Just when you’ve finally caught your breath after the Super Bowl, March Madness, and any other sports-fueled weekends you’ve endured, in rolls the new season. If you don’t feel like shouting over your own TV again, plenty of Aurora bars and restaurants are ready with the game. These are a few of our favorite spots to catch the action. Some are even offering special game-day menus.
O’Malley’s Pub & Eatery
$ | (630) 898-8700 | WEBSITE
Tucked away in a welcoming corner of Aurora, this relaxed, friendly spot is where you go to escape the daily grind. They’re serving up their standard menu of delicious wings, burgers, and nachos, plus standout dishes like the must-try beignet platter and those amazing steak sandwiches from the chef. The outdoor patio offers nice views from the deck, perfect for unwinding with a reasonably priced drink.
While the wings might run a bit higher than some expect, the attentive service and accommodating staff make it worth the visit. The atmosphere is comfortable and inviting, with music and lighting that could use a touch more polish, but overall it creates that easygoing setting where you can just kick back. Parking is good, and the whole experience feels like coming home to a place where good food and a relaxed vibe are always on the menu.
TGI Fridays
$$ | (630) 851-6565 | WEBSITE
TGI Fridays is a lively spot that feels like it was pulled straight from a classic American sports bar scene, but with families and regulars filling the booths to remind you where you are. They’re open all day on Mondays, serving up the usual menu of bar favorites, including tasty boneless wings, traditional wings, and crispy onion rings. The dragon glaze wing flavor is especially popular, and the chicken is soft and enjoyable.
Although the furniture might look a little old and the tables can be sticky, the good food and helpful service make it a nice place to eat. It’s also kid-friendly and accessible for everyone, with attentive waitresses who often go above and beyond.
Chelios’ Pub & Grill
$ | (630) 585-7650 | WEBSITE
A little more laid-back than its bustling Downtown counterparts, Chelios’ Pub & Grill in Aurora is where you should head for a solid sports bar meal when you don’t want to deal with parking hassles. It’s also the only spot we know of where you can get half-price boneless wings on Sundays and catch karaoke on Thursday nights, which makes for a pretty good last-minute plan with your crew.
Pub 56
$ | (630) 299-3429 | WEBSITE
Tucked away in Aurora, Pub 56 is a family-friendly sports bar with an extensive selection of draft beers and classic pub fare. It’s also one of the rare local spots where kids eat free on Sundays from 4-9pm, perfect for families wanting to catch a game without breaking the bank. The wait staff, like Ahlayah C., provide excellent service in a comfortable, air-conditioned space filled with plenty of TVs, including a huge screen ideal for college football season.
While the food may not arrive lightning-fast, dishes like the delicious Fish and Chips, the praised trio, the very tasty sirloin, and the pretty great chicken Alfredo make it worth the wait. And don’t skip the lava cake dessert—it’s truly to die for. Overall, Pub 56 delivers a welcoming atmosphere, friendly service, and a solid variety of beers for a pleasant, laid-back experience.
Saddle Up at Q Saloon and Eatery
$$ | (630) 585-8600 | WEBSITE
Saddle Up at Q Saloon and Eatery is home to our favorite Nashville-style spot in Aurora—it’s lively and welcoming, and the atmosphere is almost endless. The Aurora venue also offers line dancing classes, including on weekends, so you can celebrate the evening with some dancing.
Lady T’s Pizzeria & Pub
$ | (630) 820-7447 | WEBSITE
For most of the year, Lady T’s Pizzeria & Pub in Aurora is home to one of our favorite pizza pies and quesadilla specials in town. But on game days, the place rolls out a lively sports bar atmosphere. Past visits have included things like catching multiple games on the many TVs, playing pool or darts, and enjoying generous portions of boneless chicken and Mozz sticks. It’s a little more bustling than the day-to-day family dining, but it still has pretty affordable neighborhood pub prices.
Miller’s Ale House
$$ | (630) 332-8574 | WEBSITE
Miller’s Ale House is a restaurant known for its perfectly cooked salmon, which never has a fishy taste, and it manages to do all their classic American bar fare surprisingly well. They’ll also be open all day on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, so you’ll be set if you find yourself craving French onion soup, onion rings, or anything in between.
Hooters
$$ | (630) 851-4008 | WEBSITE
If you’re looking to keep up your tradition (or start a new one) of watching the big game with great wings, head to Hooters in Aurora. It has some of the best crab and wings in town, and the interior—kept clean and tidy from the booths to the restrooms—feels consistently welcoming. This place is known for its friendly service, particularly from server Yusra, who makes every visit enjoyable. The wings taste freshly dropped, the curly fries are crisp, and the Key Lime pie has that perfect crust.
It’s kid-friendly with daily specials like the fish sandwich, though some note the wings aren’t quite what they used to be and drinks can feel a bit watered-down. Parking is convenient, and despite recent price increases, it remains a satisfying spot for a fun meal.
Spartan Ale House
$ | (630) 340-4546 | WEBSITE
If you’re looking for a spot to catch the game with some solid food, you can swing by Spartan Ale House in Aurora for a satisfying meal. There’s a full menu of sports bar favorites, like nachos, lamb popsicles, steak, meatloaf, and margherita pizza. And, of course, cold drinks.
The Town Bar & Grill
$ | (630) 499-9975 | WEBSITE
The popular neighborhood bar is open for Sunday football, consistently serving up some of the best wings in town. Every Sunday, The Town Bar & Grill puts half off draft beers and some apps during the games, knocking the price down to less than $5 a pint. It’s one of the most affordable places in Aurora to enjoy great sports viewing in a welcoming atmosphere. And it’s a pretty fun way to spend game day.
Penalty Box Sportsbook and Bar at Hollywood Casino Aurora
$$ | (630) 801-1234 | WEBSITE
The sports bar Penalty Box Sportsbook and Bar at Hollywood Casino Aurora will have its full menu available on game days. But in addition to delicious nachos with tasty cheese sauce, satisfying chicken wings, and beer-battered onion rings, there will also be a selection of game-day specials, including garlic parmesan wings and a quesadilla special.
AC’S Pub
$$ | (630) 907-7795 | WEBSITE
Home to fantastic BBQ wings and one of the most delicious burgers worth going out of your way for, AC’S Pub in Aurora is open with daily specials. That means you can celebrate any occasion with perfectly sauced wings and a Tomcat burger cooked to medium for less than $15. Use the money you saved to enjoy another round with friends in the friendly pub atmosphere.
Aurora Tap House
$ | (630) 892-9220 | WEBSITE
It always feels like game day at Aurora Tap House, the classic, old-school bar in Aurora. The vibe here leans cozy and inviting, but mostly made with a friendly, efficient staff and plenty of large screen TV’s that attract a sports-loving, regular crowd on most nights. It’s open for live music and events, so you, too, can be a comfortable, relaxed patron sipping a variety of beer on tap while watching all the games.
Paulie’s Pub and Grille
$ | (630) 499-8956 | WEBSITE
Paulie’s Pub and Grille feels a little like you’ve just walked into the neighborhood bar from a sitcom where families gather for dinner, everybody’s a regular, and an hour always feels like 15 minutes. With a full menu of classic pub food like burgers and Italian beef, it’s a welcoming place to watch the game, where you’ll likely be greeted by a friendly waitress or the owner himself taking orders.
The vibe is fun and efficient, with orders ready on time and staff going above and beyond, all at great prices that make it easy to become a regular.
the PIAZZA – Aurora
$$ | (630) 978-2088 | WEBSITE
The Piazza in Aurora is a unique venue that offers a legendary experience, with great pizza, a rare indoor cigar lounge, and a cool, friendly staff. It’s open for sports, live music, and events year-round, including the outstanding Summer’s Last Dance. The building is impressive, though it shows some wear and tear, and the VIP area provides excellent sight lines and a clean environment.
While the food menu has inconsistencies—fried items can taste fishy, and drinks are sometimes weak—the pizza is excellent, and canned beverages are fine. Despite maintenance issues with lighting, doors, and spotty sound in certain areas, The Piazza has a lot of potential and is worth a visit for its vibrant atmosphere and entertainment.