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Detroit is a great sports town-there's no doubt about that. Detroit is also a great sports bar town. We fill our stadiums for Red Wings, Lions, Tigers and Pistons games, and when the stadiums are full the fans spill out into local watering holes to cheer on their favorite teams. There's camaraderie on Detroit's barstools. If tickets to the big game are sold out, not to worry-there's a seat for you at one of Detroit's top sports bars.
1. Elwood Bar & Grill - This Detroit diner has been a downtown institution since 1936. It's a great place to meet friends for a pre-game drink... or to stick around and watch the game.
2. Hockeytown Café - Catch a game on one of the 30 high-definition flat-screen TVs and take time to check out the Tigers and Red Wings Hall of Fame between periods. With more than 50 varieties of beer and $5 lunch specials, it's no wonder Hockeytown was named the No. 2 sports bar in America by ESPN2.
3. Firebird Tavern - Firebird is a true American Tavern; a gathering place to meet for lunch, pre and post events, unwind during happy hour after a long day of work or simply celebrate the arrival of the weekend with your friends.
4. TAP at MGM Grand Detroit - The numbers at the MGM Grand Detroit's new sports bar speak for themselves: 50 beers on tap and 40 HD flat-screen televisions. Add authentic sports memorabilia, wings and fried mac 'n cheese and you're on the road to championship game watching.
5. Coaches Corner Bar & Grill - Coaches Corner is located downtown, a few short blocks to Comerica Park and Ford Field. And with a dance floor, HDTVs and an outdoor patio, Coaches Corner is good not only for watching the game from a barstool, but also for pre-game food and drinks and post-game celebrations.
6. Buffalo Wild Wings - The nation's largest BWW proudly calls downtown Detroit home. With several locations across metro Detroit, more than 20 beers on draft and wall-to-wall TVs, Buffalo Wild Wings is a winning choice for watching any game.
7. Exodus - A brick-exposed bar on the second floor (above Greektown's oldest restaurant: Golden Fleece), Exodus provides great drinks with a rooftop patio, perfect for celebrations like Opening Day in The D.
8. Cheli's Chili Bar - This hometown favorite is the perfect place to celebrate a win, and they also offer a shuttle to Joe Louis Arena. Located across the street from Comerica Park, the parking lot and rooftop are generally packed during downtown games and events.
9. Hard Rock Cafe Detroit - In the heart of Campus Martius in downtown, the Hard Rock Cafe Detroit offers traditional American cuisine with a twist of rock 'n' roll. It's a hat trick with good food, sports and music all under one roof. Park for free at the attached Compuware parking garage.
10. Nemo's Bar and Grill - This popular burger spot is right next to old Tiger Stadium and offers shuttles to Tigers and Red Wings games. Nemo's was featured in our best burgers in Detroit blog post for their sizeable burgers and mustard sauce. If you're feeling nostalgic there's no better watering hole than Nemo's-a Corktown sports institution.
11. Detroiter Bar - Sports bars aren't too difficult to understand. Find a good sports town such as Detroit, grill large burgers, pour good drafts and fill your seats with loyal fans. Keep it simple and meet at the Detroiter Bar.
12. Chrome Grill - Tucked inside the downtown Hilton Garden Inn, both hotel guests and Detroit locals can enjoy burgers, steaks, and seafood within walking distance to Greektown. A great bonus is they have a variety of Michigan-made beers on draft.
13. Rub BBQ Pub (Cykel) - With locations in Sterling Heights and in the heart of downtown, this Detroit favorite is as popular for its pre-game ribs and mac 'n cheese as it is for its game watching. Plus, there are plenty of Michigan beers on tap.
14. The Old Shillelagh - Irish pubs are always great. But add 25 TVs and a free shuttle to the ballpark and you have a downtown game day experience, with or without tickets.
15. Bookies Bar & Grille - Need a place for a large sports party? Bookies has space for private viewings, as well as a VIP area. Classic bar food should help fuel your complimentary shuttle ride to Tigers, Red Wings and Lions games.
16. Cobo Joe's - Location, location, locations-this sports bar and grill is located on Congress Street, directly across from Cobo Center, and is a five-minute walk to Joe Louis Arena. The menu includes dishes for all three periods.
17. Tommy's - Not just any bar and grill-built in an 1840 landmark building, Tommy's is famous for sandwiches and offers shuttle service to and from downtown sporting events and concerts.
18. Pappy's Sports Bar - Speaking of Greektown, Pappy's is a neighborhood favorite for sports fans and local workers, with seven 50-inch plasma TVs and great drink specials.
19. Mercury Burger & Bar- Step inside this dive barto discoverthe true meaning of the popular corner bar. Murcery Burger is a Corktown favorite because of it's classic look, friendly and inviting faces and... the burgers! If you haven't had some of their Grade A beef, then you're missing out!
20. Ciccarelli's Sports Bar -Ciccarelli's has three locations to choose from - Auburn Hills, Shelby Township and the newest downtown Detroit location (formerly the Post Bar). A recently upgraded menu includes bar food favorites such as beef sliders, cheese sticks, Italian subs and a blackened bleu burger.
