5 Great NYC Soccer Bars That Aren't Nevada Smiths

If you're looking for a World Cup HQ, we've got you covered.

While March Madness and the Olympics certainly dominate the zeitgeist when they’re in full swing, no sport can unify the city like soccer during the World Cup, which kicks off this Thursday in Brazil with an opening match between the the host nation and Croatia (4pm EST, ESPN).

From Greek restaurants in Astoria to Dutch expat bars, everywhere will be showing matches. The question is, where’s the best place to watch?

Country-specific viewing can be a lot of fun, whether it’s at a boisterous French bistro on West Broadway or a Nigerian restaurant in Brooklyn. But there are a lot of games to see, and you need a go-to hangout as well. Since reopening last year, Nevada Smith‘s has reclaimed its reputation as the place to watch soccer in Manhattan. But in practice, that means that it can be a nightmare to actually go to, often attracting stifling hordes of “fans,” a.k.a. people who love to use international sports as an excuse to booze at antisocial hours. (Full disclosure: I use the fact that my mom’s British to be incredibly snobby about football fandom—I need something to give a sense of worth in this world!).

Before you watch, brush up on all the teams and star players with Complex’s interactive World Cup Guide. And when it’s time for kick-off, head to one of these five great bars where you’ll find the holy trinity of soccer viewing: good food and beer, good TVs, and passionate fans.

Woodwork

Neighborhood: Prospect Heights, Brooklyn Address and phone: 583 Vanderbilt Ave (718-857-5777) Website: woodworkbk.com Why it's good: So many bars will throw on a World Cup match because they've heard it's the cool thing to do, or because what the hell else are they going to show mid-afternoon on a Wednesday? But Woodwork embraces soccer as its raison d'être. International flags hang outside, and you can catch the owner tending bar in the jersey of one of his favorite teams. Though the black-walled spot is unfussy, new-school Brooklyn touches (like upgraded beer and food options) are a welcome change from the standard Irish pub mold. Food and drink: A solid beer selection for a sports bar, with local options like Empire IPA in the mix. The grub is tasty, too, especially the five-cheese mac with chorizo and the pressed ham-and-Gruyere croissant. Clincher: If you're on a budget, there's the the Fuckit Bucket: six cheap beers for $15.

Mr. Dennehy's

Neighborhood: West Village Address and phone: 63 Carmine St (212-414-1223) Website: mrdennehys.com Why it's good: Mr. Dennehy's feels like a clubhouse for the West Village footie-fanatic community, drawing lots of rec teams, expats, and locals for matches from all the major international leagues, and certainly the World Cup. With two main rooms and a basement, there's plenty of seating option and a good, spirited vibe when the place fills up. Food and drink: If you're a hardened beer nerd you might not be psyched about the run-of-the-mill Irish pub offerings, but just grab a Guinness and you'll be rosy. The breakfast fry-up is a good option for midday matches, and pub grub like bangers and mash will suffice in a pinch at other times (though you could just walk a few blocks for tacos at Dos Toros or a grandma slice at Bleecker Street Pizza). Clincher: There's a small garden on the Sixth Avenue side of the pub where you can get some fresh air during halftime or, if you must, grab a smoke to deal with the stress of the match.

Banter

Neighborhood: Williamsburg, Brooklyn Address and phone: 132 Havemeyer St (718-599-5200) Website: banterbrooklyn.com Why it's good: The name suggests a casual pub where you can natter with your mates and yell at Mario Balotelli on the screen, and that's exactly what Banter delivers. Unlike most sports bars, it has plentiful natural light and doesn't smell like the Millwall toilets, so there's that too. All in all, a very pleasant, friendly place to watch a match. Food and drink: There's an international mix of solid beers, including stuff from local outfits like SingleCut and Other Half Brewing—you'll find something to suit any needs, from a German session beer for afternoon viewing, to an Ithaca Flower Power IPA for an eye-opening hit of hops. The simple panini and savory pies are fine match-watching fare, especially the sandwich with smoked turkey, gouda, and leeks. Lots of whiskeys, too. Clincher: The World Cup Beer Passport offers the chance to try beers from 24+ countries, plus score $4 Carlsberg throughout the tournament.

Black Horse Pub

Neighborhood: Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn Address and phone: 568 Fifth Ave (718-788-1975) Website: blackhorsebrooklyn.com Why it's good: While you'll find all the matches playing here, it's a particularly enticing perch for British expats—the English owner Brian Mcnally sticks to his roots, offering tea for those who aren't ready to booze and decorating the place with artistic odes to Anglo icons like the Clash and Massive Attack. Food and drink: There is a top-notch full English breakfast featuring Myers of Keswick bangers. Need we say more? Oh right, the beer: Find a very serviceable selection covering the likes of Boddingtons and Smuttynose IPA. Clincher: A mixed-media canvas starring Del Boy and Rodney Trotter from Only Fools and Horses on the wall—so flippin' British.

BXL Zoute

Neighborhood: Flatiron Address and phone: 50 W 22nd St (646-692-9282) Website: bxlcafe.com Why it's good: For a shift from the British-leaning pub vibe, head to this Belgian cafe, where you can catch all the action on a bunch of TVs while eating moule frites and drinking Trappist beers. Since it's closer to the office-heavy Flatiron and Midtown areas, BXL can be a good move when you are trying to sneak out of the office for an afternoon match. Food and drink: In addition to moule frites, you can find other Belgian standards like croques and bitterballen. A decent Belgian tap list (Chimay, Duvel) is complemented by some standout bottles, such as Orval. Clincher: The Eden Hazard jersey hanging from the wall.