Game Day Grub: 10 Sports Bars to Check Out

By Kevin Revolinski | Photo by Sunny Frantz

Whether it’s Badger basketball, the Super Bowl or even European premier league soccer, you can watch the game (match?) while enjoying tasty shareables and drinks at these great local venues.

PROST! BEER HALL

If you’re looking to watch the other football, this is the place. Situated in a converted church, the German bar streams soccer matches from around the world on big screens. Giant pretzels and sausage boards are good for sharing, and entrées such as schnitzel and sauer- braten are on the menu. Get half or full liters or boots full of 20 different German beers. Seating is at booths and communal tables, but during the big match, it can be standing room only. letsprost.net

LJ’S SPORTS TAVERN & GRILL

Operated by “Little John,” the son of John Kavanaugh who founded Kavanaugh’s Esquire Club, this sleek modern sports bar on East Washington Avenue has NFL Sunday Ticket and 21 TVs. Eats include spicy jalapeño cheese curds and spinach artichoke dip, as well as chicken or pork wings, eight salads and burgers made with Jenifer Street Market beef. Draft beers number 12 and the menu offers seven non-alcoholic brews also. The everyday fish fry features five fish choices, including shrimp and all-you-can-eat ocean perch.

THE GREAT DANE PUB & BREWING CO.

The pool bar area at the downtown Dane has 17 TVs showing sports. The wings (bone-in and boneless) are some of the best in town and come with seven sauce options. Beer-battered curds and a Wisconsin pretzel board are good shares, and drinks include their signature house brews, 14 wines and numerous cocktails and mocktails. greatdanepub.com

BABES AT VITENSE GRILL & BAR

An institution since the ’80s, Babes reopened inside Vitense Golfland in 2024. The bar’s signature nachos are back on the menu, along with wings and pretzels, and some classier eats such as a charcuterie board and seared tuna. Drinks include rotational draft beers, cocktails and wines. vitense.com/babes-at-vitense

DEXTER’S PUB

Well-known for its fish fry, this neighborhood bar has tall tables parallel to the bar and a dining area with TV views. Menu-wise, you can’t beat the garlic chile fries. Other options include burgers, pizzas, Muenster curds, Batch Bakehouse giant pretzels and a well- curated selection of 24 draft beers. dexterspubmadison.com

PLAYER’S SPORTS BAR & GRILL

This quintessential Wisconsin-style tavern pops up on any best burger lists in Madison, with hand-pattied, Jenifer Street Market beef. Pair your burger with the cheese munchers or curds. The establishment has 10 TVs, a pool table and high-top tables. Note: Service is provided at the bar and they establishment is cash only, though an ATM is available on-site. playerssportsbarmadison.com

MONK’S BAR & GRILL

Located in Middleton and Sun Prairie, Monk’s is a reliable suburban sports bar option. Popular appetizers include the bruschetta hummus plate, sweet chili cauliflower bites, wings and fried pickle spears. WisCow Pizza & Wings, an on-site ghost kitchen, offers pizzas, smoked wings and fried ravioli. monksbarandgrill.com

JORDAN’S BIG 10 PUB

Abundant TVs throughout this Regent Street bar keep any game easily watchable at all times. Apps include a hefty nacho plate, white cheddar curds and mac ’n’ cheese bites. The papas fritas are fries covered with braised pork, jalapeño crisps, cheese, pico and corn with chili lime ranch. big10pub.com

SCONNIE BAR

The wings are great here and reasonably priced, served with a choice of nine sauces. Other appetizers include queso nachos, curds from Ellsworth’s Kaufhold’s Kurds, housemade potato chips, and several burgers and sandwiches to pair with the 20 beers on tap and 30-plus TVs. sconniebar.com

5TH QUARTER SPORTS BAR & GRILL

Full of sports memorabilia, this Verona bar has TVs in every direction and space for larger groups. Wings come in orders of 6, 12, 18 or 24 with six sauce choices. Other delicious eats include deep-fried broccoli cheddar nuggets, a pound of tots, brick cheese curds, and specialty pizzas, burgers and wraps. 5thquarter.biz

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