Sports bars in New York
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. New York 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 Smithfield Hall, Eastpoint, Bodega 88, and 37 more across town.
The sports bars scene in New York
We indexed 40 sports bars in New York. The scene leans American Restaurant, Wings Joint and Gastropub. You'll find them in Bronx, Brooklyn, Astoria. Smithfield Hall (Sports Bar) on 138 W 25th St (btwn 6th & 7th Ave). Eastpoint (Sports Bar) on 25 Avenue B (btwn E 2nd & 3rd St). Bodega 88 (Sports Bar) on 573 Columbus Ave.
Sports bars in New York
Smithfield Hall
A sports bar 3.7 km from central New York.
Eastpoint
A sports bar 2.2 km from central New York.
Bodega 88
A sports bar 8.8 km from central New York.
Lake Street Bar
A sports bar 4.8 km from central New York.
The Dram Shop
A gastropub and burger joint spot 5.2 km from central New York.
Dillingers Pub & Grill
A wings joint spot 9.8 km from central New York.
Hyundai Club
A arts and entertainment spot 14.3 km from central New York.
Vinnie's Sports Bar And Grill
A sports bar 12.6 km from central New York.
Connolly's Corner
A american restaurant spot 9.8 km from central New York.
Stan's Sports Bar
A sports bar 14.3 km from central New York.
Walter's Cottage
A sports bar 5.3 km from central New York.
Coaches Club
A sports bar 12.6 km from central New York.
Press 195
A sandwich spot spot 20.6 km from central New York.
Clara's
A sports bar 6.6 km from central New York.
Jimmy Geez Sports Bar & Grill
A american restaurant and pub spot 29.2 km from central New York.
How to pick a sports bar in New York
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 New York?
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 New York 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 New York 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: Myles Zhang, Roger W from Sarasota, Florida, U.S.A., Nico Serrano, Lionel Chaudet via Wikimedia Commons. Venue listings by 
Foursquare.