There's nothing quite like watching sports while downing a beer and gobbling hot wings, and the World Cup is the perfect excuse to hit the town with friends to catch the action.
Wondering where to go? We've done the hard work for you (just not the gobbling of wings -- that's still up to you). Here's our list of 10 great D.C.-area sports bars to watch the World Cup.
10. Jack Rose Dining Saloon (2007 18th St. NW) is hosting events for all of the World Cup games. The bar will be featuring the games on a five-foot projector screen and three large flat-screen TVs. A FIFA Happy Hour every game day will offer $6 draft beers, punch and sangria, and half-price snack specials until 7:30 p.m.
9. The Fainting Goat (1330 U St. NW) has a daily happy hour featuring one specialty Cachaca cocktail -- the Her Name Was Lola -- priced at $5 during games, and another -- the Hand of God, named for a famous World Cup match in 1986 -- $10 all day on June 12 and 13. The Brazilian Xingu Black Lager is priced at $4 during games. The spot will open early for select 3 p.m. games (check the website) and also has an extensive menu that goes well beyond traditional bar food.
8. Buffalo Billiards (1330 19th St. NW) is famous for showing tons of sports games year-round, features daily specials like build-your-own-burger night, "Yuengs and Wings" and half-price pool and shuffleboard. Happy hour runs Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. with $5 beer and wine, and $6 appetizers.
7. H Street Country Club (1335 H St. NE) offers a round of golf (OK, well, mini-golf) without the country club price. The bar will open at noon every day during the World Cup and has the only miniature golf course in all of D.C. You'll also find more than 25 types of tequila, a menu of artisan cocktails changing weekly, and a full menu with vegetarian and vegan options.
6.The Pug (1234 H Street NE) is a neighbor of the H Street County Club, with a no-nonsense atmosphere that prohibits "idiots, shooters, bombs, specials and politics," instead inviting guests to "relax, drink and be cool." Think they're kidding about "no nonsense" drinks? Nah. The bar's so-called specialty cocktail option mockingly links users to Cosmopolitan Magazine's website. The Pug is open daily from 5 p.m. to varying closing times.
5. Lou's City Bar (1400 Irving St. NW) is the place to go if you're looking to watch the Cup without losing your tan. Lou's has several outdoor TVs and promises to show every game of the World Cup, even when that means opening early on weekends. Throughout all the games, guests can enjoy $5 Heineken drafts and bottles, $18 pitchers and buckets, $18 "Beers of Mexico" buckets, and $6 D.C. Brau The Traditions.
The Scene
The most fun things to do and places to be in D.C., Maryland and Virginia
4. Board Room offers a cheaper way to eat -- the bar encourages guests to bring their own food or order delivery from other spots as you enjoy $2 board game rentals. Happy hour runs from 4 to 7 p.m. weekdays and and noon to 7 p.m. on weekends, with $4 rail drinks, house wine and select beers. Seating here is at a premium, so go before the 6 p.m. rush.
3. First Down Sports Bar & Grill is famous for its 40 flavors of wings, chili dogs and happy hour deals. Wings are 59 cents on Mondays, and all-you-can-eat-wings and tenders are available Wednesdays for $14.99/person. The bar is located near the Ballston Metro and offers happy hour from 3 to 8 p.m. on weekdays.
2. Nellie's Sports Bar is as famous for their empanadas and wings as for their weekend drag brunches. The main bar area has several TVs that broadcast games and, for those less interested in the (sports) action, a rooftop deck for dancing. Nellie's also offers "Beat the Clock" happy hour specials on weekdays, during which Miller Light bottles and house vodka drinks are $2 from 5 to 6 p.m., $3 from 6 to 7 p.m. and $4 from 7 to 8 p.m.
1. Lucky Bar D.C. (1221 Connecticut Ave. NW) is THE place to watch soccer any time of year, but they roll out the big guns for the World Cup. Lucky will be opening at noon on June 12 for the 2 p.m. World Cup opening ceremony and will host Happy Hour on weekdays from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. during the Cup. The bar will be playing every match and offers guests a limited-time Taste of Brazil menu every day during Brazil 2014. The menu promises traditional Brazilian street food, classic cocktails and beers. Guests can also enjoy $6 Budweiser World Cup stadium bottles.
