INGLEWOOD – National sports bar chain Tom’s Watch Bar is expanding its footprint into the City of Champions.
Located conveniently within the Inglewood Sports and Entertainment District and immediately adjacent to the Intuit Dome and the Hollywood Park campus which houses SoFi Stadium, Cosm Los Angeles and Cineopolis, the move couldn’t come at a more opportune time.
Inglewood is scheduled to host multiple international sports events between 2026 and 2028 and beyond which is exactly the type of location the owners are seeking.
“At Tom’s Watch Bar, we seek out high-traffic sites that are close to major sports and entertainment districts,” said Shannon McNiel, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Tom’s Watch Bar. “Our winning development approach ensures our guests are always close to the action, whether it’s a concert or a game, and for sports fans – it’s the next best thing to having a courtside ticket.”
announced that two-time Super Bowl Champion and nine-time Pro Bowler John Elway has made a significant investment in Tom’s Watch Bar – the country’s newest and unique super sports bar concept. Elway also joined the company’s Board of Advisors.
“I am extremely pleased with the opportunity to invest directly into Tom’s Watch Bar – a well-developed early-stage concept with strong unit-level economics,” said Elway. “This company operates a strong core of highly profitable bars and restaurants, with a robust pipeline of growth, having an additional seven high-volume locations already in construction. Tom’s Watch Bar is bringing an entirely new sports entertainment concept to the bar and restaurant marketplace, filling an unmet need in the sports entertainment marketplace with virtually no true competitive concept in the landscape.”
“America is consuming sports differently, watching a much wider variety of sports than ever before. Tom’s Watch Bar is the perfect solution for superfans who need to watch numerous games at the same time,” said Elway. “I plan to serve as a very active board member helping the founding team to continue to grow its national footprint and value.”
Tom’s Watch Bar will make a near-immediate return on its investment due to the influx of sporting events scheduled to take place in Inglewood.
First up is the 2026 NBA All Star game which is scheduled for Steve Ballmer’s Intuit Dome and the 2026 FIFA World Cup that will take over SoFi Stadium.
In 2027, SoFi Stadium will host Super Bowl LXI.
In 2028, Inglewood will hit the “world stage” with hosting the opening ceremonies for the 2028 Olympics and multiple sporting events during the two week international games.
Tom’s Watch Bar will be located at 3900 West Century Boulevard in the location formerly known as Cork & Batter. It is also connected to The Lum Hotel, a boutique hotel that also offers short term rentals on platforms like Airbnb, VRBO and the link.
The new Inglewood Tom’s follows the success of the brand’s downtown Los Angeles flagship and is expected to feature Tom’s signature 360-degree viewing environment, oversized screens, and elevated casual dining experience.
“We continue to see incredible demand for the immersive sports viewing experience we offer at Tom’s Watch Bar in regions across the U.S.,” said Brooks Schaden, Co-Founder and Co-CEO. “We’re excited to bring our unique blend of sports, entertainment, and hospitality to Cleveland and new areas of Seattle, and look forward to becoming a premier destination for fans to watch, celebrate and connect.”
Tom’s Watch Bar is also actively seeking to partner with the various tribal casinos across the country.
Tom’s Watch Bar aligns exceptionally well with the evolving direction of tribal casino resorts, which are increasingly diversifying beyond gaming into full-scale entertainment destinations. The concept’s ability to attract both sports fans and social diners makes it a natural anchor for modern casino properties.
Tribal casinos today compete on experience as much as gaming. By introducing a brand like Tom’s, properties can enhance their food-and-beverage mix and create a social hub that keeps guests engaged throughout the day. Whether patrons come for gaming, live events, or dining, Tom’s offers a dynamic environment that encourages longer stays and repeat visits.
Another reason tribal casinos should consider partnering with Tom’s is its synergy with sportsbook operations. In states where sports betting is legal, Tom’s functions as an ideal co-location for sportsbooks or viewing lounges. The brand has already demonstrated this potential through its partnership inside ilani, the Cowlitz Tribe’s resort and casino in Washington state, where Tom’s operates adjacent to the property’s sportsbook.
