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5 best sports bars that Steelers fans need to see before they die

Ryan Pawloski
Ryan Pawloski

Still Curtain

Fans of US American football team Pitsburgh Steelers watch a game at Malafama bar of Condesa neighborhood in Mexico City on November 13, 2016.As the National Football League (NFL) regular season returns to Mexico on Monday night, the rise of the Liga de Futbol Americano Profesional (LFA) is another sign of the growing passion for the sport in this country where soccer is king. The NFL estimates that it has 25 million fans in Mexico, the most outside the United States.As the NFL returns to Mexico with a regular season game next Monday night, passion for the sport is soaring in this country where the round ball game of football is king. The National Football League estimates that it has 25 million fans in Mexico, a nation of 120 million people, making it the second most popular sport. / AFP / ALFREDO ESTRELLA / TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY LAURENT THOMET (Photo credit should read ALFREDO ESTRELLA/AFP via Getty Images)

The Steelers have loyal fans all around the world and there are some cool sports bars to go watch a game at because of it. 

The Steelers carry one of the top and most expansive fan bases in the NFL. They have people representing the team around the country and even around the world. There are many different people and places that can be found included in Steelers Nation.

Going to a bar or restaurant to watch a football game is an old-time tradition that still continues to this day. There is something unique about the experience of going to a place and watching a football game with other fans around you. It allows you a sense of familiarity with people that would otherwise be strangers to you.

Keeping you together is the main connection of rooting for Pittsburgh’s football team. It has been a storied franchise that has been able to expand its image all over the planet. These are the best Steelers bars that you need to check out before you die.

Carson City Saloon: Pittsburgh, PA.

Carson City Saloon is one of the more known Steelers bars in Pittsburgh. Many fans will flock there on gamedays and enjoy the ambiance of rooting for the black and gold. It gets packed in the building as the sea of Steelers colors starts to look more like sardines.

The atmosphere is electric as everyone there will be rooting for their favorite team to emerge victorious. The saloon is located on East Carson Street, and you might have the chance of missing some of the traffic from the game once it lets out. After a win, you might want to stick around for a couple of extra food drinks to celebrate.

Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers fans watch Super Bowl XLV (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Buxy’s Salty Dog Saloon is a Steelers safe haven in Ocean City, MD.

Many people from the Pittsburgh area tend to head toward Ocean City, Maryland during the summer months. There are a lot of former residents of the Pittsburgh area that have permanently relocated to this common vacation spot. That has led to many different Steelers connections over the years.

There are many notable bars in Ocean City and the surrounding location, but many fans of the black and gold need to check out this spot. Do not go to the Purple Mouse or Seacrets during a Steelers game, you need to go to Buxy’s Salty Dog Saloon.

This place is not only a Steelers fan’s safe spot but a place that brings Pittsburgh to the shores of Ocean City. It was started up by the owner, Douglas Buxbaum who is originally from Johnstown, PA. He moved to Ocean City after graduating from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He brought home with him, and this place has become a notable hot spot for fans.

This bar has been in operation since it opened in April of 1999. He holds watch parties for any fans of the black and gold that wish to gravitate to his bar to watch the game. Many have gone here during the summer months as well to see how the décor looks, which will remind them of the Steel City.

Steelers
Fans of US American football team Pitsburgh Steelers watch a game  (Photo credit should read ALFREDO ESTRELLA/AFP via Getty Images)

McFadden’s is an iconic Steelers bar in Pittsburgh, PA.

McFadden’s restaurant and saloon has become a well-known Steelers bar in the city that the franchise calls home. This bar is located next to many of the popular public venues in the city like Heinz Field, PNC Park, and Stage AE. Many people will flock to this bar during all points of the year but gamedays are different.

When Pittsburgh football is in town and the game is coming up, fans will flock here. Both groups will either go to the actual game or others will stay to watch. When the Steelers are on the road for game day, this bar will still be full of spectators that will have their eyes glued to the screens.

This is a place to check out if you are coming to Pittsburgh for a visit. McFadden’s will give you the full experience that many Steelers fans want to have, especially if they do not live in the city. Most fans will be there and actively participating in rooting for the black and gold.

For those interested, this bar is known for its nightlife, but there are other things to do besides drinking. Eating during a game is something that many fans like to enjoy, and this place has tons of options. They have different kinds of bar foods and a lot of space to move around and hang out with other fans.

A general view shows the ancient Colosseum (Colosseo) before the Via Crucis (Way of the Cross) procession of Good Friday, on April 15, 2022 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Antonio Masiello/Getty Images)
A general view shows the ancient Colosseum (Colosseo) before the Via Crucis (Way of the Cross) procession of Good Friday, on April 15, 2022 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Antonio Masiello/Getty Images)

La Botticella Pub celebrates Steelers fandom from Rome, Italy

Some might remember Franco Harris’s Italian army during the 70s dynasty for this franchise. Well, this bar takes that meaning to a whole other level. La Botticella Pub roots for the Steelers on the opposite side of the world from Rome, Italy.

Many might not comprehend how crazy it is for a place in Italy to have a bar dedicated to this franchise in Pittsburgh. Soccer (football), or calcio as it is known over there, dominates the popularity and many do not know much about the American sport. It is a sight to behold as they hold many different relics over there that carry the black and gold colors.

La Botticella roughly translates to, “the barrel”, as they bring a nice variety of alcohol to their pub. There are many different things that hang from the ceiling that will put a smile on a Steelers fan’s face. Different jerseys and banners hang from the walls that show the pride of their Pittsburgh fandom.

The biggest piece that this pub holds inside its walls is the tall Jesus statue that stands near the bar counter. He is wearing a Steelers helmet trying to give the club some extra help to get some wins. It is truly a sight to behold and something each fan needs to go check out if they ever end up in Italy.

Fans walk across the Roberto Clemente bridge prior to the Opening Day game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Detroit Tigers at PNC Park (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
Fans walk across the Roberto Clemente bridge prior to the Opening Day game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Detroit Tigers at PNC Park (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Primanti Bros, Pittsburgh, PA.

If you went into this list thinking that any other place would make the top spot, you were sadly mistaken. It does not get much more Pittsburgh than Primanti Brothers, especially the original location in the Strip District. That is where their story began and has expanded to many different states around the United States.

It started off as a sandwich shop for truck drivers that needed a quick and easy meal. The iconic sandwich of French fries, tomato, Cole slaw, meat, and cheese was born. All of that is slapped in between two thick slices of Italian bread.

The truck drivers enjoyed this idea as it was quick, and your meal was all together at once. They could eat on the road and keep moving along. This led to some future options and eventual expansion to other locations, which also hold some Pittsburgh flair as well with many things from the city in the restaurant.

The Steelers fans coming into town need to go to this place to experience not only the sandwich but the game itself on the big screen. It is always a fun time going to Primanti Bros. and the food is always amazing. It does not get any more Pittsburgh than this restaurant when it comes to the food that represents this city.

The Steelers have one of the biggest fan bases in the NFL. You can find a bar to go watch with fellow fans all over the country and the world.

Ryan Pawloski

Ryan Pawloski

Ryan Pawloski is a graduate of Penn State University with a degree in Journalism, where he was their co-editor at their newspaper. He has been covering the Steelers for over five years as a contributor with Still Curtain. Covering the Steelers follows 26 years and counting of him being a fan. Ryan's knowledge of football continues to grow along with the game itself. He also works for the University of Pittsburgh in their cancer research section. Besides sports, he enjoys spending time with family and friends.