Sam's Sports Bar & Grill

I love this place - just a great college bar! Love the food, inexpensive & good, I like the Wings! Trivia is a hoot! Catch the names of the Trivia Teams and you will laugh your behind off! more

It is only fitting to start my coverage of Nashville’s most memorable places with the one I’ve spent more time in than my own home: Sam’s Sports Grill in Hillsboro Village. If you’re looking for a thrifty, casual happy hour or the perfect spot to watch the game, Sam’s is your place. My love affair with Sam’s began when visiting my Vandy friends in college, and its solid, dependable, delicious food is what has kept me coming back. Sam’s menu features exactly the kind of food you’d expect from a sports bar – wings, pizza, sandwiches and salads – but the thing that makes this place special is that it does these things extremely well. For example, when I told my friend Carson Popkin, 28, that I was writing this post she just said “Wiiiiiings…” and stared off hungrily into the distance before coming to and saying, “They’re phenomenal.” But wings are not the only thing Sam’s is doing right. The Cajun Pepperoni Pizza is a salty, crispy pie with just the right spicy kick, and the Campfire Chili with cheese and onions is simply one of the best bowls of chili I have ever had. And I’ve had some chili. When soup and chili cheese dogs make up 80% of your diet, you become an expert fast. In short, the food is straight-forward, fresh and very well-executed. Whether you need to grab a club and fries for lunch or cure your hangover with a Blue Moon and a burger, Sam’s will do you right. And that is in no small part due to the atmosphere. Sam’s is a quintessential sports bar with happy hour from 3-7 every weekday except Tuesday (when it’s two-for-one!) and at least 20 TVs broadcasting games at all times. (It is a smoking establishment, so take that into consideration before you pull up a stool.) On any given Saturday there are 100+ sports fans screaming their guts out for their teams, and the wait staff generally does an good job keeping pace with the thirsty legions. It’s even better when the weather is nice and they roll up the garage doors on the front side. Breeze + good people watching is the ultimate relaxation-maker. Sam’s also has a lively game of trivia on Wednesdays and even livelier karaoke night on Fridays. In short, Sam’s is my Cheers (and ironically, Sam was the guy who ran Cheers – coincidence? I think not). I’d suggest that you make it yours too… Except overcrowding would make my standard Saturday table even harder to come by, and we clearly can’t have that. But what the hey, go visit them anyway. In no time at all, it’ll be the place where everybody knows your name. Sam’s also has a second location in Hendersonville, so you suburbanites don’t have to miss out on the fun. more

Been in Nashville for some time... once in awhile I get dragged to this place. Service is well how should I say this... horrible. I don't know if the management beats their waitresses of what. But this is probably the worst bar I've ever been to. It took us 2+ hours to get 2 drinks and the waitresses treated us like we just killed their dog. And I'm pretty sure there was heavy drug traffic going... Just felt uncomfortable.... I will say that if you go to the bar the bartenders are great. All I'm saying is I wouldn't go there unless the Mrs. makes me... Looking for a comfortable place... not here more

The quintessential sports bar of Nashville. Just voted Best Sports Bar for 9 years in a row! Hot girls serving cold drinks while your choice of every game is on at least 8 TVs is a winning combination for anybody right? They've also been voted Best Pizza, Burger, Happy Hour and whatever else, the place rocks. Oh, and you can smoke if you so choose to. Keep up the good work! 5 stars. Pros: Atmosphere, staff, menu, prices/value, trivia, karaoke Cons: Maybe a wider draft selection? more

I used to go here every weekend to get my college football and pro football fix, but the crowds and smoke were getting too much for me. Plus, the setup of the place makes it hard to see several games at once (as I like to keep an eye on several throughout the day). I actually found that The Closing Bell on Demonbreun St. has provided me with a much better atmosphere, better game watching and most of all - BETTER DRINKS! Pros: Usually has the good games on. Cons: Smokey, Odd setup for game watching, wait staff can be slow more

I just spent the day at Sam's like I do most of my Saturdays. As a USC fan, we asked right away what games were going to have sound, and of course noticed all of the signage indicating that USC vc OSU was being shown on the big screen. Fast forward to 6:00p.m., when Vandy kids started coming in to watch their game (pre-loisted as being shown on the patio). All of a sudden....we have no access to the BIGGEST GAME OF THE Day so far, and the management at Sam's switched the game to Vandy on the big screen. Sam said that he was sorry and offered a round of shots.......thanks but no thanks. I recommend Corner Pub or Crow's Nest as places that will stick to their word. Cons: lie to their customer more

I frequent this bar - I'm there with my buddies at least once or twice a week. Most of the staff is fantastic (some of the best looking girls around too), a few not so much. A few of the waitresses are always hung over and slow, most of the rest of them are always on top of things. The blonde bartender (Tish) always tries to overcharge us, putting extra drinks on our tab that we didn't order....and on busy nights she sometimes doesn't give us back our change, even though we tip really good. We call that getting "Tished." The night time manager is very unfriendly and is always hammered. One time I even walked up on her in the parking lot and saw her drinking in her car. This bar would be unmatched by any other in the Nashville area if they's just get rid of a few people. Pros: Great service most of the time, great food, good prices, TVs Cons: Management more

This place is so fun! But even better, they have awesome food! Their chicken is great! You can't get a better house salad anywhere! Their ribs are excellent! Drink specials can't be beat. The only down side is maybe never wanting to leave! The wait staff is really excellent too, and while it's pretty obvious that some guys only go to check out the short shorts, a lot of the staff is really informative and honest about the menu selections. Great Place - we frequent here for lunch!!!! (A couple times a week!) Pros: staff, food, pizza, chicken, everthing! Cons: you may never want to leave! more

I spent some time in Nashville recently and when I asked around for a good sports bar, everyone said the same thing. Go to Sam's in the Village. I ended up spending a lot of time there, as it turns out. The place is big, all the games were always on, and the food was really good. The attractive and friendly staff didn't hurt either! I am moving to Nashville later next month and when I do and someone asks me where a good sports bar is, I'm gonna send them to Sams! Oh, and did I mention that the wings there are the best that I've ever had? Pros: great food, service and hot wings Cons: Parking can be tough more

I love going to sam's! They have a great happy hour and the food is really good. especially the ribs. the trivia on Wednesdays is a lot of fun, but the manager on those nights is really rude. They have karaoke on fridays which is okay, it used to be better! Football there is crazy busy so get there early. I go there for lunches a lot and its always great service. The owner is always there and hes really friendly!! I f you haven't been there you need to check the place out! Pros: food, fast service espically at lunch time, in and out, Cons: parking, pm manager, smokey more

I am a patron of Sams and have been for years. Love the servers and bartenders. Food is great and they have recently updated their menus. So many tvs to watch and never a problem to find a specific game you're looking for. The only complaint I really have is that of a manager.There is a woman manager who was working during trivia which they usually have on wednesdays who was drinking on the job. It seems she is always taking shots and smoking everytime I go in that place. Sams seems like a well owned place and just think they could do away with poor management since the rest of the staff is wonderful! more

As a long time regular of Sam's, I would like to give my opinion of the place. I have always enjoyed going to Sam's, but in the last couple of years, I have enjoyed it even MORE. They have made a lot of improvements, from the menu to the bathrooms, the HD T.V.s, and especially the staff. The servers and bartenders are much more upbeat and friendly these days. They spend more time taking care of their customers and less time complaing to them about their jobs, like they used to. I think the night manager is a sweetheart who works hard and no matter how busy she is, she always takes the time to say hello. I have met the owner a few times and he seems like a great guy. I go to other sports bars sometimes, to avoid the crowds, but Sam's is by far my favorite, and there is nowhere that I would rather spend my time and money when I want to get out. I would recommend Sam's to anyone between the ages of 21 and 71. Keep up the good work guys!!! Pros: great staff, great food, great crowd, great drinks Cons: a little smokey, but not that bad more

And I'm not refering to the song. Sam's is a great place to hang out, day or night. They have the best food, for the money and they have trivia on Wednesdays, karaoke on Friday's (Lots of fun), and sports All of the time. If you can't find the game you are looking for, just ask a manager and they will hook you up. The management is great and so are the bartenders. It's also a place where I can still smoke. I Love This Bar! Pros: Great service, hot guys, good food, Karaoke Cons: Parking more

I feel like if you are upset about the smoke, go to a non-smoking bar. There are plenty in Nashville since the new laws. I also feel like the management is the worst thing about Sam's. The owner is an money hungry, ignorant narcissist. That female manager is more concerned with her smokes and drinks is really hurting the place. They also seem to not want to staff the floor with sufficient servers to take care of everyone there... Service is almost always a problem. Sad, because they for sure have the best happy hour in town and prices in the village. Pros: great happy hour, lots of tvs, beer is cold, food is good Cons: management and service... though I'd say it's not the server's fault more

Great bar but the smoke is nauseating. I lasted 20-30 minutes and had to leave I was so sick to my stomach. They need to ban smoking or get some industrial ventilation. Pros: Food, cold brews and sports Cons: Smoke, smoke, smoke more

Great place to watch sports and they have a pretty good bar menu including pizzas, salads, burgers, etc. However, they switched to 21 & over to avoid the smoking laws, which is unfortunate for the majority of people that don't smoke. Pros: Good bar food; lots of screens Cons: smokey more

Just some advice on how to handle a place that you love to go to but the service is terrible. When it comes to tipping, do not feel like you have to tip if you are not getting good service. For this to work you have to make sure everyone does not tip if they do not get good service. Eventually the servers will get the idea they have to give good service to make money and if the service already is terrible then by not tipping you will only get service that service that is already terrible which you already are getting. If they give even worse service to the ones not tipping and if everyone does not tip for that lack of service then sales will go down and eventually management will have to step in and make sure the service is better to get the alcohol sales that they need. Happy tipping!!! Pros: Good food, drinks and atmosphere Cons: Terrible service more

I have spent much money over the years at Sams untill last week. They have a female night manager who was viciously rude to me. This is the first time I have ever been treated like dirt by someone who is managing a bar! I told a nice bartender I wanted to speak to her about refunding $10 in the juke box that never played. She was sitting at the end of the bar smoking away having a drink talking to her friend. She told the bar tender I would have to wait which I did fror 15min. Finally I went over to her and she turned and told me what don't you get about me being busy. I said I just wanted to ask a question she told me to leave her alone while she drank her drink smoked her cigarettes. i said ok ok i will be in the other room she said she would come over which she never. Finally I decided i did not want her to ruin my night. Then I decided to never come back in bar again.Found out later by regulars she is a waste and hurting the bars business. Pros: Location Cons: Management more

Sam's is the true Sports Bar hot spot in Nashville. Voted Best Sports Bar by Scene Magazine readers 7 yeas in a row, this Hillsboro Village gathering place has made it's mark on Nashville and local students. The food is outstanding for a sports bar with a wide variety of Pizzas, oven-baked subs, fantastic wings and awesome ribs. Several great salads compliment the menu as well as some of the best chicken tenders around (I like mine Buffalo style). Owner/operator Sam Sanchez has a good operation with past experience with Houston's Restaurant and Princeton's Grill. Partner Al Thomas also owns Sperry's Restaurant in BelleMeade and the two have opened a new Sperry's in Cool Springs. Sam's is the place to go for all your sports action with too many TV's to count and all the fun you can handle!!! Pros: Great menu, best happy hour, campus hot spot Cons: Sometimes a little crowded more

what isn't there to like? the beer is cold, the pub food is good, so many TV's your neck can get sore trying to catch all the sports action, flirty waitresses, cute vandy co-eds, great place to hang out and spend a weeknight or weekend watching sports. Highly recommend, bring a few friends and take over a table and make a night of it. Sure to not disappoint! Pros: lots of tv, sports, beer, cute girls Cons: can't think of any! more