It doesn’t feel like fall yet in the Valley, but the arrival of football assures us it is coming. Here are some of the best places to watch the game this season.
Football is more fun to watch when you’re surrounded by other fans. Whether it’s your alma mater, hometown professional team, or players from your fantasy squad, the game is just better when you can celebrate – or drown your sorrows – with others. It also helps to have good food, cold drinks, and multiple TVs to choose from.
Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row
All three Whiskey Row locations in the Valley play host to different fan bases. Old Town Scottsdale is a Nebraska Cornhusker and Denver Broncos base, Mill Ave in Tempe plays host to Arizona State and Green Bay Packer fans, and the Gilbert location welcomes fans from every team on both Saturdays and Sundays.
There are drink specials galore at all three locations. Prices vary, but specials on Four Peaks brews, domestic drafts, Crown Royal Apple drinks, Fireball “ski shots”, and more are featured at all three locations. All locations open at 10 a.m. on Sundays during football season and open at least 30 minutes before their team’s game time on Saturdays, so check ahead for hours.
For more information, visit dierkswhiskeyrow.com.
Riot House
Crimson Tide fans descend on Riot House in Old Town Scottsdale every Saturday to cheer on Alabama with host and three-time BCS National Champion Eddie Lacy. A liquid brunch with cocktails and a variety of champagne packages is available on Saturdays and Sundays. During ‘Bama games, there is also a selection of bucket and “trough” specials on bottled beer and White Claw. On Sundays, Riot House’s loyalty travels West as it becomes the home base for Chargers fans. The specials change up a bit, but the good times don’t. Riot House opens at 10 a.m. on Sundays for all the NFL action. They open at least 30 minutes before Alabama game time on Saturdays but check beforehand for exact times.
For more information, visit riothousescottsdale.com.
K O’Donnell’s
There isn’t a bad spot in the house to watch the game at K O’Donnell’s in North Scottsdale. The dining room, bar area, and patio all have TV’s wall-to-wall and there’s plenty of seating as well. They have the NFL Sunday Ticket, plus many of the college conference packages. KO’s offers different drink specials every day, including specific football specials like Micheladas for $6 and the “Clawtastrophe” – a 24oz pail with two shots of Ciroc Pineapple and a Raspberry White Claw ($13). When it comes to food, few bars are as consistently delicious as KO’s. They serve brunch on the weekends from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. and a couple of personal favorites are the Breakfast Burger and the Kings Cakes.
For more information, visit www.kodonnells.com.
Dave & Busters – TEMPE
For those who like to intersperse their NFL game watching with game playing, Dave & Busters in Tempe offers a deal that is hard to beat. During all Sunday, Monday, and Thursday NFL games, guests can enjoy all-you-can-eat wings and a $10 Power Card for $19.99. Drink specials include $4 22-ounce domestic drafts and $5 craft pints. You can add a “hitch” like Patron Silver, Fireball, Jameson, Crown Royal, or Jack Daniel’s, to any draft for $3. Buckets of beer and bubbly are also available on game day.
For more information, visit www.daveandbusters.com.
CAZ Sports Bar
Big games deserve big screens and big meals. With that in mind, CAZ Sports Bar at Casino Arizona delivers both. Two theater-quality projection screens allow you to see every bead of sweat, every fingertip catch, and every close up of some fan who painted the school logo on their stoma… well, for the most part, it’s really cool. If your game isn’t featured on one of the projection screens, you can still enjoy it on one of the 46 4k flat-screen TVs throughout the bar. CAZ has access to over 40 regional and specialty sports networks so you won’t have to worry that your favorite team won’t be available.
We mentioned a big meal – CAZ is home to the 48-ounce burger and the “Great 48 Burger Challenge”. Of course, plenty of less artery-clogging options are available. Breakfast is served on the weekends with drinks like a bloody mary cart and a mimosa bucket for two available.
CAZ is also an ideal spot for those who attended a game locally, offering a $2 draft beer or free appetizer for fans who bring in their collegiate or pro game ticket within 48 hours.
For more information, visit www.casinoarizona.com.
Kelly’s at Southbridge
For fans who enjoy breaking bread with their team’s rivals, Kelly’s at Southbridge in Old Town Scottsdale hosts fans from the entire NFC North (Bears, Packers, Lions, and Vikings) all season long. They are also the official University of Washington Huskies alumni bar, guaranteeing game audio during the season. Catering to transplants who miss regional fare, Saturday game specials include hometown dishes like the Seattle Dog, Poutine Fries, and the Dawg Pound Burger. Sunday specials feature a Chicago Dog and Wisconsin Cheese Curds (insert every Wisconsin native asking, “but do they squeak”?).
Kelly’s offers over 30 local, craft, and seasonal beers and has a craft cocktail menu. Drink specials on Thursday and Saturday include $5 Peroni drafts and $9 Rebel Yell Old Fashioneds. The drink specials on Sunday and Monday feature $9 Green Tea shots, $8 Absolut drinks, and more. For those seeking a more exclusive experience, you can reserve one of Kelly’s VIP lounges and have access to your own 55-inch TV and bottle service.
For more information, visit www.kellysatsouthbridge.com.
Uptown Alley
For NFL fans in the West Valley, Uptown Alley in Surprise provides everything you need to keep you entertained from kickoff until the last overtime game finishes. 60,000 feet of bowling, laser tag, virtual reality, arcade games, a sports lounge with a 10-foot projector screen and multiple large-screen TVs, and more.
This season, Uptown Alley has created a “Tailgate Menu” for NFL fans available on Thursdays, Sundays, and Mondays. Specialty dishes include the BBQ Pork Nacho Platter with hand-pulled BBQ pork, creamy queso, black beans, pickled onions, pico de gallo, and jalapeños. Another option is the buffalo chicken mac ‘n’ cheese dusted with Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. A trio of different Bloody Mary recipes are also on the special menu.
For more information, visit uptownalleysurprise.com.
The Vig – McCormick Ranch
The Vig at McCormick Ranch is a great place to spend NFL Sundays. They have a dedicated game room with its own bar that has multiple large-screen TVs and the Sunday Ticket. Brunch is served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with Vig favorites like the Hangover Helper and Coconut French Toast. Build-your-own-Mimosas for only $4 includes your choice of juice and purée and a full selection of specialty day drinking cocktails is also available. If you’re planning on staying a while (and why wouldn’t you), bottles of wine at The Vig are half price all day on Sundays.
For more information, visit thevig.us.
Pedal Haus
When the Sun Devils have an away game, Pedal Haus in Tempe becomes a ‘home away from home’ for students, alumni, and fans. Pedal Haus offers pregame specials, halftime giveaways, and $8 steins for fans wearing ASU gear (valid only for away games/ watch parties). You can either enjoy the game inside, intensely dissecting every play or casually watch out on the patio while playing cornhole and ping-pong. However you watch, Pedal Haus has the award-winning beers and scratch kitchen to keep you satisfied all game long.
For more information, visit pedalhausbrewery.com.
Padre Murphy’s
Since 1993, Padre Murphy’s in Glendale has been one of the most popular spots west of I-17 to watch both college games and the NFL. In that time, the TVs have gotten larger and thinner and the beer has gotten better, but the fun times haven’t changed. The doors open at 9 a.m. every Saturday and Sunday for breakfast and drink specials. Over 100 TVs allow for every NFL game and most of the college conference networks. If you’re a Cardinals or Steelers fan, you’ll make a lot of new friends at Padre Murphy’s, but fans of every team are welcome. Padre Murphy’s is also the only place we know of West of the “other” 17 (NYS-17) where you can enjoy a Chicken Spiedie.
For more information, visit padremurphys.com.
Arcadia Tavern
Nestled on the corner of 48th and Indian School Road, Arcadia Tavern is a perfect “in-between” meeting spot for friends or family that are spread throughout the Valley but want to get together for football fun. They open at 9 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday during football season and have over 25 TVs between the bar area, patio, and dining room. Drink specials during the weekend games are plentiful, featuring $5 Tito’s cocktails, a $5 Tito’s Bloody Mary bar (until 2 p.m.), beer bucket specials and more. Arcadia Tavern also offers drink specials for Monday Night and Thursday Night Football, as well as during the Friday Night college games.
For more information, visit arcadiatavern.com.
Bottled Blonde
O-H!
If you just shouted “I-O” to yourself, then Bottled Blonde is where you need to be on Saturdays. Bottled Blonde bleeds scarlet and gray and the only thing louder than the chants and cheers is the game sound that is always on during Buckeye games. A special Ohio State Gameday menu features Buckeye state-staple Skyline Chili in a variety of forms, a “Buckeye Panini”, and other favorites straight out of Columbus. The full brunch menu is also available on weekends until 3:00 p.m.
NFL fans can enjoy all the games on Sunday with NFL Sunday Ticket, and the sound comes on for Monday Night and Thursday Night Football. If you’re drinking with a group of friends – or just really thirsty – beer and mimosa towers are available as well as a selection of frozen margaritas and mules.
For more information, visit bottledblondepizzeria.com/scottsdale.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a fan of the college game, the pros, or just enjoy watching people with facepaint scream at the TV; watching the games at these spots will make sure at least you have an undefeated season.