Best 9 Places to Watch the Vikings Game in Minneapolis (2025)

Minnesota football fans show up. From downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul to the South Metro suburbs, you can feel the excitement on game day. If you've been wondering where to watch Vikings games in 2025, Minneapolis and the South Metro suburbs have no shortage of high-energy bars, breweries, and neighborhood favorites that bring fans together. 

Whether it's big screens and top-notch audio, happy hour menus and football watch parties, the nine venues below do more than just put the game on – they provide a full fan experience.

In this article, we'll cover the criteria for what makes a great Vikings game-day bar and then dive into the best spots to watch the team across the Twin Cities.

What Makes a Great Vikings Game-Day Bar? 

Great football bars crank up the energy, and some of the best sports bars in Minneapolis combine walls of TVs, fan-packed seating, and food menus built to last you through four quarters. The difference is you don't just watch the game – you feel it, surrounded by the cheers, chants, and collective groans of fellow Vikings fans.

That means: 

• Crowd energy: Shoulder-to-shoulder with fans who cheer (and groan) along with every play. 
• Multiple big screens: So, you never miss a snap from any seat in the house. 
• Clear audio: The play-by-play should be at the forefront, not some generic playlist.
• Game-long specials: Beer towers, burger baskets, and "never run out" wings. 

Go big with jersey giveaways, purple cocktails or themed nights, and you have game day itself to work with. 

Nine Best Bars for Vikings Games in the Twin Cities 

If you're wondering where to watch the game Minneapolis fans already know the answer – gather at one of these high-energy spots packed with purple pride.

#1 Boardwalk Kitchen & Bar: The South Metro's Game-Day HQ 

Boardwalk Kitchen & Bar has become the South Metro's go-to destination for Vikings games. Just minutes from Minneapolis, Boardwalk Kitchen & Bar has the whole package: a lively crowd of regulars, crystal clear sound on every TV, and seating that keeps you in the game without feeling packed in. Oh, did we mention our to die for menu? 

Boardwalk Kitchen & Bar is part of a growing entertainment district near Canterbury Park and Mystic Lake Casino Hotel. It's an easy stop for out-of-town fans heading to the suburbs on a weekend. At the same time, the vibe is equal parts upscale and down-to-earth, so it's ideal for anyone who wants a high-energy game-day bar without the downtown hustle. 

Tip: Call ahead for high-traffic games like the Vikings home opener on September 14 against the Atlanta Falcons to ensure you get a table. 

We Have Comfortable, Strategic Seating 

Boardwalk Kitchen & Bar was designed with fans in mind. The bar wraps around the main floor, so you have good sightlines to HD screens throughout no matter where you're seated. Other sports bars force you to crane your neck; at Boardwalk Kitchen & Bar you can sit back and relax and watch the game from start to finish.

We Have Big Screens and the Best Angles 

True fan favorites are the bars with big screens where every play feels larger than life, no matter where you're seated. Boardwalk Kitchen & Bar features a collection of wall-mounted HD screens, each with crisp game audio tuned to perfection. You can even watch replays projected from across the room. 

For what it's worth, a few other Minneapolis spots have some conveniences, too:

• Downtown Minneapolis spot Tom's Watch Bar is famous for its "wall of screens" effect
• St. Paul's Obb's Sports Bar & Grill has TVs in nearly every corner, plus always-on audio
• St. Paul's Half Time Rec mixes in a projector setup for large groups

But Boardwalk Kitchen & Bar has just as much fun with Vikings games, thanks to clear visuals, great sound, and a layout made for fans.

Boardwalk Kitchen & Bar Game-Day Specials That Hit 

Vikings fans know that the right football bar specials, from beer towers to endless wings, make game day even better. Boardwalk Kitchen & Bar's game-day menu leans into tailgate staples, like wings, nachos, loaded burgers, and shareable plates to keep the crowd going. 

Happy hour pricing all game long? Definitely. Game-time beers, seasonal cocktails, and signature drinks are always available to keep you feeling charged. But don't forget the rest of Boardwalk Kitchen & Bar's menu, either, including entrées and desserts, because all Vikings fans need a sweet finish, too. 

Where to Catch the Vikings Games, Playoffs, Prime Time & More 

Fans looking for where to catch the Vikings game outside of downtown will find spots like Boardwalk Kitchen & Bar, Whiskey Inferno, and Crooked Pint delivering just as much excitement as the big-city bars. 

Boardwalk Kitchen & Bar is the South Metro's HQ, but it's not the only game in town. From Savage to St. Paul, these venues turn Sunday into a full Minnesota Vikings viewing party, complete with jerseys, cheers, and plenty of purple. Check out a few more spots for your next Vikings game-day celebration.

#2 Tom's Watch Bar (Minneapolis) 

If you're planning to watch NFL games in Minneapolis, spots like Tom's Watch Bar deliver a downtown experience that rivals being in the stadium. Tom's Watch Bar is steps from Target Field, and fans can expect big walls of big screens and a buzzing downtown crowd. Get ready for big-game energy, themed cocktails, and a shareable menu at Tom's Watch Bar. 

#3 Obb's Sports Bar & Grill (St. Paul) 

Obb's is a St. Paul institution with decades of dedicated fans. The vibe here is like an old-school neighborhood football bar, with drink specials all game long and plenty of football bar seating.

#4 Half Time Rec (St. Paul) 

Half Time Rec mixes Irish pub charm with sports bar energy. Their projector setup and craft beer list make them one of the top sports bars in Minneapolis/St. Paul for fans who want a good pint to go with their touchdowns.

#5 The Rabbit Hole (Minneapolis) 

The Rabbit Hole, inside Minneapolis' Midtown Global Market, is a diamond in the rough for watching football. Creative cocktails, Korean-inspired eats, and big screens for all the action provide a fun, new twist on Vikings game-day bar culture.

#6 Whiskey Inferno Meat House (Savage) 

Whiskey Inferno has a more upscale spin on the South Metro game-day scene. Think smoky meats, whiskey flights, and TVs tuned to every play. It's a great alternative for fans from nearby Prior Lake and Savage, but it's popular across the metro area.

#7 Shakopee Brewhall (Shakopee) 

Shakopee Brewhall combines craft beer with a relaxed community feel. Football fans gather here for local watch parties with seasonal brews and plenty of small-batch options.

#8 Brindisi's Pub (Prior Lake) 

Brindisi's Pub is located in the heart of the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres complex. It's the community feel, combined with TVs across the bar and a steady stream of locals, that make this spot a fan favorite for football watch parties.

#9 Crooked Pint Ale House (Chaska) 

You know Crooked Pint for its Juicy Lucys, but it also serves as a must-stop NFL game bar in the southwest suburbs. Add big screens, hearty portions, and a flood of purple gear every Sunday, and you have a recipe for success. 

When the postseason arrives, these local bars for playoffs become gathering spots where fans ride the highs and lows together.

Watch the Vikings' 2025 Season Opener in Style 

Fans already making plans for where to see the Vikings opener matchups should lock in their tables early at Boardwalk Kitchen & Bar or other metro favorites. With limited seating and plenty of demand, you won't want to be stuck scrambling on game day.

The Vikings' season opener is on the road on September 8 against the Chicago Bears (7:15 p.m. kickoff). The first home game is September 14 against the Atlanta Falcons (7: 20 p.m. kickoff) and it will surely fill local bars across Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the South Metro.

Now is the time to secure your football watch party plans, whether that's gathering a crew for burgers and beer towers or locking in a spot with family-style seating and game-day specials. The easy answer for anyone still asking where to watch Vikings games this season is to head to venues like Boardwalk Kitchen & Bar, where food, drinks, and crowd energy make every Sunday unforgettable.

The Next Best Thing to Being at U.S. Bank Stadium

Whether you're watching from the heart of Minneapolis, across the river in St. Paul, or south of the city in spots like Savage, Shakopee, or Prior Lake, these nine venues listed above have you covered. 

So, grab your crew, throw on your jersey, and get ready to cheer because game day in Minnesota isn't just about football. It's about tradition, community, and a whole lot of purple pride. 

Whether you're in the Twin Cities or South Metro, you never have to ask yourself where to catch the Vikings game again, since these nine venues offer the closest thing to being at US Bank Stadium.