Parlor Sports may be small, but it fields a lineup of great drinks, food, and camaraderie that make it an MVP sports bar in a city that deeply cares about all of these things. 

There are really no bad seats in the house at this Somerville spot. A steel-topped bar curves across the slender space, with high-tops along the back wall and a couple of lower tables beneath street-facing windows. OK, so the person in the bar seat right next to a yellow pole that’s stationed mid-restaurant may find it a little pesky—especially on a game day when Parlor is at capacity—but with 10 TVs lining the room and friendly bartenders usually willing to flip the channel to your preferred game, fans are never stuck with an obstructed view.

Parlor debuted about 10 years ago from the owners of Trina’s Starlite Lounge next door. It shares a kitchen with big sis—a favorite of ours for comfort food—so you can bet Parlor does bar snacks well. The Mexican Pretzel comes with a warm, crusty-chewy ring from Eastern Standard Provisions Co. and a cup of piquant queso sauce that has us double-dipping (with vaccinated friends’ consent, of course). The Classic Parlor Nachos have perfected the art of layering a tower of chips and cheese, and the Wings arrive steaming hot with a side of house-made, local-dairy blue cheese dressing.

Miller High Life may be the undisputed champion in terms of bottles sold, but Parlor Sports’ draft beer menu is a bantamweight prizefighter: It may be small, but it hits hard. Local options from the likes of Notch Brewing, Mast Landing, and Artifact Cider generally lean lower-alcohol, too, which is a thoughtful consideration from the bartenders, who know we’re usually here for a few rounds. There are shots and cocktails, too.

But the best thing about Parlor Sports? The inclusive clubhouse atmosphere, where everyone is rooting for a good time.