Judging a sports bar is much like judging an attractive person of the opposite sex. Everyone has different tastes and expectations. What makes beauty? It is always in the eye of the beholder.
So with that in mind, rating our favorites comes down to what works best for me. The criteria?
1) Ability to watch sporting events. After all, isn't that the key? Many places call themselves sports bars, but they are really just neighborhood bars with TVs and sporting events. It has to be a great place to WATCH.
2) Variety of food on the menu.
3) Atmosphere. Most places develop that based on the clientele.
4) Drink selection/prices.
5) Comfortableness. Yeah, I know it's not a word. But it's a simple state of mind; do I fit in this place? Do I belong? Maybe belongingness is a better word.
With that in mind, here is my list. This is based on someone who loves sports, bars, and alchohol, and enjoying themselves. Feel free to weigh in with your favorites.
So here they are, my personal favorites:
5) The BUS, downtown. The beers are a little expensive, but it is one of the few places that give downtown a real destination feel like most downtowns with sporting venues. Right across from Minute Maid, it is a cool place to catch the game if you don't have a ticket. Most major cities with downtown venues have places like this; Houston really doesn't. Perfect location, pretty solid execution.
4) Buffalo Wild Wings. Yes, it is a lot like getting your coffee from Starbucks. It is a chain, and they stick to their formula. It's the McDonald's of sports bars. But the formula works. It is very well designed and organized. Yes, it is cookie cutter sports bar setup, but if it works, why not ride it? My favorites are the one on Weslayan near Richmond and Westheimer at Royal Oaks, but any of them work.
3) The Mezzanine, Shepherd and 59. A very nice, well designed bar with a great menu, good atmosphere and excellent setup for watching events. It might be the most underrated sports bar in Houston. The upstairs/downstairs design is a perfect split for those who want to socialize vs. those who want their sports so they can root their team home to cover the spread.
2) Lucky's Pub, downtown. One of the better designed sports bars in the city. If you don't mind walking, this is your place before Astros, Rockets or Aeros games. Park your car here, have a few drinks and then walk to the game. Simply one of my favorite places in the city.
1) Nick's Place, Rocky Ridge off Westheimer. If any of us could design the perfect sports bar, this would be it. Awesome, varied menu with solid specials. Most importantly, there isn't a seat in the house where you can't watch whatever game you are looking for. Great atmosphere, great regulars, terrific staff...it is a sports fan's dream.
Others we like: The Maple Leaf, Midtown; Griff's, Montrose (an original, you should check this place out), SRO, Coaches.
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