Hot wings, cold beer, loud football games, and rowdy fans -- there are a hell of a lot of places in South Florida where you can find all of the above in abundance. To help you narrow the field and in anticipation of the New Times' annual Best Of issue premiering in June, Clean Plate Charlie has put together a list of some of the best sports bars in Broward and Palm Beach counties. Did we miss your favorite spot? Let us know in the comments.
What this year-old sports bar/neighborhood pub lacks in spelling skills (or is that skillz), it makes up for in capacity for optimal sports viewing. With flat screens broadcasting everything from football games to UFC fights, this is a reliable destination for a local in search of a little camaraderie while watching his or her game of choice. Drink specials abound, and bites include wings, sandwiches, and more exotic proteins like frog legs and Jamaican jerk gator. Windy City ex-pats, take note: The bar bills itself as the "official home" for Bulls, White Sox, and Cubs fans in South Florida so this is your spot to watch 'da Bears come fall.
The Florida-based chain's Fort Lauderdale location has it all: relative proximity to the beach, bar food that tastes more than halfway decent, booze that's easy on the wallet, and most importantly, lots of giant flat screens for easy game viewing. The crowd generally hits that sweet spot that exists between all-out-crazy-drunk and dullsville. Regulars are lively and into the big game, but it's not about getting all wasted and screamy to the point of being obnoxious. Plenty of parking is available, and dinner choices include ribs, burgers, wings, and salads.
On any given Sunday, you can find more than 30 big-ass TVs blasting a multitude of games at this downtown Hollywood "trailer-park-dream" bar. Game day specials promise cheap booze, while a happy hour from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday means two-for-one drinks for anyone playing hooky. The food is of the familiar sports bar variety, with nachos, pretzel bites, and wings, plus heavier fare like pork chops and ribeye. Loud and lively with prices fit for the everyman.
With 50 screens there's little chance of missing your game of choice (not accounting for the more obscure sports) and securing a seat with a view of the action. Happy hour occurs twice daily -- 3 to 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. to close -- and chicken wings are 60 cents, ensuring one can get good and sauced, in more ways than one, while rooting for the home team. Beer is served cold and with a smile and bartenders make the effort to remember customer's names and preferred method of inebriation.
This is the largest location in Bru's empire of sports grills, with three bars and a patio plus a view of the small lake out back. Though activities like beer pong and live music can compete for your attention, this is first and foremost a spot to catch the game whether it's the Dolphins or NASCAR. The considerable menu is game-friendly with wings, ribs, burgers, and most every deep-fried, breaded app imaginable. If you can't scare up a sitter for the Sunday game, don't sweat it; the place is definitely kid-friendly.
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