The Lions-Buccaneers game at Ford Field last Sunday was NBC’s most-watched NFL divisional round game since 1994. As we get closer to the Super Bowl, the viewership of the upcoming Lions-49ers game that starts at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 28 could be even higher. 

While this week’s highly anticipated game is not in Detroit, many home and visiting football fans are in search of the best spots in the city to watch the game live on TV. With many parties happening both large and small, downtown Detroit may be even more crowded this weekend than when there is a home game.

To make it easier for you this Sunday, we gathered a list of some of the most popular venues in metro Detroit to watch the Lions.

Credit: Joe Maroon
Ford Field 2000 Brush St., Detroit; fordfield.com Even though this week’s Lions game is away, Detroit’s football stadium is hosting a big watch party anyway, complete with performances by the Detroit Lions’ cheerleaders and drumline. Tickets being sold online were originally $20, but are now going for around $50. Credit: Joe Maroon
Comerica Park 2100 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313presents.com The Motor City’s baseball venue is also hosting a football watch party, and this one is free of charge. From 10 a.m. until the game ends, the event will feature a live DJ, as well as food and drink specials at its Beer Hall and Tiger Den. Attendees should enter the park at the Brush and Montcalm street entrances. Credit: Joe Lapointe
Detroit Shipping Company 474 Peterboro St., Detroit; detroitshippingcompany.com/entertainment This local food hall has hosted Lions watch parties on game days for years, and this season is even more exciting than usual. The party starts at noon this weekend, as soon as the spot opens. There’s no cover charge and people of all ages are welcome to enjoy food, Lions gear, and games. Credit: Instagram, @detroit_shipping
Harry’s 2482 Clifford St., Detroit; harrysdetroit.com For many Detroit football fans, this is the classic sports bar to visit to watch the game. Whenever there’s a big game or event in the city, the bar, located steps away from Little Caesars Arena, offers shuttles to Ford Field and Comerica Park. Plus, it boasts having “the best food of any bar around.” Credit: Facebook, Harry's Detroit
Diamondback Music Hall 49245 S. Interstate 94 Service Dr., Belleville; eventbrite.com/e/detroit-lions-watch-party This concert venue a little ways from Detroit will be hosting a 21+ Lions watch party with a giant screen and loud sound. There will be an all you can eat buffet available for $25, but entry can be reserved for free online. Doors open at 5 p.m. Credit: Google Maps
Batch Brewing Company 1400 Porter St., Detroit; batchbrewingcompany.com Known as Detroit’s first nanobrewery, Batch Brewing Company provides an eclectic and original beer selection and ample outdoor seating in its “Fauci Fieldhouse.” Photo courtesy of Instagram/@batchbrewing Credit: Facebook, Batch Brewing
Nemo’s 1384 Michigan Ave., Detroit; nemosdetroit.com Coining itself as “Detroit’s original sports bar,” Nemo’s is a go-to for Lions fans in the city. The spot has got an old-timey vibe and a full menu of food and drinks. Credit: Facebook, Nemo's
The Old Miami 3930 Cass Ave., Detroit; 313-831-3830; oldmiami.business.site If you hit the Old Miami on the weekend, you may see an old friend. But during the week, no one will bother you. Play some pool, take a rest on the couch, and sip on some brews. Credit: Facebook, The Old Miami
Tin Roof 47 E. Adams Ave., Detroit; tinroofdetroit.com This downtown rooftop bar right outside of Comerica Park is a favorite for some people on game days, even if it can get a little rowdy. Credit: Facebook, Tin Roof
DraftKings Sports & Social 2850 Coolidge Hwy., Troy; sportsandsocial.com/troy This 10,000-square-foot metro Detroit spot is an ultimate sports fan experience with tons of TVs, local beverages, game-day specials, and some classic arcade games. Tables can be reserved in advance. Credit: DraftKings Sports & Social Troy, Facebook
Best Irish Pub (Detroit): The Old Shillelagh 349 Monroe St., Detroit; 313-964-0007; oldshillelagh.com Credit: Stephen Boyle, Flickr Creative Commons
Ciccarelli’s Sports Club And Eatery 46793 Hayes Rd., Shelby Twp.; ciccarellis-22-sportsbar.com Launched by former Detroit Red Wings player Dino Ciccarelli in 2011, this local chain claims to be “Michigan’s largest HD sports theater” thanks to its large theater-style projection screens. It won Best Bar Food in Macomb County in the 2022 Metro Times Best of Detroit reader’s poll. Credit: Facebook, Ciccarelli’s Premier Sports Club & Eatery
Brass Rail 18 W. Adams Ave., Detroit; brassraildetroit.com At this pizza bar, doors open at 11 a.m., so be sure to arrive early. Both championship games will be screening and DJ Evan George will be spinning sounds. Credit: Instagram, @partywitmikey_
Big League Brews 20428 Ecorse Rd., Taylor; bigleaguebrews.com This local sports bar says they are for people who don’t want to be somewhere with a “plastic corporate feel.” They offer many Michigan-made brews and have pool tables, so you can shoot while the Lions score. Credit: Facebook, Big League Brews
Best Sports Bar (Oakland) J’s Penalty Box 22726 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-398-4070; jspenaltyboxferndale.com Credit: Instagram, @jspenaltybox
Brown Jug 1204 S. University Ave., Ann Arbor; brownjug-annarbor.com Especially for University of Michigan students, this is the most popular spot in Ann Arbor to watch a football game and has been open playing sports since 1939. It has pretty good food and specialty drinks too. Credit: Facebook, Brown Jug
Checker Bar 124 Cadillac Square, Detroit; 313-961-9249; checkerbar.com This downtown spot serves up burgers, pizza, wings, and more. Its kitchen closes around 1 a.m. these days. Credit: Instagram, @checkerbar
Royal Oak Brewery 215 E. 4th St., Royal Oak; royaloakbrewery.com Oakland County’s first-ever brewery, established in 1995, offers a full kitchen and bar along with its hometown atmosphere. This Sunday, it’ll be offering game day specials including $1.50 wings, $5 pints, and $10 wood-fired pizzas. Credit: Facebook, Royal Oak Brewery
Anchor Bar 450 Fort St W., Ste. 100, Detroit; anchorbardetroit.com This spot has lots of beer and food options, plus a unique history, as a wild raid happened there in 1971. Credit: Courtesy photo
Tap at MGM Grand 1777 3rd Ave., Detroit; mgmgranddetroit.mgmresorts.com With over 40 TVs, many Michigan craft beer options, and comfort food, Tap at Detroit’s MGM Grand is a great option for sports game viewing. Credit: Google Maps
Tommy’s Detroit Bar and Grill 624 Third St., Detroit; tommysdetroit.com This historic pub with a comfortable atmosphere is another favorite among Lions fans and will be opening on Sunday at 11 a.m. Credit: Google Maps
Best Karaoke Night: McShane’s Irish Pub 1460 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-961-1960; mcshanespub.com Credit: Facebook, McShane’s Pub Ypsilanti
Hamlin Pub Multiple locations; hamlinpubs.com With nine locations in Michigan near metro Detroit, Hamlin Pub is a sports bar that knows what it’s doing. The pub has specials every Michigan and NFL game day. Currently, the spot is giving away Super Bowl watch parties at four locations for groups of 20 through Instagram. Credit: Facebook, Hamlin Pub
Buffalo Wild Wings Multiple locations; buffalowildwings.com No matter where you are, especially if you’re not super close to any of the other spots listed, there is probably a Buffalo Wild Wings somewhere nearby. It’s a classic place to enjoy some wings while watching sports games being shown on a plethora of TVs. Credit: Shutterstock
At home Especially during a time when most bars and restaurants that show football games will be super busy, staying comfortable on your own couch may be the best bet. Plus, if the Lions end up losing, you can cry without anyone seeing. Credit: Shutterstock

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Layla McMurtrie is the digital editor of Detroit Metro Times. She's passionate about art, music, food, and Detroit's culture and community. Her work has been featured in the Detroit Free Press, Between...