San Francisco 49ers fans are fired up for a new season after news of Nick Bosa’s signing Wednesday—to the largest contract ever for a non-quarterback—which means the defensive player is guaranteed to be on the field for the Niners’ first regular season game Sunday morning.
The season opener against the Steelers will be played in Pittsburgh, so that’s a 10 a.m. kickoff for us in the Bay Area. We’ve got you covered with plenty of early-opening sports bars to catch the action.
Read on for perfect roosts across the Bay Area to root for the red-and-gold.
Golden Gate Tap Room
A place that somehow manages to be classy and casual at the same time, Golden Gate Tap Room’s sprawling Union Square mecca is a shrine to sports fans of all stripes. After perusing its selection of more than 100 beers, you can play video games and foosball during halftime.
San Francisco Athletic Club
The San Francisco Athletic Club in Lower Pacific Heights unapologetically advertises itself as the city’s best sports bar. It can get crowded, but thankfully, it actually takes reservations. Considering the quality food menu, you may need to secure your spot early. With 28 screens as well as pool and shuffleboard, it has everything to keep you in the center of the action. There’s also an Uptown Oakland location, where East Bay fans can catch all the plays in similar digs—with lots of seating variety, 40 screens and a full menu.
Kezar Pub
Take in the big game alongside a slice of 49ers history. At Kezar Pub, across the street from the team’s first home, Kezar Stadium, you’ll find lots of Niners memorabilia on the walls as well as delicious food and wings. A friendly place that makes you feel like you’re part of the family, it’s a true locals’ bar. It also boasts 20 screens, so there’s plenty of opportunity to take in the game.
7 Mile House
If you want a side of history while watching the season opener, head over to Brisbane’s 7 Mile House. “Mile Houses” were a type of mid-19th century rest stop, where weary travelers could repair their stagecoaches and let their horses rest. Built in 1858, the 7 Mile House first opened as a toll gate and has had a colorful history over the years, serving as a bootlegging operation, illegal poolroom and even a brothel.
The Napper Tandy’s
This friendly Irish sports bar, where “you are a stranger but once,” has tons of HDTVs and the best soda bread in town—not to mention other delicious choices that make the menu a step above your standard pub grub. With its expansive outdoor seating, full bar and spacious pool table room, this Mission pub might just become your new favorite place to watch the Niners.
Blackthorn
Blackthorn claims to have the best Bloody Marys in the city, and reviewers seem to agree. But it’s not only great drinks you’ll find at this Sunset sports bar, since the Irish pub also has 10 HDTVs and a variety of gourmet flavored nuts you can wash down with its over 20 beers on tap.
Hi Tops
The only gay sports bar that we know of in San Francisco, Hi Tops is a spot with the tagline “cold pitchers, hot catchers.” Do you need any more enticement? Swing by this lively Castro spot that has a full menu along with drinks—plus a Thursday night gym class.
George & Walt’s
There are so many reasons to go to George & Walt’s in the Rockridge neighborhood of Oakland: the delicious food, the rowdy fans, the affordable drinks—even the retro sign out front. This place has been around forever, and as an under-the-radar locals’ favorite, it’s worth diving into.
Flatiron
Flatiron in San Rafael has over 20 rotating brews on tap as well as a full selection of bottled beers. Its full food menu includes interesting twists on traditional pub grub, such as chili lime cauliflower and Korean bulgogi fries. The gorgeous wooden interior, complete with arcade games, makes for a stylish roost for your football watching.
Stadium Pub
Stadium Pub is reportedly Walnut Creek’s oldest sports bar—the watering hole has been around for over 30 years. That’s been plenty of time to build a solid fan base, which packs this place for all kinds of sports games. But with all the 49er memorabilia on the walls, it’s extra special to catch a Niners game here.
Double D’s
Consistently voted Silicon Valley’s best sports bar, Double D’s in Los Gatos checks all the boxes—big screens, friendly vibes, delicious grub, standout drinks and plenty of double entendre. It offers brunch only on Sundays from 9:30 a.m. to noon and the regular menu after that.
San Pedro Square
You can eat and drink to your heart’s content at San Pedro Square in San Jose, where there are more than a dozen restaurant options, open-air seating and tons of televisions to take in sporting events.