Sports bars in Washington DC

Nellies Sports Bar 07 - DC Capital Pride - 2014-06-07 (14385865922)

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. Washington DC 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 Boston's Restaurant & Sports Bar, Budweiser Brew House, The Blaguard, and 37 more across town.

The sports bars scene in Washington DC

We indexed 40 sports bars in Washington DC. The scene leans American Restaurant, Restaurant and Pub. You'll find them in Washington, Arlington, Alexandria. Boston's Restaurant & Sports Bar (Pizzeria, American Restaurant) on 10440 Odonnell Pl (at Smallwood Dr W). Budweiser Brew House (Sports Bar, American Restaurant) on Nationals Park (Section 100). The Blaguard (Sports Bar) on 2003 18th St NW (at California St. NW).

Sports bars in Washington DC

Boston's Restaurant & Sports Bar

10440 Odonnell Pl (at Smallwood Dr W), Waldorf, MD 20603 · Pizzeria, American Restaurant · 33.5 km from central Washington DC

A pizzeria and american restaurant spot 33.5 km from central Washington DC.

Budweiser Brew House

Nationals Park (Section 100), Washington, D.C. 20003 · Sports Bar, American Restaurant · 4.5 km from central Washington DC

A american restaurant spot 4.5 km from central Washington DC.

The Blaguard

2003 18th St NW (at California St. NW), Washington, D.C. 20009 · Sports Bar · 1.2 km from central Washington DC

A sports bar 1.2 km from central Washington DC.

Crystal City Sports Pub

529 23rd St S (btwn S Fern & S Eads St.), Arlington, VA 22202 · Sports Bar, Pub · 6.2 km from central Washington DC

A pub spot 6.2 km from central Washington DC.

Ramparts Tavern & Grill

1700 Fern St (at N Quaker Ln), Alexandria, VA 22302 · Sports Bar, Pub · 9.6 km from central Washington DC

A pub spot 9.6 km from central Washington DC.

Bud Light Loft

Nationals Park (Section 243), Washington, D.C. 20003 · Sports Bar · 4.5 km from central Washington DC

A sports bar 4.5 km from central Washington DC.

Walter's Sports Bar

10 N St SE (at S Capitol St), Washington, D.C. 20024 · Sports Bar · 4.3 km from central Washington DC

A sports bar 4.3 km from central Washington DC.

TAP Sports Bar

101 Mgm National Ave, Oxon Hill, MD 20745 · Sports Bar, Restaurant · 12.7 km from central Washington DC

A restaurant spot 12.7 km from central Washington DC.

The Bungalow Lakehouse

46116 Lake Center Plz (at Palisade Parkway), Sterling, VA 20165 · Sports Bar, American Restaurant · 34.6 km from central Washington DC

A american restaurant spot 34.6 km from central Washington DC.

Penn Quarter Sports Tavern

639 Indiana Ave NW (at 7th St NW), Washington, D.C. 20004 · Sports Bar, Burger Joint · 2.0 km from central Washington DC

A burger joint and american restaurant spot 2.0 km from central Washington DC.

First Down Sports Bar & Grill

4213 Fairfax Dr, Arlington, VA 22203 · Sports Bar · 7.0 km from central Washington DC

A sports bar 7.0 km from central Washington DC.

The Ale House Columbia

6480 Dobbin Center Way (at Dobbin Rd), Columbia, MD 21045 · Sports Bar, Restaurant · 37.4 km from central Washington DC

A restaurant spot 37.4 km from central Washington DC.

Unplugged Restaurant & Sports Bar

11305 Georgia Ave, Wheaton, MD 20902 · Sports Bar · 14.9 km from central Washington DC

A sports bar 14.9 km from central Washington DC.

The Pub & The People

1648 N Capitol St NW (at R St NW), Washington, D.C. 20002 · Pub, Sports Bar · 2.5 km from central Washington DC

A pub spot 2.5 km from central Washington DC.

The Revolution Darts & Billiards Fairfax

9687 Fairfax Blvd, Fairfax, VA 22031 · Sports Bar · 21.5 km from central Washington DC

A sports bar 21.5 km from central Washington DC.

How to pick a sports bar in Washington DC

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 Washington DC?

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 Washington DC 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 Washington DC 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: Tim Evanson via Wikimedia Commons. Venue listings by Foursquare.