It’s already been a record season for the 49ers, who are celebrating a nine-game winning streak—their first such regular-season run since 1997—all while being helmed by seventh-round draft pick-turned-rookie sensation Brock Purdy.
Last Sunday’s nail-biting, overtime win against the Raiders inched the 49ers up from the No. 3 to the No. 2 playoff seed, meaning they have a chance of earning home-field advantage during their guaranteed playoff berth.
You’ll want to settle in somewhere nice for the last regular season game on Sunday—and also have a good spot to watch the team’s playoff run. Here are some of the Bay Area bars and pubs to catch the action.
A place that somehow manages to be classy and casual at the same time, Golden Gate Tap Room’s sprawling 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—or simply watch the game on the big screen.
Union Square
While Chase Center may be the Warriors’ lair, you can still catch Sunday’s game on the big screens at Thrive City. Bring your picnic blankets and beverages and pray for no rain—you can also grab food at one of the many outlets surrounding the open-air plaza.
Mission Bay
The SFAC 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 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 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.
Lower Pacific Heights
Oakland
Take in the big game alongside a slice of 49ers history—Kezar Stadium across the street was the team’s first home. 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.
Cole Valley
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, it might just become your new favorite place to watch the Niners.
Mission
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.
Sunset
The only gay sports bar that we know of in the city, 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.
Castro
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.
Oakland
This classy Oakland sports bar offers stiff cocktails and elevated pub fare—a stylish and hip spot to take in a hard-hitting gridiron spectacle.
Oakland
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.
San Rafael
📍 724 B St.
☎️ (415) 453-4318
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, who 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.
Walnut Creek
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.
Los Gatos
While some of Palo Alto’s most revered, heavy-pouring haunts have closed in recent years—RIP Old Pro and Antonio’s Nut House!—thirsty sports fans can check out the newly opened Le Banc in nearby Los Altos. The sports bar, whose name means “the bench” in French, is already receiving great reviews. And while it doesn’t have food on the menu, you’re allowed to bring in your own to this casual spot that has lots of screens to take in the game.
Los Altos
You can eat and drink to your heart’s content at San Pedro Square, where there’s more than a dozen restaurant options, open-air seating, and tons of televisions—both indoors and out—to take in sporting events.