Best Sports Bars to Watch LA Teams

Not everyone is fortunate enough to have tickets to all the big games. But if you're a sports fan like me, you won't let that dissuade you from watching. And if you want to watch in a "team-friendly" environment, you can – at any number of L.A. sports bars.

Sharkeez

3801 Highland Ave
Manhattan Beach, Calif., 90266
(310) 545-6563
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Called by many the "best sports bar in Manhattan Beach," Sharkeez offers flat screen TVs everywhere in a Tiki-esque environment appropriate for a beach establishment. And the USC crowd is there in full force on game day. Sharkeez offers a variety of beer specials - draft beers, pitchers and buckets of bottles – as well as cocktails. And the menu doesn't disappoint, featuring tacos, burritos, fajitas, burgers and more – perfect accompaniments for suds and football.

901 Bar & Grill

2902 S Figueroa St
Los Angeles, CA 90007
(213) 745-7900
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Known as the "must-go" place for USC students, this place is described as both a "hole in the wall" and "USC trophy chest." While it has great drink specials (Happy Hour is 4-9 daily), decent bar food and nine 50" flat screen TVs, its appeal for USC games is that USC fans will be sure to find fellow fans rooting for the "right" home team there. Look out, though – if you're not a USC student, you're sure to feel out of place after 10 p.m., when the college crowd tends to pack the place in. Also, parking can be difficult, so give yourself some time.

O'Brien's/ AKA Maloney's

1000 Gayley Ave
Los Angeles, Calif., 90024
(310) 208-1942
Not far from the UCLA campus in Westwood, this bar is the ultimate Bruins fan spot. The bar changed its name from Maloney's years ago but the change hasn't taken in some circles, so it's common to hear it referred to as both. With flat-screen TVs positioned strategically around the bar, O'Brien's offers many vantage points from which to watch the game with a Bruin-friendly crowd. The drinks are "a little pricey but strong" and the food is typical sports bar fare. As is the case with the 901, this place becomes a UCLA student hangout after 10 p.m.

ESPN Zone

1011 S Figueroa St
Ste B101
Los Angeles, Calif., 90016
(213) 765-7070
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Located in LA Live near the Staples Center (home of the Lakers, the Clippers, and the Kings), this is the place to be if you want to feel the energy of the fans. With TVs a-plenty, ESPN Zone guarantees you won't miss a single minute of game time. With a full bar and a menu by Wolfgang Puck that goes far beyond bar fare (and even includes a kid's menu), ESPN Zone is a sports bar on steroids. This bar has a retail store packed with ESPN apparel, and also offers free wireless – as every good sports bar should - you just need to ask for the passcode.

The Village Idiot

7383 Melrose Ave
Los Angeles, Calif., 90189
(323) 655-3331
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Boasting an "old English feel," this West Hollywood favorite is described as a refreshing change from the typical "Hollywood" bar. Importantly, it's equipped with the right TV sports packages to guarantee a good experience for football fans . (Hey, when in Rome!) The menu includes delectable British pub food, including soups, salads, "pies," and much more. Never mind the wide variety of local and international Suds, mixed suds, ciders, cocktails and more.

Big Wangs

1562 N Cahuenga Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 469-2449

5300 Lankershim Blvd
Ste 130
North Hollywood, CA 91601
(818) 985-2449

801 S Grand Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90017
Neighborhood: Downtown
(213) 629-2449
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I know you're going to be shocked by this statement: this sports bar is known for its buffalo wings (and other food, too). Also, its cold beer and really friendly service. This bar is quite the institution with a pretty loyal following, and claims to have "more HD TVs and projection screens than anyone in L.A." One thing's for sure: they can cater to more than one audience at once. Big Wang's has two sound systems to they can offer two games – with full sound – at once. (Hear that, MLS and NHL fans?).Even the most avid sports fan might be overcome by what I call "Sports ADD here" – the stadium seating facing seven (or more?) big screens will ensure you can watch as many games as you want – at the same time – here. Just beware if you're a "Hollywood Hottie" – they don't like to "feed the chicks" here.