November this year will have a new twist. Not only are we celebrating Thanksgiving, but it is the first time ever the FIFA World Cup will be held in the fall/winter. This is a great time to hang out with friends at your favorite sports bars and cheer for your country or team of choice. The World Cup is a must watch, and it will be streamed on Fox, FS1, and Tubi, so where are some great places in Southern California to catch the excitement?
Cheers! Head to the Sports Bar
The first thing that probably comes to mind for viewing any sporting event is the sports bar. The free public venue, the instant party, and the wide variety of drinks and snacks that you don’t have to worry about makes this a top choice. With the massive number of sports bars across Southern California, you’re likely to find one near you that’s broadcasting the game, but be sure to call ahead before you make plans. But here are some pubs and restaurants that have nailed it down that might be near you.
FAIRFAX: Wirtshaus has a dedicated soccer viewing room with a 120-inch screen, so it’s highly possible they’ll have a repeat of 2018 at their pub. German-accented menu and beer specials. Contact Wirtshaus directly to confirm which matches they’ll be showing.
LONG BEACH: Check out Rasselbock, the sister pub to Wirtshaus. Contact them for information on any early hours and hours of screening.
HARVARD HEIGHTS: Guelaguetza is a Beard Award Winner’s authentic Oaxacan restaurant. In 2018 they opened as early as 6 AM and offered breakfast fare for the FIFA fans. They’re worth checking out.
Screening Room at Wirtshausla
NORTH HOLLYWOOD / DOWNTOWN LA: Big Wangs in 2018 opened up early (on certain days, continuously from 3 a.m. to 2 a.m.), and added special breakfast burritos to the menu. Games showed on dozens of screens. With this kind of enthusiasm, it’s expected they’ll follow it up in 2022.
SILVER LAKE: L.A.’s oldest German restaurant (established in 1959). In 2018 they were open for every World Cup game, even the ones that started at 3 a.m., so if you’re hardcore and willing to travel for pub viewing, confirm with them they’re doing an encore for 2022.
FIFA World Cup Viewing Parties SoCal
Some venues are hosting viewing parties, and here’s what we know so far.
BEVERLY HILLS: Friday, Nov. 25, USA vs. England. Attend this viewing party at Fine Arts Theater from 9:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Tickets are $45. Alcoholic beverages will be free, as well as water and sodas. Free finger foods and snacks will also be available. There will also be concession stands with food & drinks (that will cost money) that are sponsored by the theater. The game will start at approximately 11 a.m.
SAN DIEGO, GASLAMP: Monday, Nov. 21 / Friday, Nov. 25 / Tuesday, Nov. 29. Head to Barleymash in the Gaslamp Quarter for their World Cup watch parties. Doors open at 10 a.m., game starts at 11, ending at 1 p.m. No entry fee.
Total Freedom: On Your Streaming Device
If you have a a portable streaming option, you can watch every match wherever you want to be. You're already set up if you have a subscription to Hulu, DirectTV Stream, Fubo, or Sling. You can watch the matches with their live TV option through any of these streaming services. Fubo was founded to be a soccer streaming service, so it’s not surprising to see it on the list. YouTube TV is another pay service that gives you access to the World Cup without cable because it offers FOX and FS1, plus Spanish-language channels Telemundo, NBC Universo, and NBCSN. Looking for free? Fox is making the replays available on demand on Tubi’s FIFA World Cup FAST Channel (which they own), for free streaming with ads. Or if you have to have free plus live, find a buddy who pays for one of the above services and watch together.