Best Bars To Watch The NBA Finals In Los Angeles

While the 2011 NBA lockout may have left us with a rather abbreviated season, we got our fill of basketball, nonetheless. With two NBA teams calling the Staples Center home, the Lakers and the Clippers, Angelenos are known to be rather fervent fans of basketball. We encourage you to cheer your team to victory at these local bars – just be sure to sip responsibly.

Gabe's Bar and Grill
2965 S Sepulveda Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90025
(310) 473-1667

Hours: Mon to Fri – 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., Sat to Sun – 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Gabe's is the go-to sports dive in the Palms neighborhood, especially during football season if you happen to be a Steelers fan. However, the favored dive of West-end Angelenos has a long tradition of observing the NBA Finals with the best of them. There are plenty of TVs to watch the games, as well as pool tables complete with pool shark regulars to entertain you during commercial breaks and halftime. The down home vibe is welcoming, and the staff is attentive and well-versed in all things food and drink-related.

Related: Best Places to Watch the Super Bowl in Los Angeles

Webers Place
19312 Vanowen St.
Reseda, CA 91335
(818) 343-4345
weberssportsbar.com

Hours: Mon to Fri – 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., Sat to Sun – 9 a.m. to 2 a.m.

This West Valley former dive bar now boasts VIP seating and – miracle of miracles in a sports bar – bottle service. After a recent remodel and revamp, the kitchy antique knick knacks have been 86'd and replaced with glass encased sports memorabilia. Add digital satellite to more than 50 HD plasma screens and you have yourself all the essentials of a great NBA Finals viewing party. To top it all off, there's an impressive New Orleans-inspired menu and 18 beers on tap at Webers Place.

Yankee Doodle
1410 3rd St.
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 394-4632
www.yankeedoodles.com

Hours: Daily – 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Yankee Doodle's owns the sports fan scene on Santa Monica's famous third street promenade. It makes sense: the gigantic venue houses upwards of 40 TVs that include 26 small screens, 10 big screens and 7 HD plasma screens. The watering hole is also home to a full blown arcade and pool tables galore that will keep you amused before and after the game. The impossibly yummy food is also pretty hard to beat, except of course by the libations concocted by Yankee Doodle's expert mixologists.

Cock N Bull British Pub
2947 Lincoln Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 399-9696
www.cocknbullbritishpub.com

Hours: Mon to Fri – 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., Sat to Sun – 6 a.m. to 2 a.m.

If you're a fan of authentic cuisine from across the pond, Cock N Bull is your new favorite sports pub. This cozy and intimate space is the perfect place to unwind or cheer on your team, sans the standard LA attitude. The wooden interior is adorned with a 135" HD projection screen and several LCD screens. There are two pool tables, the requisite pub dartboard and a jukebox to keep you occupied as well.

Mr. Pockets Sports Bar
516 N Sepulveda Blvd.
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
(310) 372-4343
www.mrpockets.com

Hours: Mon to Fri – 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., Sat – 9 a.m. to 2 a.m., Sun – 9 a.m. to 12 a.m.

Mr. Pockets in Manhattan Beach is the kind of joint that pays attention to the details. The spacious sports bar has plenty of room for its patrons to stretch out and get comfy with pool tables and games throughout the pub. HD TVs are packed into the pub and situated to allow complete coverage for every seat in the house. The mouth-watering menu is also served up with game-time specials by staff that, like Mr. Pockets itself, exudes a vibe of nonstop, no nonsense fun.

Related: Best College Basketball Bars in Los Angeles

Kristen Lowman spends her days writing and her nights at concerts. She lives on the Miracle Mile in the City of Angels. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.