Where to Watch Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Watch Notre Dame Fighting Irish at a sports bar near you! Discover the best Fighting Irish watch parties in South Bend, Indiana, and other cities across the nation. Whether it’s football, basketball, or ice hockey, it’s always more fun to watch the game in the company of other Loyal Sons of the Irish Nation!

The Secret to Notre Dame Fighting Irish Success

The University of Notre Dame has a long history of achievement in various sports, but especially in football, basketball, and ice hockey.

The Fighting Irish enjoy an immense national popularity. So what is the secret to their success?

First of all, its sports teams have won many championships. And many legendary players have played on their teams.

Secondly, ND remains independent, not belonging to a conference. So they can schedule high-profile games and control their media rights.

For example, because of their exclusive broadcasting arrangement with NBC, all of their home games are broadcast nationally. And that helps build a national following.

In addition, Notre Dame’s strong alumni network and Catholic identity add to their appeal. In fact, many Catholics identify with Notre Dame’s values.

Finally, Notre Dame Stadium has a rich history, offering fans a rewarding experience when the Fighting Irish take to the field.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish Football

The Notre Dame football team played its first game in 1887, shutting out Michigan by a score of 8 to 0. Over the years, the team has benefited from strong recruiting, excellent coaching, and versatile offense.

The Fighting Irish have won a total of 11 national championships. The first championship was in 1914, and the last championship was in 1988.

The Fighting Irish play home games at Notre Dame Stadium in Notre Dame, Indiana. The stadium holds up to 80,795 fans.

As an  outdoor stadium, it offers an exhilarating experience on game day. In addition to football, it hosts concerts, ice hockey, rugby, and soccer.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish Basketball

Notre Dame’s basketball team took to the court for the first time in 1898, but it has only won two national championships. The first was in 1927, and the second was in 1936.

Nonetheless, the Fighting Irish have produced many NBA players over the years. Strong coaching and team chemistry are keys to the team’s renown.

What’s more, the Blue and Gold have a serious home court advantage when they play at Purcell Pavilion.

Located at the ND’s Moose Krause Circle, the pavilion has a seating capacity of 9,149 fans. In addition to basketball, it hosts concerts, graduation ceremonies, pep rallies, and other university functions.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish Ice Hockey

ND’s ice hockey team is a relative newcomer,  playing its first game in 1968. While it has never won a national championship, it has won the NCAA Frozen Four many times.

The hoopsters plays home games at Compton Family Arena in South Bend. With a seating capacity of 5,022 fans, it also holds figure skating competitions, public skating sessions, and community events.

Origins of the Name Fighting Irish

So why does Notre Dame calls its teams the Fighting Irish? That’s a fascinating story.

In the early 20th Century, there was significant anti-Irish and anti-Catholic sentiment in the United States.

At that time, the term Fighting Irish was considered to be an ethnic slur. But slowly, it evolved into a symbol of strength in the face of difficulty. Slowly, it became a symbol of pride.

According to legend, during a game in 1899 against Northwestern University, at halftime, when Notre Dame was leading 5 to 0, Northwestern fans started chanting, “Kill the Fighting Irish!”

The incident actually made the newspaper!

Instead of being insulted, Notre Dame’s leadership decided to turn the insult into a badge of honor. At first, it was an informal nickname. It was officially adopted as the university’s mascot in 1927.

Where to Watch ND Fighting Irish in Indiana

Needles to say, the best place to watch Notre Dame Fighting Irish is at Notre Dame Stadium if they’re playing football, Purcell Pavilion is they’re playing basketball, or Compton Family Arena if they’re playing ice hockey.

However, tickets are not always available. And not everyone wants to sit outside in the rain or snow. Also, what if it’s an away game?

The following sports bars are among the most popular in Notre Dame itself and in nearby South Bend.

Not only do some fans watch games at them, many fans with tickets stop at them on their way to the stadium or on their way home.

If you want to watch Notre Dame Fighting Irish at one of these spots, always make sure to check that they will be showing the game. Also, sometimes fans organize watch parties, so you might have to buy a ticket in advance.

Legends of Notre Dame Restaurant & Alehouse Pub – 100 Legends, Notre Dame, Indiana

Cheer on the Fighting Irish before or after the game at this amazing pub, which is located right on the University of Notre Dame campus. To clarify, it is just 100 yards south of south of Notre Dame Stadium. The menu runs from shareables to burgers, salads, sandwiches, soups and mains. 

Brothers Bar & Grill –  1234 Eddy Street, South Bend, Indiana

Located right across the street from Notre Dame in Eddy Street Commons, Brothers Bar & Grill has multiple TVs for the Irish Nation to cheer the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on to victory. Famous for wings, snacks, sandwiches, burgers, street tacos, and mac & cheese. The Chicken Cheese Nachos make the perfect finger food when rooting for the Blue and Gold!

CJ’s Pub  – 236 South Michigan Street, South Bend, Indiana

Located in downtown South Bend, this casual spot is a long-time favorite for the Loyal Sons of Notre Dame. There are 45 kinds of burgers to choose from along with 10 types of grilled chicken and 15 kinds of munchies. If you want to indulge, try the Cubby Cheeseburger with Onion Rings. If you’re hankering for something healthier, try one of the fresh salads or vegetarian options.

Corby’s Irish Pub – 441 East LaSalle Avenue, South Bend, Indiana

Established in 1990, Corby’s Irish Pub has long been popular with Notre Dame students, alumni, and other ND fans. There are 16 beers on taps and flat screen TVs throughout the bar. Entertainment includes pool tables, darts, a jukebox, and a DJ on specific nights. As for the pizzas, they are made from a time-honored recipe handed down through the generations.

Linebacker Lounge – 1631 South Bend Avenue, South Bend, Indiana

Located near the University of Notre Dame campus, The Backer was opened in 1962 by Notre Dame Linebacker Mo Pottios, who borrowed US$5,000 to open what has become South Bend’s “most iconic bar”. The salads, appetizers, burgers, sandwiches, fish dishes, and other tantalizing dishes are highly recommended. My personal favorite would have to be the homemade chili. 

O’Rourke’s Public House – 1044 East. Angela Blvd, South Bend, Indiana

Located right across the street from Notre Dame in Eddy Street Commons, this popular Irish pub specializes in authentic Irish fare. The fish and chips, Shepherd’s Pie, Chicken Broccoli Boxty, and Guinness Beef Stew are popular with the Bleacher Bums who stop by on their way to and from games. For an authentic Gallic treat, try the Scotch Eggs, hard boiled eggs wrapped in house seasoned sausage, lightly breaded, and fried

Taphouse on the Edge – 1803 South Bend Avenue, South Bend, Indiana

Located   on the edge of Notre Dame’s campus, this popular taphouse has 23 beers on tap as well as a mouthwatering menu of starters, burgers, soups and salads, mac and cheese, fish, chicken – the list goes on. For something truly extravagant, indulge in the Taphouse Melt: four smash patties, two grilled cheese buns, Velvetta, Gruyère cheese, 1000 island dressing, and caramelized onions.

Where to Watch ND Fighting Irish in Other States

There is hardly a town or hamlet so small that there isn’t at least one Irish pub. And if the Fighting Irish was playing on television, there is a good that it will be showing the game.

There are, simply, too many spots where you can watch Notre Dame Fighting Irish sporting events. But here is a short list of some of the most popular.

Always make sure to contact the bar you want to visit to make sure they will be showing the game. You might also ask if there will be sound. Also, sometimes fans organize watch parties, and you might need to purchase a ticket in advance.

California

Notre Dame Bar Near Me in Northern California

• Harry’s Bar – 2020 Fillmore Street, San Francisco, California

Notre Dame Bars Near Me in Southern California

• Sonny Mclean’s Irish Pub – 2615 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, California
• Patrick Molloy’s – Pier Plaza, 50A Pier Avenue, Hermosa Beach, California
• Turnbull’s Tavern – 7011 Greenlead Avenue, Whittier, California

 

Georgia

Notre Dame Bars Near Me in Georgia

• Taco Mac Prado – 5600 Roswell Road, Sandy Springs, Georgia
• The Wing Factory – 5071 Peachtree Industrial Blvd, Chamblee, Georgia

 

Illinois

Notre Dame bars near me in Chicago

• Commonwealth Tavern – 2000 West Roscoe Street 1, Chicago, Illinois
• Declan’s Irish Pub – 1240 North Wells Street, Chicago, Illinois
• High Noon Saloon – 1560 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, Illinois
• Racine Plumbing – 2642 North Lincoln Avenue 1St, Chicago, Illinois
• She-nannigans – 16 West Division Street, Chicago, Illinois

 

Nevada

Notre Dame bars near me in Las Vegas

• Nevada Brew Works – 1327 South Main Street Suite 160, Las Vegas, Nevada
• Rí Rá Irish Pub – Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, 3950 Las Vegas Blvd South , Las Vegas, Nevada

 

New York

Notre Dame bars near me in New York

• The Laurels Cafe & Bar – 231 – 2nd Avenue, New York, New York
• Seven Sins Bar – 293 – 3rd Avenue, New York, New York
• Side Door – 151 East 57th St, New York, New York
• Slattery’s Midtown Pub – 8 East 36th Street, New York, New York

 

Washington, DC

Notre Dame bars near me in Washington, DC

• The Dubliner  – 4 F Street NW, Washington, DC
• Parlay DC Sports Bar & Rooftop – 2444 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC

 

Your Feedback Wanted

Have you watched a Notre Dame sporting event at any of these sports bars? If so, would you recommend it to other Fighting Irish fans?

You can mention the food, the service, the comfort, the visibility of TV screens, whether the sound was turned on, the atmosphere for Irish Nation fans – whatever you think is important.

What is YOUR favorite Blue  and Gold bar?  Do you know of any bars that should be added to the list?

Finally, please let me know if any of these Fighting Irish watch  bars  has closed or if the Irish Nation fans no longer watches games at them.