On Tuesday, Winking Lizard Tavern, the locally owned Northeast Ohio chain, was officially crowned the best sports bar in the United States in USA TODAY's 2026 Readers' Choice awards. The honor puts a hometown favorite on a national pedestal, highlighting the bar's long-running beer program and rowdy-but-friendly game-day vibe that Cleveland fans already know by heart.
As reported by Cleveland.com, Winking Lizard edged out national chains including Buffalo Wild Wings, Dave & Buster's and Beef O'Brady's to claim the top spot. That coverage notes the recognition is part of USA TODAY's new Readers' Choice awards lineup.
Winners Chosen By Readers
According to USA TODAY, nominees in categories such as Best Local Sports Bar were selected by an expert panel, then handed over to readers to decide the winners. The format mirrors the readers'-choice setup used for USA TODAY's 10Best lists in recent years, so this national sports bar crown came straight from the voting public.
Why The Lizard Stood Out
The chain opened its first tavern in Bedford Heights in 1983 and has spent decades building a reputation for a deep beer list and a menu designed for watching games with a crowd. The history and drink focus highlighted on Winking Lizard help explain how the brand leaned into its identity early and never really let up.
The long-running Tour of Beers program on Winking Lizard encourages customers to sample dozens of brews and chase a 100-beer milestone. Combined with extensive taps, whiskey selections and pub staples like wings, burgers and ribs, those features helped the chain stand out in the national readers' vote.
Winking Lizard now runs multiple locations across Northeast Ohio, including downtown Cleveland, Lakewood, Brunswick, Mentor, Beachwood, Avon and Canton, among others. Cleveland.com breaks down the full winners list and local reaction to the pick.
The national title is a boost for a family-run operation that has long been embedded in Cleveland's sports scene. Whether it brings in more out-of-town visitors or simply cranks up local bragging rights, the win plants a familiar Northeast Ohio name squarely on the national stage.
