Top 10 Sports Bars in the U.S

Even if you have an impressive home entertainment system, it can't compare to the experience of watching the big game on a high-definition screen while cheering along and making friends with like-minded fans, surrounded by fun food and drinks. These top 10 sports bars in the U.S. can turn an everyday match into an exciting event, and some even let you get in on the competitive action yourself, with gaming rooms, pool tables and even indoor batting cages. These sports bars are a must-visit for March Madness game days or any time of year.

The 40/40 Club -- New York
Hip hop artist/entrepreneur Jay-Z and partners named this sleek sports bar after baseball's 40/40 Club -- an honor bestowed upon players who hit 40 home runs and steal 40 bases in one season. This multi-level restaurant/lounge boasts a collection of autographed jerseys among its sports memorabilia, as well as a total of six 12' X 12' two-sided big screen TVs, plus numerous LCD and plasma models for viewing games. The Cognac Room (one of four private VIP rooms) offers a selection of premium cigars and high-end and aged Cognacs available by the shot. Buffalo wings, burgers and the like can be found on the menu along with Southern- and Latin-influenced dishes such as chicken and shrimp empanadas, catfish fingers served with Cajun remoulade, and grilled chicken or steak fajitas.

Blondies Sports Bar & Grill -- Las Vegas

Blondies entices fans away from the sportsbook to its spot in the Miracle Mile Shops with a few dozen plasma and big-screen TVs, plenty of drink specials and a bevy of waitresses attired in cheerleading outfits. Fill up on snacks like sweet potato fries or nachos, while taking advantage of the daily happy hour special -- all-you-can-drink draft and well drinks for $20 from 3 p.m.-6 p.m. Pizzas and sandwiches dominate the menu, but a few beyond-bar-food options include New York steak, pork chops and Atlantic salmon. Diners can also get into the competitive spirit during Thursday's beer pong tournament, or sing a victory anthem (or the blues, depending on their favorite team's performance) at karaoke on Sundays.

Busby's -- Santa Monica, Calif.

This hip Westside hangout transcends normal sports bar boundaries. From oysters to filet mignon to pizza, Busby's offers a unique experience perfectly suited for sports fans. The food is the main draw for many, but it still stays true to its sports theme. Lounge in plush leather chairs while you watch the game on 25-inch plasma-screen TVs, or opt for a free game of pool or backgammon. A DJ at nightfall transforms the vibe from a sports-fan haven to a trendy nightclub with a line out the door. Come early on game days to get a seat at the bar and enjoy the rapport with the sports-savvy staff who can always offer insight into specific games.

Dantanna's – Atlanta

Shunning the sports bar label, Dantanna's describes itself as an "upscale sports restaurant," offering several areas where diners can watch the game -- at the bar, outdoor patio or in the cigar lounge, which features leather sofas and a walk-in humidor. The fare is surf 'n' turf with a twist. Definitely go surf with the appetizers, such as the crisp calamari which offers a nice blend of rings and tentacles. A sampler of seafood brings out a delectable West Coast oyster, a top-neck clam, cracked crab legs to be dipped in a butter sauce, and cold shrimp. When it comes to beef, we found the steak, although announced as dry-aged beef, and its accompanying demi-glace sauce lacking in character, but not so the Zinfandel-braised short ribs bathed in a blackberry-barbecue sauce and served with blue cheese mashed potatoes.

ESPN Zone -- Washington, D.C.

Billing itself as the ultimate sports dining and entertainment venue, ESPN Zone exists solely to entertain. Yes, there's a menu featuring all-American fare, from Maryland crab soup to cheeseburger pizzas, baby-back ribs and meatloaf, but the steady stream of visitors filing through the front door to whoop it up may be more interested in playing games than eating. You can stick with low-price fare with the pastas and sandwiches or splurge on something pricier. With about 200 television sets simultaneously broadcasting sporting events and with the general hullabaloo, the decibel level is deafening -- this is not the place for conversation, unless you know someone well or don't want to know someone well. Laid out on three levels, ESPN Zone offers a sporting outlet for everyone, particularly if you want to try your hand at something downstairs in the gaming room.

Lee Roy Selmon's – Tampa
Lee Roy Selmon, former Tampa Bay Buccaneer and a National Football League Hall of Famer, has brought his family recipes to the big time, with an emphasis on home-cooking-type dishes such as meatloaf and fried chicken. Extending a sports theme is the trophy room, a sports bar with giant-screen TVs and a radio broadcast booth for local radio personalities to conduct interviews; even the menu features names like Hall of Fame burger. Try the Kickin' Beef Brisket quesadillas or one of the other starters under Salads & Pro-Bowls. The latter offers a fine Mama Selmon's Cajun gumbo, along with Mama's meatloaf and Selmon's Sweet Heat fried chicken. There are six locations to the chain, including another in Tampa and one in St. Pete

Padre Murphy's -- Glendale, Ariz.

Since it opened in 1993, Padre Murphy's has installed more than 80 (and counting) color monitors of various sizes to keep sports fans riveted. Patrons may also down their choice from a wide selection of beers and an extensive menu of burgers, sandwiches, salads, appetizers, main dishes and desserts that punningly acknowledge the founder's Irish heritage but are more in keeping with the spirit of any American place where fans might gather to cheer on their favorite teams.

The Royal Exchange -- San Francisco

With its name and menu items like Stock Options and Liquid Assets, it's easy to tell that The Royal Exchange caters to the hardworking business types in the surrounding Financial District. The institution will actually cater events and deliver to offices, but the food tastes better in front of sports on one of 17 television screens rather than your computer. Despite the British pub look and name, you can't go wrong with a beer and burger, especially when you have 32 different beers -- flowing from 73 taps -- from which to choose.
Because this old-school corner bar is in San Francisco, veggie and turkey burgers are available, and toppings include both avocado and guacamole. There's also a good selection of wines by the glass. Note that the popular spot, around since 1972, can get very crowded, especially during sporting events like the NCAA basketball tournament, and is closed on weekends.

Skybox Sports Bar and Grill -- St. Louis
Skybox's strikingly modern design is a far cry from the usual sports bar, and its backers -- St. Louis-based rapper Nelly and several of his professional athlete friends -- included clever amenities like a cigar room that adds a touch of class to the Laclede's Landing party scene. One quickly becomes accustomed to seeing TV screens literally everywhere (including both the men's and women's restrooms), although it's clear that a good share of the clientele has come for the food and see-and-be-seen vibe, not the sports. The menu leans Southern and keeps it simple, though a few dishes, like the rosemary-enhanced mac 'n' cheese, stand out. The burgers and other fare from the grill are nothing out of the ordinary, though the tasty fries partly atone for it.

Sluggers World Class Bar & Grill -- Chicago

Located on Chicago's North Side, adjacent to Wrigley Field, this sports bar is a favorite with locals even though there are a handful of similar options nearby. It's the indoor batting cages, extensive game room and seven pool tables that differentiate this establishment and attract a loyal following, as well as its homemade deep dish pizzas, 8-ounce burgers and quality rib-eye steaks. We were also pleasantly surprised by the tasty buffalo shrimp and pita sandwiches. The split level layout allows for plenty of space to dance, catch a few games or simply enjoy the quality fare. Be prepared for a full house on game days at Wrigley Field.