Most Underrated Sports Bars in the U.S.

Sports bars have become a big part of American sports culture and fandom. Watching a big game in public with friends or rivals (who become friends) can be as much fun as going to the games themselves.

And in this world, sports bars compete for the time and money of sports fans by creating experiences, like the stadiums where games are played. Sports fans want the best food, the best drinks, the best TVs (gimme that hi-def, 120-inch action) and the best atmosphere to watch their favorite teams play. 

These are the most underrated sports bars in the United States, with only one bar per state eligible to make the list. 

Location: Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Signature item: Feather Bow Tie cocktail (Jackson Hole Stillworks Great Grey Gin, fresh grapefruit, St. Germain & housemade rosemary simple syrup)

Bottom line: If you’re running around Jackson Hole and looking for a place to take in a game, you could do a lot worse than landing at Sidewinders, which also has a location in Bozeman, Montana — another hip place to hang out. 

At the OG Sidewinders in Jackson Hole, you’ll need to make a point of getting any number of their different kinds of pretzels. They’ve got a pizza-stuffed pretzel and a s’mores pretzel to kick things off.

Pair that with a couple of their signature cocktails, and you’re off to a great start. 

Location: Ashland, Oregon

Signature item: Bloody Mary

Bottom line: The Oak Tree is an Ashland staple, where you’ll find college kids from Southern Oregon University mixed with longtime locals any given night of the week. 

There’s not much we don’t love about this place, where they make a point of having all of the sports from the Pacific Northwest teams on the TVs, including SOU’s (usually) nationally ranked football team when they’re on the road. 

If we’re putting together a perfect day in Ashland, it might have to start with a Bloody Mary and an omelet from the Oak Tree before heading to Omar’s for a little pregame fun, then over to Raider Stadium to watch SOU play. Yeah, that’s a perfect day. 

Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico

Signature item: Extra-strong margaritas (buckle up!) paired with a chorizo breakfast burrito

Bottom line: You’re going to love being in Santa Fe — one of the more underrated vacation spots in the U.S. So while you’re there, you might as well pop into sports bar Boxcar, which has become one of the go-to spots for games in the ultra-hip region over the last few years. 

Seriously, Santa Fe is awesome. 

Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Signature item: Crawfish boil (in-season only)

Bottom line: 2022 is the 40-year anniversary of Fred’s in Tigerland — the most lit college/sports bar in Baton Rouge and the go-to spot for LSU students and fans.

The pull this place has can be seen in its 40th-anniversary celebrations — they landed Better Than Ezra as its musical act for the anniversary party. This doesn’t rank as high on our list because it definitely toes the line between sports bar/college bar/nightclub.

But when you walk in, you will understand why it has to be here.