Sports brings people closer, and it is meant to be watched together. Being a hardcore sports fan, Dubai has never disappointed me with its interesting line-up of sports bars.
Bringing team supporters close and food lovers closer, here is my list of the best sports bars in Dubai – to watch football, tennis, cricket, or any other sport on big screens in the company of friends.
The Huddle Sports Bar & Grill
Cheering fans and the clinking of glasses go hand in hand. This is why the first sports bar in Dubai that comes to my mind is The Huddle Sports Bar & Grill on the ground floor of Citymax Hotels. The free parking access and a laid-back atmosphere are perfect for those who want to watch a match in a relaxing environment.
We went there as a group of 4 and ordered chicken keema nachos and prawn steamed momos. There is also a huge variety of mouthwatering Indian and Middle Eastern food like kebabs, bun tikki, and shawarma rolls.
The ambiance and music of the place are perfect as it doesn’t dim the roar of the game victories while also adding a thrill to the place. I and my friends enjoyed watching a tennis match, but if you are looking for a much more vibrant place with the thunder and roar of a crowd, The Huddle Sports Bar might be too dull for you.
Ground Floor, Citymax Hotels, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
+971 50 100 7065
12 pm to 3 am
Long’s Bar & Restaurant
Located in the basement of Towers Rotana, Long’s Bar is a British pub and sports bar – a sanctuary for live sports games, great food, and united celebrations. Stepping inside the restaurant, I immediately felt like being a sports enthusiast was the entry pass to this place.
From the ambiance to the customers, everyone celebrated the matches like it was their culture. A long bar, the longest I’ve seen in any other sports bar in Dubai, offers tasty British food items, like beef short ribs and BBQ chicken wings.
I was surprised to see the beverage selection. It is huge, with craft beers, ciders, stout and ale beers, frozen bulldogs, and a cocktail selection, inviting every type of sports enthusiast from even the far corners of Dubai.
The 20 huge TV screens ensure that the sports spectacle is never interrupted, with the in-house DJ maintaining the energy of the environment.
Sheikh Zayed Rd, Trade Centre, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
+971 4 312 2202
12 pm to 2 am
The Coterie
The Coterie is quickly gaining popularity as a workspace, a café, and a restaurant. But it is also among the most popular Dubai’s sports bars. The menu offers a lot to satisfy any level of hunger or cravings that you might have – light snacks, sharing bar, beer buckets, and even a 3-course meal.
I happened to visit this place alone. But didn’t feel companionless.
Sit with your friends at the tables, or join other sports fans at the 360° bar, one thing is guaranteed – there is no compromise on the joy of watching sports.
Large TV screens dot every corner of the restaurant, and as I watched my favorite sports on TV, I found myself mesmerized not by the game, but by how earnestly sports culture was being celebrated within the place.
The Coterie burger made with Wagyu beef was delicious, but if you happen to visit this place, don’t forget to check out their Roast Beef, it’s the highlight of their menu. I also ordered GUINNESS draught to sip on as Real Madrid scored another goal on the screens.
Level Two, P6 Car Park, Ibn Battuta Mall, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
+971 4 570 8072
8 am to 2 am
QD’s
My definition of a sports bar is cheerful conversations, upbeat music, and spicy and delicious food. However, this time, luxury didn’t grate on me when I went to QD’s. Located in Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, this is the best sports bar in Dubai when you are in the mood for a waterfront location.
The pulsating environment of sports fans gathering in an Alfresco Seating is an experience you must have once in your life.
A grand tent holds comfortable chairs and tables with the gentle breeze coming in from Dubai Creek. Fans gather around a giant TV screen that broadcasts your favorite live sports.
I found this place to be a melting pot of those people who came to enjoy the stunning views of the creek, those who were there for good food, and then there were us – sports fans looking for the thrill and cheers reverberating off the picturesque waters.
Dubai Creek Resort, Port Saeed, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
+971 4 602 1587
Mon – Thursday: 6 pm to 2:59 am, 5:01 pm to 2 am
Friday – Sunday: 6 pm to 2:59 am, 5 pm to 3 am
Bridgewater Tavern
As a sports fan living in Dubai, I love it when restaurants converge with a bar. This means good food adding fuel to the energy among competing fans.
Bridgewater Tavern is a sports bar in Dubai that is redefining and adding sophistication to the culture of watching sports together.
The sports bar has giant TV screens offering unobstructed views of live sports from every table. A 360° bar takes the center for solo guests. The mouthwatering aroma of beef burgers, fried chicken, and grilled prawn tacos fills the place so that flavors and sports enthusiasm mingle together in a celebratory feast.
Every goal scored and every wicket taken results in a roar of the crowd, with craft beers and other beverages keeping the atmosphere as electrifying as ever.
Sheikh Zayed Rd, Business Bay, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
+971 4 414 3000
Sunday – Thursday: 4 pm to 1 am
Friday – Saturday: 4 pm to 2 am
Kickers Sports Bar
One of the premier Dubai’s sports bars, Kickers is a place where not just sports, but gathering with your friends and family is also celebrated.
It’s an all-rounder venue, so if you want to watch cricket with your friends, there is a table right next to a giant TV screen. Or if you want to enjoy your beverage with your family and little ones in a relaxed setting, the outdoor terrace is waiting for you.
One thing remains constant, the spirit of sport. And part of the credit goes to the food, which includes chicken wings, onion rings, Kickers burgers, and Caesar salad. It’s the perfect sanctuary for a person like me to enjoy an evening after work.
There is also an irresistible happy hour discount for AED 30 every day from 5 pm to 8 pm, so don’t miss out on that! And of course, I couldn’t say no to the draft beers and delicious appetizers, and another excuse to gather around and make new friends who were supporting the same team as I did.
The dining space also overlooks the lush green pitches of the Spanish Soccer School. The whole ambiance of the place, down to the smallest details, is dedicated to hardcore sports fans. But that is also the reason why it gets filled up pretty quickly. So don’t forget to reserve a spot if you are bringing special guests.
Dubai Sports City, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
+971 52 894 6917
Monday to Thursday: 3 pm to 1 am
Friday & Saturday: 12 pm to 2 am
Sunday: 12 pm to 1 am
Barrels Sports Arena
Barrels Sports Arena looks more like a traditional pub than a sports bar. But that also means that no matter which time of the day, the doors are always open offering warmth and excitement of sports.
Luckily I found a seat near the largest TV screen when I went there with some of my office colleagues. The tables were designed to resemble huge rustic barrels, and wooden pub chairs, wooden floors, and even the ceiling, all gave an overall traditional vibe to the place.
This ambiance gave me a feeling that if you’re not into sports, you’re going to be a serious outcast. But if you are, then you are part of a family.
An interactive bar also has attentive bartenders serving drinks to solo guests. The menu was so tempting that not even Vinicius Junior dribbling on the field could keep my eyes off the mouthwatering items – dynamite shrimps, dal tadka, and juicy burgers.
Majestic City Retreat Hotel, Al Mankhool, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
+971 4 501 2533
12 pm to 3 am
McGettigan’s JLT
Striking up conversations with strangers is easy when both of you cheer and groan at the same time while watching the same game. McGettigan’s – a beloved Irish pub and sports bar in Dubai – is where I settle in for comfort food, delicious beverages, and a suspenseful live soccer game.
Nestled in Cluster J, Jumeirah Lake Towers, this Irish pub is a blend of modern and traditional décor. The warm wooden interior, live music, and aroma of delicious food create a lingering excitement and thrill that every sports enthusiast is a fan of.
The food quality is top-notch, and so are the beverages. The menu features a lot from flatbreads to grilled BBQ items, and I ended up ordering crispy Calamari and pepperoni flatbread with Heineken. All 10/10, in my opinion, the same rating as I would give to the ambiance and customer service.
Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Monday – Thursday: 12 pm to 2 am
Friday: 12 pm to 3 am
Saturday and Sunday: 10 am to 3 am
71 Sports Bar
I found this place to be among expensive sports bars in Dubai, but the energy and ambiance of this restaurant are unmatched.
The sheer size of the place is enough to fit any group’s size, with ample space for kids to play around a bit. The giant TV screen broadcasts live sports, but you also have the option to sit outdoors if the weather is comfortable.
The best part about this place is that you can taste a variety of food from international cuisines, without missing any crucial moment of your favorite game. There is something for everyone on the menu – pasta, salads, burgers, grilled meat, and even British favorite food items.
I think that 71 Sports Bar is more suitable for occasional getaways from your work routines when you want to splurge a little on food and live sports with your friends and family. For a more casual setting, this place can be a bit costly for you.
Trump International Golf Club Dubai, DAMAC Hills, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
+971 4 245 3988
Sunday – Friday: 12 pm to 1 am
Saturday: 10 am to 1 am
