The World’s Best Hockey Bars: The 51
best places to enjoy hockey and beer!
Posted on by Kyle Jordan /
Being a dedicated hockey fan presents some unique challenges when it comes
to enjoying our sport in a bar setting. Trips to the neighborhood sports bar
usually involve trying to find a comfortable place to watch the game amongst
an infinite number of basketball broadcasts, NFL sports talk, and some form
of cars endlessly driving in circles.
It’s hard to find an environment that really embraces OUR SPORT.
Well…not anymore. We have located and documented the TOP 51 BARS in
the WORLD for hockey fans!
Check out the list below and leave a comment about your favorite hockey bar
to participate in our gear giveaway.
KHL Sports Bar
Riga, Latvia
Located beneath the Radisson Blu Hotel
in Latvia you’ll find the impressive KHL
Sports Bar. The entrance to the bar is
through a corridor of iconic KLH Jerseys.
The Bar features a “wall of fame” display
of pucks signed by the KHL’s top allstars. Each restaurant booth is
surrounded by hockey netting and comes
Photo courtesy riga-guide.com.
equipped with its own wall mounted flat
screen TV. Sticks, goalie masks and other hockey paraphernalia are found
throughout the restaurant/bar area. This hockey crazy bar even has a coaches
lounge decorated wall to floor with
hockey chalkboards. The KHL may not
have the top professional hockey league,
but I’m pretty sure they have the top
Hockey Bar! (You hearing this Toronto?)
Photo courtesy riga-guide.com.
The Angry Beaver
Seattle, Washington
Photo courtesy of The Angry Beaver
Seattle may not have an NHL club, but
they have an elite hockey bar. The inside
of the Angry Beaver (no innuendo
intended) is adorned with hockey jerseys,
old NHL photos, and beavers, wall to
wall. Owner Tim Pipes had one primary
objective when opening the Angry Beaver
in 2012, creating the right atmosphere for
hockey fans.
This pub also features a vast selection of Canadian whiskies, a menu that
offers multiple poutine options, and lots of beavers.
More importantly, as clearly stated on their events page “And, of course, it’s
hockey every night!”
Flames Central
Calgary, Alberta
Flames Central is more like a Calgary Flames cathedral than a sports bar.
Billing itself as a “sports lounge of heroic proportions” the interior is adorned
with giant Flames logos emanating from the ceiling. The seating area is a
cross between theatre-style dining and a sports arena setting. The mezzanine
is modeled after luxury boxes, complete
with framed Calgary Flames player
pictures lining the hallways to the bar
areas. Bronze Calgary Flames statues on
the outside corners of the dining areas
complete the motif. This is one sports bar
every hockey fan should visit!
Photo courtesy of Flames Central.
Rockies Sports Bar
Belfast, Ireland
Photo courtesy of Rockies Sports Bar.
Rockies Sports Bar could only be
described as a hockey fan heaven in one
of the most unlikely of spots, Belfast,
Ireland! With Hockey paraphernalia
occupying just about any open crevice,
Rockies is truly a shrine to the game. It
only makes sense that Rockies is also the
official sponsor of the UK Elite Hockey
League’s Belfast Giants.
Tom Reid’s Hockey City Pub
St. Paul, Minnesota
Former North Star Tom Reid is doing his part to serve the State of Hockey.
His Hockey City Pub sits just two blocks from the Minnesota Wild’s Excel
Energy Center. The Pub features a huge collection of hockey memorabilia and
photos packed along its brick walls. The menu also includes some great local
fare, boasting “8 ways to enjoy walleye.” With a plethora of college match-ups
and pro games available Tom Reid’s is a must-stop for hockey fans visiting
the Twin Cities.
Photo courtesy of Tom Reid’s Hockey City Pub.
Light the Lamp Brewery
Grayslake, Illinois
Founded by a group of hockey dad’s in
2011, Light the Lamp Brewery proudly
produces handcrafted beers inspired by
their love of the game. From 1980 Miracle
Ale to Sin Bin Stout this brewery offers
hockey fans a tasty way to celebrate our
sport. Stop into Light the Lamp and
engage in some profound discussion
Photo courtesy of Light The Lamp Brewery.
about how to fix the power play over an
aptly named Power Play IPA. The ambiance and ales definitely qualify Light
the Lamp Brewery as a top hockey bar.
18 Degrees
Scottsdale, Arizona
A full-service sports bar in the rink, Yes, that’s what we’re talking about!
Located inside the Ice Den, the official training center of the Phoenix,
Coyotes, 18 Degrees offers fans a unique hockey experience. Stop in and grab
a cold one and order up a burger while you watch the pros practice. From the
stick blade ceiling ornaments to the onsite ice arena, 18 Degrees is guaranteed to
bring you closer to the game.
Photo courtesy of 18 Degrees.
Bugsy’s Pizza
Alexandria, Virginia
Bugsy’s Pizza goes out of its way to mark itself as a “hockey Bar” with crossed
sticks adorning the sign that hangs above the entry. Inside, in addition to
delicious pizza, you’ll find an old-school sports bar environment that caters to
Caps fans. Hockey and Pizza in Old Town Alexandria, can’t beat that!
The Flying Puck
New York, New York
Billing itself as the home away from MSG for Rangers fans the Flying Puck
will be packed any time the Blue Shirts take the ice. The Flying Puck also
offers a hockey themed shot menu. You can down a Slap Shot, award yourself
a Penalty Shot or just knock yourself out with the Big Stick.
Chez Serge
Montreal, Quebec
Chez Serge is the place to go to properly enjoy a Canadians game outside the
Bell Centre. A hot spot for those supporting Les Habitants, Chez Serge knows
how to bring the party! There are no intermissions or breaks in the action at
Chez Serge. Although this packed house is all Habs between the whistles,
game stoppages are filled with mechanical bull riding, pole dancing, beer
bongs and a dance club style atmosphere. Geez, when you think about those
options who needs the Bell Centre!
The Ole Barn
Hershey, Pennsylvania
Owner Marc D’amour, a former Hershey
Bears goaltender, opened the Ole Barn in
November of 2015. Classic Hershey Bear’s
jerseys and old-time hockey pictures adorn
the cozy walls. Just a short drive from Giant
Arena and Hershey Park Marc has created a
nice celebration of hockey. The Ole Barn
also serves up a killer breakfast. The Barn is
currently BYOB, which only enhances it’s old
school classic feel!
The Merchant Ale House
St. Catharines, Ontario
Located in downtown St. Catharines this
brewery offers a great menu, tasty ales,
and a great environment to unwind and
enjoy some good conversation with your
teammates. The Ale House is adorned
with old school pond hockey
paraphernalia, and their signature brew
Photo courtesy of the Merchant Ale House
is the Old Time Hockey Ale. Although the
Merchant Ale House does not offer up the
best setting to watch games, that might be a good thing these days, given it’s
located in Maple Leaf territory.
Kilgour’s Bar Meets Grill
Toronto, Ontario
The second Canadiens bar on the list, Kilgour’s, is located directly in enemy
territory. Kilgour’s proudly advertises, “known to show all Montreal
Canadiens games.” This cozy blue collar joint is adorned with a plethora of
Habs paraphernalia. The Toronto Cheese Steak is a local favorite, and of
course, there is always the poutine.
Tamarack Brewing Co.
Lakeside, Montana
At Tamarack Brewing Co. hockey is a family affair. Stanley Cup Champ, “The
Old Stache” Lanny McDonald helped his daughter and sons open Tamarack
in 2007. In addition to sponsoring the Montana Pond Hockey Classic in
Kalispell, Tamarack has also been instrumental in organizing and supporting
the Craft Brewers Cup Tournament and Brewfest. All proceeds from the event
are donated to the Local Flathead Valley Hockey Association. When you order
an Ol’ Stache Porter or Hat Trick Hop IPA at Tamarack you can feel confident
you are participating in and supporting a strong hockey tradition.
The Peanut Farm
Anchorage, Alaska
The Peanut Farm is 25,000 square foot mega sports bar, and a sponsor of the
ECHL Alaska Aces. The Peanut Farm not only broadcast every Aces game,
they also offer a free shuttle to all Aces home games. In addition, this
northern sports fan paradise boast of 70 TV screens, a creek side heated
outdoor deck and the best hot wings in town.
The Stanley Club at Johnny’s Ice House
Chicago, Illinois
Located inside Johnny’s Ice House, the official practice facility of the Chicago
Blackhawks, The Stanley Club offers an opportunity to watch the game on TV,
on the ice, or just share a cold one over a bubble hockey duel. With a six
division adult league playing at Johnny’s we have a feeling we know why they
have a top flight bar in the arena.
Photo courtesy of Johnny’s Ice House.
Stanley’s Sports Bar
San Jose, California
Located inside Shark’s Ice, Stanley’s
offers a mountain chalet feel with a view
of not just one, not just two, but three ice
surfaces! With a bevy of hockey themed
meal options on the menu, patrons can
choose between enjoying the NHL Center
Ice Package on TV, or the action on ice
surface down below.
Photo courtesy of Stanley’s Sports Bar.
Cheli’s Chili Bar
Detroit, Michigan
Owned by future Hall of Famer Chris Chelios, Chelis’ Chili is definitely a
hockey hot spot. With high top ice rink themed bar tables and NHL
memorabilia decorating the walls Cheli’s is the perfect spot to watch the
Wings game (or any NHL action for that matter). Cheli’s also offers a shuttle
to all Red Wings home games.
Odd Man Rush Brewing Co.
Eagle River, Alaska
ODM, as it’s known, was founded by three former hockey players in 2015. The
tasting room for the brewery features an old scoreboard from a local ice
arena and many other local artifacts. With the help of a successful Kickstarter
campaign the tasting room for Odd Man Rush opened its doors in September
of 2015. All the brews on tap, from the Willie O’Ree Oatmeal Stout to the
Enforcer IPA, draw their names from hockey history and culture.
Hat Tricks Sports Bar and Grill
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Hat Tricks offers 20 HDTVs for fans
viewing pleasure, as well additional TVs
in the bathroom in case you can’t hold it
through OT. Hat Tricks has been
recognized as one of the top sports bars in
Photo courtesy of Hattricks Sports Bar.
Canada on several occasions, including
a 2014 write-up by the Huffington Post. This Winnipeg hockey hub serves
up excellent traditional bar fare with special discounts on their signature
wings during Jets games.
The Black Frog Eatery
Vancouver, BC
The Black Frog is an Oiler fan friendly bar
located in the heart of Vancouver.
However, this pub is known to cater to
the hometown Canuck lovers as well.
The Black Frog offers an impressive
selection of home province brews on tap,
to include Vancouver Island High Trail
Honey Ale, and Bomber ESB.
Photo courtesy of the Black Frog.
The Great Canadian Pub
Paris, France
The TGCP entrance greets you with
hockey stick door handles. The pub walls
are covered in hockey memorabilia, as
well as maple leafs and other things
“Canadian.” Most importantly the TGCP
Photo courtesy of The Great Canadian Pub Paris.
has a track record of staying open to
broadcast playoff hockey. Considering that many games don’t even start until
1:00 A.M. Paris time this is no small display of dedication!
The Maple Leaf Pub
Houston , Texas
After attempting to find a hockey friendly
location to watch his beloved Calgary
Flames in the Stanley Cup Playoffs
without success Sean Blair took matters
into his own hands. He and his wife
Olivia opened the Maple Leaf Pub in
Photo courtesy of the Maple Leaf Pub.
Houston Texas, a bar that proudly
broadcasts all hockey games, all the time! Ten years later this hockey bar,
operating in the heart of football country, is still going strong.
Sobo 151
Denver, Colorado
Sobo 151 is a Czech bar with a focus on the Colorado, Avalanche. The bar is
decked out with hockey and soccer memorabilia. The bar offers enough TVs
to make sure you can catch the Avs game without interfering with its old
school pub ambiance. Guests recommend the Zamboni (Czech style grilled
cheese) washed down with a traditional pilsner.
716 Food and Sport
Buffalo, New York
716 Food and Sport is located inside
Buffalo’s newest ice arena/hotel, the
HarborCenter. The 716 also sits adjacent
to the home of the Buffalo Sabres, the
First Niagara Center. Named after the
local area code, the 716 is a sports bar on
steriods! With all of the seating,
including a 40-foot long bar, oriented
towards the 38-foot screen TV you
couldn’t miss the game if you tried. Even
Photo courtesy of 716 Food and Sport.
with the Sabres out of the playoffs, the
716 is still the spot to get your hockey fix on.
Corner Bar
Bemidji, Minnesota
Advertised as “Bemidji’s Original Sports Bar, with Hockey at its core” the
Corner Bar lives up to its billing. The Puck Truck runs fans to and from
Bemidji State hockey games. The Corner Bar also sponsors an Adult Hockey
League tourney, the Carter Cup, aptly named after the founder of the Corner
Bar, Steve Carter Jr. The Corner Bar helps uphold a strong tradition of
hockey and serves giant burgers.
CJ’s Brewing Company
Plymouth, Michigan
Located inside Compuware Arena, CJ’s brewing provides live hockey and
house-brewed beer. CJ’s also serves up a splendor of Michigan brews,
including Bells, Founders and Shorts, for fans to consume while they watch
the hometown Plymouth Whaler’s take the ice in OHL competition.
Maine Brew-Bus
Portland, Maine
Ok, so this isn’t actually a bar, but it was
so cool we had to include it on the list.
The Maine Brew-Bus offers a Portland
Pirates brew tour that involves visiting
three craft beer hot spots and attending a
Portland Pirates game. Three awesome
bars and an AHL hockey game!
Photo courtesy of the Portland Pirates.
Hockey Town Café
Detroit, Michigan
If vintage motorcycles and the Detroit Red Wings are what you’re into, then
the Hockey Town Café is your place. Owned by the management company of
the Red Wings and the Detroit Tigers, the Hockey Town Café is a celebration
of Red Wings Hockey and Motor City history. A must visit if you are going to
a wings game.
RBar
Columbus, Ohio
The RBar advertises itself as “The Best
Hockey Bar in the State, and Proud
Partners of the Columbus Blue Jackets.”
Supporting the Jackets takes a lot of
dedication, but the RBar doesn’t let
hockey fans down. A suspended
jumbotron above the bar and game time
food/drink specials help to keep the bar
Photo courtesy of the RBar.
lively. After all, who doesn’t want to
watch Torts going nuts on a Jumbotron while enjoying a couple of half price
brews?
Minnesota Wild Restaurant
Minneapolis St. Paul Airport, Minnesota
The State of Hockey is so hockey fan friendly that they have provided a
hockey bar inside the airport. Located in terminal 2, the Wild Restaurant is
adorned with home team memorabilia. As often as weather delays flights
leaving the twin cities a hockey bar is a nice amenity!
Joe and Lewie’s Penalty Box
Fenton, Michigan
At Joe and Lewie’s “the décor is hockey, hockey, hockey.” The Seating area
even has an old school wall decoration of the Red Wings locker room. This
Penalty Box also serves drinks. I would say that’s an upgrade over the usual
sin bin treatment.
Redondo Beach Café
Redondo Beach, California
Located just steps from the beach and
right off the Pacific Coast Highway the RB
Café provides hockey (and food) in
paradise. This Canadian owned beach
bar/diner proudly shows every hockey
game in season and is a favorite spot of
Photo courtesy of the Redondo Beach Cafe.
Kings fans. The RB Café even has viewing
parties organized around the NHL
playoffs and international hockey events. Hockey, sun, beer and of course…
poutine all at the Redondo Beach Café.
The Blue Line
Kansas City Missouri
The Blue Line is Kansas City’s “only Hockey bar,” and is also regarded as one
of the city’s best sports bars. The Blue Line is decorated with wall-to-wall
hockey paraphernalia. The menu offers a
host of NHL team themed dishes and
local St. Louis beer is served on draft!
Photo courtesy of The Blue Line.
Player’s Sports Bar and Restaurant in Brewster Arena
Brewster, New York
Photo courtesy of Player’s Sports Bar & Restaurant.
Player’s restaurant is another in-icearena bar. The bar offers multiple views
of the playing surface below. Brewster’s
also prides itself on being “the place to go
to find the best craft beer offerings
around.” Brewster Arena added an
outdoor ice surface adjacent to the indoor
rink in 2014. Lace up your skates for a
day of pond hockey, and then warm-up in
Players over a tasty brew.
Penalty Box Sports Pub
Toronto, Ontario
Located inside Scotia Pond the Penalty
Box Sports Pub might be the nicest arena
bar we’ve ever laid eyes on.1 Catering to a
20-team adult hockey league and a 4
Arena facility the Penalty Box Sports Pub
is all about hockey.
Photo courtesy of the Penalty Box Sports Pub
Don Cherry’s Sports Grill
Ottawa, Ontario
Don Cherry can likely be credited with creating the first well-known hockey
bar experience. “Grapes” began building his chain of hockey themed
restaurants in 1985. Today there are 20 + Don Cherry’s locations throughout
Canada’s eastern provinces.
The Hockey Pub
Brasov, Romania
Photo courtesy of the Hockey Pub.
The Hockey Pub offers a unique
experience for hockey fans. The
restaurant’s arched ceiling create the feel
of being inside an old school ice arena.
The old time international hockey
memorabilia scattered throughout the
pub helps to enhance that appeal.
However, the gorgeous fully stocked
wooden bar is clearly the centerpiece of
this outstanding hockey pub!
Buba Rays Sports Bar
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Buba Rays has been a Halifax hockey fan hot spot since 2008. Buba Rays is
an official sponsor of the Quebec Major Junior League’s Moncton Wildcats.
If the Cats put up 7 goals fans eat free wings. Considering Buba Rays boasts
“the best wings in Halifax” cheering for the Wildcats seems to be the way to
go.
Izzy’s Ice Fishing Lounge
Warroad, Minnesota
This restaurant/bar was made famous during the 2014 Winter Olympics
when Team USA supporters were interviewed live from Izzy’s where they had
gathered to cheer on their native son and hometown hero, T.J. Oshie. Izzy’s
is the spot to go in the original “HockeyTown” USA to grab a cold one and
talk hockey. You’ll find plenty of Warroad High School hockey memorabilia
proudly displayed around Izzy’s bar, and apparently there are a few good
spots for ice fishing close by.
Bar & Lounge at Ice Castle Arena
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
There are quite a few good hockey players coming out of Pittsburgh these
days, and many of them spent time at Ice Castle Arena as youngsters. This
makes sense considering watching mini-mites practice is a lot more
interesting when you do it from the Ice Castle’s bar and lounge. The Ice Castle
Bar and Lounge is a great place to grab America’s Oldest Lager, “Yuengling,”
and watch some puck.
Stanley’s Blackhawk Bar and Restaurant
O’Hare Airport, Terminal 2, Chicago, IL
Hockey sticks across the ceiling, Hawks jersey enshrined
in glass cases, and 4 replica Stanley Cups on display, this
is the place to hit-up when passing through O’Hare
airport. Stop in and dine on a Chicago-style hot dog while
sitting under the replica Hawks Championship banners
that hang above the bar area.
Buffalo RiverWorks
Buffalo, New York
Photo courtesy of Buffalo RiverWorks.
Home of the Labatt Blue Buffalo Pond
Hockey Tournament, RiverWorks is one
of the most unique event centers we’ve
ever seen. Featuring a two full rink
outdoor hockey facility in the winter, the
RiverWorks also offers a full-service bar
and restaurant. Come pond hockey
season the RiverWorks is the place to be.
With Labatt USA’s corporate office just
around the corner, they are guaranteed
not to run short on beer.
The Breakaway Grill
Duluth, Georgia
Photo courtesy of the Breakaway Grill.
Located in the ice forum, the Breakaway
Grill might just embody what adult
league hockey is really about. After adult
league games both teams enjoy a
complimentary pitcher. We are willing to
bet roster space in this league is at a
premium. The Breakaway Grill displays
hockey paraphernalia throughout on its
walls, and like a number of other bars on
this list, looks down on the ice surface
below.
Center Ice Brewing Co.
St. Louis, Missouri
After a successful Kickstarter campaign founder Steve Albers will open the
Center Ice Brewing Co. in 2016. The Center Ice Brewing Co. is dedicated to
creating hockey inspired microbrews in an all hockey environment. The
tasting room includes hockey stick/puck tap handles and will incorporate
scraps from the St. Louis Arena. Center Ice Brewing Co. does not have an
open date yet, but their 7-barrel brew house is in the works and ready to start
mashing!
Ice House Tavern
Phoenix, Arizona
Located in Arcadia Arena, the Ice House Tavern has two levels of bar seating
looking out over the rink. Advertising itself as “Arizona’s Best Hockey Bar”
the Ice House Tavern offers craft beer, live music, and a dart league.
Sens House Sports Bar and Grill
Ottawa, Ontario
Located in downtown Ottawa the Sens House offers fans the full Ottawa
Senators experience away from the Canadian Tire Center. In addition to full
sports bar seating the Sens House also offers an all-season rooftop patio.
Real Sports
Toronto, Ontario
Photo courtesy of Real Sports Toronto
Every hockey fan should watch the big
game on a 39-foot HD TV at some point
in their lifetime, and that’s exactly what
Real Sports offers. Packed with rabid
Leafs fans, giant size hockey on the big
screen, and plenty of beer choices on
draft, Real Sports offers a unique hockey
experience. Get there early for big
games. This place gets packed!
Labatt Blue Zone, US Pond Hockey Championship
Lake Nokomis, Minnesota
Only open 1 weekend a year this
makeshift bar/Locker room has very
limited availability. That said, the Blue
Zone at USPHC is another “must-do” for
adult hockey players. The scene inside is
several hundred pond hockey players,
clad in their unis, either lubricating their
joints for their next on-ice battle, or
Photo courtesy of the US Pond Hockey
unwinding from their latest attempt at
Championship.
capturing on-ice glory. This is the closest
you will ever get to having a beer bar in your adult league locker room, unless
you have a beer bar in your locker room.
Kimo’s Sports Bar and Brewpub
Richland, Washington
You will find Kimo’s located in Richland Washington on the beautiful
Columbia River. Kimo’s is dedicated to serving the fans of Western Hockey
League’s Tri-City Americans. All American’s games are live streamed. Kimo’s
also brews up a tasty beer and shows all the NHL games.
Wayne Gretzky’s Restaurant
Toronto, Ontario
This list would not be complete without
Gretzky’s. You can’t even have a
conversation about the best without the
Great-One. Gretzky’s is a shrine to the
Photo Courtesy of Wayne Gretzky’s Toronto
greatest player in the game, and the game
itself. As one would expect from a
restaurant named after the best set-up man in sport’s history, the service is
outstanding. Gretzky’s rooftop bar also makes 99’s place a great off-season
hang out.
That’s our top 51!
What’s you favorite hockey bar? Comment below to participate in our gear
giveaway.
The top comments will win a free alloy bottle opener courtesy
of Mammoth Hockey Gear or a hockey puck bottle opener courtesy of PHBC.