Where to watch the World Cup around Philly, from bars open to 4 a.m. to beer gardens in the suburbs
Can’t get into Philadelphia Stadium for a match? Here are 19 bars around the city that are the next best thing.
The World Cup officially lands in Philly on June 14, when the Ivory Coast takes on Ecuador at the temporarily-renamed Philadelphia Stadium (aka Lincoln Financial Field) in South Philly, with five more games to follow.
But let’s be real: Getting into a match is going to be difficult. And besides, nothing screams Philly more than taking in a game at a local bar alongside strangers and Citywides that will give you the courage to cheer even louder.
Here are 19 bars in Philly and the suburbs that are going all-in on the World Cup, including five planning to be open until 4 a.m. for late night matches.
🍺 Bars allowed to stay open until 4 a.m.
Earlier this year, Gov. Josh Shapiro signed a bill into law permitting Philly bars to stay open until 4 a.m. for the duration of the World Cup. Just over 50 bars in the city thus far are eligible to apply for a permit to stay open that late, according to a list from the City of Philadelphia, and several told The Inquirer that extending their hours just wasn’t worth it.
These are five spots that the Inquirer confirmed will be open until 4 a.m. in Philly, from a bowling alley to a Latin American club-staurant.
While Cavanaugh’s Headhouse location has a rep among Newcastle United and Liverpool fans as a solid bar for soccer matches, the sports bar’s Rittenhouse location is the one that will be open until 4 a.m. during the World Cup. Cav’s will be serving daily drinks and food specials, and is one of more than 20 bars participating in the Crawl for the Cup, a citywide World Cup-themed bar crawl on June 20 that includes a scavenger hunt.
📍 1913 Sansom St., 📞 215-665-9500, 🌐 cavsrittenhouse.com
The World Cup is practically a 24/7 event at Mamajuana. The Latin American Northern Liberties club-staurant will be staying open until 4 a.m. on match days while also hosting Sunday brunches and watch parties for 10 games from June 13 through July 19. Their World Cup special promises mascot appearances, daily food specials, and limited edition cocktails such as the Golden Cup, an Old Fashioned served tableside in a gold globe-shaped goblet. A full schedule can be found on their Instagram.
📍 1000 Frankford Ave #1, 📞 267-534-5220, 🌐 mamajuanacafephilly.com
This lively Hunting Park institution will be open until 4 a.m. during the World Cup to broadcast games in its downstairs bar and upstairs night club. Tierra Colombiana’s menu spans Latin America, which means you can have arepas while Colombia plays, ceviche during Ecuador’s matches, and extra large mojitos all tournament long.
📍 4535 N. Fifth St., 📞 215-324-6086, 🌐 tierracolombianarestaurant.com
This rowdy, double-decker sports bar is planning to stay open until 4 a.m. during the World Cup, but the real fun at comes during the USNMST’s matches against Paraguay on June 12, Australia on June 19, and Turkey on June 25. The American Outlaws — the official support group for Team USA — will be taking over Top Tomato during those games for block parties with a live DJ that are open to all, no RSVP required.
📍 116 S. 11th St., 📞 215-592-8242, 🌐 toptomatophilly.com
Soccer at a bowling alley? That’s literally the vibe at Oregon Avenue’s South Bowl, a bowling alley and bar (with an outdoor lounge) that is staying open until 4 a.m. to broadcast the following matches: Australia vs. Turkey on June 14, Austria vs. Jordan on June 17, and Tunisia vs. Japan on June 21. Games will plane on the screens above each lane, which means there’s the potential to land a strike while watching pro athletes score goals.
📍 19 E. Oregon Ave., 📞 215-389-2695, 🌐 southbowlphilly.com
⚽ Bars that are taking soccer seriously
If the 4 a.m. crowd isn’t your speed, these nine Philly bars are hosting World Cup watch parties that don’t skimp on the fun — even if they aren’t going all night long.
The Black Taxi
This Irish pub in Fairmount has long been a host for English Premier League matches, at one point even displaying the trophy for an afternoon of photo ops. Roughly a half-mile away from FIFA Fan Fest at Lemon Hill, this is the spot to take in a game with a perfect pour of Guinness.
📍 745-747 N. 25th St., 📞 215-232-1086, 🌐 theblacktaxi.com
All of Philly’s tournament matches will be simulcast on screen’s atop Philly’s most famous rooftop bar, which is hosting Puyero Venezulean Flavor for a monthlong food popup in June that includes arepas, empanadas, and bite-sized churros. Where else can you see the lights from The Linc — I mean, Philadelphia Stadium — twinkle in distance during a knockout game on July 4?
📍 800 Mifflin St., 📞 445-223-1607, 🌐 bok-bar.com
Bella Vista’s sprawling German biergarten is taking the party to the streets, closing down the block for free outdoor watch parties for matches on June 25, June 27, July 3, July 4, and July 19. Games will be broadcast on 20-foot-tall TVs in the middle of South Street, while indoors will feature 34 beers on tap, surprise giveaways, and burgers with novelty soccer ball pretzel buns. And on non-block party days, Brauhaus Schmitz will be still be airing World Cup matches indoors.
📍 718 South St., 📞 267-909-8814, 🌐 brauhausschmitz.com
This Brazilian sports bar in Northeast Philly is the place to be for fans of team Brazil and is hosting not one, but two lively watch parties during their match against Morocco on June 13 and Haiti on June 19. And if you’re only there for the vibes, Guanabara has a rooftop, three different types of caipirinhas, and Brazilian-style cheesesteaks.
📍 8014 Castor Ave., 📞 215-552-2939, 🌐 guanabarasportsbar.com
Known for its supremely satisfying smashburger, this neighborhood bar with a French twist has big plans for the Group Stage. Good King Tavern will open daily starting at 3 p.m. with an extended happy hour that features mini cocktails and street food-style snacks. Its upstairs wine bar Le Caveau will also be getting in on the action, which means you can sip a draft negroni and nosh on a fancy hot dog while watching your team of choice.
📍 614 S. Seventh St., 📞 215-625-3700, 🌐 thegoodkingtavern.com
A bar where you can play 18-holes of mini golf in between matches? Sign us up. Libertee Grounds will be gamifying its World Cup watch parties with the Pitch Passport, a punch card that rewards guest for watching every game at the bar-slash-indoor-mini-golf-course. How it works: Earn a punch for each nation when you a watch a match, which are redeemable for rewards such as a free beer, mini golf passes, or a lifetime membership. Drink specials will also be available.
📍 1600 W. Girard Ave., 📞 267-324-3487, 🌐 liberteegrounds.com
This Chinatown sports bar is committed to soccer year round, airing everything from Premier League matches to La Liga games on its 35 TVs. Expect the World Cup to be no different. Lions Sports Bar will be airing all matches at its original location and taking over Yamitsuki Ramen across the street for a ticketed open bar and buffet. Also available at both locations: a signature World Cup pink margarita garnished with collectible Lionel Messi stickers.
📍 1021 Arch St., 📞 215-629-2888, 🌐 lionsportsbar.com
This longstanding Irish Pub in Center City is the official home of Philly’s Chelsea FC and Manchester City FC clubs, so you can expect that it will be a hub for World Cup games. The bar will air all 104 matches (with the sound on!) across 14 TVs and two projectors. Weeks one and two of the tournament are bringing specials on Michelob Ultra and Stella Artois, plus a ticket giveaway on June 13 for a future match.
📍 1600 Arch St., 📞 267-514-1700, 🌐 tirnanogphilly.com
The newly renovated (and re-christened) Stateside Live! now includes a rooftop bar and beer garden. But just steps away from the action at Philadelphia Stadium, what will it offer soccer fans? The entertainment complex is hosting the official World Cup pregame for ticketholders. A match ticket and $50 will get you access to expedited entry and a tailgate with a food voucher, while $175 buys a spot at a prematch buffet with cheesesteaks, roast pork sandwiches, and an open bar.
Stateside Live! will also be open to general public during all six of Philly’s World Cup games. Matches will be simulcast on the venue’s new outdoor stage alongside a selection of food trucks.
📍1100 Pattinson Ave., 📞 215-372-7000, 🌐 statesidelive.com
🍻 Bars in the suburbs
While Chester’s Subaru Park will be home base for team Ivory Coast during the tournament, the Philadelphia Union will be hosting free watch parties with giveaways and live entertainment across the street at Union Yards every weekend in June.
But if you’re looking to keep it extra local during the World Cup, these bars in the Philly suburbs are going above and beyond for the World Cup, from erecting a pop-up beer garden to brewing a special IPA.
Located just across the Pencoyd Bridge from Manayunk in Bala Cynwyd, this all-day riverside cafe with a family friendly vibe will be broadcasting all quarterfinal, semifinal, and finals matches outdoors on a 164″ screen. Chef Nicholas Elmi will be firing up a smoker for barbecue specials during the game, and guests are strongly encouraged to play bocce or relax at a fire pit during half time.
📍617 Righters Ferry Rd., Bala Cynwyd, 📞 484-434-8765, 🌐 thelandingkitchen.com
Named one of the ten best bars for watching soccer in the U.S. by the Men in Blazers, Bucks County’s Villa Capri is one of the only bars in the Philadelphia suburbs that has committed to airing all 104 World Cup matches — with the sound on, too. The Doylestown bar is also rolling a limited edition cocktail menu for the tournament that includes drinks such as the $14 Equalizer margarita, which comes in passionfruit, pineapple, strawberry, or pomegranate varieties.
📍51 W. Court St., Doylestown, 📞 215-348-9656, 🌐 letsgotovilla.com
This haunt for West Chester University students already has a reputation in Chester County as a Liverpool bar that airs Philadelphia Union games. But during the World Cup, Kildare’s is going all in on USMNST. The bar will be shutting down a portion of Gay St. for a free, 21+ watch party during Team USA’s matchup against Paraguay on June 12. Kiladare’s will also be showing a selection of other games starting at noon daily, with to-be-announced drink and food specials also on offer.
📍18 W. Gay St., West Chester, 📞 610-431-0770, 🌐 kildarespubwc.com
Malvern’s Locust Lane Craft Brewery is hosting a pop-up World Cup beer garden in Upper Merion’s Nor-View Farm Park with free entry from June 11 through July 19. Games will be broadcast on TVs under the park’s pavilion, where attendees can bring their own chairs and enjoy a selection of $8 beers on tap, plus food from the Epicurian Garage Truck. The beer garden will open one hour before their first broadcast game and close before midnight; schedule can be found here.
📍670 N. Henderson Rd., King of Prussia, 🌐 locustlanecraftbrewery.com/norviewfarmbeergarden
A former New Jersey Brewery of the Year, Zed’s Beer takes the World Cup as seriously as it takes its brews. The Marlton bar will be airing all team USA matches, alongside several other key games as designated on their digital calendar. Also on offer: Soccer-themed quizzo, plus a new-limited edition IPA called the “48 hops for 48 teams.” Made with hops from each country with a qualifying FIFA team, this beer will be available for the duration of the tournament.
📍19 N. Maple Ave Ste. A, Marlton, N.J., 📞 856-872-7632, 🌐 drinkzeds.com
