20 Best Sports Bars in Gainesville

“Cantina Añejo offers great customer service and efficient staff like Suzy, Louie, and Mia. A perfect spot in Gainesville for food, drinks, birthdays, and watching football games. Mia serves fantastic drinks and ensures a comfortable experience. A definite recommendation for a memorable visit.“

“Miller's Ale House, particularly the Gainesville location, is a great spot for a relaxing meal and drinks. The service is commendable, with staff members like Ella providing a welcoming and patient approach. The chicken nachos and mozzarella sticks are delicious options. For those looking for a refreshing beverage, the mango pineapple mojito is a must-try. Overall, it's a recommended destination for a satisfying dining experience.“

“Silver Q Billiards & Sports Bar is a popular spot for pool enthusiasts, featuring 14 tables and a clean, positive atmosphere. The venue hosts various tournaments, including APA team matches and marble tournaments. While the food options are limited to popcorn, customers are allowed to order in from nearby restaurants, such as 5 Star Pizza. Despite some issues with tournament organization, the bar provides a great space for playing pool and socializing.“

“Hop Top Lounge is a peaceful beer-only bar with a wide selection of great-tasting craft beers. The spacious venue, located in Gainesville, has a super clean environment, including the restrooms, and offers ample parking. Despite not serving food, the welcoming atmosphere and engaging conversations with the owner, Jimmy, make up for it. Suitable for vegetarians, Hop Top Lounge is an ideal spot for beer enthusiasts looking for that special craft beer experience.“

“The Swamp Restaurant offers a unique and lively dining experience. The service is excellent and prompt, and the atmosphere is described as "fun" and "like the old Swamp." The menu features great food and drinks, including deals like BOGO beer pitchers and mimosa specials. While the new location may not have the same soul as the original, the restaurant has carved out its own identity as a great place to gather with friends and watch sports or other entertainment. Overall, The Swamp Restaurant provides a enjoyable and social atmosphere for its guests.“

“Hooters is a lively restaurant with a fun atmosphere. The staff, including Hannah, Loren, Sofia, and Sky, provide excellent service. The food is good, with highlights including the roasted wings with garlic rub, which are a must-try. The music is perfect, and the decor may not be exactly the same as in the past, but it is still a pleasant environment. The management is responsive, and issues with frozen orders are quickly resolved. Overall, Hooters is a fun spot to visit, enjoy good food and drinks, and have a great time.“

“Gators Den Sports Grill offers a lively atmosphere with friendly staff and delicious menu options. Customers praise the welcoming bartenders, such as Jessi, Ely Brazil, and Eleir, who provide excellent customer service and create an enjoyable dining experience. The menu features popular items like the "Monte Cristo" sandwich, and the restaurant accommodates late-arriving customers. Overall, Gators Den Sports Grill is a great spot for a fun time with good food and a vibrant local vibe.“

“The Backyard at Boca Fiesta & Palomino is a popular spot, often crowded until 1:30 AM, particularly on Fridays. The crowd mainly consists of young adults in their twenties. While the music is not Caribbean, there is a DJ inside and a small space for dancing. The atmosphere is more suited for socializing and drinking than dancing. In terms of food, it is not authentic Mexican, but still considered decent for the local Gainesville area. The staff is typical of downtown establishments. The Backyard has pool tables for entertainment and offers Karaoke on Mondays. However, drinks are on the expensive side. Overall, it's a fun place to hang out, meet new people, and enjoy a lively atmosphere, earning 4 stars in the local context.“

“Main Street Bar & Billiards offers a lively atmosphere with plenty of pool tables, great drink options, and local food delivery. The bartenders are knowledgeable and skilled, and the staff is friendly and attentive. The venue hosts various activities, including poker tournaments, Jenga, darts, foosball, and Connect 4. The atmosphere is clean and cool, making it a great spot for a fun night out.“

“Mother's Pub & Grill North offers an enjoyable dining experience with great value and friendly service. The 55-cent wing deal on Mondays is a popular choice, though the wings can be quite saucy. The lively atmosphere, live music, and welcoming bartenders create a fun and vibrant environment, especially on weekends. Customers praise the exceptional food and the outstanding service provided by the staff.“

“Gators Dockside Gainesville is a restaurant where customers can enjoy a pleasant atmosphere for meals and special occasions. The service is a highlight, with servers like Savannah and Laila going above and beyond to ensure a great dining experience. They are attentive, helpful with menu selections, and create a welcoming environment. The menu offers various options, including wings with a variety of sauces, salads, and roast beef. However, there have been some issues with food preparation, such as excess salt on the roast beef and incorrect vegetables served. Despite these minor flaws, the restaurant's positive aspects, particularly the service, make it a place worth visiting.“

“Dave & Buster's in Gainesville is a suitable venue for events, with accommodating staff that goes above and beyond in service. The restaurant has a wide bar and dining area, as well as a gaming section with various ticket-dispensing games. The food served is hot and delicious, and the staff is helpful and friendly. The waitress provided excellent service, ensuring that refills were timely and answering all questions promptly. The establishment is clean and well-maintained. However, the gaming section is smaller compared to other branches, with fewer arcade-style games. Despite this, it can still provide a fun experience for an hour or two.“

“Visors Rooftop offers a fantastic experience with attentive and friendly staff. The food and drinks are fantastic, making it a great location for a holiday party or a solo reservation. The rooftop ambiance adds to the overall enjoyment, although some areas may feel stuffy. Servers like David and Connor provide excellent service, enhancing the experience with phenomenal food.“

“Mat Green is awesome. He brings class to the place with his sweater vests.“

“JJ's Tavern is a popular bar located near the University of Florida. The staff are described as very friendly, and the bar is exclusively for students who must have a valid student ID to enter, making it a safe and comfortable environment for the local college crowd. While the drinks are considered overpriced compared to other bars in the area, the atmosphere is generally enjoyable, with a decent music selection. Overall, JJ's Tavern is a great option for students looking for a lively yet safe place to socialize and unwind.“

“Applebee's Grill + Bar offers consistently good food, with diners praising the Wonton Chicken Tacos and sirloin, mashed potatoes, and broccoli as excellent meals. The restaurant has a very chill, family-friendly atmosphere with plenty of parking. The staff is attentive and helpful, with one manager going above and beyond to resolve a delivery issue, impressing the customer with their polite and calm demeanor.“

“Applebee's Grill + Bar offers a pleasant dining experience. Friendly and efficient servers, like the one who doubled as a bartender, ensure that customers receive prompt service. While the atmosphere is standard for a chain restaurant, the local hangout vibe adds a touch of warmth. The food is adequate, with some dishes meeting expectations, while others may require customization. The kitchen seems to rely heavily on salt for seasoning. However, the service is generally friendly, and the restaurant is willing to go the extra mile, as evidenced by the manager's gesture of providing extra fries. Overall, Applebee's Grill + Bar provides a decent dining experience, with room for improvement in terms of flavor and attention to detail.“

“TGI Fridays offers a variety of delicious dishes, including a Thai Mango salad, potstickers, Bacon Cheeseburger, Caesar salad, and potato skins. The brownie with ice cream is a must-try for dessert. Customers have praised the excellent service, with staff such as Baylor providing great energy and attention to parties of all sizes. Parking is plentiful. However, there have been some concerns regarding menu options and portion sizes, with some customers expressing disappointment in the response to their feedback. Overall, TGI Fridays is a spot for good food and service.“

“Buffalo Wild Wings offers a diverse menu with delicious wing flavors like Parmesan garlic and Jamaican jerk. The wings are praised for their perfect texture, and the staff is attentive, even for large groups. The restaurant is known for its great service, late hours, and vegetarian options such as cauliflower wings.“