25 of the best sports bars in Toronto by neighbourhood

No matter what Toronto neighbourhood you're in, there's a sports bar for you.

Sports seasons of all kinds are in full swing right now. I, being a non-sports-watcher myself, wouldn't know anything about that, but I do know a thing or two about beer and wings, and it's great news that those things pair with sports much like cookies go with milk.

Whether you're a superfan or just along for the bandwagon ride (and the food), a sports bar is, without a doubt, the ultimate spot to cheer on your team, but which watering hole to choose?

Lucky for you, we've compiled a list of our favourite sports bars in a selection of Toronto neighbourhoods so that, no matter where you land, you can rest assured that the big game and a plate of mozzarella sticks are just a stone's throw away.

Annex

If you're looking for a classic pub experience, it doesn't get much better than Pauper's Pub at Bloor West and Lippincott.

The enormous, two-floor pub also features street-level and rooftop patios, an expansive food and draught menu and plenty of screens for you to lock in on the game.

Beaches

This East End neighbourhood is a hidden gem for sports viewing: the stretch of Queen East between Woodbine and Balsam Ave. is dotted with a number of smaller, though no less lively, bars.

My top pick for a game night is The Wolfe Tone Irish Pub. Its dim, cozy atmosphere is the perfect haunt for a winter night hockey game viewing, while soccer (ahem, football) games are always a lively scene.

It's a popular, albeit intimate, spot, so if you don't manage to score a seat, head down across the street to the Stone Lion or down the block to Beaches Brewing Co., and you'll be just as happy.

Hurricanes Roadhouse. Photo by Fareen Karim.

Bloorcourt

This Toronto neighbourhood is littered with great bars and restaurants, but when it comes to watching the game, nothing compares to Hurricanes.

This institution has been a staple in the area for 40 years, and you can catch a range of sports across various professional leagues screened on their numerous TVs, alongside regular food and drink specials and lively events.

Cabbagetown

Golden Pigeon Beer Hall is a spacious German-style beer hall with communal tables, arcade games, and sizeable steins to fuel your fandom.

Though TV screens are somewhat minimal, the good vibes are never-ending, which can be a saving grace for many a Toronto sports fan when the team you're cheering for, inevitably, lets you down. Too soon?

Danforth 

For something new, check out Ballyhoo Public House, the first Toronto location of a Vancouver staple. This contemporary riff on the classic English pub is spacious enough to give your party some personal space, while still maintaining that cozy atmosphere that lends itself to connecting with your fellow fans.

If you want a true sports bar through and through, though, Rivals Sports Pub, with its circular booths oriented towards a bank of TV screens, won't let you down.

The Dock Ellis. Photo by Jesse Milns.

Dundas West

Named after a star pitcher and widely regarded among the best sports bars in the city, there are few places in the city at large better to grab a beer and watch than The Dock Ellis.

Named after a star MLB pitcher and created by the same team behind the Emmet Ray, it doesn't get much better than grabbing a cold one and getting your hopes up about your favourite team at this Dundas West haunt.

Entertainment District

This downtown hub is among the city's most densely packed when it comes to bars of all shapes and sizes, and, if you're looking for a spot to watch the game with your crew, it's perhaps the best neighbourhood to do so.

Saint John's Tavern at John and Adelaide is the perfect blend of casual, jovial atmosphere, stylish interiors and great food, all with the game du jour playing on its collection of TV screens.

If you prefer your sports-viewing experiences a little more unbridled, Dublin Calling, just down the road, is a spacious Irish-style pub with a party atmosphere that never seems to wane.

Etobicoke

If you've landed yourself in the far western reaches of the city limits, fear not: you still have ample opportunity to hunker down with some nachos before the puck drops.

Beertown Public House has a large location in the Entertainment District as well as Etobicoke, but I'm partial to the lofty ceilings and ample floorspace of its Islington Ave. sister.

Financial District

This hustling-bustling hub is riddled with pubs and bars, perfectly primed for the area's worker bees to blow off some steam with their friends after a long day's work.

King Taps, which also has a newer location on King West, is a whopper of a beer hall, boasting multiple floors, dozens of beers on tap and an expansive menu of pub favourites, making it an easy option for game day.

The Wheat Sheaf. Photo by Fareen Karim.

King West

This Toronto neighbourhood is, quite literally, known for its party atmosphere, and that doesn't change on game nights. If anything, the vibes amp up even more.

Cherry's High Dive, which sits just off King West on Wellington, is the perfect nexus of stylish, groovy vibes, decent food and a party atmosphere, but be prepared to wait in line if you don't have a reservation.

Alternatively, The Wheat Sheaf is Toronto's oldest bar for a reason, and makes for a casual, no-frills viewing spot.

Leslieville

This up-and-coming neighbourhood may be home to a growing number of groovy restaurants, but sports bars are in decidedly shorter supply.

Mercifully, at the intersection of Dundas and Carlaw, Garden Bar & Bodega more than fits the bill. This itty-bitty bar boasts a next-level patio, a broad selection of local brews and a near-evangelical local fan base, particularly during football season.

While the bar doesn't have a kitchen of its own, if you get hungry, they'll even order a pizza from the nearby Maker Pizza for you. Who's the winner now?

Liberty Village

With local sports hubs like BMO Field and Lamport Stadium nestled right within the neighbourhood (not to mention the Rogers Centre and Scotiabank Arena just a stone's throw away), this area is among the most buzzworthy for local sports fans.

Brazen Head is everything you could possibly want in a pub, with plenty of standing room and tables, and big-screen TVs tuned to the game, while the newer Playbook Commons offers a slightly more elevated take on the sports bar tradition.

Little Italy

In a neighbourhood that's better known for trendy restaurants and chic cocktail bars, you can still find a handful of low-key, upbeat bars to watch the game.

I'd be remiss to suggest anywhere other than the historic Monarch Tavern, which has kept the good vibes rolling on Clinton Street for nearly 100 years and, in that time, has made some high-tech upgrades that allow you to watch the game while you crush a pint or three.

Queen West

Taking over the space that formerly housed what was once Toronto's oldest bar, Score on Queen is already on fertile ground when it comes to being a go-to destination in the busy downtown neighbourhood.

On top of just a historic property, though, this bar also boasts an impressive patio, a bounty of TV screens and Caesars whose garnishes can only be described as a full meal in and of themselves, making it a no-brainer when gametime rolls around.

Scarborough

On the eastern edge of the city, there's no shortage of small, independent neighbourhood pubs that you can hit up to watch the game, but the Queen's Head Pub is a classic crowd-pleaser that won't let you down.

Also operating locations in Leslieville and St. Clair West, this classic British-style pub offers all the quintessential eats you could hope for, paired with a warm atmosphere from both the bar's patrons and staff.

Real Sports. Photo by Hector Vasquez.

South Core

We've made it to the undisputed heart of sports culture in the city, and that's primarily thanks to the fact that both the Rogers Centre and Scotiabank Arena anchor this neighbourhood with a near-constant flow of thirsty fans.

No sports bar in the city can touch the king, Real Sports, with its movie theatre-sized screen, epic events on major game days, extensive menu and overall immersive atmosphere.

If you want to get even more immersed in the big game, the Sportsnet Grill, which overlooks the Rogers Centre field, is your place to go. Of course, you pay a premium for window seats during games, but it beats trying to juggle a beer, popcorn and a hot dog in two hands while you cram yourself into the stadium's seats.

West Queen West

Head deeper west on Queen Street, and you'll arrive at Dog & Bear, the neighbourhood's beloved Empire-style pub that's been a local staple for over a decade.

The spacious bar used to house a nightclub, meaning it boasts ample standing room, cozy booths for larger parties and a lengthy bar churning out over 20 draught beers and bar rail cocktails.

Yonge & Eglinton

The roads at this central Toronto intersection may be the cause of a never-ending headache for its residents, but you can rest assured that choosing a bar to watch your favourite team play in this area won't be.

The Rose and Crown has been a local stalwart for 45 years, and its low ceilings, generous pitchers and old-fashioned tavern style make it the perfect location to engage in some serious fan behaviour.