If you’re a “fútbol fiend,” you’ve probably already spent
some quality time entrenched in your favorite sports bar watching
the Euro Cup. But in case you missed the memo, through July 1
the best in Europe are competing for glory in the 14th annual
Euro tournament. Due to the time difference, the games are
shown at noon and 2:45 PM daily, which is perfect for leisurely
weekend day drinking—and during the week you can head to the
bar after work and catch replays at 6 and 8 PM. Here are a few
local spots offering food and drink specials during the
tournament.
Kick off your football-filled weekend at
Fado Irish Pub,
where there’s a special match-day menu and featured beers such as
Guinness,
Newcastle, and Stella Artois. Enjoy a sandwich (think Guinness
barbecue chicken or corned beef) and a pint for $13.95 or an
appetizer and a pint for $11.95. There’s no cover, and all
games will be shown with the sound on. You can ramp up the intensity
of each game by creating your own fantasy team and enter to win
several prizes. Sign up here.
Celebrate the host countries at Dupont Circle’s
Lucky Bar, where
Polish and Ukrainian cuisine (who doesn’t enjoy pierogies with
kielbasa?) will be offered
each day, along with specials on European beers. And if you’re
feeling really adventurous, try a specialty Polish cocktail:
Polish vodka infused with bison grass, served on the rocks with
apple juice. The bar opens daily at 11 AM, and has had a full
house since the games started, so we suggest getting there
early to snag seats.
Union Jack’s (Ballston and
Bethesda) will be showing all the
games on HDTVs and projector screens
with sound, which you can enjoy while sipping 20-ounce Heineken
drafts in a keepsake glass for $4.50. You can also enter the
many giveaways to take home prizes such as Euro Cup jerseys and
T-shirts or a Heineken Beertender (a complete home draft system).
Of course we can’t talk about soccer without mentioning
Summers Restaurant—an
official US soccer bar with more than 60 TVs to watch the games. Get
there early if
you want seats, and pass the time with eats like Bavarian
pretzels and bratwurst, plus 22-ounce Heinekens for $4.50. If you’re
looking for a new beer, try a $5.95 pint of Estrella-Damm,
imported from Barcelona just for Euro 2012.
It’s been nearly 25 years since the Boys in Green took home the cup, but if you’re looking for a great atmosphere to root
for your favorite underdogs, head to
James Hoban’s Irish Restaurant and Bar. Sip $4 Heinekens or $5 Guinnesses as you cheer your brains out, and if you miss
the live action, catch DVR versions of the games at 7 PM. Admission is free.
At
Barcode you’ll find
an extended happy hour and weekday games shown on ten 42-inch HDTVS and
two 70-inch
HD projectors. Enjoy half off all rail mixed drinks, wines by
the glass, and beers from 3 to 7 PM Monday through Friday. Or
fill up on appetizer specials such as $5 grilled wings or
cheeseburgers on Mondays from 7 to close, or three tacos for $9
on Wednesdays.
Does your idea of the perfect brunch include a side of penalty kicks and head butts? Then
Local 16 is where you need to be to enjoy any weekend game, a mimosa or two, and a lovely rooftop view.
Bring your own beverages to the
Goethe-Institut on June 17 to watch Germany and Denmark face off. Or pack a picnic to catch
the Ireland matches on 12 flat-screens at
Duffy’s Irish Pub, since the kitchen doesn’t open until 5. Wash down your grub with $3 PBR tallboys.
Indulge in your favorite British pub fare at the
Queen Vic and receive 10 percent off your tab when you show your Three Lions spirit by rocking English
gear. If you brave those insane stairs at
Public Bar, you will be rewarded with $3 Peronis and many raucous Azzurri fans.
Even the Pug seems to be breaking one of its cardinal rules for this Euro fun fest and offering $3 bratwursts and $4 Carlsbergs—and we are in full support of this break from the “no specials” rule. The rest of the rules we are totally on board with, though: “No idiots. No bombs. Relax. Drink. Be cool. Behave.”
For more fútbol-friendly bars in DC, Maryland, and
Virginia, check out our Guide to Washington’s Best Soccer
Bars.
