The 10 best sports bars in Liverpool to catch the big games
Sports, good food, and some booze? Sign me up!
I’ve been a sports fan for as long as I can remember. I learned that sports go well with good food and some beers (or a cocktail or two). Another is that watching sports with a crowd is better than doing it alone on the couch.
That’s how I became a sports bar regular, mostly watching our Liverpool do their thing in the Premier League. I’d celebrate wins with friends and strangers. I’d agonise over losses with them, too.
I consider myself a sports bar connoisseur. I know the best sports bars in Liverpool, and I want to share them with you so you can enjoy sports, good food, and some booze.
1. Rileys Sportsman Bar
Media credit: clubrileys
Location: Bolton St.
Contact: +44 151 707 8349
Hours: Sunday to Thursday: 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM | Friday to Sunday: 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Price: ££
Rileys, arguably the best cue sports-themed bar in the city, is just a stone’s throw away from Liverpool. It’s got tables not just for English and American pool, but also for snooker. In short, if the pool is your thing, Rileys is the spot for you!
But Rileys is more than just a run-of-the-mill billiards hall. It’s also perfect for watching sports on large TVs—with good food and drinks on your table.
Of course, the 75-inch TV is reserved for the biggest sporting events and local matches featuring Liverpool and Everton.
Rileys even opens on weekends at 11:00 AM for its weekly family time. Parents can bring their kids for sports-centric family bonding, which includes a pool, darts, and good food. Put simply, Rileys is for everyone!
Pro Tip:
If you like pool, consider becoming a Rileys member. Membership gets you a Rileys card, which allows you to earn points for every £1 you spend playing pool or snooker.
2. Boom Battle Bar Liverpool
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Location: 101-110 St George’s PI
Contact: +44 151 832 4499
Hours: Monday to Thursday: 4:00 PM – 11:00 PM | Friday and Sunday: 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM | Saturday: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Price: £
The ‘battle’ part of Boom Battle Bar Liverpool lives up to its name. With the bar’s endless selection of games, you’ll surely get into battles with your friends for a night of fun and competition. There’s shuffleboard, pool, darts, and many more!
That’s not all. You’ll never run out of things to do as the bar offers various activities for groups looking to have a grand time. This bar has got you covered from hen to stag parties to live sports viewing.
Boom Battle Bar’s food options are mostly chicken, burgers, and fries. But you won’t go wrong with the taste; the servings will fill you up.
What’s more, the bar makes up for its limited food menu with an expanded selection of drinks—including signature cocktails like Basic B*tch and Fruit Bomb.
Pro Tip:
Book your games in advance. Boom Battle Bar fills up rather quickly most days, so an online reservation ensures you can play your choice of game when you visit.
3. Roxy Ball Room Liverpool
Media credit: roxyballroom
Location: 26 College Ln
Contact: +44 151 541 6200
Hours: Sunday: 1:00 PM – 12:00 AM | Wednesday: 4:00 PM – 11:00 PM | Thursday: 4:00 PM – 12:00 PM | Friday: 1:00 PM – 1:00 AM | Saturday: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | Monday to Tuesday: Closed
Price: £££
It’s true, Roxy Ball Room Liverpool really brings the playground to the bar! That‘s because this upscale bar offers arguably the widest selection of games in the city.
Imagine going to a bar where you can play ten-pin and duck-pin bowling, curling, pool, and ping pong. And that’s just for starters—there’s also mini-golf, tech and deck shuffle, and beer pong. It even has batting cages for baseball and cricket.
Roxy also maintains its mantra of being the ‘home of booze and ball games’ with its 16 lines of draught, endless cocktail offerings, and expansive spirits collection.
The nibblers—Italian pizza and bratwurst are a must-try—top it all off for a memorable night of games, booze, and fun.
Pro Tip:
If you’re in no rush to have fun, wait until it’s off-peak days: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Most games are at least £2 more affordable these days, with the pool tables having a £5 discount.
4. The Shipping Forecast
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Location: 15 Slater St.
Contact: +44 151 709 6901
Hours: Sunday to Thursday: 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM | Friday to Saturday: 12:00 PM – 2:00 AM
Price: £
The Shipping Forecast is known for its rustic interior, marked by low-hanging steel lamps and bare brick walls. It’s also a popular spot to catch a big game, with a wide selection of food and even wider options for booze.
From belter burgers to stone-baked pizzas, The Shipping Forecast covers you. Locals mainly go for the mix-and-match small plates where you can sample three food items for £13.75 or five for £20.95. Pair them with the bar’s mean Jager Bomb or Skittle Bomb, and you’re all set!
But that’s not all! You can also visit The Shipping Forecasts’ ‘The Hold,’ a basement space for live music and club nights. You can even check out Arrowsmiths, the bar’s digital darts experience, for some fun but competitive sporting action.
Pro Tip:
The Shipping Forecast has an allergen and dietary guide to ensure that all ingredients used in food and drinks are suitable for every patron.
5. Fletcher’s Sports Bar
Media credit: fletcherssportsbar
Location: Allerton Rd., Allerton
Contact: +44 151 428 7490
Hours: Monday to Thursday: 12:30 PM – 11:00 PM | Friday to Sunday: 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Price: ££
Fletcher’s Sports Bar is another no-frills pub for sports enthusiasts. It’s all about sports—and the food and drinks, of course. You can think of it as the Shipping Forecast, but it is less intense.
Save for the TVs and the stylish, well-stocked counter, Fletcher’s Sports Bar looks like a squeaky clean, well-maintained diner. This gives the bar a calm vibe and relaxed ambience. In fact, watching sports in Fletcher’s feels ‘homey.’
But don’t let that simplicity fool you. Fletcher’s is an Allerton Manor bar, meaning you’ll surely get great food. Carefully curated draughts of beer and cider also await you. In many ways, Fletcher’s brings a delicate dining vibe to the sports-watching experience.
Pro Tip:
While Fletcher’s will welcome you with open arms, booking a table beforehand is best. You can do it here.
6. The Bierkeller Liverpool
Media credit: bierkellerliverpool
Location: 6-8 Thomas Steers Way
Contact: +44 800 054 8179
Hours: Monday to Thursday: 12:00 PM – 1:00 AM | Friday: 12:00 PM – 2:00 AM | Saturday to Sunday: 10:00 AM – 2:00 AM
Price: £
The Bierkeller Liverpool is for the hardcore sports fan. The heart of the bar is a section of long wooden tables and benches where pubgoers congregate to watch the games, often with a palpable intensity.
For something a little less intense but more intimate, this spot has a dedicated cocktail and bier bar for a more relaxed sports-watching experience. It also has a sports bar where you can play bar games while downing ice-cold beers.
After the games, you can retreat to The Bierkeller Liverpool’s Biergarten. This outdoor beer garden is the perfect spot to enjoy the bar’s expansive collection of the world’s finest beers and finger-lickin’ food.
Pro Tip:
Try the Würst selection. The Bierkeller Liverpool serves some of the city’s most delectable bratwursts and frankfurters. The Krakauer Bacon Frankfurter is incredibly yummy.
7. McCooley’s Mathew Street
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Location: 9, 12 Temple Ct.
Contact: +44 151 351 6703
Hours: Monday to Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 2:00 AM | Thursday: 10:00 AM – 3:00 AM | Friday to Saturday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 AM | Sunday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 AM
Price: ££
McCooley’s is just the right blend of sports bar, bistro, and nightclub.
It has large screens so you won’t miss the big games. It also has a wide selection of delectable food options you can wash down with beer, wine, or spirits. It even has a dance floor, so you can bust a move if that’s your thing.
Another thing about McCooley’s is that it regularly attracts a young-ish crowd. So, expect an energetic atmosphere pretty much every night. Expect lots of bright, flashing lights and loud music, too—all the way to the wee hours during weekends.
Pro Tip:
If you plan to return to McCooley’s frequently, consider purchasing the loyalty card. It grants you access to exclusive deals, discounts, and personalised recommendations based on your visits.
8. The Long Shot Bar
Media credit: thelongshot.bar
Location: Unit 3, Britannia Pavilion, Albert Dock
Contact: +44 151 438 6799
Hours: Monday to Wednesday: 3:00 PM – 12:00 AM | Thursday to Sunday: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Price: £££
The Long Shot Bar on Royal Albert Dock boasts 11 4K TVs spread across two spacious floors. It also has a colossal 4K projector, so you’ll never miss any of the action of your favourite sports, be it football or F1 and MMA.
What’s great about The Long Shot Bar is that it’s never full. The bar prioritises exceptional service and keeps the number of guests reasonable. This gives guests ample wiggle room to enjoy themselves and ensures fast, efficient service throughout the night.
Even better, they have arguably the best selection of drinks. A local favourite is ‘The Long Shot,’ a blend of Jameson Black, apricot, and black tea soda. Winter Old Fash and Crimson are also highly approved.
Pro Tip:
Come early if you can. The Long Shot Bar doesn’t pack the venue with large crowds, so you might have to wait a while to get inside—especially during weekends.
9. The Hope & Anchor
Media credit: thehopeandanchorliverpool
Location: Maryland St.
Contact: +44 151 702 7911
Hours: Monday to Wednesday: 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM | Thursday to Friday: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM | Saturday: 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM | Sunday: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Price: ££
Don’t let The Hope & Anchor’s diner ambience fool you. It’s a sports bar of the highest order. Large and smaller screens on some long tables guarantee a great viewing experience.
Meanwhile, access to Sky Sports and TNT Sports ensures a wide selection of sports.
Moreover, it boasts a spacious pool area and dartboards for competitive fun. Afterwards, you can retreat to the bar’s outside area or beer garden for beers or cocktails.
But the food elevates The Hope & Anchor from another sports bar to a must-visit destination. The expansive menu includes everything from nibblers like fish and chips to stone-baked pizza, crafted burgers, and full-plate treats.
Pro Tip:
Do you have separation anxiety with your fur babies? You can bring them over. The Hope & Anchor is certified pet-friendly.
10. Legends Sports Bar
Media credit: legends.liverpool
Location: 20-24 Mathew St.
Contact: +44 151 351 6725
Hours: Monday to Thursday: 11:00 AM – 1:00 AM | Friday to Sunday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 AM
Price: £
Legends Sports Bar is committed to providing the best sports-themed pub experience. The bar’s 10 large screens and subscriptions to various sports channels are proof of this. This means you can catch all the big games, whether football or F1.
One thing that stands out about Legends Sports Bar is its extended happy hour, which starts when the bar opens and lasts until 6 AM (5 AM on Fridays). The discounts are also pretty generous, with average pints and cocktails being cheaper by £2.
But what makes the Legends Sports Bar stand out is the energy inside the bar that you’ll feel night in and night out. It’s probably due to Legends being a go-to spot for sports diehards. That’s why you’re likely to rub elbows with someone really into sports.
Pro Tip:
Cocktails are a favourite of regulars, and the best of the lot is the aptly named ‘Le’Gin’Dary.’ A close second is ‘Spice Up Your Life.’ Rounding out the podium is ‘Sex on the Beach.’