New ‘watch’ sports bar opens in downtown Phoenix

By Steve Stockmar
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Americans keep on watching sports and Phoenix fans have a new place to do just that.

Tom’s Watch Bar this month opened its 16th location nationwide, this one in downtown Phoenix across the street from PHX Arena, home of the NBA’s Suns and WNBA’s Mercury. The location follows the formula of other Tom’s spots: Tom’s Watch Bar’s Los Angeles location is across the street from Crypto.com Arena, formerly Staples Center, home to the Lakers, Kings and Sparks; its Denver location is just steps away from Coors Field; and its Las Vegas spot on The Strip is a short walk from T-Mobile Arena, home of the Golden Knights.

Namesake founder Tom Ryan, one of Smashburger’s co-founders, says fans are looking for that kind of experience.

“They’re looking for a way to use sports as a major form of entertainment,” he said Tuesday night inside the new Phoenix location, at 2nd and Jefferson streets. “More than just watching sports at a sports bar.”

Using the draw of televised sports – Tom’s has 88 TVs currently under its roof and will likely reach 100 as its patio continues to expand – is a proven formula.

“Football matches and other live sports events have always attracted impressive audiences in the United States, and this popularity also extends to their television broadcasts,” a 2024 report from industry data tracker Statista noted. “In 2023, the Super Bowl LVII was the top primetime telecast in the U.S., drawing nearly 115 million viewers to their screens. Furthermore, none of the 10 most successful primetime programs were not football-related.”

The chain was founded as Tom’s Urban in 2012 as a full-service restaurant open 24 hours. By 2019 locations started to rebrand and relaunch as Tom’s Watch Bar.

The Phoenix location was originally home to Hard Rock Café, which closed in 2020. Its successor in that space, The Ainsworth, a bar and restaurant owned by Scott and Melissa McIntire, who own The Lola at Westgate Entertainment District in Glendale, then closed.

Ryan and his partners found that the location – not only steps from PHX Arena but just a block from Chase Field – met their formula. Designed specifically around fans’ desires to watch sports content, Tom’s Watch Bar opens at 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and then at 11 a.m. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Owner and namesake Tom Ryan opened his 16th Tom’s Watch Bar location nationwide this month in downtown Phoenix.

(Independent Newsmedia/Steve Stockmar)

The location is across the street from PHX Arena downtown. The Mercury’s first 2025 preseason home game is Sunday, May 11 when the Golden State Valkyries visit for a 3 p.m. tipoff.

(Independent Newsmedia/Steve Stockmar)

“We’re only open when the (TV) screens are viable,” Ryan said. “And when there’s not, we’re closed.”

Tom’s menu offers more than traditional sports bar fare although they have that as well. The kitchen prepares six flavors of chicken wings but also offers its signature version of chicken and waffles in the form of sweet cornbread pancake topped with hand-battered chicken tenders, or Nashville hot chicken, served with honey butter and maple syrup.

They have a prime rib dip sandwich but also an ahi tuna tower.

And with the bar’s full beer and craft cocktail selections, one of Tom’s signatures is a two-handed 40-ounce beer stein.

The Mercury’s first 2025 preseason home game is Sunday, May 11 when the Golden State Valkyries visit for a 3 p.m. tipoff. The regular season home opener will be a 6 p.m. start on Saturday, May 17, when the Seattle Storm visit downtown Phoenix.

One of the bar’s signatures is a 40-ounce stein.

(Independent Newsmedia/Steve Stockmar)

The menu includes six flavors of chicken wings.

(Independent Newsmedia/Steve Stockmar)

Steve Stockmar
News Editor | Sun Life Magazine & Arts & Entertainment YourValley.net

sstockmar@iniusa.org

Meet Steve
Steve Stockmar joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2017, and has been an Arizona journalist for almost 30 years. He serves as editor of Sun Life Magazine and contributes to West Valley communities where he focuses mostly on arts & culture, education, and profiles of neighbors making a difference.

Community: Every season Steve serves as a “buddy” with the Miracle League of Arizona in Scottsdale, has volunteered his time with Family Promise in Glendale, and previously served on the Ghostlight Theatre board in Sun City West.

Education: Graduated from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff with a Journalism major and English minor.

Random Fact: Steve once won a 50-player live Texas Hold ’Em poker tournament.

Hobbies: Anguishing over his beloved Chicago Cubs and Bears; listening to Beatles and Grateful Dead music.