Missing that game day experience this fall? Check out some of these local bars.

Let’s face it: COVID-19 hasn’t made it easy on us sports fans, either. 

We’re not allowed to attend MLB, NBA or NHL games right now. And in late August, the Detroit Lions announced they’ll play their home games without fans in the stands through at least October.

Should the pandemic’s conditions improve, the Lions are hoping fans can be present for games at Ford Field at some point in November, hopefully in time for their annual Thanksgiving Day game, which is against the Houston Texans on Nov. 26. 

But there’s no guarantee COVID-19 will improve, and a fall flare-up of the coronavirus is always possible. 

The whole pandemic has put a damper on fans’ plans this NFL season. There are no games to attend here in Michigan for the foreseeable future, nor will there be any tailgating. It’s also advised to keep gatherings, such as football watch parties as minimal as possible to avoid spreading the infection. 

At least one way to enjoy football with family and friends this fall, though, is to do so at a local restaurant or bar. Those establishments must follow state mandates to keep a safe and clean environment. Tables are socially-distanced, capacity has been limited and cleanliness has never been more important. 

Many places are set up to give fans the best gameday experience they could ask for since going to an actual game isn’t possible. 

We called around and even asked our readers on social media what some of the most fun bars to watch football at are in the Blue Water Area. The responses poured in for places that have awesome TVs showing several games at a time, plenty of craft beer on tap and money-saving specials on food and drinks. 

The NFL schedule kicks off in earnest today (Sunday, Sept. 13), so we’ve come up with a list of 11 bars in the area that would meet any diehard football fan’s needs. 

Be sure to check out one of the places listed below (bars and restaurants are listed alphabetically):

Bench Warmers Sports Bar & Grill

440 Sanilac Rd., Sandusky

facebook.com/BenchWarmersSandusky/

TVs/screens: 7

Beers on tap: 12

Craft beer available: Yes

Beer bottles available: Yes

Wine/liquor available: Yes

Most popular food item: Quesadillas and burgers (kitchen is closed on Sundays)

Gameday specials: 50 cents off beer, liquor during happy hour (noon-5 p.m.)

COVID-19 capacity restrictions: Inside seating is at half capacity (10 tables that fit six customers each; 15 seats along the bar); outdoor and deck seating available

Hours open: Kitchen is open noon-8 p.m., Monday-Saturday; Bar is open noon-midnight, Sunday-Thursday, and noon-2 a.m., Friday and Saturday

Blue Water Sports Bar & Grill

8 N Ridge Rd., Port Sanilac

bluewater.org/member-detail/blue-water-sports-bar-grill/

TVs/screens: 6

Beers on tap: 11

Craft beer available: Yes

Beer bottles available: Yes

Wine/liquor available: Yes

Most popular food item: Pizza

Gameday specials: Yet to be determined 

COVID-19 capacity restrictions: Inside seating is at half capacity (about 100 seats); no outdoor seating

Hours open: 11 a.m.-2 a.m., Monday-Friday; 8 a.m.-2 a.m., Saturday and Sunday

Buffalo Wild Wings

4355 24th Ave

buffalowildwings.com

TVs/screens: 40

Beers on tap: 18

Craft beer available: Yes

Beer bottles available: Yes

Wine/liquor available: Yes

Most popular food item: Boneless wings

Gameday specials: Tall drafts of Coors Light and Miller Lite for $3; $4 appetizers during happy hour (2-6 p.m., 9 p.m.-close)

COVID-19 capacity restrictions: Inside seating is at half capacity; no outdoor seating available

Hours open: 11.a.m.-midnight, Sunday-Wednesday; 11 a.m.-1 a.m., Thursday-Saturday

Casey’s Pizza and Subs

628 Huron Ave

pizzaporthuron.com

TVs/screens: 10

Beers on tap: 12

Craft beer available: Yes, rotating selection

Beer bottles available: Yes, 30-40 rotating

Wine/liquor available: Yes

Most popular food item: Pizza and breadsticks

Gameday specials: None, closed on Sundays

COVID-19 capacity restrictions: Inside seating is at half capacity; outdoor seating available depending on weather

Hours open: Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.-midnight; closed on Sundays

Champions Sports Bar & Grill

116 S Main St., Capac

facebook.com/ChampionsCapac/

TVs/screens: 7

Beers on tap: 6

Craft beer available: Sometimes

Beer bottles available: Yes

Wine/liquor available: Yes

Most popular food items: Champions clubhouse wrap

Gameday specials: Yet to be determined

COVID-19 capacity restrictions: Inside seating is at half capacity (about 50 seats); no outdoor seating available

Hours open: 4-10 p.m., Monday-Wednesday; 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Friday and Saturday; noon-9 p.m., Sunday

Fieldhouse Sports Bar & Kitchen

1106 Gratiot Blvd., Marysville

thefieldhousemarysville.com/

TVs/screens: 20+

Beers on tap: 24

Craft beer available: Yes

Beer bottles available: Yes

Wine/liquor available: Yes

Most popular food items: Burgers and wings

Gameday specials: 75-cent wings and rotating draft beer specials

COVID-19 capacity restrictions: Inside seating is at half capacity (about 60 seats); outdoor patio seating available

Hours open: 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Monday-Thursday (will stay open later for Monday Night Football); 11 a.m.-midnight, Friday and Saturday; noon-10 p.m., Sunday

Gar’s Lounge 

142 S Water St, Marine City

facebook.com/garsmarinecity/

TVs/screens: 5

Beers on tap: 8

Craft beer available: Yes

Beer bottles available: Yes

Wine/liquor available: Yes

Most popular food item: Burgers

Gameday specials: Yet to be determined

COVID-19 capacity restrictions: Inside seating is at half capacity; outdoor seating available

Hours open: noon-9 p.m., Sunday-Thursday; noon-10 p.m., Friday and Saturday

Tailgators Sports Bar

1934 Lapeer Ave.

facebook.com/tailgatorsporthuron/

TVs/screens: 10

Beers on tap: 6

Craft beer available: Yes

Beer bottles available: Yes

Wine/liquor available: Yes

Most popular food item: No food available; Outside food is welcome to be brought in

Gameday specials: Yet to be determined 

COVID-19 capacity restrictions: Inside seating is at half capacity (about 49 seats); outdoor patio seating available

Hours open: 7 a.m.-2 p.m., Monday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-2 a.m., Friday-Sunday

Village Pub

7318 Huron Ave, Lexington

villagepublexington.com/

TVs/screens: 13

Beers on tap: 8-15

Craft beer available: Yes

Beer bottles available: Yes

Wine/liquor available: Yes

Most popular food items: Burgers, chicken tenders and salads

Gameday specials: Yet to be determined

COVID-19 capacity restrictions: Inside seating is at half capacity (about 100 seats); outdoor patio seating available

Hours open: Closed Monday-Wednesday; noon-8 p.m., Thursday; noon-10 p.m., Friday and Saturday; noon-8 p.m., Sunday (will stay open later depending on the games)

Water Tower Sports Pub

7245 Lakeshore Rd., Lexington

watertowersportspub.com/

TVs/screens: 5

Beers on tap: 21, all Michigan made

Craft beer available: Yes

Beer bottles available: Yes

Wine/liquor available: Yes

Most popular food items: Pizza

Gameday specials: None

COVID-19 capacity restrictions: Inside seating is at half capacity (42 seats); outdoor patio seating available

Hours open: Closed Monday and Tuesday; 4-8 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday; noon-8 p.m., Friday-Sunday

Wings, Etc. 

330 Quay St.

wingsetc.com

TVs/screens: 30

Beers on tap: 24, including six brewed in house

Craft beer available: Yes

Beer bottles available: Yes

Wine/liquor available: Yes

Most popular food items: Philly cheesesteak, nachos and pretzel bites

Gameday specials: $17 for 100-oz tanker beer towers; 69-cent boneless and traditional Wing Day Mondays; fantasy football draft parties available; more specials to be announced later this fall

COVID-19 capacity restrictions: Inside seating is at half capacity; outdoor and patio seating available

Hours open: 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Monday-Thursday (kitchen closes a half hour early); 11 a.m.-midnight, Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Sunday

Brandon Folsom is the sports reporter at the Times Herald. Do you have a story idea? Email him at bfolsom@gannett.com. Click here to follow him on Twitter.