Arlington sports bars might not boast stadium-sized screens or celebrity-chef menus, but they have their own special, community-focused appeal. For one thing, you don’t need tickets to catch the game with fellow fans at spots like Crystal City or Clarendon. And if you choose a place near the Metro, there’s the added perk of avoiding parking hassles.
The next time you’re gearing up for game night—with your crew, your fantasy league, or someone who loves wings and cold beer as much as you do—these are the spots to visit across Arlington’s neighborhoods.
Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken
$ | (703) 647-9912 | WEBSITE
If you need cheering up by way of air-conditioning and $4 doughnuts, head to Astro. The inventive spot in Arlington makes expertly crafted treats that aren’t too sweet, perfectly fresh, and very, very shareable. Get the crème brûlée for optimal creamy-crunchiness. Astro is good for families, with a welcoming atmosphere in the center, and big tables that could easily fit your whole hungry crew.
Stick to the doughnuts and the crispy chicken tenders with signature sauces—and maybe a Vietnamese Nitro latte, expertly brewed with smooth, rich flavor.
O’Malley’s Arlington
$$ | (703) 842-1216 | WEBSITE
O’Malley’s Arlington is where the Arlington sports fans gather for drinks after the game. It’s tucked in a neighborhood just off the main strip, and carries that classic Prohibition-era vibe. As such, expect dark wood accents and at least one group debating last night’s play over a round of Whisky Lemonades. The bar menu features things like juicy burgers and crispy fish and chips, and, in case you’d like a lighter bite with your house red, there’s also the fresh chopped salad.
L.A. Bar & Grill
$ | (703) 685-1560 | WEBSITE
If you’re looking for a chill evening in Arlington, the answer is always L.A. Bar & Grill. Their homemade burger is an essential order, but the onion rings are also delicious, and you can get some beer or a cocktail as well. This place will keep you from having a karaoke-related meltdown after you let someone bury you in song, and because it’s near the metro, you can house a burger and then get back to your evening as quickly as possible (or bring your burger to the karaoke stage).
This place really turns into a party when they have karaoke nights on Fridays and Saturdays, so keep an eye on their schedule. Also—they sell yucca fries. There’s bound to be one person in your party who didn’t bring their appetite for something different.
Dudley’s Sport and Ale
$$ | (571) 312-2304 | WEBSITE
The honey sriracha wings at Dudley’s get all the credit, but you can order them for takeout, which will make your game-day gathering considerably more enjoyable. It’s also a great post-game move, because you can snag a seat at the rooftop area and unwind with a local beer next to someone who doesn’t care that you’re still wearing team colors. There’s a menu of bar classics, and multiple TVs showing every play, plus a robust pizza section of the menu.
Or if you’re anti-spicy, how about some nachos with salsa?
Rhodeside Grill
$$ | (703) 243-0145 | WEBSITE
Rhodeside Grill has all the makings of a classic sports bar in a bustling Arlington neighborhood—it just also happens to be a place where the management actually listens. The business is run by a team that will tell you about how they once turned a disappointed customer into a regular, and are now the proud owners of a reputation for fixing things fast.
(You can feel it in the air, you can’t miss it.) The quesadilla makes for a very good quick bite during the game, but we also like the burger, and the steak salad, which tastes like a hearty meal with a side of greens.
Quinn’s on the Corner | Cocktails, Whiskey & Sports Bar
$ | (703) 640-3566 | WEBSITE
We have a soft spot for Quinn’s based on atmosphere alone: the casual outdoor seating under string lights, the wall of sports memorabilia, the regulars at the bar who will affectionately tease you for checking scores during dinner. But the main reason to stop here on your way to or from Rosslyn is their incredible taco tray with tender, well-seasoned steak and fish options, and unexpectedly complex cocktails from bartender Melissa. It’s one of our favorite whiskey bars anywhere in Arlington.
Astro Beer Hall
$$ | (571) 570-9880 | WEBSITE
The most appealing part of lively, spacious Astro Beer Hall is the adult arcade area, where you’ll spot groups and families playing pool and arcade games with $9 craft beers and Smashburgers. That, plus they have regularly scheduled karaoke and trivia nights that you can keep track of via their social media.
And though you’re not really here for the food, it’s solid enough, so if you come after watching a local DC team game and just finished your third beer, the Fried Chicken Honey dish will hit the spot.
First Down Sports Bar & Grill
$ | (703) 465-8888 | WEBSITE
Located in Arlington, First Down Sports Bar & Grill is a classic sports bar offering a wide selection of delicious chicken wings with various tasty sauces. It’s a perfect spot for game day with friends, or a quick meal after work. That QR code system—which makes ordering a breeze—is the best feature for groups. But the bar area is where you come for a long, leisurely drink with yourself or one other person, thanks to the welcoming atmosphere created by staff like Talia and Jerry.
And if you need a bite, they’ve got reasonably priced meals, with those wings starting around $12 for a dozen, served fast and accommodating to dietary restrictions. The service is polite, the conversation is great, and visitors feel valued—an absolute recommendation for sports fans and travelers looking for a break.
Ballston Local
$$ | (703) 852-1260 | WEBSITE
This sports bar sits right in the heart of Arlington’s Ballston neighborhood, with a spacious main dining area on one side and a lively bar section on the other. We’d tolerate average game-day fare in exchange for the big screens and friendly atmosphere—but the food and service at this local spot are actually terrific. A crispy slice contains some of the best pizza we’ve had in a while, and there’s tasty fried cheese curds, and rigatoni vodka.
And best of all, this neighborhood bar is a welcoming, casual spot, even when they turn the music up for trivia and the place fills up for big games. If you’re looking for a full meal, they also have chicken gyros and caesar salads.
CarPool
$ | (703) 516-7665 | WEBSITE
CarPool is a lively sports bar just steps from Arlington’s entertainment district. Virtually everyone who comes here will play the iconic pool tables that are their main attraction ($5 per game, with the option to add pinball for another $2), and so should you. Lit by dim overhead lamps and surrounded by that familiar musky scent, these tables are classic and inviting. Also inviting: The knowledge that CarPool’s happy hour starts early.
You can grab a seat in the cozy main area, or adjourn to the friendly arcade corner and challenge friends to darts.
Continental Pool Lounge
$ | (703) 465-7675 | WEBSITE
Continental Pool Lounge isn’t in a sports arena, but it’s worth the trip across town to grab some of the best bar food in Arlington. We like the chili that’s a standout, and they also do a great smash burger that would be right at home at a classic American diner. If you want to kick back after work, there’s a fun atmosphere with pool nights and a jukebox you can enjoy in a space that screams 60s vibe with retro décor and a friendly Hawaiian bartender.
Courthaus Social
$$ | (703) 243-4900 | WEBSITE
Courthaus Social operates out of a casual space with a fenced-off patio filled with picnic tables, and they’re open year-round. Proceed directly to the schnitzel with smashed potatoes—each plate arrives with a generous portion, topped with a creamy gravy and served alongside the highly-recommended chicken. We dream about these solid pub dishes more than we dream about retiring to watch sports on their outdoor screens. Expect crowds on game nights.
William Jeffrey’s Tavern
$$ | (703) 746-6333 | WEBSITE
At this cozy Arlington tavern you can settle into a booth or grab a stool at the central TV bar, and decide exactly how you’d like that delicious salmon wrap cooked—medium-rare or well-done, it’s always perfect. Regulars love this place enough to keep it buzzing during trivia nights, live music weekends, and late-night kitchen hours.
The moody lighting and fireplace create that old-style pub vibe without making the menu hard to read, while bartenders like Drew, Steph, and Zach whip up super good cocktails and keep the beers flowing. Whether you’re here for the crispy yuca fries with that addictive yellow sauce, the weekly $1 oysters, or just to catch a game on one of the many TVs, William Jeffrey’s feels like a wonderful secret treasure that hits the spot.
Burger District
$ | (703) 527-2160 | WEBSITE
We can’t believe we’re saying this, because it’s not really a very Arlington thing to say, but it’s time to find someone with a car and make them drive you to Burger District. The sizable restaurant sits right in the neighborhood, and there’s ample parking out front. However you choose to arrive, expect things like the Royal Smoked burger, vegan burgers with fresh toppings and a lot of flavor, and servers wearing shirts that embrace local professional sports teams.
It’s like they read your mind, and know exactly what you need. Bring a group and spread out at the large tables for several hours.
Ocean Shack Arlington
$$ | (703) 488-7161 | WEBSITE
Ocean Shack Arlington is a seafood spot that’s open year-round, and it’s one of the livelier casual joints in the area. The menu features seafood boils like snow crab and blue crabs and plenty of crab bites, lobster biscuits soup, and non-seafood items. Their all-you-can-eat snow crab has a cult following, and for good reason.
It adds a special indulgence to any meal lucky enough to include it, like the mussels, and—our favorite—the baseball-sized lobster biscuits, served with either chicken wings or tacos. Hot outside? Don’t sleep on the refreshing full bar drinks. Cold outside? Order them anyway.