If you like, sports, especially with football season in full swing, we all may have that one special bar. However, what makes a bar a great sports bar is the question we will answer now. We all have different ideas and needs for the bar when we are out with friends cheering on our favorite team. Therefore, for this bar to be a great sports bar, what do we need to have and see?

First, and most likely the most obvious, we will want the bar to have a sports package for the sport that is active at the time. Some of these packages are the Sunday Ticket, MLB Extra Innings, NHL Center Ice, or NBA Sports Package, as these packages will enable viewing of all teams and games. Next, we will want to make sure that the bar will have enough televisions to display the games for the patronage. Generally, this is going to be 12 or more screens, and have the remotes identified to know which remote controls that set. Nothing will frustrate patronage more as if they want to have a new game on the TV, and they have to miss 2 minutes due to trying to find the right remote.

Next, beer and drink specials is the next need of any successful sports bar. However, this is only the first step, as you will have to have enough bartenders to handle orders. As there is nothing worse than have to wait five minutes or more for a drink to return to your table and catch up on the game you missed. However, the perfect drink specials will enable your guests to enjoy games all day. However, one cannot be swayed with the drink alone, and next you will want to look for food specials.

Traditional Sunday food specials will be chicken wings, pizza, hamburger, etc. these are immediately go to foods, as they are not heavy, do not take long to cook, eat, and do not require too much concentration. However, do not skip the traditional bar room munchies such as popcorn, chips, nuts, or pretzels. Having these food items free or priced on special with your drink specials will cover you to bring in the most clientele, even those who may not care about the game, but just want a day out with friends.

Now, we have the menu, and the technology of what we need to have the sports bar. However, now what about the décor? Well, you are going to want to show your team support, however, unless you have your sports bar in a major sports hub you will want to have sports memorabilia representing extra teams. In addition, of course you do not have to limit your memorabilia to NFL, NHL, and MLB, so if you have the autographed boxing glove from Muhammed Ali, by all means, display it. Also, do not forget update your décor moderately, to keep things fresh, and your display memorabilia looking new.

Finally, having a bartender or bartenders who remember their regulars is the next and final aspect that is important. Remembering your regulars, as they are your bread and butter, so having them find a place “where everyone knows your name” is important. This makes your customer feel at home and comfortable, and once they are in this zone they will stay longer, purchase more, and invite more to your establishment. Remember, a happy customer will bring another customer; however, an upset or disappointed customer will lose 10 potentials.

Friends, laughter and fun!!!

No, this isn’t a marketing slogan, but rather the images that go through your head when you envision yourself owning a sports bar. The ideal scenario is having an exciting game on every flat screen television in the bar, as the patrons are cheering loudly for their favorite team.

Owing a sports bar is the perfect life…or maybe not. The harsh reality is long hours, no weekends off and dealing with unruly customers will encompass your day at work. But, for those individuals that have a passion and are willing to learn the business, owning a sports bar can become a very successful venture.

Here’s how to start your own sports bar:

Financial Resources

Why do most sports bars fail? Well, the owner hasn’t secured the required capital to remain a float once the doors open for business. Immediately set your goals, as you want the bar to begin making a profit within the first six months of operation, and hopefully recover your initial investment by year three.

When trying to determine how much capital is needed, you must come to the realization that the market will be very competitive. Remember, the competition will not be strictly other sports bars, as the market has expanded into other entertainment options.

Choosing a Location

The choice of location is depended upon how you want the bar to be portrayed in the market. This can be answered by deciding on the type of clientele your looking to attract: are you seeking impulsive neighborhood traffic or hoping to create your own buzz and become the market’s ideal sports bar destination.

The next decision is choosing the bar’s size capacity, as you have many choices choose from. Are you looking for a location with a cozy atmosphere, but limited space or a former nightclub that can be transformed into an ideal sports bar setting.

The location of the sports bar will heavily influence the name you ultimately choose, as you must ask yourself if the name fits the concept. Keep in mind; customers expect a certain type of atmosphere based on the sports bar’s name, so choose wisely.

Are You an Active Owner or an Absentee Owner?

It’s important to choose an ownership style before move forward with starting a sports bar. Are you going to be an active owner who is involved in the day-to-day operations or an absentee owner that hires an experienced general manager to run the entire operations, while you enjoy the profits of their labor.

If you choose to become an active owner, then it’s important to have sit-down meeting with your family. The commitment to start a sports bar can strain a family’s relationship, as most days; you’ll be away from home from 11am to 5am.

In either case, you must be involved in all decision-making process during the first few months of operations regardless if you’re an active owner or not. It’s important for you to meet-and-greet the patrons and become a recognizable face in the local business community.

Menu and Other Amenities

Generally, sports bars offer similar menus that include sandwiches, burgers, pizza and other appetizers. It’s important to do your research, and create a menu that will be popular to all sports fans.

Remember, the main attraction is showcasing sporting events, and all of the televisions must be aligned perfectly with each seat inside the bar. To stay ahead of the competition, you must purchase and install the latest innovative products in the audio and visual industry.

Most people take Sundays to visit their home of worship and spend the day relaxing. Some of these people enjoy faithfully visiting their favorite sports bars every Sunday and calling it church…Amen! Even fewer people in this group love to visit more than one favorite sports bar because they just cannot decide between all the good ones.

What are some of the best sports bars around the U.S. that these men and women call home? We went through some of the most loved game day destinations that did not include Buffalo Wild Wings (because we already know how awesome they are) and we chose five to tell brag to you about.

1.ESPN Zone located in Anaheim, CA in Downtown Disney

Disneyland’s ESPN Zone is the first and by far the funnest sports bar to visit. There are two floors of food, fun, and sports. On the first floor, there is the full sports bar and restaurant lined with tv’s for your gaming enjoyment. Upstairs has a full arcade so you can send the little ones to play while you are kicking back and relaxing with a beer in hand. How many other sports bars are around that can be considered family friendly with children allowed? There are very few and with in those few are fewer great ones.

2. Bobby V’s Restaurant & Sports Bar located in Windsor Locks, CT

When you walk into this place you instantly become a kid in a candy shop, except instead of seeing candy you get see every game available on that day. The walls of this sports bar is lined up with televisions of all sizes for your viewing of any game you choose to watch.

3. Bourbon Pub located in Santa Clara, CA

This huge party place is the perfect setting to get away for the game. There is plenty of room to sit around the center bar island and there are televisions lined up all around the restaurant. Don’t forget to try their famous nachos.

4. Houndstooth Pub located in New York, NY

This pub is elegantly designed to have a beautiful upscale style that almost reminds one of the early 1900’s. Located in the east coast of the United States, the Houndstooth takes pride in the glorious style of its history while bringing you a fun and enjoyable game day. The walls are not lined with televisions like the other mentioned so far but there is a tv in sight from every table.

5. Katy Trail Ice House located in Dallas, TX

We all know that Texas does things big, and so far this sports bar is by far the biggest. This is a huge beer garden that tends to be loved by people near and far. This bar is so busy, in fact, that they have a huge outside area because the bar inside is always packed. Enjoy some yummy venison chill, burgers, and tacos while your hanging out watching your favorite team.

We know there are so many other amazing sports bars and pubs that are just as good as some of these and maybe even some hidden diamonds in the roughs, but these five bars are the top recommended.