Best Bars To Watch College Football In Tampa Bay

The Daily Meal Staff|Sept. 11, 2014 7:00 am EST

Tampa Bay is packed with sports bars, each one with its own unique flair. If you're looking for somewhere to settle in and watch the game with your buddies and your regular haunt is feeling a little stale, it might be time to branch out and try somewhere new. Each of these sports bars are popular among college football fans for various reasons. Check out what Tampa Bay has to offer and find your new favorite sports bar just in time to watch the game.

The Press Box
222 S. Dale Mabry Highway
Tampa, FL 33609
(813) 876-3528
www.pressboxsports.com

Press Box has been serving the South Tampa area for over 25 years, showing televised games from anywhere in North America. It is outfitted with 23 HD screens, including five big-screens. Specials are offered on a rotating basis, such as Burgermania Monday and Kids Eat Free Thursday. The menu includes typical sports bar food as well as more hearty fare such as grilled lemon pepper grouper, baby back pork ribs, seafood pasta and prime rib. There is even a children's menu for the little sports fans in the family.

Hooters
2800 Gulf To Bay Blvd.
Clearwater, FL 33759
(727) 797-4008
www.originalhooters.com

The famous Hooters sports bar had its humble beginnings in Clearwater and is known for both its spicy wings and attractive waitresses. Even though the creator of the secret wing sauce is said to have kept the recipe in a briefcase handcuffed to his wrist, there is more to the menu than just great wings. Hooters also offers ribs, sandwiches, seafood and burgers, as well as a small dessert menu. You can quench your thirst with a signature cocktail, beer or wine and even take home a Hooters Girl Glass. With a menu like this, you might forget all about the game.

Peabody's Billiards and Games
15333 Amberly Drive
Tampa, FL 33647
(813) 972-1725
www.peabodysbilliards.com

Peabody's is "15,000 square feet of pure entertainment." Even if your favorite team is losing, you can still have a great time. In addition to over 70 TVs and plasmas, you will also find foosball tables, pool tables, electronic dart boards, four full liquor bars, a full menu and more. You'll also enjoy a more sophisticated menu at Peabody's compared to other sports bars. If you've had your fill of wings and nachos, you can sample a panini, wrap, pizza or entree salad instead.

Norton's Sports Bar and Grill
1824 Main St.
Dunedin, FL 34698
(727) 734-2053
www.nortonssportsbar.com

Norton's shows up to 12 televised games from top-ranked college football games around the country every Saturday during the regular season. All games are shown on high-definition TVs with the featured game shown on a 10-foot-wide projection TV. The menu features typical sports bar fare, including sandwiches, wings, nachos, quesadillas and a variety of fried appetizers. A selection of beers are available both bottled and on tap.

Bobalouie's Grill
1913 E. Bearss Ave.
Tampa, FL 33613
(813) 971-1243
www.bobalouies.com

Bobalouie's is located right in the heart of University of South Florida Bulls Country and has been serving sports fans since 1986. Bobalouie's features 16 wide-screen LCD TVs, free WiFi, daily drink specials, karaoke and great food. When the game is over, you can also play a round of darts or a game of pool. USF students get 25 percent off most items with student ID.

Amanda Mole has been writing since she was old enough to hold a pencil and cooking since she was tall enough to reach the stove. She believes that food provides more than just vital nutrients: it is an irreplaceable part of countless cultural and social activities. As a Tampa Bay resident for the past 21 years, she is well acquainted with the incredibly diverse range of restaurants, bars, and food festivals that the area has to offer. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.