Great Spots to Chow Down and Watch the Big Games

When you can’t watch your favorite sports teams in person, the next best thing is a watch party. Three things are a must for a successful gathering: good food, good drinks and a big TV. But instead of taking on all those responsibilities yourself, why not leave them to the professionals? These four local sports bars offer everything you need in spades.

If soccer is your sport of choice, downtown hotspot Lost Boy Dry Goods (157 E Flagler St., 305.372.7303) should be top of mind. The neighborhood watering hole is known for airing soccer games at all hours, so odds are you won’t be alone in cheering on your team. Stiff drinks are plentiful, with craft cocktails making up most of the beverage menu.

Expect to find selections like the Spanish Pear Bramble, Cucumber Highball and Penicillin alongside beer options like Estrella Damm, Monopolio and Lost Boy’s own IPA, India Pale Ale. Foodwise, you’ll encounter German pretzels, boiled peanuts, meatball subs and an assortment of other casual fare. And don’t worry: They air other sports as well.

Brickell institution Batch (30 SW 12th St., 305.808.5555) needs no introduction to local foodies, but we’ll write one anyway. For years, the beloved sports bar has hosted watch parties for just about every major local team. The Miami Marlins, the Miami Heat, the Florida Panthers, Inter Miami CF … no matter the Miami team, Batch is airing the game.

While you watch your team perform, you can indulge in hefty bites like buffalo chicken nachos, truffle fries, chicken and waffles, Korean BBQ pizza and hot pepper cheesesteak – to name just a few. There’s something for everyone here, which is another reason why this place is always packed. Don’t leave without trying Batch’s draft cocktails, like the house-made gin and tonic or blackberry bourbon lemonade.

Should you find yourself on Miami Beach during a big game, pop into relative newcomer Mickey Burkes (1265 Washington Ave., 305.748.2025). The spacious bar features no shortage of TVs; there’s one every few feet, so there’s not a bad seat in the house. Food offerings are a little more limited compared to the other spots on this list, but no less delicious.

Just don’t tell your doctor about this place: fried pickles, braised short-rib poutine, fish and chips, chicken torta sandwiches and bourbon pecan pie are a few of the filling fan favorites at this hot spot. Cool off with one of Mickey Burkes’ frozen concoctions or fun mixed drinks like the Pigs Will Fly and Pineapple Express.

For our friends up north, you can’t go wrong with Duffy’s Sports Grill (3969 NE 163rd St., 305.760.2124). The Florida chain’s North Miami Beach location is unlike any restaurant we’ve encountered – mainly because it has a pool. Yes, you read that correctly: There is a pool that you can actually use. You can even arrive by boat if you want to show off. Besides all the aquatic amenities, there’s a plethora of screens; sit anywhere and you have a clear view of just about any game while you munch on wings, burgers, ribs, steaks and more.

Openings

When you’re not watching your favorite teams play, keep an eye on all the new restaurants joining the Miami food scene. One of the latest additions: Sugar Factory (19501 Biscayne Blvd., 305.384.6927) in Aventura. An American brasserie hated by dentists everywhere, Sugar Factory is unsurprisingly known for its sweet creations. Highlights include the spiked s’mores milkshake, the Butterfinger milkshake, the raspberry watermelon mojito and a King Kong Sundae with 24 scoops of ice cream (plus the kitchen sink). There’s actual food here, too, like pastas, burgers and steaks, but you’re probably not here for that.

Down in Brickell, New York-based Major Food Group (of Carbone and Sadelle’s fame) continues its Miami takeover with a new steakhouse: Dirty French (1200 Brickell Ave.). As you’d expect, the lavish eatery focuses on prime aged steaks but also features an array of seafood, chops and birds to round out the experience, including dover sole meuniere, duck a l’orange and cote de pork. Make sure someone else is footing the bill.

Geoffrey Anderson Jr. and Dianne Rubin-Anderson are co-founders of Miami Food Pug, an award-winning South Florida food blog that fuses the couple’s love of dogs and food.