Football season is back, which means it is time to break out the black and gold, find a comfortable seat and settle in for some Colorado Buffaloes football. And while Boulder is certainly the heart of Buffs country, you do not have to head to the Hill to enjoy a great game day.
From big screen sports bars to neighborhood pubs, breweries and family friendly spots, Boulder County has plenty of places to catch the action. Whether you are gathering a big group of friends, looking for a lively crowd or simply want a good burger and a TV within view, here are a few local favorites worth checking out this season.
Boulder Social | Boulder
If you want the full game day experience without heading all the way into the middle of the action on the Hill, Boulder Social is an easy pick. This East Boulder sports bar has plenty of screens, a large indoor space and a covered, heated patio with two giant 85 inch TVs, so you can watch comfortably whether the weather is cooperating or not.
The food leans toward elevated sports bar favorites, with wings, burgers and Colorado style pizzas, along with a lineup of locally brewed Social Beer and Boulder Beer Co. brews.
And here is where Boulder Social really earns its Buffs credentials. During all CU football games, they offer $15 pitchers of Buffalo Gold and $2 off 20 ounce Buffalo Gold mugs. They also offer game day food specials, including $13 pounds of wings and $15 select Social pitchers.
Best for: Big groups, serious game watchers and anyone who wants plenty of TVs and plenty of food.
Backcountry Pizza & Tap House | Boulder
Sometimes game day calls for pizza. Lots of pizza. Backcountry Pizza & Tap House is a longtime Boulder option with a casual pub atmosphere, multiple rooms, TVs and a seriously impressive beer selection. The menu covers all the classics you want while watching football, including pizza, wings, burgers and sandwiches.
It is the kind of place where nobody will look twice if your table orders a pizza, another pizza and “just one more” round of wings.
Best for: Casual groups, pizza fans and beer lovers.
Red Zone at The Pumphouse | Longmont
Longmont fans have a serious contender of their own. Red Zone at The Pumphouse is built for sports, with 34 TVs, about 8,000 square feet and 20 foot ceilings. In other words, there is a pretty good chance you will not be craning your neck around someone else's head to see the score.
Located inside the Pumphouse Brewery complex in downtown Longmont, Red Zone combines the sports bar experience with a full restaurant, brewery, pool tables and arcade games. It is also a particularly good choice for groups with different ideas of what constitutes a successful Saturday afternoon.
Want to watch football? Great. Want to shoot pool? Also great. Need to keep the kids entertained between quarters? They have that covered too.
Best for: Families, mixed groups and anyone who likes a little activity with their football.
Parry's Pizzeria & Taphouse | Longmont
If your ideal Buffs game involves a cold beer in one hand and a giant slice of pizza in the other, put Parry's on the list. The Longmont location has a sports bar feel, a family friendly atmosphere and a rotating selection of roughly 45 beers on tap, including plenty of Colorado brews.
It is also a confirmed CU game watching spot according to GameWatch, where a local Buffs fan specifically recommends it for watching Colorado games and highlights the food and extensive tap list.
Best for: Pizza and beer fans, families and groups who want a casual game day.
Mudrock's Tap & Tavern | Louisville
For a more neighborhood style game day, head to Louisville. Mudrock's has the feel of the local gathering place where regulars know each other, the TVs are always on and somebody is inevitably talking about the game.
The menu covers classic bar and grill fare, and the restaurant is known for its sports friendly setup with TVs throughout the space. It also opens early on weekends, making it a particularly handy option when the Buffs kick off earlier in the day.
Best for: The neighborhood pub crowd and fans who prefer a laid back atmosphere over a giant sports bar.
Murphy's Tap House | Louisville
Murphy's brings a slightly more polished gastropub feel to game day, with around 40 beers on tap, a full bar and a sizable outdoor beer garden. It is a good choice when your group wants football, but not necessarily an entire afternoon of shouting at a wall of televisions.
The outdoor space is especially appealing early in the season when Colorado's fall weather is doing what Colorado fall weather does best.
Best for: Groups who want football, food and a little more breathing room.
The Lazy Dog Sports Bar & Grill | Erie
Erie gets in on the game day fun, too. The Lazy Dog is a spacious neighborhood sports bar with plenty of TVs, a broad menu and a patio overlooking the nearby golf course.
The menu is made for grazing through a game, with wings, burgers, sandwiches, comfort food and even a Colorado bison burger. It is a good choice when your group cannot agree on what to eat because there is a pretty good chance everyone can find something.
Best for: Erie locals, families and groups with a variety of appetites.
Dillinger's Food & Spirits | Lafayette
If your ideal game day vibe is a little more neighborhood dive bar than polished sports lounge, Dillinger's might be your place. Located in Lafayette's Centaur Village, this casual bar and grill has plenty of TVs, games and a decidedly unpretentious atmosphere. It also has an unusually deep bourbon and whiskey selection for anyone who wants something beyond the standard bar lineup.
The vibe is relaxed, local and casual, making it a good option for a smaller group of friends who would rather settle into a favorite neighborhood spot than head into the biggest crowd.
Best for: Local regulars, smaller groups and a classic neighborhood bar experience.
The Bottom Line
However you like to do game day, there is no shortage of places to settle in, grab a bite and cheer on the Buffs around Boulder County. So round up your people, claim a table and make a Saturday of it. Because around here, football season is just another good excuse to get together.
Go Buffs! 🦬