Eight great San Diego bars to watch the 2010 World Cup
By Eric Yates, SDNN
Shakespeare Pub & Grill
3701 India Street, San Diego, CA — (619) 299-0230
One of the most popular British pubs in the city, it has a reputation as being the foremost destination for showing live English Premier League Games during the season. And the World Cup will be no different. Shakespeare’s will show every game live, including the ones starting at 4 a.m.
With a capacity of only 90 (including the new outdoor patio), you’d better get there early. The pub’s website says that all seats are first come, first serve, and that saving spots in line or at tables is strictly prohibited. For those who want to venture out while it’s still dark, there will be a limited breakfast menu beginning at 4:30 a.m. Additionally, the bar will close from 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. every day and a new queue will form outside, so staying to hang out all day isn’t gonna happen. The owner said that she’s already gotten calls from people planning to camp out in an adjacent parking lot for the U.S.-England match on Saturday.
The bar has three large TVs inside and one on the outdoor patio. Though smaller than other bars, the passion of the Shakespeare patrons will undoubtedly be off the charts.
The majority of the games will be free of charge, but a $10 admission fee will be levied for all England and United States matches, along with a handful of select others. (It’s like the 18th Century all over again!) That $10 will be credited back as part of the bill, however.
Phileas Foggs Bar and Restaurant
11385 Poway Road, San Diego, CA — (858) 486-4442
Another place to experience the passion of supporters of The Three Lions (England), Phileas Foggs Bar & Restaurant is the place to be in North County.
The space has six TV screens, and even one in each bathroom so you’ll be sure to never miss a second of the action. Let’s just hope that there isn’t a big goal scored mid-urination. Phileas Foggs will also show each game live, including the 4 a.m. kickoffs.
They will be offering a select limited menu, cheap drink specials, and have more than 140 beers to choose from. Seating will be on a first come, first serve basis, but there is no cover charge. The restaurant holds approximately 95 people. The owner Brian, who is a fervent supporter of Newcastle United and prays to the altar of Alan Shearer, welcomes anyone to stop by and say hello. “I’ll be the one with the white hair and the red England cross painted into it,” he said.
O’Brien’s Pub
4646 Convoy Street, San Diego, CA — (858) 715-1745
Alright, enough of that Limey nonsense! This is the year the U.S. National Team could really make some noise and earn even more respect on the global soccer stage, and it starts with beating England on Saturday. And in San Diego, the official bar of the United States national team is O’Brien’s Pub in Kearney Mesa. Seating will be first come, first serve and the bar holds around 100 people.
If waking up in the wee hours of the morning doesn’t suit your schedule, O’Brien’s has you covered. The early morning World Cup matches will be taped and reshown throughout the rest of the day and into the evening. The bar will show all U.S. games live however, no matter the time, on its five screens.
The bar will open at lunch time on weekdays and at 11 a.m. on weekends, just in time for the slew of 11:30 a.m. kickoffs.
Princess Pub and Grille
1665 India Street, San Diego CA — (619) 702-3021
Wanna experience the World Cup at a local pub, but don’t feel like fighting the crowds or waiting in line for hours? The Princess Pub in Little Italy is selling tickets for $20 that will guarantee you a seat for the Mexico vs. South Africa opening match, the first weekend of action and all England matches. The bar will open at 6 a.m. for these select matches.
They will also charge for the semifinals and finals, but all other games are free on a first come, first serve basis. The bar has nine screens and will be offering a special breakfast menu for early matches. It has 18 beers on tap and features a slew of specialty beer cocktails.
Players Sports Bar
7061 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., San Diego, CA — (858) 277-7060
Already a popular sports bar in Clairemont Mesa, Players will be transformed to World Cup headquarters for the next four weeks.
They will open each day at 6:30 a.m. and will show each game live on their nearly 50 screens. In addition, Players is offering the World Cup in stunning 3-D on a 63-inch monitor. However, there is a charge for this and only 10 pairs of glasses, so arrive early. The bar will be serving breakfast for the early games, and employees suspect the U.S. and Mexico will be the best attended matches.
La Quinta Grill
625 E Street, Chula Vista, CA — (619) 476-7610
With our proximity to Mexico, I’d definitely be remiss if I didn’t include a place for supporters of “El Tri” to gather to watch their beloved football idols. La Quinta Grill in Chula Vista is just the place for Mexican fans to go loco. The 244-person capacity restaurant will show every game live on its seven screens.
The Field Irish Pub & Restaurant
544 5th Avenue, San Diego, CA — (619) 232-9840
In the heart of downtown, The Field Irish Pub & Restaurant will show all of the matches at 7 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. They bar boasts seven screens and a large pull down projector. The Field’s popular Happy Hour specials will be in full effect for the duration of the tournament – from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday –Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the weekend.
Though Ireland failed to qualify for the World Cup, the spirit of football will still be alive and well at The Field. There is no cover charge to watch games, and seating is on a first come, first serve basis.
Restaurante Costa Brava
1653 Garnet Avenue, Pacific Beach, CA — (858) 273-1218
Viva Esapña! Coming off of their European Championship win in 2008, many experts are pegging Spain as one of the favorites to win the World Cup. And with a team loaded with incredibly skilled passers and deft goal scorers, it’s not a bad pick.
Watch Spain take on all comers at Restaurante Costa Brava in Pacific Beach. The restaurant usually has five screens on which to watch the action, but is installing two more just for the World Cup.
They will show every game live, and will offer patrons the “excuse-me-did-I-hear-that-correctly?” breakfast of churros and hot chocolate! The restaurant, which seats roughly 100, will charge a $10 cover which can be applied toward food and drinks, and will be in full support of the Spanish, but fans of all countries are more than welcome.
Eric Yates is SDNN managing editor.
NICO’S HOSTS World Cup Opening their doors at 7am
Chula Vista – Nico’s Steak and Chop House of Chula Vista announced that they will be opening their doors, bright and early, to kickoff the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa festivities. They will be hosting the tournament games with the best view in the house for all to enjoy on state-of-the-art flat screen TVs and a middle bar 60-inch HDTV. Nico’s, located in the Otay Ranch Town Center in Chula Vista, will be inviting soccer enthusiasts to catch the action starting at 7:00 AM on Friday, June 11th and then again on Saturday, June 12th at 11:30 AM.
Nico’s Chef Javier Lopez has designed a scrumptious breakfast buffet for $14. The all-you-can-eat buffet includes eggs, bacon, sausage, country fried steak, hash browns, eggs Benedict, French toast, vegetable medley, and Tuscan potatoes.
Nico’s will be featuring the Mexico and United Sates teams during the 2010 World Cup. The first match, Mexico vs. South Africa, is on Friday, June 11th at 7:00 AM. Match 5, England vs. USA, will be shown on June 12th at 11:30 AM.
Funky Garcias at 421 Market Street, San Diego, is opening Friday at 7 am for the world cup first game Mexico!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you have a location showing the games send them in and we will post them — the management.