GOOOOAL!!! ~ The L.A. Taco Guide to the 30 Best World Cup Viewing Parties in Los Angeles [Updated]
Miguel Layun, Mexico vs. Jamaica, Rose Bowl 2016/Photo courtesy Ivan Fernandez.
[dropcap size=big]H[/dropcap]as it really been four years since James Rodriguez popped a rocket from long-distance with a chest bump and a swivel of the hips? Since #NoEraPenal? Since Costa Rica was a set of penalty kicks away from reaching their first-ever semifinal? The answer is yes, it has been and we are now in the midst of another set of wild, vein-popping, scream-inducing, heart-wrenching moments on the pitch at the World Cup in Russia.
Below is a list of a couple of spots where football fans can live out those moments along with other like-minded, equally passionate aficionados. Not every pub/restaurant listed here will be open for every game, thanks to the difference with Russia, which is 11 time zones away, but many will still feature a number of high-profile games during the group stage.
So grab your jersey, your face paint, your vuvuzela, and your colored wigs. The World Cup is back!!!
[*This post has been updated with even more spots!]
Both Hollywood and Silver Lake locations will screen every game of the World Cup. Tacos, brunch, and the 33 taps in the official name will be available for the early games too.
This spot is across the street from LAFC’s home, the Banc of California stadium, and will be open for select games. Check their site and social media for the updated schedule on that.
Barkowski
Eclectic Santa Monica bar will be showing every game, and opens at 4:45am on all match days. Multiple TVs, craft beers, and quotes by poet Charles Bukowski projected on the walls. The place has a retro vibe and is unpretentious.
Go for the World Cup golazos, stay for the 100 draft beer tower. This DTLA spot will open early for select games only. Keep an eye on their social media to find out which!
Who wants chicken wings for breakfast?! Both the DTLA and North Hollywood locations will be open early for every single game. On a separate note, was Wing Kingdom in Regular Show inspired by Big Wangs? #InquiringMinds
Fans of the Mexican, English, and French national teams in Santa Monica will find friendly crowds at this Santa Monica spot. Two floors and 17 TVs will capture (almost) all the action starting at 5am. Make sure to call/check their socials for their definitive schedule!
This American bistro will be open for all World Cup games. Members of FC Bayern München Los Angeles will host the Mexico/Germany match on Sunday, June 17th.
One of the more well-known football hangouts, Casey’s will open early for the 8am games but not earlier thanks to liquor laws! There’ll be plenty of Irish coffee and breakfast for all when doors open.
The Cock N’ Bull will screen all the games live on their sweet, new projector and their 126-inch TV screen. Breakfast or lunch will be offered depending on the time of the game.
This brewery in Hawthorne will host select games throughout the tournament starting with the first powerhouse match of the week: Portugal vs. Spain on Friday, June 15. Other matches will be announced on their social media.
Don Chente (known for its rooftop parties) will host fans of El Tri during their matches on June 17, 23, & 27 in collaboration with Mexican national team supporter group Pasión 1927.
The spot in Little Tokyo will host general screenings of the games. They’ve also thrown in a $3 Sapporo drink special on June 15th for everyone interested in watching Egypt vs. Uruguay, Morocco vs. Iran, and Portugal vs. Spain (the big one!).
All the paisas in Koreatown can head over to the home of mole and authentic Oaxacan food in L.A. to watch Mexico’s games. Mole, Mezcal, and Mexico in el Mundial. It’s a great combination!
This sports bar in Culver City recently added 12 new TVs so you can bet on having a good view of every World Cup game no matter where you sit/stand indoors.
LA Galaxy World Cup Watch Parties
You read that right. Major League Soccer side LA Galaxy will host watch parties throughout LA county on select dates, which will also include games, giveaways, and more. Check their site for the game schedule and locations, which include Universal Citywalk and Port Long Beach.
Calling all Cafeteros! This authentic Colombian food restaurant will open early for all of Colombia’s games beginning with their opening match vs. Japan on June 19th.
This Belgian cafe in the Arts District is the perfect place to rock your Fellaini, De Bruyne, and Vertonghen jerseys. The cafe will screen the 11am games and will open early for Belgium’s 8am match vs. Panama on June 18th.
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Football fans in Pasadena can get their daily fix of World Cup games here. Make sure to call in for game info as pub hours will vary depending on the schedule of games. They will, for example, screen the France/Australia match at 3am but won’t screen other games scheduled at 5am.
OB’s in Manhattan Beach will open as early as 6am for the more popular games. Grab a beer, watch a game, then work on that tan afterwards!
This “Hollywood institution” will open for all of the matches at 11am but will also open early for the match between Germany and Mexico and the match between England and Panama. Check the calendar on their site for the updated schedule once the group stage ends.
This pub will continue the tradition it established in 1998 and screen every single World Cup game live. First come, first serve except for all matches featuring the English team as well as the match between France and Australia, which will require a ticket for entry (just $5 though!). All this plus promotions and discounts with Carlsberg, Kronenbourg, Bitburger, and Bombardier.
The Garage will open early for the first set of 8am and 9am games and eventually open at 7am as well as the tournament moves ahead past the group stages. Check in for exact games and times.
This Highland Park spot on Figueroa will be open for all the 11am games but will open earlier for all games that feature England and Mexico on the pitch.
The folks at The Parlor, the unofficial home for fans of Colombia, will screen every game of the tournament. Check their site during the tournament for announcements on official watch parties and other events with various supporter groups in the area.
The Tavern will also screen every game of the tournament. They will also provide a number of giveaways and free merch, courtesy of a few German breweries, during Germany’s matches.
This British pub in San Pedro will screen replays of games throughout the day so all you late-to-risers and 9-to-5’ers can still enjoy the games in a pub setting but at your own reasonable hour.
Catch World Cup fever at L.A. Live where Tom’s Urban will screen every game live. There will also be numerous, special giveaways such as Tom’s Urban FC swag bags on select match dates, swag promos with supporter group Real Madrid LA during Spain’s matches, and a massive party for the World Cup final with sponsors Verizon and the Heineken girls. Throw in a discount on the two-fisted, 40 oz. beer mug throughout the tournament and we’ve got ourselves heaven under one roof!
The Village Idiot is no fool as it will be open for every single game of the World Cup! Well, except for one game and that’s the 3am game between France and Australia. But besides that, it’ll be non-stop World Cup fever on Melrose Ave!
The “purveyor of exotic sausages” will screen all games that kickoff at 11am with a few exceptions. From June 16th - 18th and June 23rd - 24th, the Venice location only will open at 8am for kegs and eggs bashes.
This will be the place for all matches featuring Mexico and Germany, no matter the hour, along with every game during regular hours. There will be happy hour specials after each match to help you celebrate or drown your sorrows.
This spot in Santa Monica is a favorite among English football fans. It is, therefore, no surprise that they will screen every game of the World Cup and will be at its busiest for every match where England takes the pitch. The owners went so far as to bring in a few extra screens for the tournament!
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