What do you do when your family inexplicably plans their vacation for the worst time of year – during the big game? Whether it is the Super Bowl, World Series, NBA Finals or NCAA men’s basketball tournament, if you are away from the friendly confines of the big-screen TV and plushy couch in your living room, you don’t have to fret – Central Florida has a wide array of popular sports bars that can unite you with other sports fans and make you forget all about the comforts of home!
The most popular sports bar chain in Central Florida is the Ale House. With nine locations alone in the greater Orlando area, no matter what part of town you are visiting, you are assured of being near one of these great casual dining restaurants/sports grills. The motto of the Ale House is a “reel great place to catch a good time!” and it couldn’t be more right on. While there are plenty of seafood options available on the Ale House’s menu, there is truly something for everyone, including their signature dishes; the boneless chicken Zingers, the mammoth chicken nachos and the homemade ice cream dessert known as “Captain Jack’s.” With a full-service bar featuring wine, liquor and over 75 varieties of beer and TV’s of all sizes playing non-stop sports at every angle, this is a sports haven for locals and tourists alike!
Located in the heart of tourist country, on the corner of Sand Lake Rd. and International Drive, is Friday’s Front Row Sports Grill, known to many as the place to go in Orlando to keep up with your favorite sports teams. In addition to the good food that you will always find at T.G.I Friday’s, this extra-large sports bar features an incredible 140-plus TV’s, an outside patio with four TV’s, free wireless Internet and a state-of-the art game room. Happy Hours are Monday through Friday from 4 p.m.-7 p.m. and 10 p.m.-close with drink specials and half-off select appetizers, and Friday’s Front Row Sports Grill has many different special activities for all of the big games, complete with drink and food specials, giveaways and huge projector screens that broadcast the events.
Another local popular sports bar is Gator’s Dockside family restaurant. With 18 locations throughout the state of Florida and several in the Central Florida area, including locations in the Lake Mary, Apopka, Winter Springs, Waterford Lakes, Kissimmee and Dr. Phillips areas, Gator’s Dockside specializes in being the best sports bar with the biggest TV’s and the best grilled wings in Central Florida. This is also a great place to go if you are planning on taking the entire family, as it specializes in being a restaurant that is suitable for adults and kids alike. Gator’s Dockside restaurants are especially popular with locals, so if you make it out to any of them on vacation, you just may feel as though you are at home!
Finally, the ESPN Club at Disney’s BoardWalk is one of the most popular places to catch the big game, especially for those guests staying at or near the Walt Disney World Resort. With a great location, good and affordable food, satellite feeds of sporting events taking place all over the world and over 100 TV’s, the ESPN Club is truly the total package when it comes to sports bars. Quite possibly the best thing about the ESPN Club is that you can set the controls at your table to listen to whatever game you choose, and there are many special events and celebrity sports appearances here throughout the year as well. If your children happen to get bored while waiting for their food, you can also visit the game room/shop next door that features ESPN paraphernalia and tons of sports games. This too is a great spot for the entire family, as it is located at Disney’s BoardWalk, meaning that tons of other entertainment (including the entrance to Epcot) is within just steps of this restaurant.
In addition to planning where to watch the big game on your vacation, we know that you need to plan other aspects of your vacation in advance, including your tickets to all of the attractions here in Central Florida. OrlandoFunTickets.com is your No. 1 online source for discounted tickets to everything from Disney, Universal and Sea World to local dinner shows and other attractions. For the best tips on the best sports bars in town or the best deals on discounted tickets, Orlando Fun Tickets is the place to be!
