5 Must-Visit Dallas Bars for Game Day Weekend

Dallas, TX

The professional and college teams that call the Dallas area home play a defining role in shaping the city’s ever-evolving identity. The Cowboys embody Texas’ larger-than-life spirit, while the Rangers—fresh off their first World Series title in 2023 after years of grit and rebuilding—mirror Dallas’s own sense of renewal. Just as their patience delivered a championship, Dallas’ steady resurgence has helped cement it as one of America’s most dynamic places to live.

There is no better way to understand the loyalty of Dallasites than by attending a Mavericks game. Though they traded their star player, Luka Doncic, fans continue to support the team. And with number one overall pick Cooper Flagg now leading the team, there is a potential for greatness that is indistinguishable from the same potential found in every corner of the 214.

Sports are part of the city’s lifeblood—and naturally, Dallas has no shortage of great places to watch them. Here are five of our favorites:

1. Backyard Dallas: Located in Deep Ellum, Backyard is an expansive sports sanctuary, with TVs and seating as far as the eye can see. Measuring at a whopping 12,500 square feet, there is plenty of space for indoor or outdoor sports viewing depending on the season, though NFL Sundays are where this place truly shines. Cowboy fans can indulge in tasty brunch and interactive table-side games while watching America’s team battle for the NFC East crown. Whether you are drinking to celebrate a Jake Ferguson touchdown or drinking to forget a Dak Prescott interception, their many draft and bottled beers ensure you will always have the perfect social lubricant to fit any situation. 

2. Stan’s Blue Note: A Lower Greenville staple since 1952, Stan’s is Dallas’s college football viewing headquarters. Serving as the official alumni bar of several different college powerhouses throughout the Big Ten and SEC, there is bound to be an army of loyal fans watching a game on one of their many screens from the morning through the night. There is no better way to kick off your Saturday than stopping by when the doors open at 10 AM, grabbing a Domestic draft for under $5, and strapping in for the rollercoaster ride that is about to ensue. The laid-back dive bar aesthetic and friendly staff make even the most stressful fourth quarter moments seem manageable. It is no wonder this gem of a bar has been voted “The Best Place to Watch a Game” by Advocate Magazine. 

3. Bryan Street Tavern: Situated in East Dallas, Bryan Street Tavern combines one of the city’s best outdoor areas with a sweeping interior, making any sporting event a can’t-miss activity. It is hard to picture a better place to watch a Rangers game than their patio on a summer night. As the sun sets, and the still warmth saunters through the air and tiptoes across the floor of your sensibilities, a cold Lakewood Lager makes the perfect pair to a Jacob de Grom shutout. Once baseball season ends, simply migrate inside and saddle up for a winter of Mavericks basketball. Enjoying a Deep Ellum IPA while Cooper Flag slam dunks is the antidote to a dreary January evening, and no matter how many dazzling passes Kyrie Irving dishes out, the best dish of the night will surely be the Waylon’s Special Pizza you split with the table.

4. Harwood Arms: Why go across the pond when you can just head Uptown? With a menu and decor inspired by British pub culture, Harwood Arms is the best place to watch a soccer match in the entire city. The official viewing hub of Dallas Area Chelsea and Bayern Munich fans, stop by for one of their matches to truly understand European sports fandom. The passion of the patrons can only be outdone by the perfect pours of Guinness, and the Codfellow’s Fish and Chips will have the most patriotic American questioning the merits of the Boston Tea Party.

5. Strokers Ice House: Last, but certainly not least, is Strokers Ice House. Describing Stokers as “eccentric” would simply not do it justice. It is a beautiful amalgamation of chaos, kindness, and creativity that serves as a watering hole for any and all who wish to take a walk on the wild side. Located among the other businesses of the Strokers Empire – including a motorcycle repair shop and tattoo parlor – the Ice House is a no frills establishment illuminated by neon beer signs and fueled by pure human connection. With televisions lining the walls, it seems fitting that the best place to watch a hockey game would have “ice” in its name. Much like the roster of the Dallas Stars, the greatness of Strokers is derived from its repudiation of what many deem to be conventional. Nothing compliments a Stars game better than a cold beer, big burger, and great company. Strokers has all three in spades.