Where to watch your favorite NFL team in San Diego – San Diego Union-Tribune

The 2024 NFL regular season starts Thursday, Sept. 5 when the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs face off against the Baltimore Ravens. Most San Diego County sports bars will likely be showing this game. But some will show games well before that as the 2024 NFL preseason is already underway.

This guide is for fans of particular NFL teams looking for like-minded aficionados on game days. There are bars and restaurants across the county that are home to specific NFL fan bases with viewing parties each week.

Here are some of the places where NFL fanatics can watch their teams, from dive bars to restaurants with Sunday brunch. 

If your team is not listed and you know of a bar or restaurant showing its games, email [email protected]. 

Coaster Saloon: Cardinals games are accompanied by barbecue at Coaster Saloon. Beef brisket, baby back ribs and Coaster Nachos are all on the menu, along with other football game favorites such as chicken wings, burgers and macaroni and cheese. There will also be food and drink specials during Cardinals games. 744 Ventura Place, San Diego.  (858) 488-4438, thecoastersaloon.com

Dirty Birds Pacific Beach: If you’re looking for wings with your Ravens games, you will find a ton of options at Dirty Birds. Forty different wing sauce flavors are available here, ranging from no heat to really hot. Dirty Birds also has sliders, burgers, tacos, salads and appetizers on the menu, as well as specialty cocktails, margaritas, mules and local and national beers. 4656 Mission Blvd., San Diego. (858) 274-2473, dirtybirdsbarandgrill.com/about/pacific-beach

Long Story Irish Pub: This Irish pub is big on Bills. Just check out Long Story’s social media to see people flying through tables and lots of blue and red pride. Its menu has fish and chips, burgers, chicken wings and Irish egg rolls. For drinks, expect cocktails, wine and craft beers. 4204 Voltaire St., San Diego. (619) 269-0690, longstoryirishpub.com

The Local Pacific Beach: Members of Bills Mafia who want a beachy vibe can head to The Local in Pacific Beach. This eatery and watering hole opens early for Sunday Bills games at 9 a.m. Here fans can watch the games not far from the the ocean with beach-inspired drinks and even a champagne tower during brunch hours. During Bills games, there are drinks specials and a lineup of food options that includes a brunch menu and sports bar basics such as sliders, tacos and wings. 809 Thomas Ave., San Diego. (858) 263-7475, thelocalpb.com

Patrick’s Gaslamp Pub: Patrick’s Gaslamp Pub in downtown San Diego is ready for the Bills Mafia this season. Each NFL season, the specials change, and staff said they would be announced before Week 1. Guests can also bring outside food because this bar does not have a kitchen. 428 F St., San Diego. (619) 230-5323, patricksgaslamppub.com

710 Beach Club: Chicago Bears fans can huddle up at 710 Beach Club all season long at the “wildest Bears parties west of the Mississippi,” according to its website. There are 20 TVs on site and indoor and outdoor seating options. 710 Beach Club has a lineup of tailgate foods such as pizza, burgers, wings and tacos. Plus, 710 Beach Club has a Sunday brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 710 Garnet Ave., San Diego. (858) 483-7844, 710bc.com 

Players Sports Grill: Players Sports Grill in Kearny Mesa is home to the San Diego Browns Backers group. Here, the Dawg Pound and Browns fans can enjoy watching their team on numerous TVs and a projector screen. Some of the food options at Players Sports Grill are barbecue chicken pizza, five specialty burgers, boneless wings with 18 flavors to choose from and a dessert menu with four different types of cakes. The San Diego Browns Backers group also raffles prizes each week. 5225 Kearny Villa Road, San Diego. (858)-694-4201, kearnymesa.playerssportsbar.com

The Local: Packers backers can watch their team on TVs throughout the kitchen and bar of The Local in downtown San Diego. There will be food and drink specials during games. In addition, on Sundays there is a weekend brunch featuring chicken and waffles, breakfast sandwiches and burritos, eggs Benedict, burgers, wings, nachos and bottles of champagne and prosecco. 1065 Fourth Ave., San Diego. (619) 231-4447, thelocalsandiego.com

Regal Beagle: Bratwurst, pretzels and beer are all on the menu at Regal Beagle. This Packers bar shows all the games, including preseason. Other options on the menu include wings, burgers, cheesesteaks and salads. This tavern also has a vast selection of local craft beers on tap and a dog-friendly patio. 3659 India St., San Diego. (619) 297-2337, regalbeaglesd.com

Sidecar: This is a bar that’s a little dive-y, but a great watering hole for Colts fans. Sidecar is a full bar serving cocktails and a wide range of craft beers. It also has entertainment options for before and after Colts games such as pool, arcade games, foosball and karaoke. 1310 Morena Blvd., San Diego. (619) 230-5715, instagram.com/sidecarbarsd 

JT’s Tavern: San Diegans hailing from Duval County or fans of the Jacksonville Jaguars can catch their team at JT’s Tavern in the Grantville area all season. This dive bar has inexpensive drinks and a food menu that includes about a dozen breakfast choices like omelets, French toast and Mexican specialties like chilaquiles and huevos rancheros. There is indoor seating and a patio area as well. 5821 Mission Gorge Road, San Diego. (619) 280-4698, instagram.com/jts_tavern

Home and Away: Chiefs kingdom, Home and Away is your place to be on game days in San Diego. You’ll find wings, tacos, shrimp ceviche, a surf and turf burrito and several burger options here. For drinks, there are classic and craft cocktails and beers on tap. 2222 San Diego Ave., San Diego. (619) 50100522, homeandawaysd.com

Cali BBQ: At the Spring Valley location, you’ll be able to find barbecue favorites and can even order a “Tailgater BBQ Feast,” which serves four or five people and includes tri-tip, rib tips, pulled pork, brisket, chicken, ribs, mac-n-cheese, beans, slaw, potato salad and five cornbread muffins. The menu also includes wings, fish bowl cocktails, beer and more. Cali BBQ has been a faithful Chargers spot since long before the team left San Diego, and continues in recent years thanks to longtime fan and Cali BBQ owner Shawn Walchef. 8910 Troy St., Spring Valley. (619) 337-0670, calibbq.media

The Deck at Moonshine Flats: Every Chargers game will be shown with the game audio on 16 TV screens and a 165-inch LCD video wall. Fans can savor drinks such as nine specialty cocktails served in 32-ounce buckets, numerous local beers such as AleSmith Pale Ale .394, various seltzers and a food menu that includes a tri-tip sandwich, a half-pound burger and monthly food specials. There will be raffle prizes throughout the season. 335 Sixth Ave., San Diego. 619) 255-7625, thedecksd.com

Dirty Birds Ocean Beach: This Dirty Birds location shows all the Chargers’ games with the sound on and has over 30 TVs for watching sports. If a game lines up with happy hour on Monday or Thursday, bone-in wings are served for half price. Otherwise, Dirty Birds has a menu full of options for chicken wings. There are also appetizers, loaded tater tots and fries, tacos, sliders and burgers. The drink menu here has specialty cocktails, mimosas and a long beer list. 1929 Cable St., San Diego. (619) 241-2922, dirtybirdsbarandgrill.com/about/ocean-beach

Buffalo Wild Wings Chula Vista: The West Coast Raider Nation meets every preseason and regular season game at Buffalo Wild Wings in West Chula Vista. This chain restaurant serves chicken wings with more than 20 sauces, burgers, sandwiches, a full beer and cocktail menu and more. This Silver and Black fan group has membership dues and meets on the patio for special game-time activities and celebrations. For more information about the group, check out “West Coast Raider Nation” on Facebook or Instagram. 555 Broadway #116, Chula Vista. (619) 407-6205, buffalowildwings.com/locations/us/ca/chula-vista/555-broadway/sports-bar-862

Flamingo Deck: In Pacific Beach, Dolphin fans will be able to watch their team at Flamingo Deck. This Italian-inspired bar and restaurant gives off Miami vibes with pink and teal color accents around the venue and floral décor. Flamingo serves a weekend brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and has a happy hour special during the week from 4 to 7 p.m., in case Dolphin fans want to stop by the Thursday night games on Sept. 12 and Nov. 28 or the Monday night games on Sept. 30 and Nov. 11. 4110 Mission Blvd., San Diego. (858) 263-4205, flamingodeck.com

Guava Beach Bar & Grill: This Mission Beach bar and grill opens at 9 a.m. on NFL Sundays and shows all the Vikings games. There are 14 TVs and a 10-foot projection screen for watching. There is a Sunday NFL brunch menu with items such as French toast, biscuits and gravy, a breakfast burrito, chilaquiles and its Minnesota scramble, made with three eggs, sausage, mushrooms, spinach, cheese and onions with a side of potatoes and fruit. Sunday brunch is available from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 3714 Mission Blvd., San Diego. (858) 488-6688, guava-beach.com

Regal Seagull: North County’s Vikings bar is at Regal Seagull in Encinitas. This ale house and grill serves wings, burgers, sandwiches, sausages, salads, tater tots and cinnamon donut holes for dessert. 996 North Coast Highway 101, Encinitas. (760) 479-2337, regalseagull.com

The Tipsy Crow: Pats fans can link up in the Gaslamp Quarter all season and watch their team at the Tipsy Crow. There will be game-day specials, during Patriots games only, on certain beers and seltzers that will be revealed before the start of the regular season. The food menu has a simple lineup of flatbreads, sandwiches, appetizers such as French dip sliders and Boston favorites such as clam chowder and a lobster roll. 770 Fifth Ave., San Diego. (619) 338-9300,  thetipsycrow.com

Fast Times: Part restaurant, part music venue, Fast Times welcomes Saints fans and has a dog-friendly patio, too. On weekends there is a brunch menu offering five options, including pancakes, a burger patty over rice, eggs and gravy, a breakfast burrito and a $15 bottle of champagne. 3065 Clairemont Drive, San Diego.(619) 642-0338, fasttimessd.com

NOLA on 5th: For Saints games, fans can march into Nola on 5th and watch all the games. There is a weekend brunch menu with French toast, Louisiana hot chicken, biscuits and gravy, chicken and waffles and bottomless mimosas. Guests can also order New Orleans comfort food such as jambalaya, gumbo, and po’boy sandwiches. 3683 Fifth Ave., San Diego. (858) 444-6173, nolaon5th.com

Knotty Barrell: MetLife Stadium is a 2,759-mile drive away, according to Google Maps, but there are still plenty of Giants fans in San Diego, and Knotty Barrel welcomes them on game days. Here you will find fun game day foods like wings, burgers, a smoked brisket sandwich, pretzels with beer cheese dip, fried pickles and a sausage trio. For drinks, there are a wide variety of cocktails, bottled and draft beers, wines, seltzers and non-alcoholic beer. 844 Market St., San Diego. (619) 269-7156, ev.knottybarrel.com 

Happy Does: Happy Does in the home of New York Jets fan in the Gaslamp Quarter. This bar shows the games on its TVs and has a large patio area that is dog-friendly. On weekends there is a small brunch menu until 2 p.m. that includes a bodega breakfast sandwich made with a cheddar cheese egg omelet, bacon and chipotle aioli sauce on a bagel or croissant. Brunch drinks include seven options such as a margaritas tower. 340 Fifth Ave., San Diego. (619) 877-1880, happydoesbar.com

Pretzels & Pints: For eight years, Pretzels & Pints has been the home for Philly sports fans. Throughout the year, this cozy neighborhood bar shows all Philadelphia sports teams, including the Eagles. The limited food menu has pretzel pizzas and sandwiches, game day snacks such as nachos and a quarter-pound hotdog and a rotating list of beers in cans, bottles and on draft. 3812 Ray St., San Diego. (619) 230-5353,pretzelsandpints.com

Bootlegger: While Bootlegger offers up football goods like a pretzel with cheese and wings, it also has some surprises on its menu like prawns, fried green tomato sliders and crispy deviled eggs. Here you can also build your own burgers or nachos with tons of topping options. As for drinks, you’ll find local and national beer, wine and cocktails with names like the Oil Will Burn But The Water Won’t Boil, Strange Death and Pirates in the Pool. Game day specials for the 2024 49ers season will be released before the start of Week 1. 804 Market St., San Diego. (619) 794-2668, bootleggersd.com

Bottle Rocket: You can count on Bottle Rocket to be open and playing the sound for 49ers games. Anyone with Niners gear on can have happy hour pricing on drinks while they watch. Bottle Rocket opens at 10 a.m. on Sundays during the football season. 805 16th St., San Diego. (619) 539-7372, instagram.com/bottlerocketsd

Thrusters Lounge: Thrusters is a self-proclaimed “tried and true local dive bar” and also claims to be San Diego’s “best place to watch a Seattle Seahawks.” This dive bar opens at least one hour before kick-off for every game and has 24 beers on tap. 4633 Mission Blvd., San Diego. thrusterslounge.com

Winston’s: One part music venue and one part home to viewing parties of Washington Commanders, this bar shows all the games and has drinks specials on game days. Customers are welcome to bring outside food since Winston’s only serves drinks. 1921 Bacon St., San Diego. (619) 222-6822, winstonsob.com

Originally Published: August 9, 2024 at 6:39 p.m.