Sports bars in San Francisco
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. San Francisco 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 Kezar Pub, Red Jack Saloon, The Treehouse, and 37 more across town.
The sports bars scene in San Francisco
We indexed 40 sports bars in San Francisco. The scene leans American Restaurant, Pub and Burger Joint. You'll find them in Oakland, San Rafael, Benicia. Kezar Pub (Sports Bar, Pub) on 770 Stanyan St (at Waller St). Red Jack Saloon (Sports Bar) on 131 Bay St (btwn Midway & Stockton St). The Treehouse (Sports Bar) on 7000 Coliseum Way (Sections 235-239).
Sports bars in San Francisco
Kezar Pub
A pub spot 3.1 km from central San Francisco.
Red Jack Saloon
A sports bar 3.6 km from central San Francisco.
The Treehouse
A sports bar 19.4 km from central San Francisco.
The Boardroom
A sports bar 2.8 km from central San Francisco.
BuzzWorks
A sports bar 0.7 km from central San Francisco.
Royal Exchange
A american restaurant spot 2.8 km from central San Francisco.
Pete's 881 Club
A sports bar 23.2 km from central San Francisco.
Flatiron
A american restaurant spot 23.9 km from central San Francisco.
San Francisco Athletic Club
A american restaurant spot 2.2 km from central San Francisco.
Hi Tops
A gay bar spot 1.6 km from central San Francisco.
Sunset Cantina
A mexican restaurant spot 7.1 km from central San Francisco.
Public House
A american restaurant spot 2.5 km from central San Francisco.
Harry's Bar
A sports bar 1.9 km from central San Francisco.
Final Final
A pub spot 3.5 km from central San Francisco.
Bottom Of The Fifth Sports Bar and Grill
A burger joint and breakfast spot spot 38.9 km from central San Francisco.
How to pick a sports bar in San Francisco
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 San Francisco?
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 San Francisco 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 San Francisco 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: Afterlifeboutiquevintage, David Brossard via Wikimedia Commons. Venue listings by 
Foursquare.