Sports Bars in Long Beach
With all due respect to Santa Claus and Andy Williams, the Most Wonderful Time of the Year for a significant slice of the population kicks off with the start of the NFL season. And good times are made even better when shared with others, especially while also sharing some wings, nachos and/or a frosty beverage. No better place to do that than at one of Long Beach’s many great sports bars. Here’s a few winners to check out.
LEGENDS
The nation’s first dedicated sports bar, Legends (5236 E. Second St.) continues to set the standard with its 30-plus HD TVs, including two massive projection screens–240- and 326-inches wide. There’s also its, well, legendary wings that range in flavor from original buffalo to lemon pepper, there’s Thai sweet chili, BBQ, habanero and Cajun, all of which you can get in quantities of six or a bucketful of 48.
SHANNON’S ON PINE
Whether you're in the mood for football or futbol–the European version of which airs in the early morning–Shannon’s on Pine (209 Pine Ave.) is there for you by offering breakfast, lunch and dinner. This downtown gathering spot has plenty of big screens and stays open until midnight, Sunday through Thursday, and 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Serving variations of Mexican dishes and burgers, Shannon’s also has very popular wings, as well as birria beef short ribs and the blow-your-mind glory that is its pastrami chili cheese fries.
SHENANIGANS
Whether you’re sitting inside or on the patio, watching the action on one of the 14 TVs, playing pool with friends or gazing out at one of the best views of the Long Beach waterfront, Shenanigans (423 Shoreline Village Dr., Suite A) offers all that and a friendly vibe. This Irish pub has plenty of pints and plates including wings, burgers and some dishes with a decidedly Irish flare such as a corned beef burger, shepherd’s pie and, yes, Irish nachos.
BADDELEY’S POURHOUSE
This Belmont Heights sports bar is just the right size: cozy enough to feel neighborly, large enough to hold plenty of TVs and soon-to-be new friends, along with a popular digital jukebox that allows you to connect to social media. Baddeley’s Pourhouse (3348 E. Broadway) has been here more than a dozen years–the spot has been a bar for more than 50–and exudes a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere that makes it a great place to watch your favorite team while enjoying daily drink and food specials as well as free popcorn.
DAVE & BUSTERS
Located at Long Beach Towne Center (7575 Carson St.), Dave & Busters’ 41,000-square-foot space not only features 180 games of all descriptions and tech levels–old school skeeball to virtual reality versions of “Transformers” and “Top Gun”–but also lots of food and drink options. A 40-foot-wide, ultra-high-definition LED screen showing multiple channels means you can sit in one place and, without so much as moving your head, pretty much see every game being played at that moment. Score!
