BEST SPORTS BARS IN PARIS

What makes a great sports bar? In our view, a great sports bar will have many large screens, plenty of space to accommodate large crowds, a fun vibe and cover of variety of sporting events.  While we occasionally like a cosy pub for a match, when a big match is on it’s never fun to be packed into a small space craning your neck to follow the game. As such,  don’t let the ratings fool you, many locals prefer small cramped bars so we have ranked these according to a more international pallet.

Also, bear in mind that ratings are not exclusively for sports since many of the best sports bars in Paris turn into clubs at night and so get all kinds of abuse as a result.

With this in mind, we’ve identified the best sports bars in Paris and shortlisted the ones which are best for enjoying a good game. From football (soccer) to rugby, we’ve got you covered.

 

1) CAFE OZ

best for football (soccer) fans

Among the expats in Paris, Cafe Oz has become an institution. It’s been around for decades and grown across Paris. There are now four Cafe Oz around Paris: one in Grand Boulevards, one in 13th Denfert area, the original one in Chatelet, and the rooftop cafe overlooking the Seine river on Quai d’Austerlitz in eastern Paris.  As Cafe Oz was founded by Aussie expats, each location keeps true to its Australian bar theme. They play all kinds of sport Champions league football as well as rugby and sometimes cricket and even Aussie rules football.  They play post Ligue 1 and all Champions League games so pop in to watch a game! Note that this place turns into a club as evening progresses. This changes dynamics completely as many pour in simply to drink and be merry.   Head over to their rooftop cafe for some stunning views of Paris, one of the best in Paris!

Cafe Oz website

2) BELUSHI’S

best for American football fans

Belushi’s is a popular spot for international students and offer American-inspired food (nachos, wraps, burgers) and reasonably priced happy hour drinks. Besides a being a fun spot to hang, it’s also a popular place to watch football (both American and the regular kind!) as well as rugby, formula 1 and other sports.   There is one Belushi’s by the Gare du Nord and another on canal La Villette in the northeast. Both are rather on the large side so you’ll have plenty of space if you’re looking for a someplace to go as a group. The French generally hate large sporting venues so this place has received bad reviews but as long as you know what you’re getting yourself into:  a large, wild spot serving bar food (not high end food) and plays a lot of sports then you wont be disappointed!

Belushis Canal location website

 

3) NO SCRUM NO WIN (NSNW)

best for rugby fans

There are now two NSNW pubs in Paris, one by Saint Lazare train station in the 9th (not far from Europe and Liege metro stops), and another not far next to Madeleine. As per the name, it was created for rugby lovers and big with rugby fans and players alike. It’s quite modern and spacious, which is definitely a plus, and while they do have screens we would have liked for them to be LARGER!  At any rate, their meat and charcuterie boards are really good and so is their selection of beer and booze so we are sure you will enjoy watching rugby here! Extra points for having Goodale beer on tap.

NSNW website

 

4) O’SULLIVANS

2nd best for football (soccer) fans

O’Sullivans is an institution in Paris. There are five in Paris and each is spacious, modern and comfy. We love that they will roll out the big screens for big games and have a decent selection of beer on tap (Brooklyn Lager, Guinness and a great local beer called Barge du Canal IPA) and surprisingly good cocktails. They also serve some tasty fish n chips and ribs. Burgers are decent but we don’t really think they’re outstanding. They are all over Champions League games and major international football e.g. World Cup, Euros but don’t show every single Premier game.

OSullivans pubs Paris website

 

5) THE MOOSE

best for basketball and ice hockey fans

The Moose is a fun Canadian pub in central Paris (near Odeon) which serves up some tasty bites like Poutine  (chips/French fries with gravy) and has a solid selection of beer (including Canadian, mais oui!).  It’s also a great place to catch football and North American sports like basketball and hockey.  The only downside is that it’s not a very big venue but still a favourite for catching games.

The Moose Paris website

 

6) FROG PUBS

3rd best for football (soccer) fans; 2nd best for food

Frog pubs are comfortable, spacious and offer their own quality craft beer. There are 8 Frog pubs around Paris and most have “Frog” plus the name of location in the title.  We love that you are never far from one and that they always play football (soccer) and other sports. Screens are not massive but big enough to comfortably watch a game. Frog scores extra points for actually having excellent food so it’s worth coming for drinks/food and a game. Each Frog pub is different, some more classic and some more modern. We like the Frog XVI and Frog & British Library the best- most spacious and comfortable. Go for their platters and nachos.

Frog Pubs website

7) THE LONG HOP

also great for rugby fans

The Long Hop is a long-standing favourite with locals and tourists alike thanks to it’s lively atmosphere and reasonably priced cocktails. It owes much of  it’s fame to being in the the heart of Paris in the Latin Quarter and is always home to a motley mix of people looking to enjoy a good pint, whether a game is on ore not!

The Long Hop website

 

 

8) THE GREAT CANADIAN PUB

2nd best for American football fans

The Great Canadian is yet another Canadian pub however it is more of a North American-style sports bar than a pub. This is a top sports bar if you’re in central Paris as it’s located right on the Seine river in Latin quarter.  Although they’re a bit casual, it’s a relatively clean and well run bar that plays mainly North American sports like hockey, (American) football and basketball. Poutine lovers will be right at home!

The Great Canadian Pub Yelp page

 

9) EDEN PARK PUB

great for rugby fans

Eden Park is an elegant pub located in central Paris near Mabillon station. While a tad small, it’s a beautiful pub with vintage sporting memorabilia all over the walls. It’s owned by the same owners of the eponymous French rugby brand (in turn named after famous stadium in New Zealand). Thanks to it’s rugby connection, it remains a popular venue for rugby fans, particularly Top14, France’s pro league.

Eden Park website

 

10) BRASSERIE BARBES

best for food

If you’d prefer to enjoy some good food in a place that looks like a cool private members club then look no further than Brasserie Barbes. This huge complex consists of a restaurant, a bar and private rooms. While the menu is limited in the ‘pub’ area you still have excellent bar bites and can order from a fairly wide selection of food and drinks. Their drinks selection including quality cocktails and excellent craft beer.  Steak and cheese sandwich, fresh shrimp cocktail with yummy sauce, excellent salads, deserts, etc.

Brasserie Barbes

BONUS:  LE FRENCH FLAIR

3rd best for rugby fans

Le French Flair is modern yet cosy sports bar with good food and beer. The wood panels really give it an edge over other sports bars in Paris.  It’s not huge place but big enough, and we love their billiards area. As per the name, this bar was founded as a venue for rugbymen and still remains a popular place for rugby fans, particularly big games involving France or Parisian teams like Racing 92. They also organise fun nights with various DJs so it also turns into a club, depending on the night.

The French Flair website (in French and English)

 

 

Besides having a good time at one of the best sports bars in Paris,  you could also enjoy one of the many excellent British and Irish pubs  or even sample some excellent craft beer at a microbrewery

Few people associate Paris with good beer but Paris was once famous for its beer halls. It was the working mans drink and working classes had plenty of it. Beer in fact has always been popular in Northern France and Paris is in the North so naturally it was more common to find beer, cider and other spirits in Paris.  It wasnt until after both wars that wine was championed as the national drink. But in recent decades, young entrepreneurs have brought beer back to Paris, this time in the form of American style microbreweries and a few who have tapped into the expertise of the traditional beer regions in the North (near Belgium).

Meanwhile, if you’re up for some food there are a handful of excellent gastropubs.  Most are very casual neighborhood hangouts where beer is poured freely and simple dishes are served.