — it was what my dad and I watched every Sunday.  

But nowadays, there’s Fantasy Football. Sigh. Who do you root for? Gone are the days where you simply watch your team. Now you’re watching 15+ players’ teams, pretending to be the GM, hoping to beat your buddies teams and win the bet you made at the beginning of the season. And trust me — no one wants to be in last place.  

Despite Fantasy Football’s widespread appeal, there are still the die hards that dress up every gameday and bleed their team’s colors — and that’s okay. The Bay is a melting pot of transplants from all over the country, heck, even the world. And on Sunday’s, sometimes all anyone wants to do is watch a game of football with other fans rooting for the same team. 

So, I’ve found some bars across the Bay Area that can help the hometown crowds and the displaced fans find a place to cheer for their teams during football season. Touchdown!

Listed in Alphabetical Order by Team Name

Chicago Bears

Windy City Pizza & BBQ, San Mateo

Bears fans: this is your cave. You’ll feel right at home singing the Bears’ fight song at every touchdown. Order the Chicago-style deep dish pizza or BBQ and stay to receive a raffle ticket to win Bears swag.

(Chicago Bears fans can also try The BAR on Dolores in San Francisco)

Denver Broncos

Nickies, San Francisco 

Pretend that you’re in the mile-high city in the Lower Haight. You can watch the defending Super Bowl champs at this cozy Broncos bar where the food is as good as the drinks.

Houston Texans

Cabin, San Francisco

This is an unofficial meetup place for Houston Texans fans. At Cabin, you’ll feel like you’re in a log cabin — though a fancy one in your JJ Watt jersey.

New England Patriots 

Connecticut Yankee, San Francisco

After all the shenanigans the Patriots have gotten into, they still have their die hard fans who frequent this Boston-loving bar. But NE fans have to remember where Tom Brady came from — the Bay Area boy grew up in good ol’ San Mateo. 

New Orleans Saints

Black Magic Voo Doo Lounge, San Francisco

Who dat?! Come on in to this Cash Only bar on gameday to watch the Saints. They have Abita beer available from NOLA and sometimes super fans bring Nawlins style food to share.

New York Giants

Ace’s, San Francisco 

Ace’s is the kind of dive bar you’d find in New York’s East Village. Settled in SF, this small bar loves all New York sports teams and you’ll even find seats inside from the old Shea Stadium.

New York Jets

The Wreck Room, San Francisco

On game days, the Wreck Room turns into a landing spot for Jets fans. And just in case they aren’t doing so hot, there’s also a pop-and-shot, pool table, shuffleboard, darts, and more to keep fans entertained.

Oakland Raiders

Ricky’s Sports Theatre & Grill, San Leandro

An institution for Raider Nation, Ricky’s is a wait-in-line kind of place on gameday because it gets that packed. I blame it on the floor to ceiling projector screen.

Philadelphia Eagles

New Jersey’s Restaurant, Campbell

New Jersey’s supports local Bay teams, but also has a big Eagles banner hanging up inside. Bird fans meet here often and of course, order the Philly cheesesteaks.

(Philadelphia Eagles fans can also try Jake’s Steaks  in San Francisco)

Pittsburgh Steelers

Giordano Bros., San Francisco 

Steelers fans, get your terrible towels out because this is the place for you. The famous Primanti Bros. in Pittsburgh would be proud — they serve the same style sandwiches with fries on the inside.  

San Diego Chargers
Danny Coyle’s, San Francisco

Supercharged fans unite. Danny Coyle’s is THE bar to go to if you grew up a Chargers fan. Don’t believe me? Fans sing the Chargers theme song whenever they score a touchdown.

San Francisco 49ers

Kezar Pub, San Francisco

Pretty much all sports bars in San Francisco are going to be playing and representing the 49ers, but not like the nostalgic Kezar Pub. This is an old school joint close to where the niners used to play at Kezar Stadium. 

(San Francisco 49er fans can also try 7 Mile House in Brisbane which is minutes away from the old Candlestick Stadium)

Seattle Seahawks 

McNally’s Irish Pub, Oakland

An Irish Pub is a Seahawks bar? Yup! This pub in Oakland is the hot spot for the 12th man to come on Sunday’s because the owner is a Legion of Boom fan too.

(Seattle Seahawks fans can also try Danny Coyle’s in San Francisco)

Washington Redskins

Red Jack Saloon, San Francisco

Redskins fans can meet at this saloon located near the Wharf. It doesn’t feel touristy despite the location and cheap booze and free hot dogs on game days? What more could you ask for!  

Don’t see your team’s bar? Don’t trip, tell us your favorites in the comments.