Things to Do

UPDATED: Where to Watch World Cup Games in Washington

Spots offering food and drink specials, giveaways, and more.

Penn Social is among the many bars offering specials during the World Cup. Photograph by Andrew Propp.

The FIFA World Cup is upon us once again, kicking off Thursday, June 12, and running through July 13.

As always, plenty of bars and restaurants around town are offering discounted food and beverages and other incentives during the games, including some specials themed around the tournament’s host country, Brazil. Read on for some of the options in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Don’t see your favorite game-time destination on the list? Let us know in the comments.

DC

The Brixton
901 U St., NW
Settle into this British pub and restaurant with $5 draft beers and Smirnoff, $6 wine by the glass, $5 appetizers, and Brazilian fare during the games.

Bar Pilar
1833 14th St., NW; 202-265-1751
Grab a cocktail or beer off the special World Cup menu, down a shot served in a trophy cup, and enter the Beat the House Bracket challenge, among other game-time attractions.

Biergarten Haus
1355 H St., NE; 202-388-4085
During the games, food specials include chicken schnitzel for $17 and a two-bratwurst platter for $16. The restaurant is also giving away prizes such as soccer balls and jerseys during the Germany games.

Ceiba
701 14th St., NW; 202-393-3983
If you’re a diehard Brazil fan, head over to Ceiba, which is showing all the games. Expect $7 Brazilian fare such as pork-belly feijoada bites, Brazilian-style hot dogs, and black-eyed-pea and salt-cod fritters. You can also grab $5 bottles of Louca and signature caipirinhas, as well as $10 barrel-aged Leblon cocktails (with a complimentary Leblon glass).

City Tap House
901 Ninth St., NW; 202-644-9433
Enjoy $5 Carlsbergs and signature dishes inspired by each country playing in the Cup, among a host of other specials.

Commissary
1443 P St., NW; 202-299-0018
This spot offers Brazilian food specials starting at 11 AM daily, as well as $5 caipirinhas.

Crios Modern Mexican
2120 P St., NW
Stop by Crios June 13 for $4 Mexican beers, $6 margaritas, and a $12 all-you-can-eat buffet from noon to 4.

Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar
801 Ninth St., NW; 202-408-1600
Enjoy $7 Leblon cocktails and $5 tapas during all of the games. The bar hosts special viewing parties June 17 and July 13.

Del Campo
777 I St., NW; 202-289-7377
The restaurant offers a special viewing party starting at 4 on June 12. During all the games, enjoy a special that includes a beer, fries or yucca, and a chivito for $20.14.

El Rey
919 U St., NW; 202-506-6418
Fans who come to watch the games at this establishment wearing one of the playing team’s apparel can snag discounts galore including $18 buckets of 5 Tecate, $3 Mexican Fireballs, $5 Caipirinhas, $2 taquitos, and more. Note that El Rey will only be airing select games.

Elephant & Castle
1201 Pennsylvania Ave., NW; 202-347-7707
This pub and official FC Barcelona DC hangout (http://fcbarcelonadc.com) is partnering with Heineken USA. During all World Cup matches, grab a $5 Heineken, Strongbow, or Newcastle and $5 truffled Parmesan potato crisps any time a game is on. Bonus: Every time you buy a Heineken, you can enter a raffle for a signed Messi jersey.

Fadó Irish Pub
808 Seventh St., NW; 202-789-0066
Kick off the games at this Irish bar and restaurant, which offers $5 Heineken, Budweiser, Crushes, house red and white wines, and $6 Catoctin Creek Shorties every day during the games. If you’re especially in the mood for some Brazilian flair, come in on Friday the 13th to catch promo models dressed in Brazilian carnival regalia, caipirinha specials, and a “world beats” deejay. For those who want a shot at winning some cash, enter the Cup Brackets challenge, which has a grand prize of $1 million.

Fainting Goat
1330 U St., NW; 202-735-0344
Grab a Her Name Was Lola or Hand of God cachaça cocktail during the games, or sip a $4 Brazilian Xingu Black Lager. You can also watch the games at the front and back bars, as an extra TV will be available during the games.

G by Mike Isabella
2201 14th St., NW; 202-234-5015
Enjoy a host of themed $9 cocktails, such as white sangria, caipirinhas, and Sazeracs, which serve as “liquid ambassadors” for restaurant staffers’ favorite teams. 

GCDC
1730 Pennsylvania Ave., NW; 202-393-4232
The grilled cheese/wine bar offers sandwiches themed after countries such as Brazil, Italy, and Spain, to name a few—which will ultimately go head to head in a Grilled Cheese World Cup.

Jack Rose Dining Saloon
2007 18th St., NW; 202-588-7388
Watch the games on one of three flat-screen TVs and a 60-inch projection screen. Sangria, draft beers, and punch are on special for $6 as early as noon, as the bar will be open early for select game days.

Laughing Man Tavern
1306 G St., NW; 202-737-1797
The bar offers $3 PBR and $4 Heineken during all games. The real draw, though, is that the DC chapter of the American Outlaws will be in attendance for all USA matches, during which appetizers will also be $3 off. https://www.facebook.com/AmericanOutlawsDC

Lucky Bar
1221 Connecticut Ave., NW; 202-331-3733
Since 1998, this soccer hub has been broadcasting the World Cup and offering food and drinks native to the host country. This year, expect feijoadas (Brazilian stew), prato feitos (steak with greens and other tasty sides), and caipirinhas, among several other food and drink specials. Soccer fans can swing by as early as 11:30 AM to catch a game.

McFadden’s
2401 Pennsylvania Ave., NW; 202-223-2338
It’s a safe bet that McFadden’s will amp up the energy during the World Cup. Head over for $3 Miller Lites and $4 Blue Moon drafts during all the games.

Patty Boom Boom
1359 U St., NW; 202-629-1712
This Jamaican-themed hotspot offers $3 Bud Light when the USA plays, pitchers of rum punch, half-price snacks, and other specials.

Penn Social
801 E. St., NW; 202-697-4900
Watch the games on a 22-foot movie screen as you quench your thirst with $3 Bud Lights. The bar will also open early for any USA or Italy games, and will offer $3 Peronis during all team Italy games.

Pinstripes Bowling and Bocce
1064 Wisconsin Ave., NW; 202-625-6500
Enjoy half-price flatbreads when team USA or Italy plays. Anytime either team scores a goal, look forward to complimentary gelato.

Public Bar
1214-B 18th St., NW; 202-223-2200
During the World Cup, Public Bar offers $4 Peronis and $3 Bud/Bud Light.

Richard Sandoval restaurants (Masa 14, El Centro D.F., Ambar, and Zengo)
Stop by any of these spots for $5 caipirinhas, caipiroskas, Corona Lights, and more.

The Queen Vic
1206 H St., NE; 202-396-2001
If you’re rooting for the American and/or English teams, this is the perfect spot for you. Get $3 Jameson shots every time England or the USA scores. You can also nab $4.55 Carlsbergs during the matches.

Ventnor Sports Cafe
2411 18th St., NW; 202-234-3070
This well-known sports cafe will be open for lunch every day of the World Cup. Enjoy $3.50 Bud Light bottles and giveaways every day. If you come on a Saturday or Sunday, partake in bottomless mimosas until 4. For those multitaskers who need to work while they watch the games, the cafe has wi-fi.

Vinoteca
1940 11th St., NW; 202-332-9463
For the opening match June 12 with $8 cachaça cocktails, $5 international beer specials, and $6 wines.

VIRGINIA

Bracket Room
1210 N. Garfield St., Arlington; 703-276-7337
The relatively new sports bar opens its doors every day at 11 o’clock for soccer fans. Enjoy daily food and drink specials, such as $5 house wine and $7 steak tacos until the end of the games.

Carpool
4000 Fairfax Dr., Arlington; 703-532-7665
This Ballston eatery is equipped with 30 TVs, eight pool tables, several skeeball machines, shuffleboard tables, and dart boards. During the World Cup, specials include $3 Miller Lite drafts and $4 Easy IPAs and daily food discounts such as 45-cent wings on Wednesday and half-price taquitos and nachos on Thursday.

Fuego Cocina y Tequileria
2800 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington; 571-970-2180
This Arlington hotspot will offer $5 food and drink specials during the US and Mexico preliminary-round games, as well as a special Penalty Kick cocktail made with pineapple and añejo tequila.

Ireland’s Four Courts
2051 Wilson Blvd., Arlington; 703-525-3600
See the games on all 14 HD TVs while sampling $5 appetizers and $4 Heinekens at this Arlington staple. Patrons will also have the opportunity to win daily giveaways, as well as cash prices for correctly predicting the cup winner in a bracket.

Summers Restaurant
1520 N. Courthouse Rd., Arlington; 703-528-0552
This Northern Virginia bar specializes in all things soccer, and will be showing World Cup games on its many TVs. If you come with cash, you can snag $5 16-ounce Dos Equis and Heinekens. The place gets crowded fast, so get there early for the best seats.

MARYLAND

Flanagan’s Harp and Fiddle
4844 Cordell Ave., Bethesda; 301-951-0115
For every game at this beloved Irish hangout, expect $13 domestic buckets, $16 Heineken/Heineken Light buckets, $10 Miller Lite Pitchers, and $13 Blue Moon Pitchers. You can also nibble on $6 or less appetizers, indulge in $3 rail drinks, and a host of other cheaply priced booze.

Tommy Joe’s
4714 Montgomery Ave., Bethesda; 301-654-3801
World Cup fans can head here during the games for $3 Budweiser and Bud Light and $6 appetizers. There’s also the regular happy hour, Monday through Friday from 3 to 8.

Union Jack’s
4915 St. Elmo Ave., Bethesda; 301-652-2561
A sports viewing paradise equipped with 22 TVs and 16 beers on tap, Union Jack’s will show all the World Cup games. Swing by the mega-pub for $3 Bud and Bud Light bottles during the matches.