Canadians, like people from all countries and walks of life, love sports — playing them, watching them, fretting over them, and talking about them. From ice hockey and lacrosse to curling and Canadian football, the variety of games that Canadians care about is impressive, and while many of the to-die-for favorites are more popular in Canada than anywhere else in the world, Canadians can rage about basketball, soccer, and baseball with the best of them.
For the sports lover planning a fun vacation in Niagara Falls, there’s no reason to miss out on your favorite team or hole up in your hotel room just because you’re far from home. Whether you need a comfortable place to catch the game, or you want to experience what it’s like to watch hockey, drink beer, and eat food in the company of a group of fun-loving Canadians, Niagara Falls has a sports bar or two that will make you feel right at home.
1. Grand Central Niagara
Located on Queen Street, Grand Central Niagara is an unassuming and inexpensive bar that serves up plenty of decent food alongside rivers of Labatt Blue beer. A favorite in the neighborhood, you won’t find many tourists wandering in here, which means you’ll get a pleasant dose of local flavor.
Bear in mind that while they have plenty of televisions throughout, once hockey comes on, it might be difficult to find a TV that’s showing the baseball or basketball game you came in to watch.
2. Hoops Sports Bar and Grill
A chain that has locations throughout Canada, Hoops maintains a loyal following with its good pub fare, robust number of taps, and shocking number of televisions. Each booth has its own TV, and the walls, floor, and ceilings even double as televisions in some parts of the bar, so the odds of not finding the game you’re after are slim to none. They offer food and drink specials at different times throughout the day, so be sure to ask your server about any when you order.
Another plus? They’re open 365 days a year, so if you find yourself in Niagara on a holiday, Hoops will be open, and their televisions will be on.
3. Kully’s Original Sports Bar
Located in St. Catharines, this sports bar is one of the newest to the Niagara scene, as it’s only been open since 2014. However, the food is up to snuff; it’s chock full of televisions; and it has a fantastic craft beer selection on tap — much of it local — for sports lovers who want a great beer experience while they watch the game. Kully’s also serves food until 2 a.m. just in case you find yourself there after hours.
4. Hooligan’s Sports Bar
This Niagara Falls establishment is known for its cheap drinks and good bar food, and while it doesn’t have as many TVs as some of the other bars on this list, if what you want to watch isn’t too buried into the nether numbers of ESPN, you’ll probably be able to find it. Locals enjoy this place regularly, so if you want to feel like part of a local scene, Hooligan’s is a good choice.
Whether you need a place to watch American football or you just want to rub elbows with other fanatics when you’re in the Niagara region, these four sports bars will be sure to make catching the game an enjoyable experience.
