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Scottsdale Stories

Scottsdale’s Sports Bar Heavy Hitters

Scottsdale and the Valley of the Sun have it all when it comes to sports, with teams from all the majors including the NFL, MLB, NBA, WNBA, NHL and even soccer. The region also hosts some of the largest national and international sporting events, including the annual PGA Waste Management Phoenix Open, college football’s VRBO Fiesta Bowl, and Cactus League Spring Training. Going to a game in person is always a blast, but sometimes you just want to cheer your team on alongside like-minded fans. Whether a classic dive bar is more your style or you want a more fast-paced nightlife experience, here are some winning Scottsdale sports bars to check out.


DraftKings SportsBook at TPC Scottsdale

Opened in October 2023, DraftKings is a newcomer to the scene, both in terms of Scottsdale sports bars and sportsbooks. As you might guess from the name, it’s adjacent to the renowned golf course, just yards from the 18th hole. The space is massive, beautiful, and state-of-the-art all at once. Inside the 13,000-square-foot building, you’ll find six betting windows, a whopping 32 betting kiosks, and ‘video walls’ spanning the entire perimeter, indoors and out—3,400 square feet worth. You can quite literally place a bet and watch the game from every single seat in the house. A couple of especially unique offerings include live video game tournaments, free learn to bet classes, and Neighbor Nights, featuring secret menus.


CAZ Sports Bar at Casino Arizona

CAZ Sports Bar checks several proverbial boxes: there are two projector screens plus 46 big screens across multiple video walls, the food is excellent, and it’s also a sportsbook. You’ll also catch live entertainment on most weekend evenings. It’s become well-known for Monday Night Tailgate parties, featuring beer and food specials, interactive games and prizes, and even a pre-game live Fox Sports 910 radio broadcast.

As a bonus, CAZ is open on all major holidays and even offers special holiday menus.


Bottled Blonde

Although it’s arguably best known for its VIP nightclub scene, Bottled Blonde also moonlights as a lively sports bar. You can even order happy hour specials on weekdays from 3-8:00 p.m., before the transformation to full-blown nightclub. Notably, Bottled Blonde is a favorite hangout for Ohio State Buckeyes fans—the official alumni club’s Phoenix chapter hosts watch parties here for every OSU football game. Whoever you’re cheering for, there’s no shortage of places to do it. Head up to the open-air rooftop deck, have a seat at the bar, or watch all the action on the enormous LED walls as you shake your stuff on the dance floor.


Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row

Whiskey Row, the ultra-popular concept from hometown boy Dierks Bentley, is another Entertainment District multi-tasker. It’s definitely a country bar and a must for bachelorette parties, but it’s also one of the best sports bars in Scottsdale, especially during the day when the dance floor isn’t in full swing (pun very much intended). Keep your eyes on the big screens from anywhere in the indoor-outdoor bar while sampling more than 60 whiskeys and enjoying whiskey-infused eats like the bourbon wings or whiskey burger. As a bonus, it’s just a few minutes from Scottsdale Stadium, making it an ideal for pre or post-game festivities.


Duke’s Sports Bar & Grill

Owned by a father-daughter duo, Duke’s is a longtime local favorite Scottsdale sports bar. The south Scottsdale location is far from the hustle and bustle of Old Town and the Entertainment District, making it a mecca for folks who genuinely want to watch their team. Duke’s is known for showing games from smaller regions, and particularly the University of Montana Grizzlies. The bar even has TVs in the bathrooms, so you won’t miss a single play! You’ll also find pool tables, dartboards, some of the best mozzarella sticks in the valley, and karaoke on Saturdays. Outside, the massive dog-friendly patio overlooks the Scottsdale’s Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt and El Dorado Park’s frisbee golf course.


R.T. O’Sullivan’s

“RTO,” as it’s affectionately known, is another local gem less than five minutes from Duke’s that’s also right on the greenbelt. The dozens of big screens and framed jerseys on the walls are exactly what you expect to see in Scottsdale sports bars, but RTO has some surprises—namely, a sand volleyball court, off track betting, and 25-ounce pours of Guinness. One of the owners hails from Ireland, after all. Don’t miss the weekday happy hour or daily specials, or signature Irish favorites like the grilled reuben or shepherd’s pie.


Zipp’s Sports Grill

With 15 locations throughout the Phoenix metro including five in Scottsdale, Zipps is always a solid choice. Each of the family-owned bar and grill’s outposts has a welcoming neighborhood vibe, with daily happy hour specials, classic games like shuffleboard, billiards, and darts, and of course, plenty of huge TVs. Satisfy your cravings with a menu of pub-style eats, featuring dishes such as beer cheese pretzels, Philly steak rolls made with top sirloin, and wings. Insider tip: the slightly sweet ‘Golden’ variety is somewhat of a local institution.


K O’Donnell’s

Family-owned K O’Donnell’s, or “KO’s” for short, has more than 75 TVs, an expansive shaded patio, and a relaxed vibe inside, where sports fans can catch everything from college football games to horse races and UFC fights. KO’s offers 16 rotating local drafts, scratch-made food, weekend brunch, daily specials, and twice-daily happy hours (3-7:00 pm and ‘reverse’ happy hour from 9:00 to close Monday through Friday). Score impressive deals like $4 and $5 “Happy Hour Steals,” 40% off pizzas on Mondays, and $3 Taco Tuesdays. It’s no surprise Arizona Foothills named KO’s the best happy hour in Phoenix five of the last six years! The North Scottsdale sports bar also has off-track betting and hosts Wednesday trivia nights.


Cold Beers & Cheeseburgers

Living up to its name, Cold Beers & Cheeseburgers serves up nearly 20 types of juicy, half-pound, charbroiled-to-order burgers and over 100 beers. There are plenty of non-burger choices, too, including wings, stadium char dogs, and salads. Cold Beers has 18 locations in Arizona and Texas, four in Scottsdale. The sports bar takes draft day particularly seriously, encouraging groups to host fantasy draft parties. Enjoy happy hour specials during your party, plus gift cards for both league members and commissioners. Speaking of happy hour, beyond standard drinks and appetizers, you can even get special pricing on the All-American Burger.

Based in the East Valley, Taryn has lived in Arizona most of her life. She loves exploring our stunning, diverse state and especially enjoys discovering quirky hidden gems - as well as new local breweries and great happy hours! When she isn't adventuring, Taryn writes for clients including PHOENIX Magazine and runs her own travel blog, Chasing Trail.