The 2023 NHL playoff season is officially underway, and the Oilers are on to round 2! And we agree, the best place to cheer on the Oilers is at the arena. But since that place is packed every night, we rounded up the second best places to watch amongst fellow fans – Oil Country Headquarters. These bars and restaurants are the perfect spots to grab a beer, catch the game, win some prizes, cheer on your team and have a darn good time.
The great news is that many of these bars are currently running special programming, including game-day drink specials, merch giveaways, prizes and more. Honestly, with or without the special programming, these Oil Country Headquarters are your next best option after the arena.
Here goes the list–
Average Joe’s
The bar prides itself in “doing sports right.” Of course, it is topping our list of game-night spots. With over 20 drafts on tap, 20 different bottled beers and one of the most extensive back bars in town, the fun here doesn’t end. Cherry on the top – they boast an impressive 18 TVs, so you’re sure to have the best view of the game in town.
Central Social Hall (Downtown & St. Albert)
Okay, we’ll admit it, this isn’t your usual sports bar. But it sure is the best place for the food-loving Oilers fan who wants to enjoy their drinks and meal as much as the game. This upscale restaurant bar has an elaborate menu, mouth-watering delights, a giant TV and a friendly vibe, making it a great spot to cheer on your fave team.
MKT
What better place than a beer market to enjoy a game night, eh? From beer to irresistible foods, the Bar + Fare can seriously elevate your game nights.
Crown and Tower
True to its vibrant and upbeat character of being the “neighbourhood pub,” this place offers all the game-night comfort foods and then some. Now add their thirst-quenching drinks, multiple screens and fun specials, and you have yourself an epic game night.
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The Mill Craft Bar and Kitchen
Their unreal food and drinks menu and relaxed vibe have made them a popular hangout spot for Edmontonians. They’re also a great place to catch the playoffs, cheer on the Oilers and down a few good drinks and bites.
On the Rocks
It’s the place to “eat well and party hard.” But it is also the place to game night harder. The place runs a ton of specials on the regular, but these specials go up a notch come Oilers games. You might even catch a special feature or a giveaway.
JT’s Bar & Grill
As far as relaxed vibes go, there’s no beating JT’s. And sure, its warm, casual ambience and delectable food and delightful drinks make it a great everyday hangout spot. But its game night specials and the giant screen make it an even better place to sit back with your buds, savour the flavours and enjoy the game.
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The Sherlock Holmes Pub (Sherwood Park)
If you’ve been here before, you probably already know that the club screams fun from every corner. From an elaborate menu of insanely delicious food and drinks to the arcade games to the many TV screens around to make game nights a fun fare, the pub has you covered all the way. Then there’s the cool, casual vibe that’s perfect to unwind with friends and fam.
The Beer Hunter (Spruce Grove)
There’s a reason why classics are so termed. It’s because they never cease to make you happy. And The Beer Hunter is a hub of classics. From its familiar ambience to its menu boasting comfort foods to refreshing drinks, the place seems to be designed quite literally for game nights with the whole gang. It is handsdown one of the top places to watch the 2023 NHL playoffs.
1st RND (Downtown & WEM)
They promise a complete sports bar experience and they deliver much more. The place is pretty much a go-to for sports enthusiasts year-round. And the place is crawling with Oilers fans come playoff season. With some 75 beers on tap, soul-satisfying comfort foods and a bar full of fans to join in the cheer, 1st RND is one of the safest and funest bets yet.
The Cabin
Yes, their themed cabins have been creating a lot of buzz around town. And yes, they are totally worth the hype. But what has us sold on this place for the playoff season and beyond is the beer wall. With 22 beers available, this happens to be Canada’s largest ‘pour yourself’ beer wall that can take your taste buds on a world trip. Oh, and the food is pretty amazing too.
Billy Budd’s
Sports enthusiast or not, this archetypal prairie bar has been serving Edmontonians for over three decades. And they continue to be a hot spot for game nights, courtesy of their familiar setting, their banks of TVs and their deliciously comforting menu offerings.
There you go folks, that’s our list of the best places to watch the 2023 NHL Playoffs. Here’s to a fun cheering season!
