There are sports fans who book tables weeks in advance, and there are those who decide on game day. This list is for the latter. So when you realize the big game starts in an hour and every predictable spot is packed, head to one of these Fayetteville havens instead. These aren’t just bars with TVs. These are full-fledged restaurants built for the deliciously spontaneous fan.
JJ’s Grill Dickson
$ | (479) 435-6000 | WEBSITE
If this sports bar in Fayetteville took reservations, it’d be packed every game day. Instead, the line for JJ’s Grill Dickson spills out the door and snakes around the building. Excellent pub food and the lively, fun atmosphere make this spot worth the wait. When it gets to the 20-minute mark and you’re tempted to bail, just peek through the window at someone giving dreamy looks to a BBQ burger or garlic parmesan cheese wigs, and they’ll give you all the motivation to stick it out.
Parker’s Sports Grill
$ | (479) 368-0998 | WEBSITE
Parker’s Sports Grill is a lively sports bar in Fayetteville from the same well-run operation that knows how to keep things affordable. And, like those spots, it maintains a carefully cultivated atmosphere of casual fun. Here, dollar wings are scrawled across chalkboards, the “morning after burger” tastes much better than it sounds, and regulars who know each other discuss games on the big screens.
If you’re looking for a last-minute game-day stop that leads to good times later, Parker’s is a good place to start.
Foghorn’s
$ | (479) 527-9464 | WEBSITE
Foghorn’s is a friendly little bar and grill in Fayetteville that serves tender boneless wings with a wide range of sauces, plus favorites like Beer Cheese Nachos and deep-fried Cheese Curds. Thanks to those tasty chicken tenders and hushpuppies, you’ll usually find families enjoying the laid-back atmosphere with kids in tow. But Foghorn’s, we thank you for having convenient parking out back so our last-minute wing cravings are always covered.
Marley’s Pizzeria & Bar
$ | (479) 301-2815 | WEBSITE
Marley’s Pizzeria & Bar is a cozy local spot in Dickson where casual drop-ins are the norm. Hungry locals arrive after work, game-day jerseys on and chewy-crust pizza on their minds. The Italian-American fare does not disappoint. You’ll find the popular Caesar salad pizza, as well as a variety of specialty pies, all of which are probably better than most you’ve had in Fayetteville. Families with kids and sports-watching, beer-drinking solo diners are all welcome.
Smitty’s Garage Burgers & Beer
$ | (479) 301-2046 | WEBSITE
Open seven days a week with a consistent menu that ranges from the standout Sweet Oklahoma burger with red onion to loaded cheese fries to queso, Smitty’s Garage Burgers & Beer is an any-day, any-time, any-occasion spot. The Fayetteville sports bar and American-leaning burgers and beer joint is a welcoming, family-friendly destination. Given their excellent service, spending any amount of time enjoying the lively ambiance is a pleasure rather than a chore.
Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux – Fayetteville, AR Restaurant
$$ | (479) 322-3022 | WEBSITE
If your idea of a good time is licking gumbo off your own spoon, then prepare yourself to fall for Walk-On’s. A lively grin of a sports bistreaux inside Fayetteville, this vibrant all-day spot makes redfish tacos that laugh in the face of anyone who says you can’t get good Cajun food in Arkansas. Every order comes with a complimentary side of the friendly atmosphere and a check-in from Madison—one of the servers who we’d want to share a basket of chips with any day.
Morano’s
$ | (479) 935-4800 | WEBSITE
On the corner of a Fayetteville street, a sports bar—often with more pool tables than patrons—that (depending on when you visit) can either feel full of energy or completely laid-back, is Morano’s. Its hearty, classic dishes with a twist have enough warmth to fill the entire space of this ex-industrial spot. The menu feels like it was made with cheering on a game in mind.
Really good burgers and best pizza, especially the Albino pizza, all look tempting, but the creamy, cheesy Albino pizza is a must-order.
Farrell’s Lounge Bar & Grill
$ | (479) 301-2220 | WEBSITE
You won’t get a table right away at Farrell’s Lounge Bar & Grill. Not unless you’re showing up at 4:30pm on a Wednesday. But even then, don’t be shocked if a handful of regulars have beaten you to it. The sports bar in Fayetteville is one of the top spots around—and plenty of folks are in on the secret. So when you’ve got a craving for that tenderloin sandwich and those bacon truffle fries and don’t mind hanging around for (probably) forty-five minutes, then you know exactly where to go.
Grub’s Bar & Grille
$ | (479) 973-4782 | WEBSITE
You might have to arrive early to snag a seat at Grub’s on game day, but it will absolutely be worth it. The American bar food at this Fayetteville sports spot is straightforward and satisfying, but there’s a hint of standout—cheeseburgers that are cooked to juicy perfection, and crispy golden fries with a side of standard, mild queso and salsa. It’s bustling, but there’s plenty of seating around the central bar area.
If you’re coming for the game, try to secure a spot near one of the big screens.
Foghorn’s Wings Burgers & More
$ | (479) 935-4757 | WEBSITE
Part sports bar, part family spot, and part game-day destination, Foghorn’s Wings Burgers & More is a bustling space in Fayetteville crammed full of happy diners and those after a coveted spot near one of the many TVs. The food is a straightforward, American-leaning comfort thing, with dishes like wings and burgers. You’re never entirely sure how your burger will turn out, but that doesn’t matter because everyone feels welcome.
