An estimated 1.2 million people will flock to the NYC area starting this week for the eight World Cup matches at MetLife Stadium — but with the cheapest tickets starting at $461, most New Yorkers will be watching from bar stools.
The tourney begins June 11 in Mexico City and finishes on July 19 at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium. It will feature 104 matches among 48 nations — all of whom are represented in NYC’s vast ethnic tapestry.
So The Post fanned out across the five boroughs to find the best bars that cater to the individual spirits and flavors of some of the most popular World Cup countries — and here is our Top 10:
Australia
Aussie Socceroos supporters can head down under to the Seaport’s Old Mates Pub — which is expected to be so packed they are requiring reservations for the team’s group stage games against Turkey on June 13, the USA on June 19, and Paraguay on June 25. The watering hole features a bevy of Australian beers and noshes like Aussie Beef Pie. “This is our Super Bowl. It’s gonna be huge,” one employee told The Post.
Belgium
Waffle-loving countrymen will gather at BXL Cafe on 43rd Street in Times Square. “We started with a little 19-inch television and now we just put in another 85-inch screen for the World Cup,” said owner Yves Michiels, who will be taking his son to Belgium’s first game against Egypt in Seattle on June 15 and to the World Cup Final at MetLife. “It’s going to be hard not being here for the first Belgium game.” The cozy cafe has become a staple for NYC soccer fans, showing all games across all major European leagues, and is known for slinging pints of the traditional, and strong, Belgian beer La Chouffe.
Brazil
Brazil’s fans, also known as torcidas, can cheer on their nation’s pride at Long Island City’s Beija Flor. Lucia Cruz has owned the beloved spot for 14 years, making this her third World Cup slinging such favorites as empanadas to the pork-and-beans staple feijoada. “Everybody loves Brazil. We’re going to bring a taste of Rio here and fill it with joy,” Cruz told The Post. For Brazil’s first game on June 13, a live samba band will perform for three hours in the lead up to the match against Morocco.
Colombia
Colombia’s fanatics will party at S-Meat and Hueso in Astoria, which will offer all-you-can-eat grilled meat platters prepared by a tequila shot-pouring chef amid an army of televisions. The 36th Avenue favorite will be also serving a special cocktail in a World Cup trophy glass using traditional anise-flavored Colombian liquor Aguardiente Antioqueño.
England
British soccer fans keen on traditional fare with their footie can make reservations at Jones Wood Foundry on the Upper East Side, which will show all England and Scotland matches while serving up fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, and bangers and mash. “If you’re looking for a soccer bar in NYC to watch the World Cup, this is exactly what you’d expect from a British pub: No gimmicks, just football, proper British food, and a solid pint,” its website reads. There is no shortage of pubs and bars to chose from for Union Jack flyers looking for a pint, including Smithfield Hall in Hells Kitchen, The Soccer Republic at McHale’s in Midtown, or Arsenal hangout O’Hanlon’s on 14th Street.
Egypt
The Little Egypt section of Steinway Street near Astoria Boulevard in Queens is dotted with friendly hookah bars, including Crystal Lounge, where it will celebrate its national team, nicknamed The Pharaohs, with a full bar. Many of the local hookah spots do not serve booze, but will be a buzzing with chess, backgammon, and a selection of teas, including mainstays Eastern Nights, Aladdin Hookah Lounge, and Hayati Lounge.
France
French fans can fête their team in the Cobble Hill neighborhood of Brooklyn at Bar Tabac, which has long been a meeting place for Francophiles for the World Cup and Bastille Day. Wear your beret and feast on baguettes, charcuterie, fromage and escargot. Les Bleus rooters are looking for a repeat of the team’s 2018 championship, when hundreds of supporters at Bar Tabac flooded Smith and Dean streets. “We truly love hosting these types of events — seeing the community come together, share the passion, and enjoy the game,” the restaurant posted on Instagram.
Germany
Don your lederhosen and march over to World at Zum Schneider in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. The pop-up Bavarian hotspot will show games on a 16-by-10 foot screen inside the venue, called the Arena, with an additional eight televisions and two rooftop-viewing sections with a vista of the Manhattan skyline. Owner Sylvester Schneider tells The Post the Die Mannschaft matches at Zum Schneider are “as important as the Paris Peace Treaty was for the Allies.”
Panama
Panamaniacs can take in matches at Bronx staple Vega Alta Sports Bar, which is one block from Yankee Stadium and offers a party atmosphere, outdoor seating, buckets of beer, and batch made sangria and margaritas. There is also Michelle’s Cocktail Lounge in Crown Heights in the heart of Brooklyn’s Little Panama. The third-generation establishment has been serving the community for 54 years.
Spain
Fans of Spain’s powerhouse squad can catch matches at celebrity Chef Jose Andres’ Mercado Little Spain in Hudson Yards, which recently added multiple televisions to the sprawling barrio floorplan. It will serve a special sangria in pouches with straws, and hawkers will circulate with platters of croquettes jamón, patatas bravas, and sugar-covered churros. Restaurant Txula Steak within Mercado Little Spain will also be showing all Mexico games on massive projector screens for events that require a dining room reservation.
Senegal
Supporters of the West African team can go to Harlem’s Keur Coumba in the heart of Little Senegal on 116th Street, and feast on traditional fare like chicken-based yassa guinaar and the broken rice and fish stew thu djeun. The block overflowed with supporters of the Lions of Teranga on Jan. 18 during the Africa Cup final against Morocco.
United States of America
Root for Old Glory at Joyce’s Tavern in Staten Island’s Eltingville neighborhood, a patriotic pub with Irish-American flare. Fans of Team USA hope the talented squad can finally survive the gauntlet of great European and South American teams — just as posters as the bar depict a bloodied but unbowed Donald Trump following the assassination attempt in Butler, Pa. Other standout options include Standings in the East Village, Legends in Midtown, The Standard Biergarten in Chelsea, Bar 43 in Astoria, Soccer Tavern in Sunset Park, and Banter Bar in Williamsburg.
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