The World Cup begins this week, and Americans have been celebrating as only we know how: by fighting Europeans on social media about stadium size and atmosphere, and banning Africans and Middle Easterners from the country. Nonetheless, the next month offers a great opportunity to take advantage of DC’s status as a truly international city, and fraternize with foreigners while watching multimillionaires pass a ball around in 100-degree heat. For today’s special sports edition of Cockburn’s Diary, here’s your correspondent’s guide on where to watch each team in the District.
Germany
The Brig
The Brig describes itself as a “secret beer garden.” General manager Warren Hedderich says the venue hopes to show every World Cup game with sound available, and patrons can view games either inside or on the patio of the restaurant. The beer garden expects both US and German fans to stop by, and will have imported beers to cater to these fan bases. Matches will be accompanied by food and drink specials, giveaways, merchandise and raffles, as well as the chance to win tickets to group and knockout stage games.
Dacha
Dacha Beer Garden in Navy Yard is a regular spot for Nationals, DC United and Washington Spirit fans to watch games and enjoy brews. Fans for the US, Belgium and Germany can attend various watch parties in support of their country at the venue. Dacha will be open Monday through Friday for the entirety of the World Cup and at 11 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Sponsored by Michelob, NÜTRL and Guinness, the beer garden will include giveaways for Team USA, as well as merchandise at Belgium games from St. Bernardus and from Weihenstephaner at Germany’s games. The Shaw venue will also host games.
Spain
Bully Spanish Steakhouses
Throughout the tournament, Spain fans can find great deals on food and drinks at Bully Spanish Steakhouse. Specials include free paella at halftime during all of Spain’s matches, and drinks inspired by the countries playing.
Casa Teresa
Casa Teresa is planning deals for Spain’s matches. The venue will have $4 Estrella Galicia cans, $40 sangria pitchers and a free glass of cava after every Spanish victory.
England
Ivy and Coney
Ivy and Coney is a World Cup hub for fans of England and the US, opening early this week at 3 p.m. on Thursday and Friday for matches, and for England’s matches on June 17 and 23. The spot is celebrating the World Cup with “Hot Dogs, Malort and Foot Stuff.” “If you’re looking for a neighborhood joint to relax and think ketchup on a hot dog is a war crime, we’re your place,” says a message on their website.
Butterworth’s
The Capitol Hill café will “screen big matches, upstairs, with drinks specials,” co-owner Raheem Kassam told Cockburn. “We will naturally show preference toward England and US matches.” Naturally.
(…and Scotland)
Duke’s Grocery
For English and Scottish fans looking to enjoy the World Cup with a boot full of beer, Duke’s Grocery is another good option. With drink specials and a 22-ounce special edition beer boot for sale, fans can watch every televised game with sound. Paired with happy hour from 12 to 7 and half-priced wine after 7 on Mondays, a representative from the British pub told Cockburn the Dupont Circle location will be open especially late for games. Embassy watch parties are also expected at the Foggy Bottom location – where Cockburn will be watching the nation of his forefathers.
The Queen Vic
The British pub is “opening especially for all England, Scotland and US games,” a representative from the venue told Cockburn. The venue will have all other games on with sound on the big screen during regular opening hours and offers deals based on matches throughout the tournament. No reservations required, first-come, first-served.
Belgium
The Sovereign
The Sovereign in Georgetown is a clear favorite for Belgium fans. They offer Belgian-inspired brews and dishes, specials throughout matches include $6 beers and half-price mussels for every US and Belgium game. A representative says the sound will be on for all US and Belgium games – and while other games will be shown, volume will depend on the number of fans present and the restaurant’s circumstances. Hours and staffing will be adjusted for games that start earlier in the day, specifically for games that begin at 3 p.m.
St. Arnold’s Mussel Bar
Belgium fans can also find deals and happy-hour specials throughout all games at St. Arnold’s Mussel Bar. The restaurant will show all games with sound during the daytime and have deals including $2 off select beers of all sizes, $10 wings, $8 onion rings and $8 pretzel bites. In addition, the business will have some sponsored games, and according to a representative, “we will be adding more as the tournament progresses.” First, the USA opening game will be sponsored by Väsen, where fans can purchase Chase’n the Cup Amber lager for $8 all night. Following the opening, the Belgium-Egypt game will be sponsored by Delirium Tremens, with $11 beers and giveaways, and the Belgium-Iran game will be sponsored by De Halve Maan Brewery, with $9 Brugse Zot and giveaways. Cockburn has been warned that all sponsored games are expected to draw large crowds and advises fans to arrive early to claim a spot. Specifically, the Belgium-Iran game has an Eventbrite page to reserve a spot.
Mexico (among others)
Cafe Citron
A number of supporters for Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador and other Latin American nations will be heading out to Maryland for watch parties. But for fans looking for World Cup deals in Dupont, Cafe Citron has you covered. The venue bills itself as a “vibrant Latin Kitchen and lounge”, the venue is kicking off its World Cup celebrations with a watch party for the Mexico-South Africa match on June 11 at 3 pm. With deals on tequila shots, margaritas, Coronas, nachos and tacos, posts on the restaurant’s Instagram indicate celebrations for Latin American teams throughout the tournament.
Apapacho Taqueria
Mexican fans can root for El Tri at Apapacho Taqueria, where guests will receive a free shot or beer for every goal Mexico scores. Other gameday deals include $4 Modelos, $8 margaritas and $4 Carnitas tacos during games.
Argentina (among others)
Quincy Hall
Quincy Hall, a pizza-and-beer restaurant in Arlington, is planning to show all the World Cup games. They will run specials that include $20 pitchers of Quincy House Mexican lager, special deals on canned beers and cocktails and a giveaway for the US-Paraguay game on Friday night. The venue will also host a Guinness event featuring pint printing – and is bringing in beers it doesn’t usually carry, including Quilmes, an Argentine beer, to coincide with the strong Argentine community that usually attends. The spot will open up early for games that occur outside their hours, and other fans expected include those in support of the United States, England, France, Spain, Portugal, Germany and other major European and African clubs.
France (among others)
Penn Social
Penn Social is a massive sports bar planning a kickoff event for the World Cup on June 11. The venue’s website includes a schedule of matches and watch parties, allowing fans from every team, with an emphasis on France, to find coverage.
Midlands
Midlands is a beer garden and sports bar, showing all matches throughout the World Cup. To Cockburn’s delight, the restaurant will have drink specials throughout the match, including Modelo draft and Corona bucket specials, $5 Miller Lite pints and $10 steins. Fans can also expect rotating beers from Germany, Belgium, Mexico, France and England. Team USA supporters are especially encouraged to flock to the bar on June 19 at 3 p.m., where fans can use the Guinness beer printer to create images on their pints ahead of USA-Australia. While a representative from the bar said they are not expecting any one fan base more than another, fans expected to populate for games include those from Brazil, the US, England, France and Germany.
Croatia
Franklin Hall
Franklin Hall is open for all World Cup matches. Doors will open half an hour before the first match, and drink specials throughout the tournament include deals on non-alcoholic drinks and buckets of beer. The venue will be the official Croatia watch party headquarters. Franklin Hall will also host a big kickoff for the World Cup on Thursday. Team USA games will be on with sound, as will other games, depending on the crowd.
Australia
Lucky Bar
G’day mate! The newly reopened Lucky Bar is hosting those from down under at watch parties for Australian fans and the Australian media, according to a rep. The venue will show 80 to 90 percent of the World Cup matches and is currently planning specials for the entire tournament. Known in the DMV as a longtime soccer bar, Eventbrite also lists watch parties at the location for a variety of other teams, most of which stipulate that events are 21+. Tickets are required for the Australia match on June 19, according to Eventbrite, citing an expectation to sell out and hit capacity.
Sweden (among others)
Ireland’s Four Courts
Fans of Sweden and the US can find a home at Ireland’s Four Courts, an Irish pub located in Arlington that was recently voted America’s best soccer bar by a top football podcast. The venue will show all games throughout the World Cup and host the Swedish Embassy and US watch parties, with European fans expected for the matches. A restaurant partner at the location said the pub will have extra tables and TVs accordingly, and all games will be shown with sound. The venue seeks to cater to every fanbase and track standings by taking down a country’s flag, all of which are hanging in the bar, once they are eliminated from the tournament.
Austria (among others)
Aslin Beer Company
While Aslin Beer Company is expecting fans from all over during the World Cup, according to the general manager, “We are working with many embassies to host watch parties, including those for Austria, Croatia, Germany, Cote d’Ivoire and more.” The venue is slated to show all games with sound, and will have multiple deals available during each match. The beer company is also offering a specialty beer brewed just for the World Cup, which will be released throughout the tournament.
Canada (among others)
Sports & Social
Sports & Social is dubbing itself the “World Cup Headquarters” for the 2026 tournament, declaring that each match will be shown with “massive screens, stadium sound and a crowd that brings every play to life.” Drinks specials, including drink buckets and beer deals, will be available throughout the match, as well as food specials inspired by each stadium region of the host countries. Expect fans of Canada, Mexico and the US, among others.
USA
Solace Outpost Navy Yard
Looking for a venue sponsored by American Outlaws, the largest group of supporters for the US national soccer teams? Solace Navy Yard is the spot, showing the entire World Cup with sound. The general manager told Cockburn the restaurant expects massive crowds from Team USA, even hosting a Team USA drumline. Especially exciting is the “American Outlaws Pilsner,” a beer with custom cans made especially for the World Cup. The spot will also host activations for the England games, be sponsored by NÜTRL and host giveaways throughout the tournament. “I think it will probably be one of the premier places to watch soccer for this World Cup,” the general manager said.
The rest
Elephant and Castle is an ideal spot for those looking to watch the World Cup steps away from the National Mall. The venue is showing every World Cup match with sound, and the space includes more than 20 TVs, outdoor patios, extended hours for matches and limited-edition jerseys for sale. Walter’s told Cockburn about specials for all World Cup games, with the sound shown for the team with the most fans in attendance. The venue will have Michelob Ultra bucket specials, as well as a “pour-your-own-beer-wall.” Similarly, Bronson Bierhall in Virginia will also host numerous drink bucket specials for seltzers and beers, and will be open for every game with sound. A large venue with a dog-friendly patio and “beer-hall style tables”, the German bar told Cockburn they expect to be especially busy for all US games. Exiles has a couple of projectors and a beer garden – and will show games with sound. And Kingfisher reports they will show all games without sound, “unless USA makes it to the final.” The bar notes that though their policy is “BYO food”, they will be giving away free popcorn and match showings will be 21+ only.
Problem Child is offering tons of game day activations, as well as a $10 refillable 22 oz. Special Edition World Cup Beer Boots featuring Michelob Ultra. During USA matches, those who visit the venue wearing a vintage jersey can expect discounts on select beers, Jack Daniel’s and High Noon. During halftime in USA, Germany, Netherlands, Czechia, Belgium, Australia, Austria, England and Scotland matches, fans can compete for a free beer in a beer boot strength competition. Similarly, during halftime of Brazil, Argentina, France, Mexico, Portugal and Spain, fans can compete in a soccer juggling contest. At each match, those in attendance can compete for best-dressed supporter, and can find special deals including $5 Modelo during all Mexico matches, special shot combos for USA, Mexico, Canada, Germany and Japan supporters and $5 Jell-O Shots and Jägermeister shots during all matches.
Finally, don’t forget that the Trump administration’s Freedom 250 committee is putting on a FIFA Fan Zone on the National Mall, which will show daytime games for the group stage and round of 32 (as well as any USMNT games in the evening), then all games from the round of 16 to the final.
Is your bar missing? Are you hosting fans from a certain team during the tournament? Work for an embassy and want to let people know about your watch party? Email Cockburn and he’ll update the post.
On our radar
LINCOLN IN THE OCTAGON A major construction operation is under way at the Lincoln Memorial. It’s strongly rumored that the monument will host aspect of the festivities related to Sunday’s UFC Freedom 250 fights.
MAKING PLANS FOR NIGEL Reform party leader Nigel Farage will be the keynote speaker at the Conservative Political Action Conference Great Britain in mid-July.
BELTWAY BANDIT Five raccoons took up residence at Noyes Elementary School in Northeast DC. A protest held by the teacher’s union featured slogans, “Raccoons out now!” and “Could you work with wild animals in the ceiling?”
New York boos Trump during National Anthem
President Trump’s appearance at Madison Square Garden last night for Game 3 of the NBA Finals was met with boos that almost drowned out the National Anthem.
As Trump’s motorcade approached MSG a little before 8 p.m., New Yorkers could be seen holding signs saying, “Nobody wants you here” and “Trump must go.” When the President was later shown on the jumbotron, saluting during the National Anthem, some members of the crowd chanted “U-S-A!” Even more booed.
The President’s attendance was controversial in part because of the entourage of high-level security needed. After Trump announced his intention to attend the first Finals game hosted in his home city since 1999, a five-block security perimeter around the venue was established. The perimeter was secured over four hours before tip-off, thereby eliminating the possibility of an outdoor watch party outside MSG. Most ticket-holders had waits of up to two hours to make it through security screenings, but considering that most had spent an average of $7,000 for a ticket, they had little choice but to wait it out.
President Trump was invited to the game by Knicks owner James Dolan and was seated in Dolan’s suite along with his granddaughter, Kai Trump. In contrast, Zohran Mamdani, the Mayor of New York City, shared this week that he personally purchased his standing-room-only ticket for around $1,000 and was attending the game with “a few friends.”
Sitting in the nosebleeds has become Mamdani’s signature when attending Knicks games; he did the same earlier in the spring at a playoff game. Part of the appeal must certainly be the contrast that can be drawn between himself and the President by sitting “in a very different section of the stadium” than Trump, as he pointed out in a news conference last week.
Despite all the drama, the worst part of the evening for New Yorkers had nothing to do with Trump – the Knicks lost the game to the San Antonio Spurs with a final score of 115-111. While they still lead the series 2-1, the home-turf loss was deflating. Maybe it would be heartening to find a way to peg the loss on the President’s presence in the building.
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