Everyone loves sports. It’s a requirement to being a citizen of the United States per the Bill of Rights. It’s the great unifier of races, religions and sexes so long as you’re not wearing a Spurs jersey.
But you can’t make every game unless you’re really rich and have a lot of free time, so sometimes you have to watch from a TV. What’s better than one TV? More than one TV. And beer, preferably from a pitcher or bucket, which is why sports bars are a thing.
With that in mind, these are our picks for the best sports bars in Dallas right now. As always with these lists, your favorite has been left off on purpose.
Christies
The quintessential sports bar, Christies is a nice sports bar with cheap beer and wings — a formula that has kept it on McKinney Avenue for more than 20 years.
Atmosphere: Invested. People come to watch games and drink beer. It’s as simple as that, which is why it’s so good.
No. of TVs: 43
Beers on tap: 18, plus 36 in bottles
X factor: The two pool tables and Big Buck Hunter mean you’ll stick around after your game is over for just one more round or four.
The Franchise Grill & Bar
Right in the middle of Plano, Franchise Grill doesn’t go for anything more than filling the room with TVs and playing every football, baseball and hockey game. Eight unique satellite feeds ensure you’ll find what you’re looking for.
Atmosphere: Dads trying to escape suburban malaise and cleaning out the gutter.
No. of TVs: 26
Beers on tap: 8
X factor: It’s a strip-mall sports bar that delivers far more than it has to in terms of viewing. You can be more than a Dallas fan and still find what you’re looking for.
Katy Trail Ice House
About as Uptown as it gets, Katy Trail Ice House is the post-grade life to a T, as twenty- and thirtysomethings imbibe goblets of beers. You either hate it or it makes you miss your college.
Atmosphere: Greek, as in the letters. It is a haven for graduated fratters looking to try and drink like they’re 19 again.
No. of TVs: 10
Beers on tap: 50
X factor: The patio is one of the best in town. If you can score a view of one of the two TVs outside, then you can kiss your afternoon goodbye. That real estate is too good to just give up.
Lakewood's 1st & 10
Lakewood lacks the concentration of sports bars that populate Uptown (as do most Dallas neighborhoods), but Lakewood's 1st & 10 keeps it laid back so you can enjoy a game without wondering if a fight is about to break out.
Atmosphere: Neighborhood-y. By dint of being one of the few options in Lakewood, 1st & 10 attracts regulars and a rotating array of sports fans young and old.
No. of TVs: 8
Beers on tap: 6
X factor: Those TV and beer numbers may not impress, but when you’re the only act in the ’hood, that means all the neighbors are coming your way. The clientele is all over the place, so you can take your kids to a bar without being considered “irresponsible.”
Trinity Hall
This Irish pub in Mockingbird Station is a favorite for its attention to detail and keeping faithful to actual Irish pubs. It feels like you’ve been transported to Dublin.
Atmosphere: When they show soccer and Gaelic football and hurling, you’ll wonder why you never thought to drink a Guinness with a bunch of raving lunatics at 10 in the morning.
No. of TVs: 3 projectors and several TVs
Beers on tap: 16, plus 250 in bottles and cans
X factor: Although Gaelic Athletic Association sports are a niche here in the States, the ability to see counties square off in a hurling match is a pleasant slice of Ireland for those missing the Emerald Isle.
If you find a spot on the Katy Trail Ice House patio with a view of the TV, don't give it up. Ever.
