The 2022 World Cup in Qatar started Sunday, Nov. 20, and with 32 teams competing for the trophy after 12 years of preparations, the soccer tournament promises thrills for fans all over the world.
The first U.S. Men's National Team game was Monday, Nov. 21 at 2 p.m. ET, against Wales.
For fans of the USMNT who want to celebrate the thrill of the game in-person, without shelling out hundreds of dollars for a World Cup ticket, a number of bars in and around the District will host watch parties during USMNT matches. And if your heart lies with a non-U.S. team, don't worry -- there are plenty of places to eat, drink and be merry no matter who's on the field.
Here's a non-exhaustive list of bars in D.C., Maryland and Virginia that will be hosting watch parties for the World Cup. (Have one to share with us? Let us know! Email us at nbcwrcthescene@nbcuni.com.)
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DC
Back in September, the D.C. City Council passed new legislation allowing bars to stay open for 24 hours during the World Cup.
You won't quite be able to buy a beer anytime at any bar -- the 2022 World Cup Emergency Amendment Act of 2022 requires bars to pause serving alcohol between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m. Bars that want to stay open 24 hours also have to pay a $100 fee to register with the ABC Board, and provide three days written notice to the Board and the Metropolitan Police Department before they can move forward with the extended hours.
But a number of bars are taking advantage of the opportunity, and the legislation promises extended fun for soccer fans this World Cup.
Wunder Garten, 1101 First St. NE
Several embassies are partnered with Wunder Garten in NoMa for the 2022 World Cup, including but not limited to Wales, UK, Germany, Spain, Australia and Belgium.
There was a watch party on Nov. 21 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. for the USMNT vs. Wales game, and the outdoor German-inspired beer garden advertised "beer specials, big screen TVs, and plenty of swag gear" on its Facebook page.
Wunder Garten has a series of other watch parties scheduled for future World Cup Games, from one at 8 a.m. Wednesday during the Germany vs. Japan game, to one on Dec. 2 for Switzerland vs. Serbia. Check out this page for the full list of official events.
Boundary Stone Public House, 116 Rhode Island Ave. NW
The Bloomingdale pub will open early at 1 p.m. every day to air the World Cup matches, with plans to open earlier on days the USMNT plays before that time.
They'll also host happy hour during all weekday World Cup games, which means $5 local drafts, $6 select wines by the glass, $6 draft Old Fashioneds and Manhattans, $7 honey hot chicken sandwiches and fried fish sandwiches, and $1.50 oysters.
Taqueria Las Gamelas, 1280 4th St. NE
The taqueria and bar at La Cosecha market will be offering $4 draft Modelo and $2 off margaritas during the games, which La Cosecha will play live during regular business hours.
Other eateries at La Cosecha offering deals during the games include:
- Grand Cata, with $10 house wines, $5 Medalla lager and $25 Buckets of Medalla lager
- La Casita Pupuseria, with two pupusas and a beer for $11
- Serenata, with $3 beers and $10 themed cocktails
Astro Beer Hall, 1306 G St. NW
Astro Beer Hall, the official D.C. bar for the unofficial-U.S.-national-soccer-fan group American Outlaws, is opening bright and early at 6 a.m. on U.S. game days.
If the bar on G Street is too crowded, American Outlaws has overflow partner events at:
- Public Bar Live, 1214 18th St. NW
- Franklin Hall, 348 Florida Ave. NW
- Clubhouse Georgetown, 1070 Wisconsin Ave. NW
- Penn Social, 801 E St. NW
Capitol Riverfront
A number of restaurants and bars on the water in southeast D.C. will have deals, drinks specials and extended hours during World Cup games. A full list, available here, includes:
- Mission Navy Yard, 1221 Van St. SE, which will open for all World Cup games at 10 a.m., with $6 Pacifico 16-oz. drafts, $7 Patron Blanco shots and $10 espresso martinis, among other deals
- The Brig, 1007 8th St. SE, started opening early on Nov. 20, with specials throughout the World Cup for anyone watching at the German beer garden
- Atlas Brew Works' Half Street Brewery & Tap Room, 1201 Half St. SE, which plans to open early at 10 a.m. starting Dec. 3, with World Cup games on their TVs
Team USA Watch Parties
The official U.S. Soccer website has a Watch Party Finder tool that you can use to find the closest watch party to your city or zip code. Hosts can submit their party to the tool so others can search and join their fellow fans.
Here are the watch parties listed in the Finder as of Tuesday afternoon for all U.S. group matches, or you can click here and search for yourself.
- Duffy's Irish Pub, Dupont, 2153 P St NW
- Blackfinn, 1620 I St NW
- Across the Pond, 1732 Connecticut Ave NW
- Exiles Bar, 1610 U St NW
- Franklin Hall, 1346 Florida Ave NW (details above)
- Brixton Pub, 901 U St NW
- Irish Channel Restaurant, 500 H St NW
- Wunder Garden, L St NE & First St NE (details above)
- Walters Sports Bar, 1221 Van St SE
- Stadium Sports, 300 Tingey St SE
- The Brig, 1007 8th St SE (details above)
Maryland
Silver Branch Brewing Company, 8401 Colesville Road #150, Silver Spring
The taproom in Silver Spring is opening at 11 a.m. during the group stage, then at 1 p.m. during the knockout stage of the World Cup.
Silver Branch's website advertises beer, food and cocktail specials until Dec. 18.
Caddies Bar and Grill, 4922 Cordell Ave., Bethesda
The Bethesda sports bar and restaurant will open at 10:30 a.m. on game days for the big World Cup games, including the USMNT games against England on Nov. 25 and against Iran on Nov. 29.
Caddies, advertising it as "FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Headquarters," will show games throughout the World Cup, from Nov. 20 to Dec. 18.
El Patio, 5240 Randolph RD Rockville
This Argentinian restaurant is streaming every Argentina match, no matter how early. For the notorious game against Saudi Arabia, El Patio opened at 5 a.m.
All other games during the restaurant's regular business hours will be streamed. Those hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays.
El Patio isn't taking any reservations during Argentina games, according to their website, but if you're willing to crowd in, they'll have special menus during certain matches.
The next Argentina match the restaurant is streaming will be against Poland on Wednesday, Nov. 30, at 2 p.m.
Virginia
B Live, 2854 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
The Clarendon bar is offering food specials from Nov. 20 through Dec. 18, along with Game Day happy hour deals on certain drinks.
Deals on food include $10 for any specialty burger and fries, and $2 off all snacks, which includes wings, cheese fries, and mac and cheese. Happy hour deals include $4 domestic beers, $5 craft beers, $5 house wines, $6 rail drinks, $19 pitchers and $10 off margarita towers -- and for those really looking to celebrate, shooters are half price for five minutes after every goal scored.
There will also be raffles, giveaways and jersey prizes.
Clarendon Ballroom, 3185 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
If you've ever wanted to watch World Cup soccer on a 60-foot projector screen, this tournament is your chance. The Arlington bar will project all the games on its giant screen, and show them on its 20-television wall.
Happy hour and pregame specials run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with $35 Budweiser "Stadium Can" buckets and $25 Stella pitchers. Other specials, including a $45 Budweiser "Stadium Can" bucket, will run all day long.
There's no cover charge, but you can pay extra for a "tailgating" VIP couch with its own private cooler. If you don't there's still a game area with cornhole, water pong, and giant Jenga to enjoy while you wait on the bar's giveaways.
Wilson Hardware, 2915 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
For World Cup fans who want their choice of projection-screen viewing experiences in Clarendon, Wilson Hardware will also air the games on their 180-inch (15-foot) screen.
It's part of their newly renovated, three-floor setup -- and customers can take advantage of all that space to watch any of the games scheduled during the bar's regular hours from Nov. 20 to Dec. 18.
Those hours are 11:30 a.m. to midnight on Tuesday and Wednesday, 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Thursday and Friday, from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Saturdays, and 10 a.m. to midnight on Sundays.
