Nightlife

Best Sports Bars in Tempe

Where to cheer on your favorite sports team in Tempe

As we countdown to the 2024 NCAA Men’s Final Four weekend — April 6-8, 2024 — the sports world will, once again, turn its attention to Greater Phoenix for the biggest event in college basketball. Tempe is ready to welcome fans, and you can find information on local happenings here as details become available.

Can’t attend the tournament in person? No problem! Tempe boasts an all-star selection of sports bars to watch your favorite team play live. From college football and NBA games to UFC and March madness, Tempe has plenty of bars and taverns to cheer your team on to victory.

Check out our list of traditional sports bars equipped with plenty of screens, spots known for their margaritas and brews and restaurants with patios that are undefeated.

Sports bars in Downtown Tempe & near ASU

Fat Tuesday
680 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-967-3917

Watch the big game enjoying a fruity, fun daiquiri and juicy burger at Fat Tuesday on Mill Avenue. They have tons of daiquiri flavors to choose from, and if those don’t float your boat, check out the beer menu for even more options.

Illegal Pete’s
525 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, AZ 85281 | 623-233-4311

After you’ve created your custom taco, burrito, bowl or quesadilla, find your perfect spot on the patio to watch the game. Illegal Pete’s features a full bar with local draft beers, signature margaritas and cocktails. The indoor/outdoor space lets you enjoy perfect Arizona weather while watching the game and catching up with friends. The wrap-around patio is quite large, so there’s no shortage of space, and they also provide an excellent spot for people-watching.

Loco Patron
222 S. Mill Ave., #115, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-699-0922

With an open-air concept and a large patio located along Mill Avenue, Loco Patron is the perfect spot for watching sports and the hustle and bustle of Downtown Tempe. With a margarita in one hand and a taco in the other, I couldn’t imagine a better way to watch a game!

Zipps Sports Grill  
690 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-404-7255 
1860 E. Warner Road, Tempe, AZ 85284 | 480-782-8877 

With daily happy hour specials and delicious wings on deck, we highly recommend Zipps Sports Grill for watching games. Located on Mill Avenue near the ASU Tempe Campus (plus a location in south Tempe), you’ll be able to support your favorite sports teams with lots of local fans. Like any worthy sports bar on game day, it gets busy — so make sure to get your order in early.

Must-try: Zipps is known for its Golden Wings with a touch of sweetness and your choice of spice level.

CASA
5 E. 6th St., Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-557-8226 

Recently re-opened after renovations, CASA is well-known for its block parties on home game days. But it’s also an excellent spot to watch an away game. The large, two-story patio specialize in bucket drinks.

Devil’s Advocate
955 E. University Drive, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-921-2585 

With only one location in the Valley, Devil’s Advocate is a Sun Devil-themed bar steps away from the ASU Tempe Campus. They feature a DJ on the weekends and offer great food and drink specials for happy hour.

Sports Bars at Tempe Marketplace

Twin Peaks
2050 E. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-687-3122

With almost 100 large-screen TVs, 29-degree draft beers, craft cocktails and scratch-made food, this is the place to watch your favorite sports team. Twin Peaks Lodge is the destination to watch football, basketball, live UFC fights and more.

Dave & Buster’s  
2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-281-8456 

Dave & Buster’s at Tempe Marketplace is the perfect pre-game and post-game hangout spot! With more than 36 TVs and a 40-foot WOW Wall, there will be a seemingly unlimited number of screens available to catch the games. Thirsty? Enjoy wine, beer, cocktails or booze-free beverages. Hungry? Try one of six new wing flavors and much more. After the game, channel your inner athlete by playing one of their many sports-themed video games.

Thirsty Lion Gastropub
2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway, #1041, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-968-2920

For all college football and NFL fans, Thirsty Lion has the NFL Sunday Ticket, ESPN Gameplan, Big Ten Package, COX for local college games, and the Pac12 Network at all locations.

Fans can also enjoy brunch starting at 10 a.m. with such dishes as the spicy chicken and waffles, marinated in jalapeño buttermilk batter, crispy-fried with Belgian waffle, maple pepper bacon and maple syrup; the Irish Whiskey French Toast, dipped in cinnamon, whiskey and Irish cream egg batter, coated with crunchy flakes and grilled with whipped cream and whiskey syrup; and adobo pork Benedict, featuring jalapeño cornbread, red chili pork, guajillo sauce, poached eggs and chipotle hollandaise with roasted Yukon potatoes.

Craft Breweries

Four Peaks Brewing Company
1340 E. 8th St., Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-303-9967

Four Peaks is a local legend known for its beer, food and location in a historic creamery building that dates back to the late 1800s. When a big game is televised, it becomes a gathering spot for fans! Try anything made with beer bread and order a Kilt Lifter, the No. 1 selling beer in Arizona.

Fate Brewing Company  
201 E. Southern Road, Tempe, AZ 85282 | 480-590-2395 

If you haven’t checked out this hot spot just south of the ASU campus, you’ll wish you had known about it sooner. With plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, you’re sure to have excellent sightlines to the TV of your choice. Try your hand at corn-hole and giant Jenga during commercials and timeouts while you hang out in the beer garden. Enjoy a pint of the popular Halfway to Heffen on their spacious patio or grab a seat at the expansive bar.

Mills Modern Social
83 E. Broadway Road, Tempe, AZ 85282 | 602-491-9119

This delightful culinary destination and social hub is the perfect spot for friends to get together for drinks, delicious food and a good time. With TVs and game options galore, and plenty of comfy seating options, it’s ideal for watching your favorite sports teams play with a group of friends. The scratch kitchen offers everything from flatbread pizza and glammed-up burgers to salads, sammies and sweets. The Mill Ave. nachos and made-to-order wings are perfect for sharing — or just keep them all for yourself.

Pedal Haus Brewery 
730 S. Mill Ave., #102, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-314-2337

Known for having the largest patio in Downtown Tempe, Pedal Haus Brewery has award-winning craft beers and televisions at every turn. This supersized restaurant and craft brewery can hold you and your friends on game day. In addition to menu classics like the buttermilk fried chicken and cheddar corn fritters, Pedal Haus recently expanded their food menu to include gluten-free and vegan options. It’s hard to choose our favorite beer here, but we’ll go with the Belgian-Style Tripel.

Don’t forget to tag us in your photos when you share in the fun! @tempetourism #ourtempe 

Cheers!

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