A Local’s Favorite Spots to Watch Sports in Asheville
Although Asheville doesn’t immediately pop into most people’s heads when they think of a sports-centered town, our quaint mountain town never disappoints when it comes to a spot to enjoy a cold brew. We’ve got the best places in and around Asheville to sit and stay a spell while watching your favorite teams from college football to international soccer games.
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1. Daddy Mac’s Down Home Dive
I’m not sure what it was about this place when it opened, but I had low expectations. Whether it was the size, the thought of another Southern comfort food restaurant, or the fact that 2021 was just rubbing me the wrong way. But I happily eat my words and willingly let Mama and Daddy Mac strike me down.
Daddy Mac’s has room for almost any size group in their two-level restaurant and outdoor patio. Plus a full MLB package that also plays professional and college football, basketball, and just about anything else that their patrons ask for. There are 13 televisions in the building, with 8 in the bar alone.
Locals love that they offer over 15 beers on tap, a full bar, and an impressive southern spread of snacks and entrees. The burnt ends mac is everything you expect it to be – delicious cheesy goodness. Daddy Mac’s is open late for those games that run into overtime, and locals who work in hospitality get a discount with proof of employment.
2. Olde London Road
Located in an unassuming building in the seemingly endless construction area of the River Arts District, is a soccer pub. What Olde London Road lacks in size (prepare for a bit of wait during peak games), it makes up for in culture. Strewn throughout the ceiling are flags, jerseys, and scarves from all countries and teams. Plus the camaraderie and good old-fashioned rivalry is something to be experienced.
Lots of TVs make it so all of the games are playing, although some may be on mute to accommodate the play-by-play of more popular games. Early mornings and late nights are the usual at this pub, which opens bright and early for premier league games.
A permanent food truck that features a popular smashburger and fry combo is in the parking lot right outside. Olde London is also dog-friendly if you enjoy watching the game with your four-legged best friend. Come on for a proper pint of Guinness on draft and watch the crowd come alive for all your favorite soccer teams!
3. Village Pub
If you don’t want to deal with the headache of downtown Asheville parking, but still want to be close to all the action, Village Pub is for you. Located in Biltmore Village, it’s a spacious and casual pub that has a full bar, loads of parking, and a large inviting pup-friendly patio.
The space is bright and airy with a relaxed atmosphere, high-back seating, and brick walls. There are 18 big-screen TVs located throughout the pub, playing all the major games (although basketball seems to be the fan favorite at this pub).
The food menu is tantalizing, with a bit of a higher price point than your usual fare at a sports bar, but it’s much more comprehensive than your average burger and fries. Sign up to be a VIP on their website for exclusive deals, drinks, coupons, and access to special events. Last year they also snagged the title of Best Sports Pub by Asheville Media Group!
4. Asheville Sports Club
This one-of-a-kind upscale space on the south slope is for enthusiasts and athletes alike. Asheville Sports Club isn’t just for watching games, but for playing them too. A private pickleball and basketball court sits just in front of the sports club, where you can reserve the space for 30-minute increments to break a sweat before a cold drink.
If you decide to skip the sweaty fun and go right to watching the game, ASC shows the NFL ticket during the week, and college football on Saturdays. Not only do they have a full bar with creative cocktails, but plenty of non-alcoholic drink options including their full coffee menu.
Open till 11 pm, this unique sports club has been holding it down as a local favorite for the past two years since its opening. Children are welcome until 7 pm when the club becomes 21 and up only. Be sure to check out their Instagram to follow along on their weekly offerings and events.
5. The Bier Garden
Since 1994 The Bier Garden has been proudly pouring beers and showing sports. No doubt you’ve heard of this hometown sports bar, and with good reason. They’ve racked up countless awards for best bartenders, best beer selection, and of course, best sports bar.
A spacious bar located in the heart of downtown on Haywood Road, it has a beer for everyone’s taste buds with 250 varieties to choose from. 20 televisions of all sizes fill the space, making sure that whatever game you’re looking forward to watching, they will have on. Weekly specials on foods, pints, and well drinks make this bar a local favorite. But be sure to come early to find parking and seating!
6. MudPuppies Sports Bar and Grill
The newest joint on this list, located just a bit further south in Arden, is Mudpuppies Sports Bar and Grill. I heard about this place from two mechanics who were fixing my car, raving about finally having a great place to watch sports that wasn’t located in the heart of Asheville.
Upon entering you don’t know where to look first, the 60 televisions can be a little overwhelming. A family-friendly bar with ample parking, access to all the sports packages, and a daily happy hour special makes MudPuppies a worthy spot to check out!
We hope this helps you find your new favorite sports bar in Asheville!
Ashley Reid
Ashley Reid is a freelance writer who feels blessed to have called Asheville home for the last five years. Born in the suburbs of Detroit, she spent her 20s living coastal in South Carolina before the Blue Ridge Mountains called her home. Ashley is a homeschooling mother to her two daughters, married to her high school sweetheart, and always looking to the horizon for her next adventure. Ashley moved to Western North Carolina after years of visiting on vacations and realized this place was way too beautiful to leave behind. The Pisgah National Forest, abundance of waterfalls, Blue Ridge Parkway, and plethora of tasty eats in the area won her over to the Tarheel State. She is happiest when she is riverside and is vehement about keeping herself and her children outdoors as much as possible. Ashley is a woman never short of a hobby or new interest. She writes for various publications and companies. She is a voracious reader, aspiring author, sewist, gardener, and amateur homesteader. She loves working with her hands and being with her kids. She has never considered being called weird an insult and has no problem telling strangers about her love of opossums or a new podcast episode. Ashley is always on the hunt for the best burger and coffee in town. She is passionate about wellness, kindness, and keeping childhood wild.