QUICK SUMMARY
The Sandlot, a new sports bar at 2310 University Boulevard in downtown Tuscaloosa, opened Friday, August 14, 2026 in the space formerly home to SoCal Cantina. The bar features roughly 32 televisions — including booths with their own screens and remotes — plus a scratch-made menu of elevated bar food from Chef Karlo Guzman. It is open daily: Sunday through Wednesday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Thursday through Saturday 11 a.m. to midnight. The opening adds another anchor to a downtown dining scene that keeps getting stronger — and keeps downtown Tuscaloosa one of the most in-demand places to live in West Alabama.
Just in time for football season, downtown Tuscaloosa has a new place to watch the game. The Sandlot opened Friday, August 14 at 2310 University Boulevard, taking over the large restaurant space that housed SoCal Cantina until it closed earlier this summer, as first reported by the Tuscaloosa Thread.
What makes the Sandlot different from other Tuscaloosa sports bars?
General Manager Kate Haughton, a nearly 15-year veteran of the Tuscaloosa service industry, told the Thread the concept fills a real gap: plenty of local spots show the games, but few are built around actually watching them. The Sandlot’s answer is about 32 televisions arranged so there is no bad seat in the house — and several booths come equipped with individual TVs that guests control with their own remotes.
The buildout leans local, too. The bar partnered with Alabama Vintage for wall decor and Good Works, a local fabrication company, for its booths and handmade outdoor signs. The upstairs Cocktail Collection lounge remains a separate business under the same ownership group, and because the Sandlot comes from the same team behind SoCal, it was able to transfer permits and serve alcohol from day one.
What is on the menu at the Sandlot?
Chef Karlo Guzman has built a menu of what Haughton calls elevated bar food — scratch-made game day classics with upgraded ingredients. Highlights include:
Shareables. A giant beer cheese pretzel, pimento cheese rangoons, and a loaded fries platter called Bases Loaded.
Handhelds. Smash burgers on Japanese milk bread — including a pimento burger with fried jalapenos and hot honey — plus wings in six flavors, sold by the pound.
Hot dogs. The Hercules, a foot-long all-beef dog loaded with beer cheese, chili and bacon, and the Home Run Flight, a trio of mini dogs named for outfield positions.
Bigger plates and drinks. Southern fish and chips, a build-your-own Stadium Box with tenders, wings and catfish, salads and wraps, and a football-and-golf-themed cocktail list alongside beer buckets for groups.
Thinking about living within walking distance of downtown’s restaurant row? Explore our Tuscaloosa community guide or call The Williams Group at 205-292-2108.
When is the Sandlot open?
The Sandlot is open seven days a week: Sunday through Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to midnight. With kickoff weekends approaching, expect the University Boulevard corridor to be busy — the bar sits in the heart of downtown, a short walk from the Strip and the University of Alabama campus.
What does another downtown opening mean for Tuscaloosa real estate?
Downtown Tuscaloosa’s restaurant scene has been on a roll in 2026 — the Sandlot follows new arrivals like Cajian, the new Cajun and Creole spot on University Boulevard, and a steady wave of openings across the river in Northport. Walkable dining and entertainment are consistently among the top requests we hear from buyers, and every new anchor downtown adds value to the condos and neighborhoods around it.
For University of Alabama families, the downtown corridor is also a major reason parents buy condos near campus instead of renting year to year. And if you are watching the broader market, our latest Tuscaloosa County housing market report breaks down prices, inventory and how fast homes are selling right now.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Sandlot sports bar located in Tuscaloosa?
The Sandlot is located at 2310 University Boulevard in downtown Tuscaloosa, in the space previously occupied by SoCal Cantina. It opened Friday, August 14, 2026.
How many TVs does the Sandlot have?
The Sandlot has installed roughly 32 televisions with sightlines from every seat, and several booths have individual TVs that guests control with their own remotes.
What are the Sandlot’s hours?
The Sandlot is open Sunday through Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week.
Who owns the Sandlot in Tuscaloosa?
The Sandlot comes from the same ownership team behind the former SoCal Cantina and the upstairs Cocktail Collection lounge, with general manager Kate Haughton and chef Karlo Guzman leading the new concept.
Want to live near downtown Tuscaloosa’s best food and game day energy?
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