Several years ago, Forbes noted a "fantasy football explosion" in the United States. No longer "secret nighttime meetings" for a football obsessed group of friends, fantasy football has turned into what they call an "American phenomenon." Seriously: We know that now. We've seen The League.
And as of 2017, nearly 60 million people in the U.S. and Canada play fantasy sports, according to the Fantasy Sports Trade Association.
Would you consider moving the party from Carl's couch to a more lively atmosphere? Bars are offering deals to fantasy football-loving fans -- and they're happening in nearly every city and suburb in Dallas-Fort Worth. Find one near you.
Buffalo Wild Wings in Addison, McKinney, Rockwall, Dallas, Mansfield, Grapevine, Bedford and more
At Buffalo Wild Wings, their deals are big -- for your big group. Options include $30 for 30 wings (or 40 boneless); or $60 for three large orders of wings and four appetizers like mozzarella sticks or fried pickles. Fantasy football teams will also get a "draft kit," which includes a board with stickers for every NFL player; 15-percent-off coupons to Buffalo Wild Wings; 15-percent-off coupons to NFLShop.com and a "brag flag" for the league champion. All those deals are great, but I think we can agree the brag flag is the winner. To book: Click here. Find a Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant here.
Fox & Hound Sports Tavern Bar and Grill in Richardson, Dallas, Arlington and Fort Worth
Group reservations for fantasy football leagues come with deals on food like $5 nachos and queso; $6 spinach artichoke dip; $7 cheeseburger and fries; and $8 ribs. Draft pours of 32-ounce Miller Lite and Coors Light will also cost $7, according to a flier. To book: Call the bar or use Opentable. Find a Fox & Hound location here.
Frankie's Downtown in Dallas
This upstairs-downstairs bar has tons of room for a fantasy football draft party. Deals include free chips and salsa for all participants and buckets of beer for $18 (domestic) and $25 (local craft). If your team is drafting late, Frankie's is offering a new menu starting Sept. 3 with items like blue cheese and bacon kettle chips and a Sriracha mac and cheese burger. To book: Call 214-741-1919. Frankie's Downtown is located at 1303 Main St., Dallas.
Happiest Hour in Dallas
Fantasy football teams who book a party at Happiest Hour in the Harwood District in Dallas get buy one, get one free appetizers. Better yet, the commissioner gets a $50 gift card -- which they recommend gets spent on team drinks, but you do you. Anyone drinking beer should ask about the $4 pint special. To book: Email hhourvip@gmail.com. Happiest Hour is located at 2616 Olive St., Dallas.
Henderson Tap House in Dallas
For fantasy footballers who like to share, Henderson Tap House in Dallas is offering a group deal: $50 for two pizzas and two pitchers of domestic beer. To book: Call 972-677-7947 and ask for Koby. Henderson Tap House is located at 2323 N. Henderson Ave., Dallas.
High Fives in Dallas
Here, too, the commissioner gets a $50 gift card. (Note to self: Be the commissioner.) High Fives is a bar on Henderson Avenue with a patio and a lively atmosphere. Fantasy football teams get happy hour pricing -- $5 cocktails, beer, wine and sandwiches -- even if it isn't happy hour. To book: Call 214-821-5555 or email marc@highfivesdallas.com. High Fives is located at 1801 McMillan Ave., Dallas.
Thirsty Lion Gastropub and Grill in Irving
It's happy hour anytime for fantasy football teams who set their rosters at Thirsty Lion, the pub located at Toyota Music Factory in Irving. Happy hour specials include food like queso, fried chicken sliders and the like for $5 to $7 and drink specials on beer, cocktails, wine and margaritas. To book: Click here. Thirsty Lion is located at 350 W. Las Colinas Blvd., Irving.
Twin Peaks in Dallas, Mesquite, Addison, Plano, Irving, Frisco, Lewisville and Fort Worth
Pick a city in Dallas-Fort Worth: You might have a Twin Peaks nearby. This sports bar with a "lodge mantality," according to the website, involves female servers wearing skimpy flannel tops. Here, too, the team commissioner gets $50 to Twin Peaks. (But if that's not you, all fantasy team members get $10, to be used on the next visit.) Teams get a free "draft party kit," which includes a Twin Peaks-branded board with stickers for each player, and the option to connect a laptop to a big-screen TV. To book: Call the bar. Find a Twin Peaks here.
Know of a great fantasy football spot we're missing? Email sblaskovich@dallasnews.com.
