Where To Watch The Olympics

It’s hard to imagine many places better to watch the 2024 Paris Olympics than Long Beach. After all, few cities can match Long Beach’s Olympic credentials, whether it’s producing more Olympic medal winners than many nations or being the site for numerous Olympic events in the 1932, 1984 and upcoming 2028 Games. What’s more, Long Beach has a vibrant sports bar scene that includes the nation’s first full-time sports bar as well as a recently opened, female-focused sports bar.

Watch Me! Sports Bar

Opening just in time for the 2024 Games, Watch Me! Sports Bar (6527 E Pacific Coast Hwy) is a pioneering venue dedicated to celebrating women’s sports. Located in the Marketplace, in the space that formerly housed Playa Amor Mexican Cocina, Watch Me! offers an elevated gastro pub experience with a menu featuring sustainably sourced, seasonal local ingredients. There’s also a diverse drink selection, from craft cocktails to artisanal coffees.

Shannon's On Pine

No matter what time the event you want to watch is occurring, Shannon’s on Pine (209 Pine Ave.) is there for you by offering breakfast, lunch and dinner. This downtown gathering spot has plenty of big screens and stays open until 1AM, Monday through Thursday, and 2AM Friday and Saturday. Serving variations of Mexican dishes and burgers, Shannon’s also has very popular wings, as well as birria beef short ribs and the blow-your-mind glory that is its pastrami chili cheese fries.

Legends

The nation’s first dedicated sports bar, Legends (5236 E. Second St.) has more than 30-plus HD TVs, including two massive projection screens–240- and 326-inches wide–that will almost make you feel like you’re watching in Paris. Almost. Of course, there’s also Legends’, well, legendary wings that range in flavor from original buffalo to lemon pepper to Thai sweet chili, BBQ, habanero and Cajun.

Ficklewood Ciderworks

This popular East Village destination–offering a wide variety of some of the most unique ciders to be found in Southern California, is getting into the Games by offering its own Cider Olympics. On Saturday, July 27 at 2PM, you can watch the Olympics at Ficklewood (720 E Broadway) and participate in their Cider Olympics. Teams of 2 or 4 can participate. Participants drink for 30% off during the event so everyone’s a winner!

Dave & Buster's

You can watch virtually every Olympic event occurring at any moment on Dave & Buster's (7515 Carson Blvd) massive, 40-foot-wide, ultra-high-definition LED screen that shows multiple channels simultaneously. What’s more, literally, Dave & Busters’ massive 41,000-square-foot space featuring 180 games of all descriptions and tech levels–old school skeeball to virtual reality–allows you to cobble together and compete in your own arcade Olympics!

Shenanigans

Not only does Shenanigans (423 Shoreline Village Dr., Suite A) have scads of TVs to watch the Games, but also pool tables to play your own. It also has one of the best views of the ocean off the Long Beach waterfront, the same ocean that, four years from now, will host Olympic sailing and marathon swimming competitions. This Irish pub has plenty of pints and plates including wings, burgers and some dishes with a decidedly Irish flare such as a corned beef burger, shepherd’s pie and, yes, Irish nachos.

About the Author

Steve Lowery

Steve Lowery is a longtime local. Over the years he has written for the Los Angeles Times, ESPN, and others. If you're looking for the hidden gems of Long Beach, Steve is your go-to.