5 Sports Bars in Houston

5920 Richmond Ave, Houston, TX 77057 (map)

This dark, mahogany public house is where homesick internationals find community around 12 TVs airing rugby and FIFA soccer. The $20 entrance fee on rugby days seems steep but it doesn’t stop diehard fans who don’t own a satellite dish themselves. The housemade sausage rolls and Scotch eggs make victory even sweeter.

2000 Bagby, Houston, TX 77002 (map)

Christian’s Tailgate was formerly known as Christian’s Totem, and the bearded members of ZZ Top have been known to stop by from time to time, but none of that really matters. It has one of the best burgers in Houston and the game is on at the bar. Do you need more convincing?

2525 Rice Boulevard, Houston, TX 77005 (map)

Guys are basically programmed to love Buffalo wings, right? And, if you can’t sneak out of the house on game day, maybe you can talk the family into a trip to BW-3s. With both a kids menu and wall-to-wall television screens, plus a full bar, Dad is happy and Junior’s covered with a bib for that wing sauce.

1010 Banks St, Houston, TX 77006 (map)

Ernie’s is a classic friendly, neighborhood bar. Sports fans of all ages peacefully gather in this tidy, two-story converted house to chat with the owner and groan in unison at bad calls. The smell of steak on Thursday nights is too alluring to resist.

3416 Roseland St, Houston, TX 77006 (map)

Griff’s is the oldest surviving sports bar in Houston, open since 1965, and it shows. The leprechaun-colored exterior is faded and decrepit and the inside smells like last night’s spilled beer. But, if you don’t like it, hey, they don’t like you either!