{"id":458521,"date":"2026-09-09T19:26:11","date_gmt":"2026-09-09T19:26:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/458521\/"},"modified":"2026-09-09T19:26:11","modified_gmt":"2026-09-09T19:26:11","slug":"5-very-very-good-sports-bars-in-orange-county-orange-county-register","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/458521\/","title":{"rendered":"5 very, very good sports bars in Orange County \u2013 Orange County Register"},"content":{"rendered":"

Watching a game from the comfort of your sofa has its advantages. No bar tab. No questionable restroom situation. No Bud Light-infused fisticuffs. Still, a living room cannot replace a crowd\u2019s roar following a walk-off homer or last-second touchdown.<\/p>\n

The best sports bars understand that, when it\u2019s game time, the action on the screen comes first but a lively, friendly environment with good drinks and grub is almost equally important. And now that the NFL is back for another season, it\u2019s time to check out Orange County\u2019s standout sports bars. From a sprawling billiards hall to a narrow railroad car where soccer fans crowd around a single television, here are five worth leaving the couch for.<\/p>\n

BXCR Underground<\/p>\n

440 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim, thebxcr.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Pronounced \u201cboxcar,\u201d this spot makes a persuasive case that one television can be enough. Built inside a converted railroad car at the Anaheim Packing House, the intimate cocktail bar draws vocal crowds for Saturday morning Premier League matches and Orange County SC watch parties. BXCR is open at 9:30 a.m. every Saturday for the entire MLS season through June. It also shows every Dodger game. Should the crowd be a bit too much, Hammer Workshop & Bar<\/a> upstairs has a massive projector that shows all the local games.<\/p>\n

\"PatronsPatrons watch sports on multiple screens at Classic Q Billiards and Sports Club in Newport Beach on Wednesday, August 26, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register\/SCNG)<\/p>\n

Classic Q<\/p>\n

4251 MacArthur Blvd., Newport Beach, classicq.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Since 1991 the 21-and-over Classic Q has operated as both a sports bar and grown-up pool hall. Seven professional pool tables and two dartboards complete with an array of HD screens for football, baseball, basketball, hockey, soccer, boxing, UFC and NCAA football and basketball. Phew. The menu covers burgers, cricket drumettes, flatbreads and Wisconsin cheese curds<\/p>\n

\"Christian<\/p>\n

(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register\/SCNG)<\/p>\n

Christian Goodman serves up a beer at Dana Point Ale House in Dana Point on Wednesday, July 12, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register\/SCNG)<\/p>\n

ALSO SEE: These 5 LA County sports bars are worthy of a high five<\/a><\/p>\n

Dana Point Ale House<\/p>\n

24471 Del Prado Ave., Dana Point, danapointalehouse.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Not all sports bars need official sports-bar branding. Owner and Dana Point native Christian Goodman built this compact neighborhood taproom around craft beer, with 24 taps devoted to breweries stretching from Humboldt to San Diego. Two large flatscreen TVs \u2014 one 100-inch, the other 75-inch \u2014 helps keep the crowd focused come game time. (Goodman said his spot shows most games, especially Notre Dame ones. \u201cWe\u2019re big Notre Dame fans here,\u201d he admitted.) The adjoining pooch-friendly area adds cornhole for those who want to play a game between games. An ideal spot to take your friend or date who isn\u2019t a major sports fan while you steal a glance at the action on screens.<\/p>\n

\"AngelAngel fans cheer at Golden Road Brewery in Anaheim on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register\/SCNG)<\/p>\n

Golden Road (Anaheim)<\/p>\n

2210 E Orangewood Ave., Anaheim, goldenroad.la\/anaheim<\/a><\/p>\n

This brewpub\u2019s strongest sports-bar credential is its geography: The sprawling Golden Road sits directly across from Angel Stadium, making it a natural gathering point before or after an Angels game. More than 30 taps line the bar, while the pooch-friendly beer garden adds yard games. Menu highlights include wings, sheet-tray barbacoa nachos and burgers.<\/p>\n

\"VisitorsVisitors at The Harp Inn celebrate on Wednesday, March 17, 2021, in Costa Mesa, CA. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register\/SCNG)<\/p>\n

ALSO SEE: 5 sports bars where the action is in the Inland Empire<\/a><\/p>\n

The Harp Inn<\/p>\n

130 E 17th St., Costa Mesa, harpinn.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Soccer and rugby receive top billing at this Irish pub, which airs Premier League, Champions League and Six Nations matches alongside NFL games. The Harp opens early for select sporting events, and Irish breakfast is served all day. A civilized arrangement for West Coast fans facing an ungodly kickoff time. The menu includes buffalo wings, salads, seven types of burgers, sandwiches, fish and chips, shepherd\u2019s pie and more.<\/p>\n

Honorable mentions:<\/p>\n

Balboa Saloon<\/a> (Newport Beach)The Bench Sports Bar<\/a> (Fullerton)Cask & Hammer<\/a> (La Habra)Mickey\u2019s Irish Pub<\/a> (Fullerton)Playbook<\/a> (Santa Ana)The Point<\/a> (Dana Point)Shady Nook<\/a> (Brea)<\/p>\n

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