By David J. Bohnet | [email protected] | The San Diego Union-Tribune
Summer is winding down, kids are back in school and NFL fans are holding their fantasy football drafts.
The return of the NFL season is here, and so is the struggle to find out where to watch the games with like-minded fans.
Luckily for those football lovers, San Diego is home to an incredible array of sports bars, restaurants, breweries and taverns. While the city is still without an NFL team since the Chargers uprooted, local fans of every team look to gather with others in the quest for the elusive Super Bowl ring.
Will the Eagles win back-to-back and cement themselves as the newest dynasty? Will the Niners be the second team to play in the Super Bowl in their home stadium or better -- be the first to win one at home?
All those questions will be answered over the next the next six months. The following are the best places for supporters of each team to find their communities this season.
Coaster Saloon: Catch weekly Arizona Cardinals games at Coaster Saloon, with a menu featuring beef brisket, baby back ribs, Coaster Nachos, wings, burgers and fish and chips. Fans can order a $10 Bud Light with a shot of Jägermeister or Teremana, while cheering on the team. 744 Ventura Place, San Diego. (858) 488-4438, thecoastersaloon.com
East Village Tavern + Bowl: At this home for watching "The Dirty Birds," fans can watch as they bowl. They can also try the champ style nachos, burgers, hot honey fried chicken sandwiches, or the hambone tavern sampler platter for the ultimate game day experience. 930 Market St., San Diego. (619) 677-2695, tavernbowl.com/san-diego
Dirty Birds Pacific Beach: The Ravens Flock can watch games with the sound on and order from a menu of forty wing sauce flavor options, sliders, burgers, tacos and more. Supporters can order $30 domestic beer and White Claw buckets, $35 High Noon buckets, $5 mimosas and $15 champagne bottles. This spot opens early on Sundays with shot specials for each Ravens touchdown and serves local brews. 4656 Mission Blvd., San Diego. (858) 274-2473, dirtybirdsbarandgrill.com
Long Story Irish Pub: The pub is Buffalo Bills central, with blue-and-red pride, table-smashing celebrations by former wrestler "Dirty Ronald McDonald" aka Mike Gordon and a Labatt Blue chug-off at half-time for gift cards. Enjoy fish and chips, burgers, wings and burgundy tri-tip from Jensen's in Point Loma. Fans can order $4 Labatt Blue, cocktails and craft beers on game days, and watch with TVs and sound on. 4204 Voltaire St., San Diego. (619) 269-0690, longstoryirishpub.com
Patrick's Gaslamp Pub: Fans of the blue and red can watch the Buffalo Bills at Patrick's Gaslamp Pub with $4 Bud Light, $5 Labatt Blue and $5 score-changing shots. They can also receive complimentary hot bar snacks during games, including nachos, hot dogs and brownies, while cheering on Josh Allen and the AFC East Champions in the heart of the Gaslamp. 428 F St., San Diego. (619) 230-5323, patricksgaslamppub.com
The Local Pacific Beach: This restaurant is home of the Bills Backers and opens early for Bills Mafia, with two floors of bars and patio seating. Drink specials are available for every game day and include raffles and giveaways. The eatery serves pub-style food, burgers, wings and brunch on the weekends. 809 Thomas Ave., San Diego. (858) 263-7475, thelocalpb.com
710 Beach Club: Billed as the home of the "wildest Bears parties west of the Mississippi," 710 Beach Club opens its doors during games to Bears fans. With 20 TVs, indoor and outdoor seating, tailgate favorites like pizza, burgers, wings, tacos and a 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday brunch, it's game day central. 710 Garnet Ave., San Diego. (858) 483-7844, 710bc.com
Players Sports Grill: This bar plays host to the San Diego Browns Backers. Players features multiple TVs with sound during the games, a projector screen and weekly prize raffles. Visitors can also play pool and enjoy BBQ chicken pizzas, specialty burgers and wings with 18 different flavor options while cheering on the team. 5225 Kearny Villa Road, San Diego. (858)-694-4201, kearnymesa.playerssportsbar.com
The Smoking Gun: Located in the heart of downtown San Diego, Smoking Gun is teaming up with the Southern California Dallas Cowboys Fan Club for game-day raffles. Thursdays, fans can enjoy all-you-can-eat wings and chicken nuggets from 3 to 9:30 p.m. and happy hour deals on weekdays from 3 to 7 p.m. The Smoking Gun also has its own arcade, with half-off gaming from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday. 555 Market St., San Diego. (619) 233-3836, thesmokinggunsd.com
Union Kitchen & Tap Gaslamp: Dallas Cowboys fans are welcomed on game days with TVs, an outdoor patio and game-day eats like the Cowboy flatbread, hot honey chicken tenders, hatch chili bacon mac and cheese and a Texas chili dog. Drink specials include $25 Ultra buckets, $6 Kona drafts and $12 cowboy margaritas. 333 Fifth Ave., San Diego. (619) 795-9463, gaslampunion.com
Pacific Beach AleHouse: The beach-side bar is offering Bronco fans a game day experience with beats by DJ Grimm, multiple TVs with full sound, $30 beer buckets, $12 mloody marys, margaritas and old-fashioned cocktails. Feast on loaded tater tots, the Bronco burger and the Denver dog all while cheering on the team. 721 Grand Ave., San Diego. (858) 581-2337, pbalehouse.com
The Ould Sod: The Ould Sod in Normal Heights is San Diego's spot to watch Detroit Lions games. Fans can enjoy TVs inside and an outdoor patio, $5 Bud Light drafts and a full bar with Guinness and Irish whiskey. Fans can bring their own food while cheering on the Lions at this lively Irish pub. 3373 Adams Ave., San Diego. (619) 284-6594, theouldsod.com
Miss B's Coconut Club: Miss B's in Mission Beach is an indoor-outdoor spot to catch Green Bay Packers games this season. Enjoy brunch until 2 p.m., a full bar with frozen cocktails and a diverse menu featuring short rib flatbread, Caribbean steak and eggs, a poke bowl, burgers, wraps, and more. 3704 Mission Blvd., San Diego. (858) 923-5503, missbcoconutclub.com
Regal Beagle: This is a must-visit spot for Green Bay Packers fans this NFL season, including preseason. Enjoy wings, burgers, cheesesteaks and salads, along with a wide selection of local craft beers on tap. The tavern also features a dog-friendly patio, perfect for fans and their furry companions. 3659 India St., San Diego. (619) 297-2337, regalbeaglesd.com
Sidecar: The official SoCal Colts fan watch spot, Sidecar is offering drink specials inside and Sunday morning dishes from The Shed Kitchen, a separate food vendor, outside. The full bar serves cocktails and craft beers, while entertainment like pool, arcade games, foosball and karaoke keeps fans engaged before and after Colts games. 1310 Morena Blvd., San Diego. (619) 230-5715, sidecarbarsd.com
JT's Tavern: The go-to place for Jacksonville Jaguars fans, featuring affordable drinks and a diverse breakfast menu. Football lovers can hang out at the dog-friendly patio seating with sound on TVs, making it a casual, yet welcoming dive bar for game day. 5821 Mission Gorge Road, San Diego. (619) 280-4698, instagram.com/jts_tavern
Home and Away: The hub for the Chiefs Kingdom in San Diego, hosting fans for every game, including preseason. Enjoy huge patio screens, Sunday brisket, craft cocktails and pitchers of beer on tap. 2222 San Diego Ave., San Diego. (619) 501-0522, homeandawaysd.com
Buffalo Wild Wings Chula Vista: This location for the chicken wing chain is the host of every Raiders preseason and regular-season game. West Coast Raider Nation meets on the patio for game-day fun, enjoying wings, burgers, sandwiches and a full bar. For more information on the fan club visit Facebook or Instagram. 555 Broadway #116, Chula Vista. (619) 407-6205, buffalowildwings.com
Cali BBQ: This joint in Spring Valley is a prime spot for Los Angeles Chargers fans, featuring barbecue favorites, wings, slow-smoked meats by the pound and meals for the whole family. The menu also offers fish bowl cocktails, beer and more for game day. 8910 Troy St., Spring Valley. (619) 337-0670, calibbq.media
Dirty Birds Ocean Beach: This classic staple for wings displays over 30 TVs with sound on for every game. Guests can order half-price bone-in wings on Monday and Thursday during happy hours, plus a menu of wings, appetizers, tacos, sliders and burgers. Drinks include specialty cocktails, mimosas and an extensive beer selection. 1929 Cable St., San Diego. (619) 241-2922, dirtybirdsbarandgrill.com
The Deck at Moonshine Flats: This is among the top spots for Los Angeles Chargers games, featuring 16 TVs, a 165-inch video wall and game audio. Fans can order buckets of beers, seltzers, liquor specials and a diverse menu, including tri-tip sandwiches, burgers, wings, nachos and sliders. Weekend jersey raffles and seasonal food specials can also be round throughout the season. 335 Sixth Ave., San Diego. (619) 255-7625, thedecksd.com
Flamingo Deck: This is the Miami Dolphins watch bar in San Diego, featuring $5 draft specials, specialty cocktails and a brunch menu. This "Miami Vice"-style, fluorescent bar offers sound during games and a huge projector. 4110 Mission Blvd., San Diego. (858) 263-4205, flamingodeck.com
Guava Beach Bar & Grill: Fans can head to Mission Beach to watch of the Minnesota Vikings. Guava Beach features a huge 100-inch HDTV with sound on for every game. They can order $4 pilsners, $6 Lambeau leap shots and $12 brandy old-fashioned and bloody marys cocktails. Food special include Sunday brunch and Happy Hour for Monday Night Football. The lively bar is open early for international games and includes music during commercials and halftime. 3714 Mission Blvd., San Diego. (858) 488-6688, guava-beach.com
Regal Seagull: Host to die-hard Vikings fans in North County, Regal Seagull in Encinitas is an option for hosting a group for Sunday football. The food menu includes sandwiches, wings, pretzels and a vast assortment of beers. 996 North Coast Highway 101, Encinitas. (760) 479-2337, regalseagull.com
The Tipsy Crow: New England Patriots fans looking to join in on the NFL action can head downtown to the Gaslamp Quarter. Tipsy Crow offers game-day specials on select beers and seltzers. The menu features flatbreads, sandwiches and appetizers such as French dip sliders and Boston favorites, including clam chowder and lobster rolls. 770 Fifth Ave., San Diego. (619) 338-9300, thetipsycrow.com
Fast Times: Fast Times welcomes New Orleans Saints fans hoping to catch this season's NFL games. This restaurant and music venue offers $20 beer buckets, $11 Hurricanes and $15 bottles of champagne. Weekend brunch includes pancakes, burgers over rice, eggs and gravy and breakfast burritos, creating a lively and a dog-friendly game-day experience. 3065 Clairemont Drive, San Diego. (619) 642-0338, fasttimessd.com
NOLA on 5th: Right in the heart of Hillcrest and under new management, NOLA offers a New Orleans-themed NFL game-day experience with sound playing on the TVs. The menu for weekend brunch features French toast, chicken and waffles and bottomless mimosas, plus southern favorites such as jambalaya, gumbo and po'boys, along with drinks like Tito's cherry limeade, beers on tap and cocktails. 3683 Fifth Ave., San Diego. (858) 444-6173, nolaon5th.com
Knotty Barrel: New York Giants fans can catch games at Knotty Barrel on Market Street, downtown San Diego. There they'll find weekend brunch, daily drink specials and game-day foods like wings, burgers, smoked brisket sandwiches, pretzels with beer cheese, fried pickles and a sausage trio. Drinks include a huge selection of beers, cocktails, wine, seltzers and non-alcoholic options. 844 Market St., San Diego. (619) 269-7156, ev.knottybarrel.com
Pretzels & Pints: This cozy Philadelphia Eagles fan bar shows all Philly sports year-round. The limited menu features pretzel pizzas, sandwiches, nachos and a quarter-pound hotdogs. Fans can pair that with a rotating selection of beers in cans, bottles and on draft. 3812 Ray St., San Diego. (619) 230-5353, pretzelsandpints.com
Wonderland Ocean Pub: Wonderland is proud to invite Steeler fans to OB. Steelers Nation will find a game day DJ at halftime, drink specials and touchdown shots. Anyone in team gear can participate in a free raffle for a chance to win prizes each game. 5083 Santa Monica Ave. Suite 2B, San Diego. (619) 255-3358, wonderlandob.com
Bottle Rocket: East Village welcomes 49ers fans with happy hour pricing on drinks when wearing team gear. Doors open Sundays at 10 a.m. during football season. Guests can order $6 drafts, $6 well spirits, $10 margaritas and find weekday happy hour specials. 805 16th St., San Diego. (619) 539-7372, bottlerocketsd.com
Moonshine Beach: Known as San Diego's official 49ers bar, supporters can find it open an hour before kickoff. They can also enjoy drink specials such as $20 beer buckets, $8 liquor and $10 cocktails, plus food specials, including wings, sliders, chili fries, quesadillas and breakfast burritos. Loyalty members get early entry, discounts, free breakfast for 10 a.m. games and can try for raffle prizes. 1165 Garnet Ave., San Diego. (858) 999-0158, moonshinebeachsd.com
Thruster's Lounge: Located in Pacific Beach, Thruster's is a self-described "tried and true local dive bar" and billed as San Diego's best spot to watch Seattle Seahawks games. Open an hour before kickoff, it offers 22 beers on tap, music and a lively atmosphere for fans 21 and older. 4633 Mission Blvd., San Diego. thrusterslounge.com
Winston's: Part music venue and part Washington Commanders fan hub; Winston's shows all games with drink specials on game days. Fans can bring outside food, as only drinks are served. Weekday happy hours add to the appeal for the team's supporters. 1921 Bacon St., San Diego. (619) 222-6822, winstonsob.com