Sports Bars

Sports fans and families gather at the Yard House for its multiple TV screens and a well-executed, diverse menu.

There is no shortage of bars at which to watch the crowd-pleasing spectacle that is  March Madness. Here, amid draft choices and a chilled-out vibe, you can cheer or jeer while chomping on quasi-tapas and pub grub as flat-screen TVs broadcast whatever NCAA game’s playing or being overanalyzed. It’s fun, and just more exciting when watching with a crowd.

Rarely do these places take reservations, so arrive early to snag a prime viewing spot, or, in the case of the Celtic Gardens (2300 Louisiana), a cozy leather sofa or a picnic table on the expansive patio. Along with a 24-faucet draft-beer tower named Goliath, regulars can choose from 20-plus bottled beers and a better-than-average selection of bar food, including seared ahi tuna sliders, quesadillas with marinated artichokes and mushrooms, and Southern-fried chicken tenders with waffle fries.

For local football fans, the Houston Texans Grille (12848 Queensbury Lane) is the place at which to celebrate or commiserate. Nearby, in the heart of CityCentre, Yard House (800 Sorella Court) appeals to foodies, sports fans and families with its wide variety of choices, from Chinese-style, orange-peel chicken to Cajun spicy jambalaya with jumbo shrimp.

Chula’s Sports Cantina (9501 Southwest Freeway and 10500 Katy Freeway) embodies a border-town ambiance with skimpily dressed waitresses and buffalo wings and Tex-Mex standards. The big advantage here is the multiple screens, and – even better – almost all of the booths have their own personal TVs to tune into your game of choice.

In the Galleria, Champps Americana (1121 Uptown Park Blvd.) boasts it has the best seat outside the stadium. That’s because there are 30 flat-screen TVs, including four giant-screen projectors reserved for Texas teams. Here, guests can watch multiple live games at once while chomping on a signature gourmet burger, or they can request a specific sporting event.