It’s a little early for Atlanta bars and restaurants to start planning their Super Bowl events, but what if you just want somewhere to watch the game? We’ve compiled a list of places around ATL where you can watch the Super Bowl if you’re just going for fun. (As in, you don’t have tickets.)
This list includes some of your typical cheesy, sports bar chains – because, uh, they have an amazing number of TVs – along with a few places serving up excellent food and drinks. And for good measure, we’ve included some others that create a fantastic drinking (and party) atmosphere.
The last time the Falcons made it to the Super Bowl, Atlanta bars and restaurants went all out, giving us a preview of what they might do when the big game comes to their hometown. Here are our ideas for places to watch the Super Bowl in Atlanta if you don’t have tickets to the real thing:
Hudson Grille
They call themselves “Atlanta’s Best Sports Bar… Period” and they’ve got locations in Sandy Springs and Midtown. Hudson Grille has thrown Super Bowl parties before, so we can only guess they’ll do it big when the game is in town. In the past, they’ve offered an all-you-can-eat buffet and raffles and games for fans. They’re known for their huge beer selection, plentiful TVs, and room for groups and parties. Expect sports memorabilia, shuffleboard tables, and chicken wings.
Whitehall Tavern
With 40 HDTVs and 20 local beers, Whitehall Tavern was made for watching sports. Located on Peachtree in the center of everything, they’ve also got a game room with a pool table, Pac-Man, and other arcade staples. And there’s a great patio if it’s nice out. They offer wings and party platters for pickup if you’re throwing your own party somewhere else, but the energy of this place is loud and crazy during big sports events. Last year, they had a raffle to win a Bud Light Yeti cooler for Super Bowl Sunday. Get there early if you want a seat.
Dantanna’s
With locations in Buckhead and downtown, Dantanna’s usually does something special for the Super Bowl. In the past, they’ve had $50 tickets which included a reserved spot for watching the game plus an all-you-can-eat buffet of crab legs, oysters, and prime rib. With several big screen TVs, a bar, an outdoor patio, and above-average fare – they’re known for their seafood and steak – it’s not quite a typical sports bar, but a maybe a notch above. Expect a crowd that’s a little more chilled and definitely make a reservation.
Second Self Beer Company
This brewery hosted special tours when the Falcons made the Super Bowl – they included tastings of their newest beers and a souvenir “Rise Up” glass to take home. Second Self stays up later than usual for the big game and they’ll let you bring your own tailgate food – there’s usually a food truck outside during the watch party! This place is super spacious with long communal tables, an outdoor area with cornhole, and a ping-pong table in the back. Try their tasting flights and then choose from one of their draft or canned craft beers. Dog-friendly and industrial with a friendly atmosphere, check to see what they’re planning for 2019 – you may need to get there early!
Bone Lick BBQ
This restaurant has done it right for the big game before, hosting a halftime dance party, creating a BBQ Burger for its Super Bowl Pig Skin Sunday, and letting fans enjoy a multitude of food and drink specials. Bone Lick BBQ gave out free beers to folks wearing Falcons shirts in 2017, served shots for every Falcons TD, and even hosted a complimentary wing buffet during halftime (plus half-price wings during the game). Word on the street is that their ribs are amazing. It’s not a big place, so be sure to find out what they’re doing for Super Bowl LIII and make plans ahead of time.
Taco Mac
Sorry if you’re a local and this one made you *eye roll.* Yeah, it’s a chain, but it’s a sports bar chain, okay?! This is what they do. In the past, they’ve offered reserved seats for the Super Bowl for $35 which gets you bottomless chips and salsa, wings, and two drinks – not bad. But every location of Taco Mac in ATL will show the big game on their several screens. And they all have tacos, nachos, and wings ready to go all day Sunday. And beer, obviously. What can we say? It’s a big, popular place with lots of tables and TVs – what else do you need?
Hobnob Neighborhood Tavern
With locations in Midtown and Brookhaven, this slightly upscale pub is great for watching games and eating delicious, more refined bar food. They’ve previously offered generous drink specials on Super Bowl Sunday, like $2.50 pints and 50¢ wings, plus free shots for every fumble. Chili and chili fries were also on special during the game, but they’ve got unique starters like duck nachos, pork belly lollipops, and chipotle cornmeal-crusted fried green tomatoes. Hobnob has an outdoor patio, TVs, a well-stocked bar, and serious Southern cuisine, so add them to your list of potential Super Bowl spots.
DBA Barbecue
The basics? 14 TVs, Virginia Highland location, barbecue, and something called a “Big Game Platter” that includes wings, nachos, and sliders for four people. DBA Barbecue is, like the name says, a great place to consume lots of meats – from brisket to pulled pork to spice-rubbed chicken – and watch the game. Try the ribs or maybe the pastrami and settle in with a tall boy PBR on the screened-in porch. Don’t expect much parking (use ATL’s great public transportation). Do expect a good place to watch football with friends. The Super Bowl is one of their busiest days of the year – lots of folks grab their meats for parties!
Torched Hop Brewing Company
Another brewery on the list, Torched Hop turns it up for the Super Bowl – getting started early with live music in the afternoon before turning all the TVs on to the game for their Super Wing Sunday event. Who knows if they’ll do the same this year, but keep an eye out! It’s actually a brewpub with a big space serving up craft beers, flights, fancy cocktails, pizzas, sandwiches, and wings, but also elevated bar food like shrimp and grits, charcuterie plates, and bone marrow. They’ve even got giant Jenga, Cards Against Humanity, and N64 to keep your non-football-fanatic friends entertained.
Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours
If the last Falcons Super Bowl is anything to go by, expect a DJ, themed cocktails, beer flights, and a build-your-own nachos station at this Southern eatery. Don’t worry, there’ll be wings and hot dogs too obviously. Located in West Midtown, Twisted Soul is all about classics like fried chicken and grits, but for the Super Bowl they can throw a party too. With drink specials and a big screen in the dining room, you’ll get to eat well and watch the game in style.
New Realm Brewing Company
One of ATL’s newest breweries hosted a Super Bowl party that took over its bar, dining room, and rooftop patio in 2018. With TVs and a large projector screen, New Realm featured a small food menu of pulled pork sandwiches, blue cheese potato chips, and a special hot dog with spicy mustard, onions, and a very Southern collard-kraut. Make no mistake, this place is BIG, with several TVs, tables, space for 500 people, and floor-to-ceiling windows. Now that they’re not so brand new anymore, we expect a full menu of amazing food from their restaurant and something special in this very cool space for 2019’s Super Bowl.
JR Crickets Halftime
Great wings, a lively atmosphere, affordability, and plenty of TVs – that’s what they’re all about at JR Crickets. With several locations all over ATL, it’s a casual, local Southern chain featuring baller wings. For previous Super Bowls, the JR Crickets in Cascade Heights hosted a live DJ to get everybody hyped before the game, during halftime, and afterwards. They’ve got food and drink specials, draft beers, and did we mention the excellent wings? It’s not a huge place, so plan ahead.
Hampton + Hudson
This gastropub in Inman Park gets great reviews for its local food, delicious drinks, sophisticated atmosphere, and central location. In the past, they’ve hosted a Super Bowl party with an outdoor screen for the game, plus a beer tub, ATL-inspired food specials, and buckets of PBR. They carry on with brunch in the mornings until 3 PM for those looking for something a little more, um, restrained, before diving into bar foods. While not technically a sports bar, there are several large TVs all around and it’s a great place to hang out, have drinks, and eat Southern-inspired foods like truffle mac and cheese, chicken biscuit sliders, and hangover fries. Hampton + Hudson gets busy (and crowded), so make arrangements ahead of time!
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