Puerto Vallarta
Sports Bars
Can’t
stand the idea of missing the big game while you’re
on vacation in Puerto Vallarta?
Relax. Puerto Vallarta
has plenty of sports bars to keep you in the action. Remember,
lots of ‘former gringos’ live here year-‘round,
and they need to get their fix on their old home-town
teams, so you’ll feel right at home, except that
your opponent’s team is likely to have fans here
too. That just makes for better bar rivalries though,
right? You can legally partake in sports betting
as well (see bottom).
EL TORITO is in Viejo Vallarta
(‘Old Vallarta’) at the corner of Vallarta and
Carranza Streets. Get a bucket of ice with two cold Corona
or Pacifico beers for about $3 (usd), and take in the action
on any of about 15 screens. They’ve got multiple feeds
and can get almost any game you want. During championship
play the place gets packed both downstairs (air conditioned)
and upstairs (breezy open patio), so plan to arrive early.
While they post a game schedule, if there’s a game
you want to see that’s not posted and there’s
a TV available, they’ll switch it on for you. Also
known for great ribs and ladies’ nights.
LA ESCONDIDA is a very laid-back,
‘neighborhood’-type joint a few blocks away,
on Jacarandas just off of Madero. Six TVs catering to whatever
the crowd wants, on up to 3 different cable and satellite
feeds, and cold beer is only 13 lousy pesos (a bit more
than a buck). Often populated by ‘local gringos’
who live here in Puerto Vallarta year-’round who are
a great source of ‘insider’ tips on where to
eat, what to see, etc. Very friendly, and worth a look if
you’re looking to see a ball game in a more relaxed
atmosphere. The fabulous Lori now bartends on Tuesday nights.
CHAMPIONS is at the Marriott
CasaMagna resort in Nuevo Vallarta, part of the chain of
the same name from The States. Comfortable and accommodating
with lots of TVs and a big screen and a good sports bar
menu, this is the place for all you folks out in Nuevo Vallarta.
You’ll feel like you’re back home, which kinda
misses the point of being in Puerto Vallarta, but there
ya go.
HOOTERS isn’t really
a sports bar (we know why you go there, and it isn’t
for the chicken wings), but has a bunch of TVs tuned to
sports and you can usually find your game here. It’s in the Plaze Peninsula, and bBe advised, guys:
the ‘eyes’ of a Mexican ‘owl’ tend
to be a little smaller here, but they usually come with
faces just as beautiful.
REFEREES is located just
north of the Sheraton and Blue Bay, next to the MEGA Supermarket.
A good choice for those who want to stay close to those
or the Buenaventura or Canto del Sol hotels. Good drink
prices, friendly staff, a big screen for big games and several
smaller TVs.
STEVE'S BAR on Basilio Badillo
Street just north of Vallarta Street (In Viejo Vallarta)
specializes in NASCAR and NHL, and has some good ‘home-style’
food if you are tired of Mexican fare. Air conditioned,
and fair prices on beer and cocktails. Those of you who
remember Sammy at Burros Bar from previous trips will find
him here most days with his regular excellent service and
friendship.
If you are a soccer fan, you
will find that nearly ANY bar will be a good sports bar
for you…soccer (“futbol”) is a national
obsession, and if there isn’t a current game on, they’ll
be broadcasting a past game or something from South America
or Europe. In Puerto Vallarta, the favorite teams tend to
be the Chivas (“goats”, believe it or not) or
Americas, both from Guadalajara, the capital of Puerto Vallarta’s
state of Jalisco.
SPORTS BETTING:
You can wager on football, basketball, baseball, soccer,
races, and boxing matches, and more at legalized sports
books in Mexico. There is only one in Puerto Vallarta, located
inside Plaza Peninsula. They also have slot machines, a new gambling addition to Puerto Vallarta. If you can’t stand to miss an opportunity
to place a wager on your favorite team, this is the place
to go. Stop in, check the odds, and place your bet. Odds
are similar to Las Vegas lines. There’s a small lounge
with multiple televisions if you want to watch the action
and count your winnings (or mourn your losses).
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