Molly Woodstock
Molly Woodstock has been writing and editing content for Travel Portland since 2014. Read More
Portland Sports Bars
These local watering holes promise giant screens, great suds and friendly fans.
Molly Woodstock
Molly Woodstock has been writing and editing content for Travel Portland since 2014. Read More
Whether you’re cheering on our trusty Timbers and Trail Blazers or rooting for your own hometown heroes, Portland provides the perfect place to catch any can’t-miss sporting event. Here’s where to wear your team colors:
If You Want to Watch … Soccer
Named for a common player formation, 4-4-2 Soccer Bar serves Bosnian-style beef sandwiches to fortify the crowds that gather for any number of daily soccer matches. For more European flavor, head to Mad Greek Deli for authentic gyros and ebullient futbal fans.
Named one of America’s 100 best beer bars by Draft Mag, Thirsty Monk (formerly Bazi Bierbrasserie) invites patrons to sip Belgian bier-cocktails and enjoy Portland Timbers and Thorns matches on a mammoth 114-inch screen.
For a true slice of local fandom, join the throngs of Timbers Army members at The Cheerful Bullpen, located next to Providence Park, the venue for Portland Timbers and Thorns home matches. And during the World Cup series, head to The Toffee Club, which opens an hour before each game starts.
If You Want to Watch … Basketball
Located only blocks from the Moda Center, where Portland’s NBA team plays, the Spirit of ’77 (an homage to the Blazers’ 1977 title) is a permanent pep-rally for fans of all stripes. Grab a seat at a communal table as the game plays on a 9-by-16-foot projection screen.
River Pig Saloon stirs hometown pride in even the most casual Blazers fan with its working-class vibe, well-crafted cocktails, and great pub grub — think bacon kale mac ‘n’ cheese and bison burgers. Score discounts on locally brewed ales during Blazers games at Migration Brewing, which plays sports on three screens with surround sound throughout the bar.
Travel back in time at The Old Gold, which pours Rainier beer into a vast collection of vintage 20-ounce Trail Blazers glasses for only $2 during Blazers games.
If You Want to Watch … Every Sport Ever
Blitz Ladd Sports Pub boasts 32 televisions showing everything from UFC fights to Portland Thorns women’s soccer games and minor league baseball (Go Hillsboro Hops!), as well as more mainstream matches. The Station on artsy Alberta Street prioritizes Northwest teams on its six flat screens and two giant drop-down projector screens, but will happily flip the dial so you can catch most any match, including rugby and international soccer. As you cheer, chow down on inventive eats like crayfish tater tots, Korean tri-tip tacos and lobster bisque.
Catch that Turkey Day rivalry or New Year’s Day playoff at The Cheerful Tortoise, open 365 days a year. This downtown bar gets the sports bar gold by touting 46 TV screens and three cozy fireplaces — there’s even a free turkey dinner for Thanksgiving guests. Located in the upscale Pearl District (with a second downtown location on the way), On Deck Sports Bar & Grill offers 25 televisions and the largest outdoor patio in the neighborhood. For added flair, pledge allegiance to a local university by ordering a Big O Burger, PSU Viking Burger, U of P Pilot Burger or Beaver Nation Chicken Sandwich.
Cozy up on the sofa with a plate of signature avocado fries at The Fields Bar & Grill, another Pearl District favorite, which serves a seasonal, made-from-scratch menu to accompany its 13 sports-dedicated screens.