Best Bars to Watch the Game in Athens

Athens Sports Bar sits steps from the Acropolis in Koukaki and is the city's most dedicated venue for live sport, with eight big HD screens, indoor and outdoor seating and the sound on for the main match. It carries everything from the Champions League to cricket and the Australian leagues for an international crowd.

Game day tip: Take an outdoor table for a warm evening kickoff, since those seats go first.

The James Joyce sits in the historic quarter near Monastiraki and is known for its dedication to sport, broadcasting the Premier League and the Six Nations rugby. When the match is on, and especially for Celtic, the whole bar turns toward the screen by the front door.

Game day tip: Get there early for a Celtic match, when the room turns partisan.

The Wee Dram near Panormou in Ambelokipi is a quieter, more intimate alternative to the central sports bars, popular with regulars and expats. It comes alive for the football and the rugby, with the welcoming feel that makes a visitor feel like a local by halftime.

Game day tip: The pick for a relaxed match away from the tourist center.

Bel Ray on Plateia Exarcheia is a laid back dive bar that shows a range of sport from football to the American leagues, with reasonably priced drinks and a friendly crowd. It is the unfussy local room for a midweek fixture, cheap and easygoing.

Game day tip: Good for a cheap, casual midweek game with a young local crowd.

The Beer House in Psirri runs an impressive list of bottled and draft beers, including Greek craft options, and puts the screens on for the major sporting events. It pairs a strong beer selection with the match, which sets it apart from the standard sports bar.

Game day tip: A strong pick when you want the match with a serious beer list.

Barley Cargo is a craft beer pub in Psirri with a deep tap list that screens the sport in a relaxed setting. It leans more toward the beer than the big match crowd, so it suits a calmer fixture with a wide range of Greek and international pours.

Game day tip: The calmer Psirri option for a Sunday fixture with good beer.

Molly Malone's in the coastal suburb of Glyfada offers a spacious, relaxed setting for the major events, with large screens, ample seating and a strong draught selection. It is the seaside pick for visitors staying along the Athens Riviera who want to combine the beach with the match.

Game day tip: The choice for a big tournament fixture if you are based on the coast.

Sports Cafe Primera runs a spread of screens showing different games and is a reliable choice for any major fixture, from the European football leagues to basketball and the American sports. It sits out toward the southern suburbs rather than the center, so it draws a local crowd.

Game day tip: Worth the trip out for a clash of fixtures, since it shows several games at once.

The Underdog in Exarcheia is a craft beer room with an extensive list of Greek and international taps and multiple screens for the big football and basketball games. It is the choice when you want the EuroLeague or the Champions League with a proper craft pour rather than a lager.

Game day tip: Best for a EuroLeague basketball night with a craft beer in hand.

The Lucky Sparrow in the Gazi nightlife district is a modern pub with craft beers and a rock leaning crowd that shows the games in a contemporary local setting. It works as a casual viewing spot before or after a night out in one of the busiest parts of the city.

Game day tip: Handy for a game before a night out in Gazi.