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Top Notch Sports Bars in Washington, DC

Penn Social
Yard House
The Admiral
Nellie’s Sports Bar
The District Sports Bar
The Artemis
SPIN Washington DC
Dirty Water
Daybreak at Penn Social in DC
Penn Social
Loaded crab fries from the Admiral in DC
The Admiral
breakfast plate with pancakes and eggs from nellie's southern kitchen in charlotte
Nellie’s Sports Bar
The bar at The District Sports Bar in DC
The District Sports Bar
First floor bar at the Artemis in DC
The Artemis
Bar area at Spin in DC
SPIN Washington DC
Top deck at Dirty Water in DC
Dirty Water

Sports bars are always a great idea to hit up whether you’re going out after work or looking for something to do on a Sunday afternoon. In a city of transplants like DC, it’s all too important to find a bar playing your favorite team’s game where you can also enjoy some tasty bar grub and throw back a couple of drinks. Check out our list of some of the best sports bars around Washington, DC. 

Daybreak at Penn Social in DC
Photo Credit: Yelp.com

Penn Social

801 E St NW, Washington, DC 20004
(202) 697-4900

Penn Social is in the heart of DC with a lively bar. You’ll find more than your typical bar food here whether you’re watching a game, playing trivia, or listening to one of the live bands. The spacious interior offers plenty of seating as well as room for games like skeeball. You’ll find all of your favorite beers on tap, and DigitalPour allows you to be your own bartender. If you do want frozen drinks, that’s when you head to the bar. And if you’re hungry, prepare for some epic nachos and sliders!

 

Drinks and snacks from Yardhouse in DC
Photo Credit: Yelp.com

Yard House

812 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 962-0174

The Yard House may be a chain, but it’s one that knows how to impress with its list of draft beers as well as its exquisite food. Consider this to be one of the higher-end sports bars that you’ll find in DC. The lively atmosphere is found throughout the interior, whether it’s at a booth or right up at the bar. The beer menu is long, and there are also plenty of fancy cocktails. Tune into a game on one of the many TVs on the walls. Burgers, street tacos, and more are available to munch on, and you can save if you visit during happy hour.

Loaded crab fries from the Admiral in DC
Photo Credit: Yelp.com

The Admiral

1 Dupont Cir NW, Washington, DC 20036
(202) 506-6696

The Admiral is not only a sports bar but also a restaurant that serves delicious comfort food. The spacious dining room is capable of holding even the largest of parties. And the patio with twinkle lights is the perfect place to spend an evening. Various specials take place depending on the type of game, such as baseball or football. And the “happiest of hours” is where you can find great deals on beer, cocktails, shots, and food.

Inside Nellie's Sports Bar in DC
Photo Credit: Yelp.com

Nellie’s Sports Bar

900 U St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 332-6355

When you want a place that never disappoints, Nellie’s Sports Bar is the place to go. You’ll find games on their many TVs as well as karaoke and poker nights. Various drag events happen throughout the year, too, including both bingo and brunch. You’ll know the place is special the moment that you see it from the outside as it looks a lot like a medieval village. The inside offers an old-school vibe with a full bar. Nellie’s offers empanadas, jumbo wings, and even a late-night menu.

The bar at The District Sports Bar in DC
Photo Credit: Yelp.com

The District Sports Bar

900 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 656-8900

The District Sports Bar offers family-style tables so that you can gather with groups or meet people as you sit and watch a game. The district daiquiris are served in plastic cups with straws and might be one of the best things to come out of the bar. All of the typical bar food is available, ranging from wings to sliders. You won’t want to miss out on brunch served Saturdays and Sundays, either. The vibe is always fun and laidback, and they stay open until 3 AM some nights.

 

First floor bar at the Artemis in DC
Photo Credit: Yelp.com

The Artemis

3605 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20010
(202) 478-1025

The Artemis is well known for its atmosphere, from the outdoor patio to the brick-lined interior. You can go to watch all of your favorite sports games. And when there’s not a game on, they usually have a great line-up of live bands. Drink specials happen regularly based on what’s on the TVs. There’s also a full menu where you can get everything from shared appetizers to kabobs and sandwiches.

Bar area at Spin in DC
Photo Credit: Yelp.com

SPIN Washington DC

1332 F St NW, Washington, DC 20045
(202) 517-1170

SPIN is located inside the National Press Building. The interior is industrial chic, and you can have a seat at the bar or at a high top throughout the dining area. Cocktails are carefully crafted, though there are also beer and wine options on the menu. For food, you can feast on some amazing items that are all made fresh in the kitchen. Plus, when you’re not eating, you can reserve a table to play ping pong.

Top deck at Dirty Water in DC
Photo Credit: Yelp.com

Dirty Water

816 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(504) 296-6180

We love Dirty Water because it has some of the cheapest cocktails in town, which is great since the water they are serving is dirty (just kidding! We think…). Of course, there are always games on the TV, from local to national games. There are indoor and outdoor places to gather, and the upper-level space outdoors also includes a great view. Bucket specials allow you to share the beers with friends. And if you’re interested in food, you can order from nearby venues. Oh, and don’t forget to check out their social media so you know of the upcoming events.