Argentina
Novecento
343 W. Broadway, at Grand St.; 212-925-4706
Due to a crush of customer inquiries, this Argentine haunt will impose a cover charge during that country’s matches. On the afternoons of June 10 and 21, $20 gets three beer vouchers, and a chorizo sandwich or an empanada plate. The morning game on June 16 (the well-matched Serbia and Montenegro) costs $10 which includes a free latte and a croissant. One more reason to pay: The bar is raffling off a week-long vacation to Buenos Aires.
Australia
Eight Mile Creek
240 Mulberry St., between Spring and Prince Sts.; 212-431-4635
During Socceroo matches, Nike dispenses complimentary gear and trinkets while this Aussie restaurant throws shrimp—as well as pork, lamb, and possibly lobster—on the barbie. Guests can also bring their own meat to the backyard patio, where a flat screen supplements the TVs in the bar and downstairs lounge.
Brazil
S.O.B.’s
200 Varick St., at W. Houston St.; 212-243-4940
Made in Brazil
35-48 31st St., at 36th Ave., Astoria; 718-707-0536
An intense party atmosphere prevails wherever Brazilian fans gather and world-music club S.O.B.’s. is creating a veritable carnival with hired dancers and percussionists. Even so, the closest approximation to Ipanema bedlam is probably at Queens’ dinghy Made in Brazil, which is charging a $15 cover (advance tickets only) to help thin the herd of eager celebrants.
Croatia
Café Scorpio
35-15 Broadway, between 35th and 36th Sts., Astoria; 718-956-8233
This Slavic haven was packed to the rafters when Croatia made its 3rd-place run in 1998 and has remained the New York epicenter of that country’s sports fanaticism ever since. Kick back in front of the satellite feed with a shot of Sljivovica, a sweetly addictive plum brandy.
England
The Red Lion
151 Bleeker St., at Thompson St.; 212-260 9797
Floyd, NY
131 Atlantic Ave., between Henry and Clinton Sts., Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn; 718-858-5810
The Red Lion, an honest-to-God Limey bar, caters to rowdy Brits who are likely to be shoulder-to-shoulder whenever Beckham and his mates take the field. For an outer-borough alternative, Floyd, NY draws a regular crowd of Premiere League followers who’ve been known to sup on ChipShop deliveries from next door.
France
Opia
130 E. 57th St.; between Park and Lexington Aves.; 212-688-3939
Expect strong support for les bleus at this comfy midtown eatery where former team hero (and current New York Red Bull) Youri Djorkaeff ranks among the native clientele. A D.J. will liven up the contests as will a menu of classics like salad Niçoise and Gruyère omelettes.
Germany
Loreley
7 Rivington St.; between Bowery and Chrystie St.; 212-253-7077
Zum Schneider
107 Ave. C; at 7th St.; 212-598-1098
Twelve different Bavarian beers will flow from the taps of Zum Schneider, where $15 entry tickets for the Teutonic tournament opener on June 9 have already sold out. Get in line early for the next matches: June 14 and June 20. Tickets go on sale on the previous match day. Overflow crowds can make their way over to Loreley and root on der Vaterland in the basement lounge while vying for raffle prizes like a foosball table.
Italy
Le Streghe
331 W. Broadway, at Grand St.; 212-343-2080
This café teemed with over 100 patrons for Italy’s games during Euro 2004 and figures look to be equally impressive when it opens at 9 a.m. to serve eggs and croissants for Cup games. The early bird gets the Chianti.
Japan
SushiSamba
87 Seventh Ave. S., at Barrow St.; 212-691-7885
245 Park Ave. S., between 19th and 20th Sts.; 212-475-9377
Generally, Sushi Samba is catering to a Brazilian crowd, but it’s also billing itself as a locus of Japanese support, with a Nippon-themed “bicycle kick” cocktail that mixes with green grapes, sake, and plum wine. When Japan and Brazil clash on June 22, expect a multicultural blend of samba dancers, geishas, and taiko drummers.
Mexico
Dos Caminos Soho
475 W. Broadway, at Houston St.; 212-277-4300
Cancun Sports Bar
31-02 44th St., Astoria; 718-204-6888
Fans of el tricolor can find a taste of home, though not quite the atmosphere, at Dos Caminos Soho. The Mexican-themed eatery will open early for all games with South-of-the-border chilaquilas and a burrito with chorizo and eggs. A more all-consuming experience can be found at Cancun Sports Bar, which regularly packs the house for pay-per-view South American qualification matches and will open early for any tilts involving Mexico, Ecuador, or Costa Rica.
South Korea
Think Café 32
34 W. 32nd St.; between Fifth and Sixth Aves.; 212-736-0099
World Cup fever is already on full display at this month-old Korean gathering spot, where the entire wait staff is decked out in (purchasable) red T-shirts urging on the national team with cheeky sayings like, “Reds Go Together.” The Korean soccer chants will be fueled by complimentary shots of Makkolli, an unrefined rice wine.
Spain
La Nacional
239 W. 14th St.; between Seventh and Eighth Aves.; 212-243-9308
Thanks to linoleum tile and bright fluorescent lights, watching games at this Iberian social club feels a bit like tuning in from your mom’s spacious kitchen—if she was serving up sangria and tapas. La National expects to be rocking when Raul and Co. take the field: Additional viewing for Spain, Brazil, and Argentina games will be available in the tango studio upstairs.
United States
Stout NYC
133 W. 33rd St., between Sixth and Seventh Aves.; 212-629-6191
It’s no wonder New York’s Major League Soccer club chose this spot for its “meet the fans” night earlier this year. It’s gorgeous, airy interior is completed by an iron-grated indoor balcony worthy of New Orleans. U.S. games are the only ones guaranteed to have volume, but there’s incentive to watch the others, too. Anyone who samples each of the bar’s 128 different brews during the Cup is entitled to an unspecified reward for the final. (We’re guessing it’s free food and drinks.)
The Gold Standard
Nevada Smith’s
74 Third Ave; between 11th and 12th Sts.; 212-982-2591
Pulling in soccer lunatics of all stripes, this Irish pub where “football is religion” marks the beginning of any discussion on soccer viewing in New York. If the line is around the block, return for re-runs which air on a continuous loop from 5 p.m. to midnight.
The Gold Card
Soho Grand
310 W. Broadway, between Canal and Grand Sts.; 212-965-3000
Hoping to attract the models/celebs Sebastian Nicolas gets at his Sunday-night karaoke at Cipriani, the Soho Grand has enlisted the young promoter (and Argentina fan) to host the inaugural Cuervo Mundial Suite. The invitation-only crowd will knock back free tequila while watching the action on 64” plasma screens in the hotel’s backyard (for early matches) or the penthouse suite (during the final two weeks).