Most bar food ranges from acceptable to decent, but these bars go above and beyond just serving the typical wings and fries. These places have innovative menus that include croquettes, Detroit-style pizza, mushroom fritters, calamari, sushi, and margarita popcorn. These are spots you would actually want to visit for dinner even if there wasn’t a game.
Splash at Thrive City (San Francisco)
A huge bar (30,000 sq ft across two levels) with an outdoor deck at the Chase Center. It’s decked out with over 75 TVs and an 840‑sq ft curved LED video wall, perfectly built for March Madness marathons or Warriors showdowns. The menu includes fried calamari, fried cod sandwiches, al pastor tacos, smash burgers, sushi, and pizza.
Rikki’s (San Francisco)
This is SF’s first-ever bar dedicated to women’s sports. The menu is fresh and exciting. There’s duck fat confit chicken wings; fries loaded with beer cheese sauce and chili jam; smash burgers; parmesan-rosemary croquettes, and loaded mac n cheese.
Smoke Eaters (San Jose)
This South Bay staple offers game-day favorites like buffalo wings, burgers on fresh Acme buns, chicken sandwiches, Philly cheesesteaks, and a rotating line-up of craft beers on tap. From Sharks to Warriors through boxing and UFC events, they’ve got just about every sports craving covered.
San Pedro Social (San Jose)
This sport’s bar is home to one of the best pizza shops in the city, Slice of Homage. Technically, it isn’t inside the bar, but since they’re right next door, you can actually order it on the menu. Go for the Detroit vs Everybody which is stacked high with four cheeses, ricotta, bacon, mushrooms, and salami.
Mad Oak Bar (Oakland)
A rooftop gem with a large deck, rotating food pop‑ups, full bar, and 40 brews on draft. TVs are scattered for casual watching, though major games turn the volume up and rally everyone in blue and gold. Their food menu includes chicken wings, mushroom fritters, loaded fries, tacos, and carnitas sandwiches.
The Athletic Club (Oakland)
This bar has 2 floors, 40 screens, and a huge menu. They offer margarita popcorn, caramelized onion-loaded fries, crispy brussels sprouts, bbq ribs, fried pickles, chicken caesar wraps, wings, and chicken soup. For dessert, indulge on the brownie sundae featuring a housemade brownie, vanilla ice cream, chocolate ganache, and candied pecans.
