NYCGuide
Where To Watch The World Cup In NYC
This year's World Cup takes place from November 20 to December 18, and it's probably the only tournament with the word "world" in it that the whole world actually cares about. After not qualifying in 2018, the US is back in, and if you see them win this whole thing, try to enjoy that scene before you wake up. From a sports bar giving away free shots for every US goal to a beer garden with soft pretzels and a giant projector screen, here’s where to watch players act like they just got hit by a car and then suddenly get up as if nothing happened.
THE SPOTS
Midnight Theatre at Manhattan West is showing matches on their movie theater-like 4K+ screen. The venue, which looks like it could host an Off Broadway production, has open seating, and you can snag one of their velvet booths if you get here early enough. Passes for each day cost $55, and they include a continental breakfast bar. Starting at 11:30am, food like lamb curry dumplings and bánh mì, along with alcohol, is available for purchase from sister restaurant Hidden Leaf.
This beer hall in Long Island City will have World Cup matches showing on their big screen TVs and giant 11-foot-tall LED video wall. They have over 20 beers on tap, as well as bar food like wings, tempura calamari, and a carbonara burger made with bacon and parmesan. Gamehaus will open early whenever the US is playing, and if you need a break from all the soccer, you can head upstairs for skee-ball and arcade games.
Expect a lot of fans decked out in green, yellow, and blue at this Brazilian spot in Carroll Gardens. Matches will be shown inside as well as outside on a large projection screen in Santo Brúklin's courtyard. Caipirinhas and snack platters with things like wings and yucca fries will be available, and there will be unlimited feijoada when Brazil is playing.
You can get wings in a bunch of different flavors (everything bagel and maple waffle, for example) and small bites like short rib croquettes at this two-story cocktail bar in the East Village. They'll be showing World Cup matches on their TVs that are spread out across both floors. If you want to have a private watch party, there's a Victorian-themed room with a balcony on the second floor that you can rent out.
photo credit: Kenny Yang
There are four locations of Stout in NYC, and they'll be open for all the 10am and 11am World Cup matches. Breakfast food will be available, and they've partnered with Budweiser to give away swag and offer special World Cup aluminum bottles for $7 each (or $30 for a bucket of five). If you need another reason to go, they'll be giving away free shots for every Team USA goal.
Starting on November 21, most matches will be screened in the indoor part of Nowadays in Ridgewood. Their izakaya serves two types of ramen and a tempeh and veggie sandwich, so this place is a good option if you want to eat something other than wings and nachos. There are fire pits and heated yurts outside for when you need to get away from all the yelling and cheering.
The bar at this Chelsea food hall will open at 1pm before all 2pm matches. There will be music and food/drink specials representative of whatever country is playing. (Think papas bravas for Spain and yuzu sake highballs when Japan is on.) If you're lucky, you can grab a scallion pancake burrito from Forsyth Fire Escape before they run out.
Tampico on the Lower East Side will open early for all 2pm matches (and earlier if Mexico has a morning start time), and there will be specials on select beer, wine, and cocktails no matter who's playing. Order tacos, fajitas, and sliders along with lots of tequila drinks while you watch players fall down spontaneously on this place's eight large TVs and two projection screens.
This Greenwich Village bar is going all in on World Cup-themed dishes. They'll have a burger with brie, fish and chips, and another burger with chimichurri to represent France, England, and Brazil respectively. After the group stage, they'll introduce a rotating menu with dishes specific to the countries still playing. Every match (even the 5am ones) will be shown live via three projectors and three large-screen TVs.
TailGate, an outdoor sports bar in Williamsburg, will be showing every single World Cup match no matter what time it starts. Yes, it'll probably be cold out, but this place has bottle service, private heated cabanas made out of shipping containers, and more than 20 TVs spread out across the venue. The menu has a handful of shareable platters, like one with a quesadilla, tacos, and chips with guacamole.
Brazil is the home team at this steakhouse in Corona, but they'll be showing all the matches on their five big TVs. There's no other place on this list where you can eat various barbecued meats on giant skewers along with stuff from a hot buffet and salad bar while watching two teams tied at zero after 88 minutes.
photo credit: Noah Devereaux
Smithfield Hall is already a popular destination for soccer fans, so it's no surprise that this bar in Chelsea will be showing a bunch of World Cup matches. The space is huge, there are TVs everywhere, and the menu consists of hall-of-fame sports-watching snacks like tots, bratwurst, and wings. You'll have no trouble finding someone here who can explain what a yellow card is.
If you're looking for a place that's good for big groups, head to this German beer garden a few blocks from Grand Central. Matches that start at 11am and later will be shown on a giant projector screen. Expect a lot of German flags (and fans), Hofbräu beers in boot-shaped mugs, and big soft pretzels with mustard and cheese dip.
Just off McCarren Park, this bar has tons of seating inside and on their covered rooftop, which has a huge TV. Their food menu includes fish and chips, a meat and cheese board, and a few different types of sandwiches.
