9 sports bars and restaurants in Detroit to watch football this season

As Detroit gets into the football spirit this season, you have at least one big decision to make: where are you going to watch the game? You could set up at home to root on your team, but if nobody hears you cheer and shout, are you really cheering, and are you really shouting? Get into the spirit this season, and head out into the city to one of these popular sports bars and restaurants to get your game on with your besties—or a bunch of friendly strangers—in one of these football-worthy Detroit establishments.

Hand-crafted cocktails, craft beers, and an impressive menu of gastropub fare makes spacious, modern Punch Bowl Social the perfect place to hole up on gameday. High ceilings and exposed ductwork feel a bit stadium-like, only there are no stadium lines, and you don’t have to walk the equivalent of three city block to find the restroom. If the game’s a downer, amuse yourself with some bowling, shuffleboard, ping pong, or arcade games. 

Where: 1331 Broadway St

Nothing goes with gameday like a mouthwatering, mile-high burger stuffed with all manner of accouterments and washed down with a cold one or two. And there’s no shortage of cold ones here, thanks to a mind-boggling 130 taps, along with an impressive collection of bottled beers and special releases. If the game is as much about food as it is about football for you, HopCat’s keeping your gameday spot warm.

Where: 4265 Woodward Ave

A sports bar’s sports bar, Thomas Magees is an old-school haunt featuring rustic wood, low lighting, and a selection of fine whiskeys to match the decor. Watch the game while sipping away on a glass of Bushmills or a perfectly-poured Guinness, and bask in the clubhouse vibe and the high-energy, sports-minded camaraderie Thomas Magees is known for.

Where: 1408 E Fisher Service

Celebrate gameday with a few frames of the original Fowling football bowling pin game. $10 gets you unlimited play, and when you’re not bowling, keep tabs on the game via the big screens that dot the joint. There’s no kitchen here, but you’re always invited to bring in your own food, and in fact, Fowling Warehouse will help you order gourmet pizzas for direct delivery.

Where: 3901 Christopher St, Hamtramck, MI 

Settle in for the game at The Rock on 3rd, and enjoy a some of the 130-plus craft beers from around the world. If beer isn’t your thing, a signature cocktail might be in order, made with high-end spirits and a bit of flair, thanks to some very talented bartenders. Several large flat-screen TVs keep you tuned into the game, and when it’s time to feed your hungry, you’ll find that the Rock has taken bar food to a whole new level with gourmet pizzas, wings, ribs, and arguably the best Reuben in a 500-mile radius–at least.

Where: 112 East 3rd St, Royal Oak, MI

Smack in the midst of the Sports and Entertainment District in Midtown, Harry’s is a huge sports bar with a small neighborhood pub vibe. The main bar features 7 HD screens and a dart board to take your mind off things when your team heads south. The covered rooftop patio has a ski lodge-like ambiance and a stunning, open-air view of downtown. Drink specials abound on gameday, and the kitchen is always serving up piles of angus burgers, sandwiches, and southwest-inspired entrees.

Where: 2482 Clifford St

Located at the MGM Detroit, Tap Sports Bar serves up a mess of comfort food and pub classics, along with over 50 beers and an impressive roster of signature cocktails. Authentic sports memorabilia gets you in the mood for some ball, but the real draw is the 40 HD flat-screen TVs that promise a front-row view of the game no matter where in the bar you are.

Where: MGM Grand, 1777 3rd Ave

Nemo’s is a charming dive featuring ornate tin ceilings, an extremely long, very ancient wooden bar, and wall-to-wall sports memorabilia–along with a couple of TVs that just happen to be showing the game. Finding Nemo’s on gameday means watching the action from a bar stool, where you can strike up a conversation with the bartender, order up a burger from the teeny tiny grill behind the bar, and bask in the small-town vibe and down-home hospitality Nemo’s is famous for. 

Where: 1384 Michigan Ave

Bookies Bar & Grille is a Detroit staple, offering their famous gameday special, a pitcher and four shots for a mere $15. You can get free shuttle service to and from Lions, Tigers, and Wings games, or you can settle in and stay for the game. A full menu of classic bar fare is yours for the grazing, and an impressive selection of beers keeps you well hydrated while you cheer on your team with gusto.

Where: 2208 Cass Ave 

Detroit likes its football, and getting out and about on gameday puts you in the middle of the action, where the excitement can be palpable and the beer never stops flowing. Pure heaven. So check the schedule, make your plans, and enjoy gameday in the city with your favorite people.

Menu items, prices, specials, and other venue details may change.