Sports Bars in Waco: A Baylor Student's Guide to Game Day Bars
Baylor football season fills McLane Stadium, but what about the other 200+ days of the year when there's a game worth watching? Whether it's NFL Sunday, an NBA playoff run, an away Bears game, or March Madness, you'll want a place with enough TVs to actually see the action and a group of people who care. Waco has several solid sports bars — they just require knowing where to look. Here's a practical guide to the best sports bars in Waco for Baylor students, organized by what makes each one worth the trip.
Age note: Valid ID is required at all venues. You must be 21+ to purchase alcohol.
Salty Dog Sports Bar and Grill: The Best Pure Sports Bar in Waco
When people in Waco say "sports bar," they usually mean Salty Dog Sports Bar and Grill at 2004 N Valley Mills Drive. And they're right to. Salty Dog has over 30 HDTVs mounted in every direction — there is no seat in the building with a bad view of some game. It's built specifically for what a sports bar should be: loud, packed, and impossible to miss a play.
Hours:
- Sunday–Monday: 11am–9pm
- Tuesday–Thursday: 11am–10pm
- Friday–Saturday: 11am–11pm
The food leans into the theme with signature dishes like their famous "Salty Balls" and footlong Angus beef hot dogs served in actual dog bowls — playful bar food that fits the vibe perfectly. This isn't a place for a quiet dinner, but for game day it's exactly right.
From 19Eleven (1911 S 8th Street), Salty Dog is about 4 miles north — a 10-minute Uber typically running $8–12. Split four ways with roommates, that's $2–3 per person each direction, which is nothing on a night out.
Best for: Any game you actually care about. Show up early for big matchups — Salty Dog fills up for NFL afternoon games and any game involving a Texas team.
Oakley's Texas Bar and Grill: The Late-Night Option
If you want to stay out after the game ends, Oakley's Texas Bar and Grill at 816 N Valley Mills Drive is the answer. Their kitchen runs until 1am — the latest of any bar in Waco — and the doors stay open until 2am six nights a week (Sunday through Saturday). That combination makes Oakley's genuinely useful in a way that most Waco bars aren't.
Most places in Waco close their kitchens by 10pm or 11pm. Oakley's doesn't. Which means if you're watching a late West Coast game (8pm Pacific tip-offs or late NFL games), you can eat real food at midnight instead of wondering if anyone has delivery open.
Hours:
- Monday–Saturday: 11am–2am
- Sunday: 12pm–2am
- Kitchen: Open until 1am nightly
- Weekend brunch: Saturday–Sunday 11am–3pm (for the morning-after crowd)
The atmosphere is more Texas roadhouse than dedicated sports bar, but they carry solid screen coverage and a good tap selection. Located right next to Salty Dog on N Valley Mills, the two are a natural pair for a full night out.
Best for: Late nights, post-game hangouts, or any time you want food at midnight and still want sports on the screens.
The Backyard Bar Stage & Grill: Outdoor Watching Done Right
If you haven't been to The Backyard Bar, our full Backyard Bar guide covers everything. But it earns a dedicated mention here because of one feature: a massive 40-foot outdoor screen that makes watching sports outside in Waco actually work.
The venue has fire pits, a rooftop deck, washer pits, cornhole, outdoor billiards, and a frozen drink station alongside the full restaurant and bar. When the weather cooperates — and in Waco that's most of the year except for July and August peak heat — watching a game on a 40-foot screen with a crowd outside is a genuinely better experience than a dark bar with wall TVs.
The Backyard Bar also hosts live music, so the programming varies by night. Check their calendar before you go if you specifically want sports viewing. On nights with live music, the atmosphere shifts toward a concert vibe.
Best for: Game day when the weather's good, or any time you want an outdoor crowd atmosphere instead of a traditional bar setup. Great for groups that want a range of activities alongside the game.
TopGolf Waco: Game Plus Watching
TopGolf Waco at 700 Orr Way (about 5 miles north) isn't a traditional sports bar — but it's a common choice for Baylor students who want to watch a game and do something at the same time. The driving range bays have sports screens throughout, a full bar service, and menu available while you hit.
Important: TopGolf goes 21+ after 9pm. Before 9pm it's open to all ages. Plan accordingly if your group has people under 21.
Book bays in advance at topgolf.com, especially for weekend evenings. Walk-in availability on Friday and Saturday nights is unreliable. From 19Eleven it's about a 15-minute rideshare, typically $10–15.
Best for: Groups that want an activity night with sports in the background, not a pure game-watching experience. TopGolf is genuinely fun; the sports watching is a bonus, not the main draw.
Downtown Options: Putters and Cricket's
If you'd rather stay closer to campus or chain the bar into a downtown night, two spots are worth knowing:
Putters Bar at 320 S 2nd Street (about 2 miles from 19Eleven) mixes mini golf with a full bar and sports screens. The vibe is younger and more casual — less about serious game watching, more about a group hangout that happens to have sports on. Proximity to downtown makes it easy to combine with dinner or other bars.
Cricket's Grill & Draft House sits in downtown Waco with a large tap selection and a sports bar atmosphere. Not as TV-heavy as Salty Dog, but if you're already downtown for date night or hitting the Waco nightlife circuit, Cricket's works as a game-watching stop without requiring a separate trip north.
Getting There from 19Eleven
None of Waco's dedicated sports bars are walking distance from campus — the main cluster is on N Valley Mills Drive, about 4 miles north. Here's the quick breakdown:
| Venue | Distance from 19Eleven | Rideshare (split 4 ways) |
|---|---|---|
| Salty Dog Sports Bar | ~4 miles | ~$2–3/person |
| Oakley's Texas Bar | ~4 miles | ~$2–3/person |
| The Backyard Bar | ~1.5 miles | ~$1–2/person |
| TopGolf Waco | ~5 miles | ~$3–4/person |
| Putters / Cricket's (downtown) | ~2 miles | ~$1–2/person |
Rideshare is the standard move. Don't drive to a bar night — Waco rideshare prices are low and parking near N Valley Mills can be tight on busy nights.
Game Day Strategy: Tips for Making It Work
Show up early for must-watch games. NFL Sunday games and any Baylor away game that fans care about will fill Salty Dog fast. Get there at 11am when they open if you want a table with a direct TV view for the afternoon slate.
Baylor home game days are secretly great bar days. When the Bears are playing at McLane Stadium, everyone's tailgating or in the stadium — not at sports bars. That makes Saturday home game days quieter at Salty Dog and Oakley's for non-Baylor watching.
Confirm sports packages for out-of-market games. If you specifically want to watch a team that's not the Cowboys or local Texas teams, call ahead to confirm the bar carries the right package (NFL Sunday Ticket, NBA League Pass, etc.).
The Salty Dog → Oakley's route works well. Watch the game at Salty Dog, then walk or rideshare 5 minutes down N Valley Mills to Oakley's to keep the night going with food until 1am. Both bars on the same street makes the transition easy.
Group size matters for seating. Groups of 6+ at Salty Dog or Oakley's may want to call ahead or show up well before the game — bar seating for large groups at prime time can mean waiting.
Quick Comparison: Which Sports Bar in Waco Is Right for You?
- Best overall for game watching: Salty Dog Sports Bar — 30+ TVs, dedicated sports bar atmosphere, opens at 11am daily
- Best for late-night: Oakley's Texas Bar & Grill — kitchen until 1am, open until 2am, right next to Salty Dog
- Best outdoor experience: The Backyard Bar — 40-foot screen, outdoor patio, fire pits, closest to 19Eleven
- Best for a group activity night: TopGolf Waco — sports screens + driving range bays, book in advance
- Best for downtown nights: Putters Bar or Cricket's — mini golf + sports near downtown Waco
Making the Most of Waco's Social Scene
Living off-campus near Baylor means you're in the right spot to explore everything Waco has to offer. For more on what to do when there's no game on, check out our Waco nightlife guide, our things to do downtown guide, or our date night guide for Baylor students.
And on nights you'd rather not leave home, 19Eleven's indoor pool, sports court, and community spaces are right downstairs. See the full picture — schedule a tour or browse floor plans to find your fit.
