Best Bars In Minnesota To Watch The NFL's Opening Games

Why spend money for tickets when you can view the NFL opening games from the comfort of your bar stool or table? These sports bars have the latest wide TV screens. Also, they serve first-rate fare fit for a tailgate fest. Pub grub has become as exciting as the opening games.

Bar 508 Restaurant
508 1st Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55403
(612) 339-0036
www.bar508.com

Named as one of the top 10 sports bars in USA Today, Bar 508 Restaurant goes beyond the standard beer, burgers and buffalo wings. The unconventional pub menu might include specials such as a white flour tortilla meat wrap packed with turkey, ham, bacon, fresh lettuce, mayo and tomato. Buffalo chicken wontons, beer battered chicken and beer battered walleye fingers make an appetizing starter platter. Italian style meat and vegan sandwiches are made with fancy Italian flat bread. The beverage menu complements the food, featuring craft beer, selected wines, cocktail creations and the Bar 508 house mixology.

The Big Ten Restaurant & Bar
Stadium Location
606 Washington Ave., SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
(612) 378-0467
www.big10restaurant.com

The Big Ten has a Twin Cities location in Minneapolis and a west metro location in Hopkins. Famous for award-winning chicken wings and awesome subs, this pre-game/post-game bar on the University of Minnesota campus also has mouth watering nachos, burgers, wraps and fries. And there's plenty of cold beer. If the Vikings or Gophers are scheduled to play at a local stadium, here's a chance to get a real seat. If game seats are sold out, don't despair. The Big Ten has plenty of TVs where fans can watch the action.

Bunny's Bar & Grill
5916 Excelsior Blvd.
St Louis Park, MN 55416
(952) 922-9515
www.bunnysbarandgrill.com

With over 30 Samsung HDTVs, it's impossible to miss the NFL opening games at Bunny's. For every Vikings touchdown, Bunny's gives a half-off wooden token. This allows up to $2.20 to be deducted from your drink. Bunny's serves breakfast seven days a week. Lunch and dinner are plentiful and no-nonsense, with generous specials. City Pages Best of 2015 and CBS Best of Minnesota rate this St. Louis Park bar as the best for good vibes and high def TV sports viewing.

Related: Best Of Minnesota: Sports Bar

BLVD Bar & Grille
433 E. Mendota Road
West St. Paul, MN 55118
(651) 450-7736
www.blvdbarandgrille.com

At this Twin Cities bar and grille, dance and sports go together. To make sure sports viewers won't miss the games, BLVD installed 15 large HDTVs inside, plus two more on the patio. Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night, a DJ spins dance music mashups. During an NFL event on any of these nights, fans can dance the night away while watching the game.

Obb's Sports Bar & Grill
1347 Burns Ave.
St Paul, MN 55106
(651) 776-7010
www.obbsbar.com

On the east side of St. Paul, this Twin Cities hangout is five minutes away from the site of a new city ballpark. Very sports-oriented, Obb's has 19 high definition flat TV screens. This neighborhood sports bar also hosts group sports spectating events. A group sports package includes special seating, hearty pub food selections, beer, wine and alcohol-free beverages.

Related: Best Sports Bars In Minnesota

Linda Cameron has written home design, home improvement and lifestyle articles for The Boston Globe and City Shopper Magazine. She has related interests in the building industry, travel, real estate and financing. She is a contributor to Examiner, House Spot, Techsling and Behance, covering topics on career, people, businesses, education and technology.