Where to Watch Your Sports Team on Game Day

Whether an out-of-state sports fan or local fan, there's no reason to miss a can't-miss football game, highly anticipated tennis match or golf tournament with a plethora of restaurants and bars in Sarasota County to post up for an inning, quarter, match or period. With dozens of HD televisions, high-energy atmospheres, baskets of wings and plenty of beer flowing, check out our list of great game-watching watering holes for game-time season:

Big Top Brewing Co

With its brand-new location recently opened in Fruitville Commons, Big Top Brewing Co is THE place to be—whether on game day or any day. Still circus-themed at heart with branding and it craft house brews (try a flight with Hazy Sky Wire NEPA and Circus City IPA), the restaurant and brewery now offers an expansive beer garden and gasto-stylefood menu. The local staple is now also serving up an unbeatable (no pun intended) community space to post up for hours to catch a Florida hockey or soccer game. The restaurant, bar and lounge inside plays host to a number of flat-screen TVs while the wrap-around bar outside—adjacent to many cornhole stations for half-time competition—offers outdoor spectating under a covered awning with retractable shades during peak sunshine hours. 

Evie's Tavern & Grill / Evie's on the Bay / Evie's Family Golf Center

Evie's is one of the best places for the whole family to get together and watch the game—with multiple locations, each offering a little something different. While the Evie's on Main Street in downtown Sarasota encompasses a lively scene of multiple big-screen TVs and a next-door bowling alley, the Evie's on Bee Ridge / Evie's Family Golf Center offers a driving range to swing some clubs before heading inside for pizza and the game on the giant outdoor patio or inside bar. Further south in Osprey, Evie's on the Bay offers three floors of waterfront dining overlooking beautiful Sarasota Bay, but arguably, it's main draw is the ground-floor tiki bar. Grab your bar stool under the "chickee hut" for a Chiki Tiki Chicken Sandwich, $15 rum buckets and front-row seats to the main event! 

Gecko's Pub and Grill

For serious game-watchers, visit one of Gecko's six locations. Established in 1992, Gecko's (with a total of six locations in the Sarasota area) is well-known for its mouth-watering food, affordable food and easy-going atmosphere. Like many of the bars in this list, Gecko's has a slew of beer on tap, a full bar and lots of televisions. Locals will tell you Gecko's is an established local staple (since 1992) and even more notable, perennially voted "Best Sports Bar." Enjoy bar bingo and trivia on select nights in addition to catching glimpses of your match on-screen and chowing down on some classic American bar fare with a seasonal focus. The restaurant partners with Honeyside Farms, a nearby sustainable farm in the area to serve great farm produce and even plans their menu around the seasons and in-season crops to offer a healthier option to more traditional Sunday football food. 

Pops Sunset Grill

Just a bit further south, discover a tried-and-true "Old Florida" waterfront institution: Pop's Sunset Grill. This beloved live music and game-watching landmark is revered for its laid-back island atmosphere, fresh local fare and entertainment options. With vast dining areas and seating options, grab a seat at one of the three bars—as well as the Bou-Tiki—and request your channel to watch your favorite sports team play. During commercial breaks, catch all the action of the Intracoastal Waterway traffic and live bands jamming the day away. The Pop's "in Paradise" Burgers are main course standouts for game day while the Mild to Wild Wings and Coconut Shrimp starters are perfect for sharing with fellow sports fans. 

Siesta Key Oyster Bar

Siesta Key Oyster Bar, often just called SKOB by locals, is a perfect place to walk off the beach and into the bar for the game. Located in Siesta Key Village, the bar broadcasts every game from DIRECTV's NFL Sunday Ticket. This open-air dive bar by the sea has plenty of game-time fare, such as burgers, BBQ chicken and beer-battered fish and chips. However, Siesta Key Oyster Bar also has some of the best oysters in town and crab hush puppies for those who would prefer seafood during game day. Enjoy live music every day as your background sound to the playoffs playing on-screen and keep the drinks flowing with pitchers of margaritas or frosty beverages.

Tamiami Tap

Tucked away in the downtown-adjacent neighborhood of Laurel Park, find an undercover gem known as Tamiami Tap. Enjoy open-air dining, a casual coastal environment and comfortable seating facing two hanging TVs against a beautiful brick bar wall. Catch live music, trivia or whatever game happens to be on live while sharing guilty-pleasure apps like nachos, calamari fries, chicken tenders, quesadillas, or Betsy's Twisted Pretzel. 

The Big Tiki Lounge

Siesta Key Village's newest tiki bar on Ocean Blvd is an all-around great spot to end up after a sun-filled day on the beach. With a full liquor bar, specialty cocktails, cornhole and bar games, daily live music entertainment and high-hung 70" flat screens, there is arguably no better place to enjoy a football or baseball game. The Big Tiki Lounge recently teamed up with Siesta Key food truck, The Porthole Grille, to provide outdoor bites while you cheer on your home team at Siesta Key's largest tiki bar.