This Former Florida Gas Station Was Voted The Best Sports Bar In America And Takes Up Two City Blocks

Most sports fans have a favorite watering hole where they can celebrate — and mourn — the emotional highs and lows of their beloved home teams. Ferg's Sports Bar & Grill is one such legendary place. Sprawling across two city blocks and 70,000 square feet along Central Avenue in the heart of St. Petersburg, Florida, Ferg's isn't your average sports bar. The massive complex with indoor, outdoor, and open-air spaces includes plenty of screens, pool tables, a dog park, and even an axe-throwing area. Tripadvisor has described it as the largest sports bar in Florida, and in 2025, USA Today named it the No. 1 best local sports bar — a claim easy to believe once you've been there. 

Ferg's popularity is in part perhaps due to its location across the street from Tropicana Field, the home of Major League Baseball's Tampa Bay Rays. The bar's just a 10-minute walk from the field, making it a popular pregame spot. If you exit Tropicana Field through Gate 7, there's even a tunnel walkway leading straight to Ferg's, making it easy to stop in for post-game celebrations. For those who don't want to pay to watch the game at the field, Ferg's provides the next best option: More than 100 TV screens showing the game, a menu featuring bar-style food and cold drinks, and a throng of fellow sports fans cheering on their favorite team.

Beyond local sports broadcasts, Ferg's hosts special events, from World Cup watch parties and charity fundraisers to trivia nights and outdoor concerts. Ferg's even runs a live video feed from the back patio so you can scope out the crowds before you go. It's a destination-worthy spot sometimes referred to as "St. Pete's Backyard." 

Although St. Petersburg's biggest draws are its vibrant downtown and award-winning beaches, Ferg's is a hidden local gem that came from humble beginnings. This popular sports bar was once a tiny Sunoco gas station in an industrial neighborhood which housed natural gas storage tanks several miles from the beaches. After Tropicana Field opened in 1990, a local teacher named Mark Ferguson purchased the filling station and reopened it as a bar. Over the years, Ferg's has expanded into a multi-block complex and household name. Now, this mega sports bar is a worthy stop for travelers wanting to learn the unwritten rules of visiting Tampa, meet the locals, and get a taste of Tampa Bay's prolific sports scene. 

Of course, you can also watch non-local games here, but Ferg's typically offers generous drink specials when Tampa teams play, making it a true base for home team fans. "Ferg's Sports Bar is insane on game days; the vibe will not be beat." wrote one Google reviewer. "We had two separate people tell us, "You just have to go, it's impossible to describe," and I'd agree — it's a must-do pregame spot."

Most don't go to Ferg's for the food, but the generous menu offers plenty of pub fare to complement the bar's extensive beverage selection. Choose from a variety of appetizers, sandwiches, burgers, wraps, and salads, and don't miss Ferg's Famous Wings, which come in an array of styles with inventive sauces. "Wonderful conversations can be held, while watching the game and enjoying delicious food," wrote one Google reviewer. After checking out the sports scene, make sure to head 1 mile east on Central Avenue to explore downtown St. Pete, full of entertainment, art, attractions, and top-notch dining and drinking options.