Where to Watch The 2010 World Cup in D.C.
The waiting is nearly over: the 2010 FIFA World Cup kicks off in less than 72 hours. South Africa gets things started against Mexico at 10 a.m. on Friday, with France vs. Uruguay to follow at 2:30. The time difference between the eastern United States and South Africa place group play kickoffs in the Eastern Standard time zone at a reasonable 7:30 a.m., 10 a.m., and 2:30 p.m., and the District has given bars the go ahead to open up early for all games, with the right to start serving alcohol at eight in the morning.
One should expect massive crowds just about anywhere you turn in the area for many matches, especially ones involving the United States. The first is their uber-anticipated Group C opener vs. England on Saturday at 2:30. Along with being shown in any bar or restaurant in the city with a TV, the fixture will be shown on two large outdoor screens in Dupont Circle. That's preceded by screenings of South Korea vs. Greece and Argentina vs. Nigeria, and followed the Capital Pride Parade. If high-end is more your style, then The Soccer Mansion at 2437 15th Street NW should provide a luxurious, if somewhat expensive, means of watching on June 12.
If it's a specific country you're looking to pledge allegiance to, think The Alliance Francais for les bleus, The Goethe Institute in Chinatown for Germany games, the Grill from Ipanema for a Brazilian bonanza or Divino Lounge in Bethesda for those who worship at the altar of Messi. That said, figuring out the right place to watch each country was a bit beyond us. We don't know of any Chilean or Danish restaurants in D.C., but if you really want to track down supporters of your favorite country and don't know where to turn, give that nation's embassy a ring. You probably won't be the first soccer-mad caller they'll encounter.
So here's to a month of late arrivals to work (early games should be over by 10), long lunches (heading out around 11:30 will catch you most of the 2nd half of the 10 a.m. game) and mid-afternoon trips to the treadmill (we're looking forward to trying that strategy). If you can't catch a game live, most bars will be airing them again after work hours.
For general watching, think sports bars, Irish pubs, or any other establishment where "football" is preferred. Here's some of our recommendations for bars that will be showing every minute of the action.
Lucky Bar, a long-time favorite of soccer fans, will be showing every game each morning with $4 pints of Yuengling and Carlsberg and breakfast.
James Hoban's has dubbed themselves Dupont's World Cup HQ and along with $4 Peronis, they'll have $4 domestic drafts, rails, and house wines and $5 imports while showing "all 64 games (even France!) on seven flatscreens."
Summer's Restaurant near the Courthouse Metro station in Arlington rightfully boasts their standing as an official U.S. Soccer bar and won a "Best Soccer Bar" award in 2002 -- as well as being a personal favorite of more than one DCist soccer contributor. They'll have all the games, $3.50 pints of Peroni, and breakfasts from around the soccer-mad world each morning. $10 food and drink minimum per person, and a $5 cover charge for America's opener on Saturday.
Newly opened Public Bar will be slinging $3 Peronis during all live games, with $5 breakfast burritos and burgers. (Word to the wise: don't click on the link unless you want to play their amplified music for your office mates.)
Café Citron is open for fans of all South and Central American squads with projection televisions on each floor, $3 beers, and Latin breakfasts, choripan (sausage sandwiches), empanadas, and other delicacies.
Fado will air all games live in Chinatown, with a few breakfast and beer options, including a full Irish breakfast with a Stella Artois, Harp, or Newcastle for $14.95.
On Vermont Avenue, Latin restaurant Mio Restaurant will have free "eye opener" drinks and $20 breakfasts honoring the Latin countries playing each morning.
Union Pub will broadcast games in 3-D, handing out glasses with their food and drink specials for Senate-side staffers. They may not open until 9 a.m. though, missing most of the early games.
On the House side of the Hill, Capitol Lounge will open its doors for all games. They'll feature a bagel bar with mimosas and bloody marys for morning matches, with a limited lunch menu later on that includes the "hangover sandwich." The Pour House will also show all games live.
Downtown, Blackfinn at 1620 I Street NW will also be showing all games and is a completely serviceable option. Laughing Man Tavern near Metro Center has no info on their website, but is planning on opening for all games and offering food and drink specials. For the desperate, Elephant and Castle and ESPNZone aren't the worst places to catch footy in the Federal Triangle/Downtown area either, chains though they may be.
Kitty O'Shea's, another soccer mecca by Courthouse, is getting a shipment of 12 new flat screen televisions to install just in time for the Cup. Specials will include $3 16 oz. Bud bottles, $4 Peroni bottles, other rotating food and drink specials, and a modest breakfast menu.
Flanangan's Harp and Fiddle in Bethesda is still working out their drink, breakfast, and lunch specials. But they do know that they'll be open for every tick of the clock.
Momo's and Nellie's will be fine, if crowded, options for those along U Street.
And finally, while not even open yet, Biergarten Haus on H Street NE has high hopes of opening this Friday just in time for the Cup. We'll almost settle for no specials for the chance to sit in the garden and choose from their over 30 German beers! But if the Haus doesn't make it open in time, The Pug is a fine option right down the street.
Did we miss your favorite World Cup watching hot spot? Let us know where you'll be watching.