Fans watching the Super Bowl inside a Northern Michigan sports bar with multiple TVs and a lively game-day atmosphere

Best Sports Bars to Watch the Super Bowl in Northern Michigan

Watching the Super Bowl in Northern Michigan offers a uniquely local experience that blends passionate football fans, welcoming small-town sports bars, and hearty comfort food. From Mackinaw City and Cheboygan to Petoskey, Charlevoix, and Traverse City, Super Bowl Sunday is less about flashy venues and more about community, conversation, and staying for the entire game.

Unlike larger cities, Northern Michigan sports bars focus on big screens, clear sound, reliable food service, and an atmosphere where the game remains the centerpiece. Expect early arrivals, full bars by kickoff, and crowds that react together to every touchdown, turnover, and halftime moment. Whether you prefer a high-energy pub, a craft beer taproom, or a classic local bar, Northern Michigan offers excellent places to watch the Super Bowl without crowds feeling overwhelming or impersonal.

This guide breaks down the best cities and sports bars in Northern Michigan for Super Bowl Sunday, including atmosphere, local favorites, and where to arrive early to secure the best seats.

Mackinaw City Super Bowl Sunday Atmosphere

Super Bowl Sunday in Mackinaw City has a distinctly local, close-knit feel. This is a town where bartenders know regulars by name and visitors are quickly welcomed into the conversation. While Mackinaw City is quieter in the winter months, Super Bowl Sunday brings energy back into its core taverns, with locals gathering early, televisions tuned well before kickoff, and bar stools filling up fast.

Expect a relaxed but spirited environment. Conversations revolve around football matchups, hometown pride, and shared plates of comfort food. There is less of a party-club vibe and more of a classic sports-bar experience where the game itself is the main event. For travelers staying nearby or passing through northern Michigan, Mackinaw City offers an authentic, no-frills Super Bowl atmosphere rooted in tradition.

Mackinaw City Sports Bars for the Super Bowl

Bière de Mac Brew Works

Bière de Mac Brew Works is Mackinaw City’s craft-beer destination and a reliable place to watch major sporting events. The taproom atmosphere is relaxed but lively, with multiple televisions and a strong local following.

Advertised deals and perks include:

  • Straits Club membership benefits

  • $2 off 16-oz beers anytime for members

  • Thursday specials with half-price appetizers and additional beer discounts

  • Growler fill discounts for members

This location is ideal for viewers who prioritize Michigan craft beer alongside the game.

Keyhole Bar & Grill

The Keyhole Bar & Grill is one of Mackinaw City’s most recognizable sports bars, famous for its massive burger menu, eclectic decor, and walls covered in thousands of keys. The bar features numerous televisions positioned throughout the dining room.

What to expect:

  • Large burgers, shareable appetizers, and classic bar food

  • Rotating daily food and drink specials

  • High-energy atmosphere on major sports nights

Exact Super Bowl specials vary year to year, but this is one of the most consistently busy game-day venues in town.

Dixie Saloon and O’Reilly’s Irish Pub

A long-standing Mackinaw City institution, the Dixie Saloon combines steakhouse dining with a classic pub atmosphere. It is frequently recommended by locals for watching sports.

Typical offerings include:

  • Steak and burger specials

  • Beer and dinner combinations

  • A traditional saloon setting with multiple televisions

Cheboygan Super Bowl Sunday Atmosphere

Cheboygan’s Super Bowl Sunday atmosphere feels personal and deeply local. This is a town where football is watched collectively, not quietly. Bars fill with familiar faces, and newcomers are quickly folded into conversations about teams, referees, and halftime predictions. The tone is friendly, unpretentious, and centered on shared enjoyment rather than spectacle.

Expect smaller venues with big personalities. Televisions are prominent, sound is on, and reactions are genuine. Cheboygan is ideal for viewers who value community over crowds and prefer a laid-back but engaged Super Bowl environment.

Cheboygan Sports Bars for the Super Bowl

Cheboygan Brewing Company

Cheboygan Brewing Company offers a welcoming taproom experience with house-brewed beers and televisions for sports viewing.

Advertised specials include:

  • Friday happy hour from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm with discounted pints

  • Mug club and loyalty-based perks

  • Seasonal beer releases that rotate frequently

This is a strong choice for viewers who want a quieter, brewery-focused Super Bowl experience.

Johnnie’s Bar

Johnnie’s Bar is a classic Cheboygan dive bar with a surprisingly strong sports-bar setup. The interior features big-screen TVs, pool tables, shuffleboard, and an authentic local crowd.

Highlights:

  • Simple bar menu with burgers and beer

  • Famous for serving beer in chilled mini glasses

  • Casual, no-frills environment perfect for watching the game with locals

Hoppies Tavern at Burt Lake

Located just south of Cheboygan, Hoppies Tavern is well known for its Friday fish dinners and hearty comfort food.

What guests often look for:

  • Friday all-you-can-eat fish specials

  • Walleye and perch dinners

  • Large dining room with televisions suitable for group viewing

Petoskey Super Bowl Sunday Atmosphere

Petoskey offers one of the most balanced Super Bowl environments in northern Michigan. Downtown venues bring a lively but polished feel, while neighborhood bars maintain a welcoming, relaxed pace. On Super Bowl Sunday, Petoskey feels energetic without being overwhelming, with early arrivals claiming prime seats and bartenders preparing for a steady, all-day crowd.

The atmosphere is social and upbeat, with a mix of locals, weekend visitors, and football fans looking for quality food and drink alongside the game. This city is ideal for those who want options and flexibility, from historic pubs to modern brewpubs.

Petoskey Sports Bars for the Super Bowl

Side Door Saloon

The Side Door Saloon is one of Petoskey’s most dependable sports bars, offering a family-friendly environment with multiple large TVs throughout the space.

Advertised specials include:

  • Happy hour Monday through Saturday from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm

  • Rotating nightly dinner specials

  • Prime rib and seafood features on select nights

This is a strong option for groups that want food variety and consistent service during the game.

City Park Grill

City Park Grill blends historic charm with a true sports-bar feel. Located downtown, it offers excellent sightlines to TVs from nearly every seat.

Happy hour offerings typically include:

  • Monday through Friday from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm

  • Half-price appetizers

  • Discounted draft beers, cocktails, and wine

Its central location makes it easy to combine the game with an evening downtown.

Noggin Room Pub

Located beneath the Perry Hotel, the Noggin Room Pub provides an intimate sports-watching environment with live music on select nights.

Advertised deals:

  • Happy hour Monday through Friday from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm

  • Discounts on drafts, wine, well drinks, and select appetizers

  • Casual pub menu and relaxed crowd

Rare Bird Brewpub

Rare Bird Brewpub is a favorite for craft beer lovers in Petoskey and Traverse City alike.

Happy hour details:

  • Monday through Friday from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm

  • Discounts on house beers and wine pours

  • Reduced-price well cocktails

Charlevoix Super Bowl Sunday Atmosphere

Charlevoix’s Super Bowl scene is understated but warmly social. The town’s bars favor conversation, comfort, and quality over volume. On Super Bowl Sunday, venues fill with locals looking to enjoy the game without distraction, making the experience feel intimate and communal.

Expect a calmer pace than larger cities, with an emphasis on good food, good drinks, and steady viewing. Charlevoix is perfect for fans who want to watch the Super Bowl in a relaxed setting with consistent service and welcoming staff.

Charlevoix Sports Bars for the Super Bowl

The Villager Pub

The Villager Pub is a Charlevoix staple known for its burgers, fish dinners, and approachable sports-bar environment.

What makes it popular:

  • Large portions and classic comfort food

  • Televisions throughout the dining area

  • Welcoming atmosphere for families and groups

Bridge Street Tap Room

Overlooking Round Lake, Bridge Street Tap Room offers a more refined sports-bar experience with an emphasis on Michigan craft beverages.

Key features:

  • Over 30 rotating taps of Michigan beer

  • Wine and cider options

  • Indoor seating with TVs and seasonal outdoor seating

While not known for deep discounts, it excels in quality and location.

Town House Bar

Town House Bar is a traditional neighborhood bar with a loyal local following.

Expect:

  • Pool tables, jukebox music, and televised games

  • Affordable drinks

  • A laid-back Super Bowl crowd

Traverse City Super Bowl Sunday Atmosphere

Traverse City has the most dynamic Super Bowl environment in northern Michigan. Bars fill early, crowds are energetic, and multiple venues compete for the best game-day experience. Expect a city-wide buzz, with fans hopping between locations, arriving early for seats, and staying through post-game analysis.

The atmosphere ranges from high-energy pubs to relaxed taprooms, making Traverse City ideal for both serious football fans and social viewers.

Traverse City Sports Bars for the Super Bowl

Kilkenny’s Irish Pub

Kilkenny’s Irish Pub is one of Traverse City’s top sports-watching venues, located beneath North Peak Brewing Company.

Weekly specials often include:

  • Happy hour Monday through Friday from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm with discounted appetizers

  • Trivia nights and themed drink specials

  • Pitcher and pizza combinations on select nights

  • Industry night discounts on Sundays

The pub features multiple TVs, dart boards, and pool tables.

Rare Bird Brewpub

Rare Bird’s Traverse City location offers the same happy hour structure and craft-beer focus as its Petoskey counterpart, making it a dependable Super Bowl destination.

7 Monks Taproom

7 Monks Taproom is known for its extensive beer list and communal seating.

Highlights:

  • Rotating tap list with dozens of options

  • Multiple TVs throughout the bar

  • Popular game-day atmosphere in downtown Traverse City

Planning Tip for Super Bowl Weekend in Northern Michigan

Super Bowl seating fills quickly in Northern Michigan, especially in Petoskey and Traverse City. Arriving early, calling ahead to confirm specials, and considering weekday happy-hour overlap can significantly improve the experience.

For travelers planning a Northern Michigan Super Bowl weekend, pairing game-day viewing with a multi-night stay allows for relaxed travel, dining flexibility, and access to multiple venues across the region.

Read other posts