Where to Drink and Watch World Cup Soccer in Philadelphia

Few sporting events can generate the same amount of excitement that buzzes around the globe every four years in the run-up to World Cup Soccer, or FIFA World Cup as the rest of the world calls it. Just the same, few sports can parlay that sense of exhilaration from the field to TV, which makes watching World Cup matches at a bar equally as fun as in person. This year, the tournament kicks off on Thurs., June 12 and run through Sun., July 13. In the tradition of the tournaments, we’ve broken down Philadelphia’s best bars for watching the games into several separate zones based on neighborhood locations. Know of a place we missed. Give us a shout on Facebook or Twitter and let us know.

Rittenhouse:

Fado Irish Pub: The ceiling is lined with club scarves and flags. There has been a countdown clock awaiting the kickoff of the World Cup for over a month. The TVs, taps, bartenders and regulars have all been looking forward to this moment. The World Cup is (nearly) upon us, and Fado is one of our top ranked bars to catch all the action. (1500 Locust St.; 215-893-9700)

The Bards: The Bards is an authentic and cozy Irish bar with a soft spot for English Premier League football. As those players return to their national clubs there will be plenty of support for all nations. Plenty of cheers, plenty of beers. (2013 Walnut St.; 215-569-9585)

Cavanaugh’s Rittenhouse: Cav’s is one of the best places to watch any sport on this side of Broad Street. This bar boasts two bars and 16 HDTVs, so this neighborhood favorite will surely be in full swing for the World Cup. They are also featuring 10 beers from 10 different World Cup countries. Catch them for $5.75 each or $4.50 during their country's game. (1823 Sansom St.; 215-665-9500)

The Black Sheep Pub & Restaurant: The Black Sheep shouldn’t be considered a dark horse in the World Cup roundup. With multiple floors, plenty of televisions, great food and a wide selection of beer, this spot might be one of the most overlooked places get your fill of football. (247 S. 17th St.; 215-545-9473)

Center City West:

Tir Na Nog: Tir Na Nog is a soccer lover’s hotspot. If there is a live game playing, it will be aired here. Displaced supporters of English and European football and rugby find themselves at home here, so the World Cup will be a chance for the rest of Philadelphia to come out for all of the action. (1600 Arch St.; 267-514-1700)

Con Murphy’s Irish Pub: All year round, Con Murphy’s televisions are dominated by soccer and rugby matchups, so the World Cup will definitely be a big deal here. This classy yet comfortable Irish pub has two floors and a slew of televisions to watch the national squads duke it out. (1700 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy; 267-687-1128)

Misconduct Tavern: Misconduct once again proved itself as one of the best spots to watch football during the FA Cup final. They have rotating drafts, 10 HD flat screens and an Arsenal of bottled beers. (1511 Locust St.; 215-732-5797)

Tavern on Broad: Tavern on Broad slides into the Center City West group by the slimmest of margins—geographically speaking—but this bar was made for watching sports. It has 40 HDTVs, 6 sound zones and 3 private areas for groups of supporters to have personal viewing parties. The regular happy hour is already a reason to stop in: all drinks are half off Monday-Friday from 5-8 PM. (200 S. Broad St.; 215-546-2290)

Slainte Irish Pub & Grill: Right across from 30th St., Sliante might be one of the easiest bars to get to for the Cup. There are 25 rotating beers on draft, but it also has a wide selection of booze, friendly clientele and great food. (3000 Market St.; 215-222-7400)

Center City East:

Field House: The Field House is one of the premier sports bars in the city for any event and the World Cup will be no exception. In a salute to international football, they will have $3 Carlsberg and Estrella drafts during all games for the entirety of the tournament. (1150 Filbert St.; 215-629-1520)

McGillin’s Olde Ale House: Philadelphia’s oldest continuously operating tavern is a local favorite that has three drafts on tap made specifically for them by Stoudt’s Brewing Co. While their vast beer selection and daily drink specials help land it on this list, McGillin’s food, TVs and atmosphere make it a no-brainer for a sporting event like the World Cup. (1310 Drury St.; 215-735-5562)

Moriarty’s Restaurant & Irish Pub: Moriarty’s old fashioned bar is 20 yards long, as wide as the goal area on the pitch, but the net-minders won’t be as fortunate as the crowd here. Their entire draft selection of over 30 beers are $3 during their weekly happy hours (5-7PM), and Moriarty’s is known for having some of the best wings in the city. (1116 Walnut St.; 215-627-7676)

Bar-Ly: With over 60 different draft beers and 20 big screen TVs, Bar-Ly is well stocked for the matches. Their intercontinental bar food will give you a variety of options from a variety of the nations that will be competing. (101 N. 11th St.; 215-922-2688)

Old City:

The Plough & the Stars: While many Irish bars claim authenticity, this was the spot to watch Ireland win the 6 Nations Rugby Championship on a wall-sized TV. Their beer variety is only matched by their whiskey and scotch selections. This is definitely a joint where sport-fueled rowdiness is appropriate. (123 Chestnut St.; 215-733-0300)

Sto’s Bar: If you came in here for March Madness, you know that Sto’s is a great place to watch a tourney. They have plenty of TVs, but they are all dwarfed in comparison to the 80” behemoth LED. And if size really matters to you, they have great specials on pitchers for sporting events. (236 Market St.; 267-687-8653)

Cuba Libre: Cuba Libre will offer $7 Leblon Cachaça Cocktails during select matches, and host viewing parties with tapas from Chef Guillermo Pernot on Tues., June 17 for Brasil vs. Mexico, and Sun., July 13 for the Championship Match. (10 S 2nd St.; 215-627-0666)

Bierstube: If you’re kicking it in Old City for the World Cup, stop into Bierstube to take on either a 1L or 2L boot. Root for whichever country you fancy, but don’t be surprised if there is a huge German turnout. (206 Market St.; 215-9220-2958)

Nick’s Roast Beef Bar & Grille: This is Old City’s laid back neighborhood bar. Enjoy the games on their TVs while enjoying their after-work and late-night happy hours. Half off appetizers and $1.75 domestic drafts are hard to beat, but Nick’s always runs the citywide special: a shot of Jim Beam and a PBR 16oz. can for $5. (16 S. 2nd St.; 215-928-9411)

Queen Village:

Brahaus Schmitz: Brauhaus Schmitz has 29 beers on tap, 88 diverse bottled beers, and a huge space for the World Cup enthusiast to watch the upcoming matches. Brauhaus will be going all-out as they offer a VIP room for $60 per match that includes beer, food and more. As each country is knocked out of the tournament, their scarf will be taken down from the walls and gifted to one lucky patron. That is, until the championship game when Brauhaus will be shutting down the whole block to air the game in the middle of South Street. (718 South St.; 267-909-8814)

O’Neal’s Pub: Right off of South St., O’Neal’s dim lighting, dark wood walls, and a friendly neighborhood bartending crew will make you feel right at home. Their draft list is complemented by a healthy bottled beer selection, and if the narrow first floor bar fills up, there is an upstairs section with 4 TVs to add to the 10 downstairs. (611 S. 3rd St.; 215-574-9495)

Cavanaugh’s Headhouse: Although Cav’s sister bar was already mentioned, the Headhouse has earned the right for this group. This bar has seven different rooms, dozens of TVs, and will surely have some great World Cup specials to match their track record of value. (421 S. 2nd St.; 215-928-9307)

New Wave Cafe: Located in Queen Village underneath a retro lit up sign, New Wave Cafe is a local favorite. Boasting a strong seventeen-beer draft list and over fifty bottles and cans, this is the perfect spot to drink a quality beer, shoot some pool and throw some darts while watching your team on one of the 10 televisions. (784 S. 3rd St.; 215-922-8484)

South Philly:

Taproom on 19th: The deep-South Philly spot is serving up food and drink specials during all games from June 12 — July 13. (2400 S. 19th St.; 267-687-7817)

University City:

New Deck Tavern: Seven HD televisions, a rotating draught list, and delicious Irish themed bar food should be all you need to settle in at New Deck, a popular University City soccer spot, in order to cheer on your World Cup team in style. (3408 Sansom St.; 215-386-4600)

City Tap House: With over 60 craft beers on tap and 9 HD televisions scattered about the bar and restaurant, City Tap House offers variety to match your World Cup thirst. If you can’t find seating at the bar, there is plenty of room in their private dining area, which is also dotted with televisions so you’ll never a miss minute. (3925 Walnut St.; 215-662-0105)

Fairmount:

Bishop’s Collar: If you’re in the Fairmount/Art Museum area, this bar is a necessary stop. It has a great crowd and atmosphere during games, and the quality of the food, drinks and overall experience will not be reflected on the bill. (2349 Fairmount Ave., 215-765-1616)

Rembrandt’s: This neighborhood bar and restaurant is a combination of class and comfort. With multiple rooms, two floors and outdoor seating, you can either join the masses or carve out a private nook when the games kick off. (741 N. 23rd St.; 215-763-2228)

Urban Saloon: The Urban Saloon is unlike many of the quiet, cozy bars around the Art Museum. There’s a ton of space inside, plenty of big TVs, and it attracts a younger crowd. Combine those factors with their beer selection and you can ensure that World Cup 2014 will be a party here. (2120 Fairmount Ave., 215-232-5359)

Kite & Key: The Cup will be an electric sports event, so come into the Kite & Key to absorb the energy and their beer. There are twice as many varieties of beer than there are qualifying countries, so after some trial and error, find your lucky brew as you support your side. (1836 Callowhill St., 215-568-1818)

Northern Liberties:

The 700: If you're looking for a soccer bar in NoLibs, this is your place. There's also plenty to drink with 90 or so bottles, 10 taps, and two beer engines for those that enjoy the suds, and a wide range of liquors and a variety of freshly squeezed juices and mixers for the cocktail fans. (700 N 2nd St., 215-413-3181)

Manayunk:

Pitchers Pub: Manayunk locals have been watching sports here for over two decades because of its seven flat screens, great pub grub and because it has the most taps on Main St. This unpretentious bar is a perfect place to duck into and watch the action unfold. (4326 Main St.; 215-866-7328)