Whether you’re watching “the big game,” the playoffs, or any game in between, sports bars have been welcoming fans into their establishments for years. Most offer delicious appetizers, happy hour specials, and ample TVs (of course). Huddle up with your friends or team rivals and head to one of our local sports bars for the next game.

Wally’s Pizza Bar 

Wally’s Pizza Bar
4079 Cameron Park Drive, Cameron Park, 530-677-5205, wallyspizzabar.com 

TVs: 22.

Must-try appetizer: FLB Wings. Jumbo, fresh, lightly battered, and seasoned in-house, then tossed in your choice of sauce: teriyaki, buffalo, BBQ, sriracha rub, mango habanero, or plain.

Specials: They offer happy hour Monday through Friday from 3-6 p.m. with $5 drafts, wine, and discounted food (including the can’t-miss Southern chicken sliders); and a late-night happy hour (drinks only) from 9-11 p.m.

FLB Entertainment Center
511 East Bidwell Street, Folsom, 916-983-4411, flb365.com

TVs: 26.

Must-try appetizer: The Big Mozz. Five jumbo, extra cheesy mozzarella sticks coated with pecorino romano cheese, fresh garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper; served with house marinara.

Specials: Happy hour includes $4, $5, and $6 food and beverage items.

Folsom Tap House
25005 Blue Ravine Road, Suite 140, Folsom, 916-292-5711, folsomtaphouse.com

TVs: 12, plus a 180” projector.

Must-try appetizer: Thai Lettuce Wraps. Four butter lettuce leaves filled with Asian slaw, thinly grilled chicken breast strips, mango, and toasted coconut; served with Thai peanut dressing.

Specials: Happy hour Monday through Friday from 2-6 p.m. with discounts on food (including fried pickles, mini corndogs, and sliders), as well as beer and cocktail deals.

Bar 101 Eats & Drinks
101 Main Street, Roseville, 916-774-0505, bar101roseville.com

TVs: 11, plus a monster 10-foot screen.

Must-try appetizer: Pulled Pork Sliders. Slow-roasted pulled pork and crispy onion strings on mini brioche buns.

Specials: Taco Tuesdays feature $2 tacos, $7 margaritas, and $4 Coronas.

Halftime Bar & Grill 
5681 Lonetree Boulevard, Rocklin, 916-626-3600, bowlero.com/location/strikes-unlimited/menu

TVs: 12.

Must-try appetizer: Buffalo Chicken Quesadilla. Grilled chicken, buffalo sauce, and melted cheeses with a ranch drizzle.

Specials: “Night Strike” includes unlimited bowling starting at 8 p.m. (Sunday-Wednesday) for just $18.99 (shoe rental included).

Scoreboards Pizza & Grill
9260 Sierra College Boulevard, Suite 600, Roseville, 916-797-1100, scoreboardspizza.com

TVs: 10.

Must-try appetizer: Chicken Wings. One pound of freshly cooked jumbo wings tossed in your choice of signature sauce: buffalo, BBQ, or garlic parmesan.

Specials: Try their homemade chili for a limited time. They also offer happy hour Monday through Friday from 3-6 p.m. with discounts on food (including the popular hummus and pita duo) and $1 off all drafts.

The Breakroom
4131 South Shingle Road, Suite 7, Shingle Springs, 530-763-6761, breakroomeatery.com

TVs: 6.

Must-try appetizer: Beer Cheese Dip and Pretzels. Warm, soft, doughy pretzels served with a creamy, house-made, hoppy IPA cheese dip.

Specials: They like to mix things up weekly, so it’s best to check their website for specials and new menu items. 

The Apex at Red Hawk
1 Red Hawk Parkway, Placerville, 530-677-7000, apexatredhawk.com

TVs: 46, plus a giant video wall.

Must-try appetizer: Loaded Tater Tots. Cheese sauce, sour cream, green onions, and bacon; their Red Hawk Wings are also a hit!

Specials: Valentine’s Day Sweetie “Pie,” featuring a cinnamon sugar base, candied pork belly, pretzel pieces, and a caramel drizzle. On their Valentine’s Day drink menu, expect a Valentine Kiss Martini with house vodka, strawberry mix, and sweet and sour. 

TACKLE THESE FACTS!

• The first sports bar is rumored to have originated in the 1930s and sat across the street from where the St. Louis Cardinals and Browns played. The bar was called Field of Dreams, and they served hot dogs, hamburgers and pork chops.

• The first modern day sports bar in America is Legends, which opened in 1979 in Long Beach, California. It’s still there!

• Buffalo chicken wings were first served in 1964 in a Buffalo, New York, restaurant. (That’s where they got their name!) Rumor has it, the restaurant, Anchor Bay, tossed them in a “special sauce” and served them with a side of blue cheese sauce and celery because that’s all they had in the kitchen.

• The most popular sports bar menu items are wings, nachos, spinach artichoke dip, flatbreads, mozzarella sticks, and fried pickle chips.

• According to industry reports, Texas leads the way with over 1,800 sports bars; California has over 1,600 and Florida has around 1,400.

• Based on viewership, football is the most popular sport to watch at sports bars, followed by basketball, baseball, and soccer.

by Julie Ryan

Folsom Tap House photos by Jyo Bhamidipati ©stylereadersmedia. Other photos courtesy of thier respective companies or organizations. Photos courtesy of their respective companies or organizations.