The five best places to watch a Pittsburgh Steelers game
Hopefully as we’re approaching going back to normal, we can once again talk about the best way to watch some Steelers games – away from home!
After being locked in during the pandemic, and during a slow news cycle before free agency drops, I thought it would be a good idea to discuss where hardcore Steelers fans should watch their favorite team.
I came up with this short list, but I’m sure you’ll have your own! Feel free to peruse this article and then add yours in the comments section below.
Heinz Field
There’s no single place better than watching a game at the Steelers home stadium. While I know I’m stating the obvious, there are some folks who prefer the comfort of their living rooms or man caves, thinking every NFL fan is a raging drunk ready to get in a fight.
While there’s a few bad apples out there, I can honestly attest to having seen very few fights in over my decade of attending games at Heinz Field. While the pro game may not be the best environment for kids (late night starts, expensive tickets and/or food) it’s the perfect place for a group of buddies to cheer on the Black and Gold: there’s nothing quite like the rush of 65,000+ fans waving Terrible Towels.
The team ensures Steelers fans get the best experience as well with many hospitality offerings, and a fan hotline within the stadium in case you do spot some unsavory behavior.
Moreover, if you’re sports betting or casino gaming fan, you can discover the best PA online casinos listed here. There’s also a casino a stone throw’s away from the building and the entire state of Pennsylvania has legalized betting on sports too, giving our gambling and fantasy football fans another taste of football action!
Tailgate Lots
If you can’t secure a ticket to the game, you can always watch or listen from right outside of the venue.
Honestly, if you’re just in town for a moment and want to take in the sights, I encourage you to do so. During a normal game day, Art Rooney Ave. is closed off to traffic and becomes a mini festival of sorts, complete with food vendors (think county fairs!) as well as Steelers merchandise tents, and even the occasional sound stage.
Better yet, you can bring your own gear and tailgate as you’d like in any of the surrounding lots (though some prohibit open flames and grills, so check on that first). If you can power a flat panel TV from your car, all that’s needed is an antenna and you’re still in the game atmosphere.
Or buddy up with someone who has a bus or RV! (They almost always have a big screen to watch on!)
Believe it or not, the experience is grand even if you’re not inside of Heinz Field, and this is the way some folks would prefer to spend their Sundays.
The North Shore
If you don’t have a screen to watch on, the immediate North Shore area is full of restaurants and bars that can accommodate fans.
Stage AE is an official partner of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and shows games inside their venue. It’s also a cool place to hangout before or after the game, with the official Steelers postgame radio show broadcast in-house.
Jerome Bettis’ Grille 36 is another hotspot for Steelers fans.
You’ll also find quite a few other places between Heinz Field and PNC Park, including some craft beer havens such as Southern Tier Brewery.
You literally cannot go wrong in just about any of these places, provided you give yourself enough time to obtain a seat before kickoff.
Any Primanti Bros Location
Well, just about any Primantis that is… the original location (upon last check) is still old school and doesn’t have TVs setup. However, any of the franchise’s satellite locations works as a home away from home for Pittsburgh sports fans.
I know this comes off as a clever shill for Primantis, but there’s really no other place with the same reputation!
As such you’re likely to bump into and make new friends no matter where you are.
Local Steelers Bars
I threw Primantis out as a quick option, but for diehard fans, you may want to seek out a local Steelers bar.
Trust me when I tell you, they really do mean Steelers Nation when they say it! I can find a Steelers bar just about anywhere, and have: from the Pittsburgh region all the way across various cities in Ohio that I’ve traveled to, and even down into Myrtle Beach and up into Minnesota and to the West Coast, there’s no shortage of fan clubs and Pittsburgh-inspired places to eat and drink at.
There are many websites which detail these locations – I just ask that you do follow up and make sure you’re headed to the right spot as some of the information can be years old.
