Best NFL and college football bars

18th Amendment

Washington, DC

The Capitol Hill bar continues its tradition of welcoming New Orleans Saints fans and the official LSU alumni group for games, discounted wings and $12 pitchers of Abita beer. This year, it is an official viewing site for Georgia Bulldogs fans on Saturdays.

51st State

Washington, DC

D.C.'s only "New York sports team bar" gives priority to games featuring the Super Bowl champion Giants as well as the Jets and the Buffalo Bills on its multiple flat-screen TVs. Look for discounted buckets of New York beers, such as Brooklyn Ale, and "New York dogs" with sauerkraut.

Bailey's Pub and Grille

Arlington, VA

Filled with TVs and taps, the Bailey's in Ballston Common Mall is an official viewing location for Michigan and Virginia Tech alumni.

BlackFinn American Saloon

Washington, DC

As the home of the University of Southern California and University of Tennessee, the downtown branch of BlackFinn gets busy on Saturday afternoons. Thankfully, there are plenty of televisions and plenty of spirit to go around. The various schools' events include raffles, reserved seating and happy hour food and drink specials. On Sundays, the NFL viewing parties including discounted 132-ounce towers of beer and special wing and appetizer platters.

The Bottom Line

Washington, DC

The Bottom Line welcomes Purdue alumni on Saturdays and Cincinnati Bengals fans on Sundays. Both groups get priority seating and drink specials.

Buffalo Billiards

Washington, DC

"Hail to the Victors" lives at Buffalo Billiards on football Saturdays, as Michigan alumni storm the Dupont basement bar. Anyone sporting the school's maize and blue receives drink specials during the game.

Capitol Lounge

Washington, DC

This is little piece of Michigan on Capitol Hill: The Michigan State Spartans enjoy drink specials and football viewing on Saturdays, and Detroit Lions fans take over and sip Bell's beer on Sunday afternoons.

Crystal City Sports Pub

Arlington, VA

One of the area's largest sports bars, with more than 100 televisions over three sprawling floors, the Crystal City Sports Pub has made its name by attracting college alumni groups on Saturday afternoons.

The bar shows so many games that the staff posts maps at the front door telling fans where to go to see each game. The best seats are on the third floor in front of three high-definition projection screens -- one measures 10 feet, the other two are eight feet -- and there's a game room with pool, darts and foosball for hanging out.

Duffy's Irish Restaurant and Pub

Washington, DC

Duffy's turns into a little piece of Green Bay every time the Packers are on TV. Games are shown with full sound, and Packers fans get $4 Leinenkugel pints and $4 brats. (Everyone else can make do with other discounts, which include $14 pitchers of Miller Lite and $3 cans of High Life.)

The Washington Redskins get priority when the Packers aren't on.

The Exchange

Washington, DC

While it's best known as a place for downtown office workers to grab a happy hour drink, the Exchange is also a good place to watch college and NFL football. Notre Dame and Florida State are among the fans watching games on 26 TVs, including a 100-inch HD projection screen. Food and drink specials vary, depending on the teams playing, but often include "all you care to drink" deals.

Hill Country

Washington, DC

As you might expect from a restaurant modeled on a Texas barbecue joint, Hill Country favors the Dallas Cowboys. Specials include 24 smokes wings and a pitcher of Shiner for $32, Texas-style tacos (two for $10) and plates of Texas chili nachos ($10). Don't forget that the daily happy hour runs from 3 to 7 p.m. and again from 10 p.m. to close -- even when games are on.

Jimmy's Old Town Tavern

Herndon, VA

Buffalo native Jimmy Cirrito shows every Bills game at his friendly Herndon bar, with wings served in the proper Buffalo style: Anchor bar sauce and homemade blue cheese.

Kelly's Irish Times

Washington, DC

The D.C. Metro Raiders, an official Oakland Raiders fan club, gathers in the basement -- aka "the Black Hole" -- on game days.

Lou's City Bar

Washington, DC

Wisconsin and Boston College are among the groups watching football just steps from the Columbia Heights Metro. Multiple TVs are set up on the tented patio to allow crowds to enjoy the weather.

Mason Inn

Washington, DC

The Mason Inn is an "SEC-focused sports bar" that draws alumni groups from Ole Miss, Georgia and South Carolina to watch games on 10 flatscreen TVs and a 100-inch projection screen. Drink specials include $5 shots and pitchers that begin at $8.75. Bands and DJs take the stage later in the night.

On Sundays, the focus will be the Baltimore Ravens, though the pitcher specials still apply.

The Mighty Pint

Washington, DC

The Mighty Pint was founded by natives of western Pennsylvania, one of whom went to Penn State. That's why you'll find the bar packed with fans of the Steelers and Nittany Lions every weekend and a menu full of regional specialties, including Primanti Brothers-style sandwiches and Pennsylvania beers.

Mister Days Sports Rock Cafe

Arlington, VA

With more than 70 TVs -- including three huge projection screens -- Georgia Tech and Ohio State alumni should have no problem seeing their teams. On Sundays, this is Redskins territory, though plenty of other jerseys are in the crowd.

Murphy's of Alexandria

Alexandria, VA

Diehard New England Patriots fans pack the second floor of the Alexandria pub, loudly chanting and cheering for their team. Arrive early if you want a seat.

Old Dominion Brewhouse

Washington, DC

During college football season, The University of Alabama brings crowds of fans to the pub to watch games on 25 TVs, and the atmosphere goes from sedate to raucous. Alumni should show up early for raffles and other events, and brush up on the words to the fight song.

Panache Restaurant

Washington, DC

The local Cowboys fan club watches its games at Panache, where amenities include an 80-inch projection screen and free Wi-Fi.

Penn Quarter Sports Tavern

Washington, DC

The two-story building is home to a number of alumni groups on Saturdays, including Oklahoma State, TCU and South Florida. Fans of the Dolphins, Broncos and Seahawks gather there on Sundays. There are 30 flatscreen TVs, all at least 55 inches. Doors open at 11 on Saturday mornings, and the best seats fill quickly.

The Pour House

Washington, DC

Crowds in black and gold start showing up on Pennsylvania Avenue hours before the Steelers kick off. Once inside, there are food and drink specials -- including $10 pitchers -- and a swarm of Terrible Towels until the end of the game. On Saturdays, the Florida Gators take over. (Florida fans also head for Bailey's Pub and Grille in Ballston and the Stained Glass Pub in Elkridge.)

Ragtime

Arlington, VA

Owned and operated by West Virginia alumni, the Arlington bar welcomes football fans for drinks and a "Country Roads" singalong on Saturdays.

Rhodeside Grill

Arlington, VA

It's a sea of burnt orange every Saturday in Arlington as the University of Texas's Longhorns gather for food and drink specials.

The Rhino Bar and Pumphouse

Washington, DC

The epitome of a college sports bar, Rhino Bar and Pumphouse draws official alumni groups from Ohio State and Penn State for Saturday game-watching gatherings, but it also draws students from nearby Georgetown and George Washington universities for ridiculously cheap food and drink deals, including $8 pitchers of domestic beer and 25-cent wings, which are offered from noon to 8 p.m. If you're out of college and want to pretend you're back in school, this is the place.

On Sundays, this is the biggest Philadelphia Eagles bar in the area.

Tommy Joe's

Bethesda, MD

Fans of the New England Patriots and the University of Michigan dominate at this special-heavy Bethesda bar.

Union Pub

Washington, DC

At the Union Pub, framed Mike Ditka and Brian Urlacher jerseys hang on the wall and fans drink Old Style beers and groove to the original "Super Bowl Shuffle." The kitchen serves Chicago-style pizza and hot dogs, and games are featured on 26 TVs, including a 100-inch projection screen on the heated patio. If you're a fan of the Bears -- and you know the words to "Bear Down Chicago Bears," which is blasted after touchdowns -- this is a place you'll want to be on Sundays.

On Saturdays, Union Pub is the home of the local Nebraska Cornhuskers and Florida State Seminoles alumni groups.