You don’t have to worry about finding a spot facing a TV at DockFC (Photo courtesy of DockFC)
By DCist Contributor Kalina Newman
As if D.C. needed another reason to go out and celebrate after the Stanley Cup victory, the 2018 World Cup begins Thursday, bringing a month-long excuse to day drink. And we mean all day: A new D.C. law will allow bars to begin serving alcohol as early as 7 a.m. during the four weeks of the World Cup (and as late as 4 a.m. during the All-Star Game). The games—beginning with a bout between Russia and Saudia Arabia at 11 a.m.—are held in Moscow this year, which means that live games will air early in the morning through mid-afternoon in this time zone. Unfortunately, the U.S. team didn’t qualify to play this year, but that doesn’t mean D.C. is passing up the chance to celebrate with bar specials and events. Pick a country to root for and pick a place to do your cheering Thursday through July 15.
Biergarten Haus
(1355 H St. NE)
Head out to this Bavarian bar on H Street to catch the games on one of its 20 televisions and nurse a giant mug of German beer. Choose from their twelve German beers on tap, and cheer on the games with a variety of German pub food (including three different types of sausage wurst platters.) There are five separate bars throughout the restaurant, including a rooftop deck. The bar will open at 11 a.m. on weekdays and 8:45 a.m. on weekends.
Cuba Libre
(801 Ninth St. NW)
This Cuban spot is hosting three separate viewing parties for the games beginning at 2 p.m. on June 24 (Poland vs. Colombia), June 25 (Spain vs. Morocco), and June 26 (Nigeria vs. Argentina), when the bar will offer its happy hour specials for the duration of the games. Sip on $4 sangria and enjoy food specials such as a pineapple and guacamole Cubano sandwich for $5.
DC World Cup HQ
(1214 U St. NW)
Popping up in the former home of The Prospect on U Street, the self-appointed “World Cup Headquarters” of D.C. will be open from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday through July 15. From 4-7 p.m., the bar will also replay each game during its Happy Hour Rewind, for those who can’t get out of work to watch. Chef Alex McCoy of Lucky Buns has developed a menu of burgers; additional specials include a full English breakfast and globally-inspired bites, such as Thai-inspired poutine and Javanese Karedok, a raw vegetable salad. The drinks menu includes beer, wine, and lots of frosè.
Dock FC
(1400 Okie St. NE)
Come to this Ivy City soccer bar for its all-day breakfast menu, stay for its special World Cup deal that includes a pitcher of beer, Cholula chicken wings, nachos, and churros for $50 during the games. The World Cup is extra-special for those at Dock FC, because its owner is an ex-pro international soccer player. Ari Gejdenson played in Bolivia, Chile, and Italy, where his love for food blossomed, before returning to D.C. to become a restaurateur.
Fadó Irish Pub
(808 Seventh St. NW)
Fadó has space for you to cheer with just your team (it’s taking space for private group reservations) or with strangers, as the restaurant will play all of the games across its multiple HDTVs. The bar will also offer rotating food and drink specials with cuisine to match the countries facing off. Plus, there will be contest to predict the winners and scores of each match: Guess correctly and you’ll receive pub credit.
Field House DC
(1901 First St. SW)
Don’t worry about finding a spot to watch the game at this establishment, which opens Thursday. As the Field House website puts it: “Our space is bigger than Donald Trump’s hands.” The 42,000-square-foot outdoor bar is located right next to Audi Field, the soon-to-open D.C. United stadium. During the Cup, the bar will serve specialty beers that hail from the countries playing and air the games on a 22-foot LED projection wall.
Lucky Bar
(1221 Connecticut Ave. NW)
Located two blocks south of Dupont Circle, Lucky Bar is well-prepared for the World Cup. Catch the games on one of the bar’s three big screen televisions or 22-smaller screens across two floors beginning at 7:30 a.m. each day. The bar will serve Russian food and drink specials during lunch.
Ventnor Sports Café
(2411 18th St. NW)
This Adams Morgan sports bar will open every day at 8 a.m., with a special extended breakfast menu and drink specials (coffee with or without alcohol will be an option). Sip on one of its 74 available beer choices, 16 of which are on tap. Even though breakfast will be served, no one will judge you for starting the day off with a plate of their homemade nachos, or come Monday, chowing down for their 75-cent wing special. In addition, the bar will expand its wi-fi and add additional outlets for those eager to live-Tweet the games.
