The Best Places to Watch the Super Bowl in America
If you can't make it to Santa Clara or don't feel like shelling out $6,000 for a ticket, don't fret. Just as the teams get ready for this major face-off, we've rounded up the top pre-game activities happening before the excitement hits February 7—as well as the best events happening on Super Bowl Sunday. From San Francisco to Denver to Charlotte, and several other spots along the way, we found the best places to watch the Broncos take on the Carolina Panthers.
Even the towns who don’t have a team competing (read: most of them) haven’t let it dampen their spirit: Classic watering holes in places like Washington, DC, and Dallas have big parties in the works. One of the biggest surprises? Our love for this sport has made its way across the pond, and spots across London are hosting parties to celebrate “American-style football” this weekend.
Get ready for all-you-can-eat-and-drink parties (and lots of wings), 24-foot TV screens, and even a Super Bowl 5K race. From coast to coast, and to the U.K., here’s a rundown of the best events leading up to Super Bowl 50 and where to watch the event come game day.
Denver
Peyton Manning and the Broncos have clawed and fought their way to Super Bowl 50, and many of their their fans will be cheering them on at home. Before you stuff yourself with wings and beer, head to Washington Park for the Super Bowl 5K or Silly Hearts Yoga's Super Bowl Yoga Party. Then, get ready to watch: kickoff is at 4:30 p.m. Mountain Time. Locals bars with big screens hosting can’t-miss parties include Ophelia’s Electric Soapbox, the Rhino Yacht Club, the Oriental Theater, and the Soiled Dove. Denver’s breweries and beer halls are also getting in the action: check out the Super Bowl specials at Diebolt Brewing Company and new watering hole Rhein Haus. Then, there are the classic spots for cheering on the Broncos: Highland Tap & Burger, Occidental Bar, the Sports Column, and, of course, Elway’s, the signature restaurant of iconic Broncos quarterback John Elway. —Megan Barber
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Charlotte
With its home team bound for Super Bowl 50, Charlotte is set to celebrate. The opposing Broncos’ hometown of Denver may have an established reputation as a craft beer hub, but North Carolina’s beers are bubbling up fast on the national scene. On Sunday afternoon, head to Unknown Brewing, Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, or D9 Brewing Co., to sample their suds and check out their party specials. During every Panthers game, neighboring South End bars All American Pub, the Oak Room, and Slate create one of the biggest parties in town at their shared outdoor garden. Want to try a Super Bowl ring on for size? The Charlotte City Club is hosting the fifth annual NFL Players Association Former Players Charlotte Chapter Super Bowl party. The name is long, but the concept is simple: Watch the Super Bowl with 20 to 30 former and current NFL players. —Sarah Crosland
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Super Bowl Viewing: San Francisco
While the Super Bowl itself will be going down at the new Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, 43 miles south of San Francisco, the city is the place to be. Leading up to the game, Justin Herman Plaza on the Embarcadero will transform into Super Bowl City, showcasing NFL-themed events in the mini-metropolis. Michael Mina’s popular French-inspired restaurant, RN74, is the official NFL restaurant this year, hosting an “On the Fifty” event every day leading up to Game Day, with autographed memorabilia, NFL player appearances, and more. Players can also be spotted at the NFL Experience, taking over SoMa’s Moscone Center from January 30 on, offering interactive games and an exhibit exploring the history of the Super Bowl. Andrew Zimmern hosts the NFL’s Party With a Purpose event on Saturday, Feb. 6, where chefs representing the NFL’s 32 cities dish out inventive spins on football fare. On Sunday, plenty of classic bars and pubs in the city have specials and events for excited fans. —Jenna Scatena
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London
Though the Super Bowl may be an American phenomenon, like with most things, it's made its way across the pond and plenty of places in London are celebrating the big game. Balthazar, in Covent Garden, has five large screens for viewing and is serving the Maker's Touchdown, a bourbon cocktail, alongside All-American dishes like sliders, BBQ wings, and mac and cheese. In Fitrovia, The Social hosts its seventh annual charity Super Bowl party, complete with DJs, gourmet hot dogs, craft beers from the U.K. and the U.S., and plentiful screens. Other big parties are happening at Brooklyn Bowl London, The Diner, Roadhouse, Frankie’s Sports Bar & Diner, and Ladies & Gentlemen in Kentish Town. —Alice Tate
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Dallas
Arguably one of the biggest football states in the country, it's no surprise Texas has a few surprises up its sleeves come Super Bowl Sunday. In Dallas, you’ll find parties at the Owner’s Box, an upscale sports bar located in the Omni Hotel, with a 16-foot screen and 70 surrounding TVs, as well as brisket potato skins and Texas chili. Frankie’s won’t charge a cover for its party, and drink specials include $2 mimosas, $3 tequila sunrises, $18 beer buckets, and a build-your-own Bloody Mary bar. It’s $100 to enter the Nodding Donkey’s party, but that gets you all-you-can-eat lunch, appetizers, and dinner, as well as an open bar all day long. At The Rustic, your $13 ticket fee includes all-you-can-eat wings, and at the Katy Trail Ice House, expect a more laid-back vibe, with people bringing their pets to hang out while they play cornhole and watch the game. —Kimberly Wilson
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Miami
Watch the Super Bowl in an only-in-Miami fashion: from a poolside cabana at one of the area’s posh hotels, which have built-in TVs and are ideal for groups. Both The Fontainebleau and The Delano have special game-day packages that include butler service, drinks, and food specials. The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino may not have cabana parties, but it’s pulling out all the stops for its celebration. Shula’s Hotel & Golf Club, Mandarin Oriental, and restaurant Local Craft Food & Drink all are welcoming groups with special menus and more. —Tom Austin
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New York City
It’s no secret the city is rife with bars ready for game-day viewing, but Prospect Height’s Woodwork, Astoria’s Brewery, George Keeley on the Upper West Side, Banter in Williamsburg, and the Bronx Alehouse all have great food, plenty of drinks, and ample TVs. Nitehawk Cinema in Williamsburg is offering table service, regional beers, and hot wings while the Puppy Bowl plays in the lobby. The Carnegie Club hosts a more sophisticated spread, and the Standard Biergarten gives groups ping-pong tables, pretzels, sausages, sauerkraut—and beer. —Molly McArdle
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Washington, DC
Every sports bar in the city is going to be screening the game, but the question is which one should you choose? Capitol Hill hot spot Barrel is throwing a major game-watch party with open bar, burgers, peri peri wings, chili, potato skins, meatballs, and pimento cheese. Jack Rose Dining Saloon hosts its Super Beer-B-Q Bowl again this year, an epic battle among barbecue styles and breweries. The Penn Quarter Sports Tavern may be home to Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks fans, but everyone is welcome. For the game, they’ll be offering pitches of Miller Lite for $12, pitchers of Yuengling for $14, and pitchers of Blue Moon for $16. Also expect parties at stalwarts like Ventnor Sports Cafe in Adams Morgan, the LGBT-friendly Nellie’s Sports Bar on U Street, or the massive Buffalo Billiards in Dupont Circle. —Amy McKeever
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Atlanta
Atlanta is a famous town of football fans, and all across the city, its favorite watering holes and eateries are gearing up for a celebration worthy of the game's 50th anniversary. The Hudson Grille has become an institution for watching major games, and this one is no exception: expect people packing it in for the ample TV screens and for the addictive Hudson sliders and house spinach dip. Taco Mac has more than 50 TVs and 100 beers on tap, and has some of the best wings in town (the owners are natives of Buffalo, New York). Stats downtown offers a slightly more polished atmosphere, but is making use of its 70 screens come Game Day with its viewing party, along with Dugans, Ration & Dram, and the Braves All Star Grill. Finally, Andretti Indoor Karting & Games has different party packages that let you watch and ride the karts. —Nneka M. Okona
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Philadelphia
Our picks for the top Super Bowl viewing spots in the City of Brotherly Love feature something everybody can cheer for—from private lounges to heaping plates of wings. In South Philly, iconic sports bar Chickie’s & Pete’s all-you-can eat Super Bowl Sunday package features a limited all-you-can-eat menu of their signature items—including their world-famous crab fries and snow crabs. Established in the late 19th-century, McGillin's is the oldest continuously operating tavern in town. If you order the SuperMug for $5, you’ll get refills of Bud Light throughout the entire game for a buck a pop. The Field House, in Center City, boasts more than 350 HDTVs and 40 local craft beers on tap; their Super Bowl package includes select beer and wings. The Gaslight gastropub has created gourmet party trays and Brauhaus Schmitz beer hall is throwing a party with pork rinds, roast beef, meatballs, wings, and all you can drink beer. —Megan Ritchie Jooste
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