It is already an incredible summer here in early June in New York, yet somehow a force multiplier is coming in the form of the FIFA World Cup 2026. Any longtime New Yorker, whether they pay even the faintest attention to soccer or not, will tell you the World Cup is a reliable, glorious shitshow every four years. Bars and restaurants are stuffed with diehards and casuals alike, many gaining sudden and intense connections to countries they’ve never visited and players they’ve never heard of that will last for four weeks and be forgotten forever.
Depending on your perspective, this year’s tournament will either be particularly incredible or unbearable. A few games will be played in our backyard, across the Hudson at the Meadowlands, flooding the streets with tourists and robbing World Cup fanatics of the unique fun that comes from time differences and bars open at all hours for games happening on other continents.
If you don’t want to pay triple digits for a train, or parking, or… entrance to the actual games, we compiled a list of venues to comfortably enjoy the tournament here in Brooklyn with drinks or, in several instances, great food. As an added twist, we’ve broken this list out through national affiliations in our large and wonderfully diverse borough. My advice would be to make a schedule and hit each spot for the relevant matches before the World Cup ends.
Courtesy of Beco
Brazil
Beco
45 Richardson St.
Go root for or against the perennial kings of the cup at Beco, where you can wash pão de queijo down with caipirinhas all month.
Colombia
Bogota Latin Bistro
141 Fifth Ave.
It will not be an easy path out of Group K for James Rodriguez’s squad, which will have to contend with Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo, back for his sixth World Cup, but a sick happy hour and empanadas at this lively South American institution should help dull the pain if it doesn’t go well.
Courtesy of Black Horse Pub
England
Black Horse Pub
568 Fifth Ave.
Split a G with the lads up the hill on at this classic pub with a kitchen that turns out reliable bar fare.
Courtesy of Bar Tabac
France
Bar Tabac
128 Smith St.
Bar Tabac is ground zero for French culture in Carroll Gardens, a neighborhood that is ground zero for French culture in Brooklyn. Swaddle yourself in charcuterie, drown yourself in gamay, and pray the World Cup leviathan Les Bleus can make their third consecutive final.
Courtesy of Zum Schneider
Germany
Zum Schneider
12 Franklin St.
If you’re looking to surround yourself with Germans drunk off pilsner and national fervor, hit this bierhaus for football and Bavarian snacks all tournament.
Haiti
Djon Djon
1206 Nostrand Ave.
This sit-down restaurant on Nostrand is serving upscale staples of Haitian cuisine during all matches this month. Come through to see if Haiti can mount an incredible dark-horse bid to make it out of their Group C gauntlet.
Courtesy of Bijan’s
Iran
Bijan’s
81 Hoyt St.
After a few weeks of annoying controversy, team Iran has its passports stamped and are headed to Mexico. Watch them compete with Bijan’s menu of traditional bistro fare mixed with Persian classics.
Courtesy of Soccer Tavern
Ireland
Soccer Tavern
6004 Eighth Ave.
It’s of like wearing the band’s shirt to the concert, but how could you resist popping into Brooklyn’s soccer capital for a pint at some point?
Japan
Japan Village
934 Third Ave.
This bastion of Japanese culture is a natural spot to pull up and support Japan at watch parties, with drink, food, and merch specials on offer.
Courtesy of La Superior
Mexico
La Superior
295 Berry St.
My personal favorite spot to watch the World Cup over the years, La Superior is a gem in the backwaters of Williamsburg, where small, perfect lengua tacos are perfectly paired with strong-as-fuck bucket-sized margs.
Courtesy of Café Rue Dix
Senegal
Café Rue Dix
1451 Bedford Ave.
This stellar all-day Crown Heights café is Senegalese, but you’ll likely find a crowd supporting all 10 African nations competing in the World Cup throughout the tournament, along with a great menu and craft cocktails.
Courtesy of Tabaré
Uruguay
Tabaré
221 S First St.
1006 Flushing Ave.
This mini-chain will only be showing Team Uruguay games, so get there early if you’re a diehard, and fuel up for what may be a deep cup run.
Courtesy of Bilt Bar
USA
Bilt Bar
583 Vanderbilt Ave.
Team USA games will be showing everywhere, but why not watch them in their natural habitat: a traditional, cozy American soccer bar on Vanderbilt?
Uzbekistan
Shashlik Uz N1
115 Ditmas Ave.
The Ditmas Avenue location of this small chain will be showing all the games on their roof, which they’re converting into a lounge for the tournament. Entry is $50, but they will be serving their full skewer-forward menu of Uzbek delicacies.
The post Where to Watch the World Cup in Brooklyn, Country by Country appeared first on BKMAG.
