Five Killer Bars to Grab a Bite and Catch a Game

Nothing says Americana like getting a bunch of buds together to root for your favorite team on a crisp fall Sunday. While the Twin Cities boast a plethora of bars where one can belly up and spend the day munching on popcorn with a Michelob in hand, there are also plenty of eateries that offer both great food and a large screen TV or six. Please share your chosen Sunday morning hangout in the comments below.

The Shack Burger. Photo by Joy Summers

Paddy Shack

The Half Time Rec might be best known for serving generations of day-drinkers, but with the addition of Paddy Shack and James Beard nominated Chef Jack Riebel, the dive bar is now also loved for its vast menu of traditional Irish fare. Share appetizers like stuffed jalapenos with corned beef, cheddar, cabbage and paddy sauce or corned beef and cabbage fries served with kicky horseradish and cabbage slaw pair. And if the game gets old, head to the basement for a round or two of bocce.

Katie Cannon / Eater Twin Cities

The blucy. Photo by Katie Cannon

Blue Door Pub Longfellow

The Minneapolis outpost of Blue Door boasts cozy booths, large community tables and a sunny bar, all with great vantage points of several TV’s. Choose from a dozen options of Blue Door’s stuffed burger, The Blucy, and don’t forget the deep fried pickles, which easily rival the Minnesota State Fair’s version.

Great Waters Brewing Company

Located in the Historic Hamm Building, where the original St. Paul Cathedral once stood, Great Waters serves their award winning brews along side a sizeable game-friendly menu. Break a sweat with the Rasta Wings, a punchy plate of Jamaican jerk chicken wings seasoned with jalapeno and habanero peppers, then douse the flames with Dr. Rudi IPA, which utilizes citrusy New Zealand hops.

The 1029 Bar

The 1029 Bar and Smack Shack

How many dive bars do you know that serve Maine quality lobster rolls? This Northeast favorite does, along with two-for-one specials after each Vikings touchdown.

Red Cow

Sure, Red Cow has crave-worthy burgers at all three locations, but they also serve a mean weekend breakfast that’ll get you through a potentially painful three-hour football game. This version of Chilaquiles is a hefty dish of tender barbacoa beef and poached eggs smothered with a chipotle hollandaise and served with golden hash browns.