Game

It’s Monday night, and you’re ready to watch the game. But you come to realize the TV has been taken over by American Idol. Not to fear, it turns out there’s a handful of great sports bars ready to take your bets and fill your stomach without eating your wallet.

Bully’s Sports Bar & Grill

Multiple locations, 746-8006
With four in Reno, two in Sparks and one in Carson City, Bully’s Sports Bar and Grill is the most ubiquitous sports bar around. If you’re looking for something to light you up, try the “Next Day” Burger, a blend of jalapeño, horse radish and all the trimmings. It comes with a side of Bull’s signature Nitro Sauce, which is hot enough on its own to make your elbows sweat. Top it off with one of 24 beers on tap, and try not to get overwhelmed with choosing which TV to watch—there’re over 40 in all.

Sparky’s Sports Bar & Grill

Multiple locations, 827-1550
If you’re looking for a sports bar with some variety, go to Sparky’s. You can watch everything from basketball to snowboarding to poker. Take the kids to Sparky’s during the day, and give them a couple quarters for the arcade and pool tables. If you’re a pool shark, Sparky’s has free pool on Tuesday nights. If you happen to wake up early from the Sparky’s late-night happy hour from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., there’s a $2.99 Triple Play Breakfast. Expect three eggs, three pieces of bacon or sausage, hash browns and toast.

Coach’s Grill and Sports Bar

1573 S. Virginia St., 329-2202
If Cheers were a sports bar, it would be called Coach’s. Coach’s has been catering to a friendly local crowd for about eight years. The family-owned bar and grill serves customers cold drinks at inexpensive, happy-hour prices from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Feeling fancy? The menu serves a variety of dishes from 10 oz. top sirloin steak to seafood linguine. If you feel like getting your game on, step into the pool room where you can play pool, darts and shuffleboard.

Legends Grill Sports & Spirits

6015 S. Virginia St., No. J, 853-5550
The Legends sports bar has an open design great for large crowds. The big horseshoe bar has plenty of spots to pop a squat, have some drinks, eat some food and make some bets. It also has a number of tables in the dining area, perfect for families and large groups. With TVs on every wall, the bartender is more than willing to change the channel. If your wallet is a bit lighter than usual, Legends is a great place to watch the big sporting events without having to pay a cover charge.

Porky’s Restaurant and Sports Bar

3372 S. McCarran Blvd., 825-3777
Porky’s has a hometown atmosphere. What the bar lacks in wall-to-wall blinding TVs, it makes up in great service and friendly regulars. Porky’s has the ultimate family-friendly design. The restaurant is divided from the bar via a swinging door and sign reading “Must be 21 to Enter,” keeping the kids away from the booze and cussing. Porky’s is a great place to relax, have a beer and share some stories. They also offer fine cigars if you feel like celebrating. If you’re hungry, get some food—they don’t call it Porky’s for nothing.