By Lauren Cohen and Jess Mayhugh | Updated March 2022

Sports loyalties run deep in this town—especially this time of year—but it can be dizzying to figure out which bars are associated with which teams. Sure, sometimes it makes sense, like when a Southern bar roots for Alabama or a Michigan alum is pulling for the Lions.

But other times, there seems to be no rhyme or reason for why certain flags fly outside our favorite watering holes, and even different locations within chains represent wildly different teams (we’re lookin’ at you, Abbey Burger).

So we’ve decided to stop the madness and give you an organized way to root for your favorite college team or out-of-town squad, plus the best hometown haunts.


Alabama

Tin Roof: Sport your Crimson and head to Power Plant Live to enjoy Roll Tide specials including pitchers of beer and tons of Southern-inspired snacks like brisket biscuits with peach jam and a fried-chicken sandwich on Texas toast.
32 Market Place | 443-873-8137

Wayward Bar + Kitchen: The official Baltimore Alabama Alumni Group gathers in droves at this Federal Hill hangout for Crimson Tide games every weekend. Dig out your Bama gear and join fellow alum to enjoy wings, curley fries, nachos, and other game-day eats and drinks while enjoying the can't-miss watch parties.
1117 S. Charles St. | 410-223-2269

Auburn

El Bufalo: ’Bama fans beware. This Canton tequila bar is Tiger territory. Gather to sip drafts of Coors, Miller, and Natty Boh beers while belting the War Eagle cry.
2921 O’Donnell St. | 410-814-0594

Clemson

Silks: This Canton mainstay celebrates the Clemson Tigers accordingly with the requisite beer buckets and towers, as well as Orange Crushes and Clemson bombs made with orange vodka.
2641 Hudson St. | 410-708-0317

Florida State

Mother's Grille: The purple patio at this Federal Hill staple transforms into a sea of gold and garnet during college football season. Join the Seminole Club of Baltimore to sip Crushes and Miller Lite buckets on game days.
1113 S. Charles St. | 410-244-8686

Ale House Columbia: A known go-to for Seminole supporters, this Howard County hangout boasts more than 30 big screens to watch Florida State duke it out with ACC rivals Miami and Clemson. An array of craft beers pair nicely with eats like honey sriracha wings, tostada nachos, and baked soft pretzels.
6480 Dobbin Center Way, Columbia | 443-546-3640

University of Georgia

Huck's American Craft: This Brewers Hill beer bar goes all out in honor of Dawg Nation. A lengthy list of game-day specials includes $2 Natty Boh drafts, $3 Founders All Day IPA cans, $4 Terrapin drafts, $5 Fireball shots, and $5 Georgia mules. Line your stomach with $2-off wings, toasted ravioli, pretzel pies, and chicken sandwiches.
3728 Hudson St. | 443-438-338

James Madison

Mother's Grille: Purple permeates throughout this Federal Hill sports bar, especially during JMU matchups. Support the Dukes with Crushes, Miller Lite buckets, and more on gamedays.
1113 S. Charles St. | 410-244-8686

Michigan

Delia Foley's: Watch all of the action unfold in Ann Arbor at this Federal Hill spot, which backs the Wolverines with tons of blue décor in its upstairs bar. Fittingly, the bar runs specials on Kalamazoo-based Bell’s Brewery bottles and drafts during all games.
1439 S. Charles St. | 443-682-9141

Michigan State

Lil Phil's Tavern: Pull up a stool and cheer on Sparty with beer and bomb specials at this Fells Point dive, which also features its signature burgers, onion rings, and free green jello shots when MSU scores.
706 S. Broadway | 410-342-7445

Crossbar: A favorite of the Baltimore Area MSU Alumni Club, this German biergarten has historically showcased its green-and-white pride with discounted Bell's Brewery drafts and Sparty shots. For all March Madness games March 17-18, the bar will feature $1.50-off all drafts, $5 pretzels, $5 Jägermeister shots, $5 Rumplemintz shots, $7 Miller Lite liters, and $15 domestic buckets.
18 E. Cross St. | 443-438-4013

Ohio State

El Bufalo: Watch the beloved Buckeyes battle other Big 10 teams at this Canton hangout, which offers $13 domestic buckets of Coors Light, Miller Lite, and Natty Boh during all games.
2921 O’Donnell St. | 410-814-0594

Magerk's: Ohio State fans feel right at home at this Federal Hill corner bar, which backs the Buckeyes with beer bucket specials, and tons of game-day fare including its claim-to-fame cheesesteaks.
1061 S. Charles St. | 410-576-9230

Penn State

Smaltimore: Don’t be surprised if you hear an abundance of “We Are” calls while hanging out at this Canton sports bar during college football season. The hangout showcases its State College spirit with Bud Light specials and eats like burgers, wings, and loaded tots.
2522 Fait Ave. | 410-522-1421

The Charles: Don your best blue and white apparel and head to this Federal Hill favorite to hear the Nittany Lions roar. You can’t go wrong with refilled beers paired with signature snacks like burgers, honey chipotle wings, and jalapeño poppers.
1110 S. Charles St. | 410-727-2333

Hair of the Dog: Though its blue walls (an homage to PSU) have recently been replaced with sleek wood paneling, this South Baltimore staple remains a spirited hub for Nittany Lions alum. Kick back at the bar with other fans while downing discounted drafts and pub grub including wings, dips, wraps, and burgers.
1649 S. Hanover St. | 410-814-0342

Syracuse

DogWatch Tavern: As the official meeting place of the B’More Orange Alumni Group, this Fells Point hangout is known for its Orangemen watch parties. Get situated on one of the bar’s comfy sofas to enjoy discounted appetizers and Orange Man bombs (Red Bull and Pinnacle vodka).
709 S. Broadway | 410-276-6030

Texas Longhorns

Zen West Roadside Cantina: The menu of Tex-Mex fare at this cantina near Belvedere Square bodes nicely for Hook ’Em Nation. Alumni groups frequently flock here to enjoy beers and margaritas paired with bowls of chili, overstuffed burritos, and sizzling fajitas.
5916 York Road | 410-323-3368

Virginia Tech

Alexander's Tavern: Charm City’s Hokie population frequently flocks to this Fells Point bar to enjoy an abundance of drink deals including shots for VT touchdowns and buckets of Virginia-based Devils Backbone Brewing Company beers.
710 S. Broadway | 410-522-0000

The Chasseur: Belt out the Tech Triumph while enjoying discounted drafts, wines, and specialty cocktails during all Virginia Tech games at this Canton staple.
3228 Foster Ave. | 410-327-6984

Wiley Gunter’s: Expect to see lots of burgundy and maroon at this Locust Point spot during football season. The watering hole supports VT with tons of memorabilia in the upstairs bar and specials of note range from $5 Miller Lites and $6 quesadillas to a Dill Dip burger to pay homage to the signature Hokie snack.
823 E. Fort Ave. | 410-637-3699

West Virginia

Don't Know Tavern: Crowd around the bar at this Federal Hill spot channel Morgantown memories and belt “Take Me Home, Country Roads” while downing discounted drafts and beer towers with other Mountaineers fans.
1453 Light St | 410-539-0231

Wisconsin

Abbey Burger Bistro: This Fells burger joint is a known gathering spot for Wisconsin fans to root for their beloved Badgers. Sport your UW apparel and fill up on DIY burgers paired with mugs full of beer.
811 S. Broadway | 410-522-1428

Wisconsin

Captain Larry's Bar & Grill: Charm City Badgers unite at this nautical dive in Riverside. Sit back and enjoy the cheers of fellow Wisconsin fanatics decked out in white and red while enjoying tasty bites such as fried Brussels and pork nachos.
601 E. Fort Ave | 410-727-4799

You May Also Like

Food & Drink

Chef Carlos Raba Expands His Vision with Nana

Raba's new family spot in Stoneleigh is intentionally at the opposite end of the culinary spectrum as Clavel, the hip Remington taquería that earned him national attention. But he runs both kitchens with same level of authority, compassion, and attention to his own history.