We love Clearwater. Truly, we do. But we’re also happy to admit that sports bars can be a bit of an arsehole. One minute it’s all cold beers and touchdown cheers, the next it’s overpriced wings and sticky floors. But the good news is that there are ways to feel like you’ve found the perfect game-day spot without actually having to settle. Namely, by going to one of these.
Aviators Tavern
$$ | (727) 577-9100 | WEBSITE
The best thing about a sports bar, other than the obvious big screens for every game, is you kind of feel like you’re part of the action. Which is why we always grab a seat at the bar of this Clearwater spot, with a view of the bartender at work, because good drinks equal good times, right? Dinner here comes with a satisfying dose of grilled chicken quesadillas, fresh sirloin salads, and juicy burgers.
Sit at the bar, order one of his unique cocktails, and don’t make any plans soon after, because you won’t be leaving until the final whistle blows.
Hogan’s Hangout
$$ | (727) 386-9933 | WEBSITE
There are plenty of sports bars scattered around Clearwater, but only Hogan’s Hangout truly transports you from the bustling beachfront it overlooks. During the day, when the top seating area is full, ocean breezes sweep through, and sunlight glints off the water, making this spot a real destination.
Despite being a family-friendly restaurant, the generous portions, nostalgic atmosphere, and truly excellent breakfast options like eggs, bacon, hash browns, and toast piled high on each table, remind us of a classic Florida diner—without anything feeling overdone.
Varsity Club Sports Bar and Grille
$ | (727) 726-6551 | WEBSITE
Varsity Club Sports Bar and Grille is the quintessential sports-watching destination. Central to its appeal is a combination of elements: many well-placed TVs, the coldest beer in Pinellas County, and a game room for teens. We’re not saying that anything chaotic will unfold during a busy game night. Nor are we saying that server Kaylie will personally deliver every order with lightning speed.
But we are saying that being in a sports bar, even one situated in a modest plaza next to a laundromat, is a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Especially when crispy wings and a juicy cheeseburger with tator tots are involved.
Mainstay Tavern
$$ | (727) 595-1611 | WEBSITE
An evening spent at Mainstay Tavern, complete with a round of beers and that ludicrously satisfying Millionaire’s Double burger, is an evening well spent indeed. The family-friendly sports bar and restaurant in Clearwater knows how to make everyone feel at home. The service is warm, the portions are generous, and the reasonably priced menu (yes, this is an ideal spot for families and hotel guests) has something for everyone.
Overtime Sports Bar
$ | (727) 562-0109 | WEBSITE
If rowdy cheers, perfectly crisp wings, and bottomless craft beers are your idea of a perfect night out, then Overtime Sports Bar will feel like the championship game of your week. The Clearwater sports bar has that electric yet comfortable vibe of the most American variety, every game day of the season.
There are high-top tables of friends, coworkers, and regulars, and everyone is digging into baskets of golden wings and clinking glasses to the glow of multiple large screens broadcasting every play.
Norton’s Southside Sports Bar
$ | (727) 441-1034 | WEBSITE
You’ll hear this Clearwater sports bar before you see it. The crackle of buffalo chicken wings hitting the fryer, the gentle hum of TVs broadcasting every game imaginable, and the laughter of relaxed locals who haven’t had to fight for parking. Like the best game-day snacks, the food at Norton’s Southside Sports Bar—crispy wings, well-seasoned tacos, hearty bar bites—is a sauce-drenched vehicle for creating lasting memories.
The patio is practically sponsored by sports memorabilia, and it’s hard to believe you didn’t have to book months ahead to sit out here, with a plate of wings in one hand and a cold beer in the other, your well-behaved dog lounging at your feet.
Mugs Sports Bar and Grill
$ | (727) 535-5847 | WEBSITE
You could convincingly argue that Mugs is about as Clearwater as it gets. It is a sports bar, you know. But after a visit to Sean’s grill, your mind and soul will be elsewhere. The American cookout is both Florida down to a tee and somewhere that feels removed from the typical sports bar proper. Come when the game is on, get some fish bites fresh off the fryer, and slip some of Jade’s original drinks into your fresh Caesar salad.
Bathtub-size pots of beer will be flowing too, and you’ll be more than tempted to have a seat in Olivia and Shanley’s section for a minute, or an hour.
Capogna’s Dugout
$ | (727) 441-4791 | WEBSITE
If you have ever cheered for the Rays in a crowded stadium, you’re going to love Capogna’s Dugout. This authentic, family-owned sports bar on a corner of Clearwater has multiple screens showing games, a friendly crowd of regulars, and an atmosphere focused purely on sports and conversation.
Watch intently as the Dugout Special and wings arrive at your table—or at the scoreboard, if that’s your preference—and then settle into a truly satisfying experience as draft beer and great food hit your spot. Welcome to the dugout, buddy.
Hooters
$ | (727) 443-7263 | WEBSITE
Grab your flip-flops, you’re heading to Clearwater Beach. Full disclosure, you don’t actually need a reservation to devour your weight in Daytona-style wings at this iconic sports bar, but for the sake of tradition, we highly recommend it. Beyond the welcoming family atmosphere, there’s perfectly grilled Daytona wings, $5 domestic beers, and legendary slices of chocolate cake.
We’re partial to the outdoor seating with its prime beach views, but if the game’s on, you should post up at the bar area and feel free to set your status to ‘consuming pickle fries’.
Applebee’s Grill + Bar
$$ | (727) 539-6388 | WEBSITE
One of our favourite ways to spend an evening in Clearwater is… to pretend we’re not in Clearwater. Applebee’s Grill + Bar, a sports bar on E Bay Dr, has the kind of welcoming atmosphere that makes you forget that you’re just minutes away from the bustling city center. A meal here consists of things like tender chicken, crispy mozzarella sticks, and surprisingly good microwaved dishes.
The staff has a bunch of friendly servers, from exceptional Desiree to reliable Mindy and Adrian, so you can take that enjoyable feeling home with you.
Pub 590
$ | (727) 754-4187 | WEBSITE
There are sports bars, and then there’s Pub 590. It’s essentially a neighborhood hangout with old-school vibes, featuring a jukebox, pool table, and darts. The beer, wine, and wine cocktails are affordable, but always extremely satisfying. Grab a drink from bartenders like Damien and settle into the chill atmosphere, which can get a bit smoky inside. As far as local spots go, it feels like you’ve found your regular place because, well, you basically have found your regular place.
Original Hooters
$ | (727) 797-4008 | WEBSITE
Few things spell ‘game day’ like crispy baskets of wings, lively crowds around big-screen TVs, and occasionally inconsistent service. Original Hooters has all three. The sports bar in Clearwater is iconic in every sense of the word. It’s a restaurant that specialises in two things: the wings of Florida—think saucy drumettes or a platter of boneless bites served hot and on time—and an atmosphere so fun it feels like it’s come straight from a sports broadcast highlight reel.
