Sports bars in Austin
There's a specific kind of joy in watching a big game shoulder to shoulder with strangers who instantly become friends when your team scores. Austin has 40 sports bars where you can do exactly that. Below are the real spots — names, addresses, what kind of place each one is — plus how to pick the right one for game day. Names you'll see below include Black Sheep Lodge, Shoal Creek Saloon, Cover 3, and 37 more across town.
The sports bars scene in Austin
We indexed 40 sports bars in Austin. The scene leans American Restaurant, Wings Joint and Restaurant. You'll find them in Round Rock, Cedar Park, Sunset Valley. Black Sheep Lodge (Sports Bar, American Restaurant) on 2108 S Lamar Blvd (at Kinney Ave.). Shoal Creek Saloon (Sports Bar, Cajun and Creole Restaurant) on 909 N Lamar Blvd (at W. 9th St.). Cover 3 (Sports Bar) on 1717 W 6th St Ste 210.
Sports bars in Austin
Black Sheep Lodge
A american restaurant spot 3.4 km from central Austin.
Shoal Creek Saloon
A cajun and creole restaurant spot 1.2 km from central Austin.
Cover 3
A sports bar 2.4 km from central Austin.
Shiner's Saloon
A music venue spot 0.0 km from central Austin.
The Tavern
A gastropub and american restaurant spot 1.3 km from central Austin.
Twin Peaks
A sports bar 7.9 km from central Austin.
Aussie's Volleybar & Grill
A american restaurant and volleyball court spot 1.0 km from central Austin.
Dave & Buster's
A arcade and american restaurant spot 12.9 km from central Austin.
LaVaca Street Bar Rock Rose
A restaurant spot 14.9 km from central Austin.
Little Woodrow's
A american restaurant spot 12.2 km from central Austin.
Hurricane Grill & Wings
A wings joint and american restaurant spot 24.5 km from central Austin.
Scoreboard
A burger joint spot 12.6 km from central Austin.
Lustre Pearl (South)
A sports bar 13.8 km from central Austin.
Cover 3
A american restaurant spot 10.2 km from central Austin.
Parlor and Yard
A sports bar 0.6 km from central Austin.
How to pick a sports bar in Austin
Screens beat everything.
Count the TVs before you count the taps. A good sports bar has sightlines from every seat — if you have to crane your neck, keep walking.
Sound matters for big games.
Playoff games and finals deserve a bar that turns the sound on. Call ahead if the game matters to you; the best bars advertise which matches they're showing.
Arrive early for the big ones.
Championship games, derbies and rivalry matches fill sports bars an hour before kickoff. The regulars know this. Now you do too.
Food is part of the deal.
Wings, nachos, burgers — sports-bar food is its own cuisine. Kitchens get slammed at halftime, so order before the break.
Common questions
What is the best sports bar in Austin?
The honest answer depends on your team and your vibe — some bars are built for football crowds, others for hockey or basketball nights. The listings above show you every option with its address so you can pick by neighborhood and style.
Do sports bars in Austin show live games with sound?
Most do for major matches, but policies vary by venue and by game. If sound matters, call the bar ahead of time — especially for finals and rivalry games.
Are sports bars in Austin family-friendly?
Many are restaurants first and bars second, especially earlier in the day. Evenings and big fight nights skew adult. When in doubt, go before 7pm.
Photos: H. Michael Miley, Robert Scoble, MarkScottAustinTX via Wikimedia Commons. Venue listings by 
Foursquare.