Anyone have an nj.com subscription? I'd like to know what they consider NJ's top 15 soccer bars but I'm not so interested as to fork out the money
I don't, but it's a little-known that that MANY (not all) paywalls can be bypassed with a quick Ctrl-A, Ctrl-C to select the entire document and copy it away before paywall activates.
Amid a raucous sea of American football, baseball and basketball, soccer has still never truly been embraced in the U.S. as it has by the rest of the world.
But hey, give Americans a reason to jump on the bandwagon, yell at screens or revel freely, and suddenly soccer is in. With FIFA World Cup 2022 kicking off Sunday in Qatar, we’ve rounded up a slew of soccer-enthusiastic sports bars and pubs around New Jersey where watching the matches will not only make you look like you know soccer but feel like a legitimate fan.
Tommy Fox’s Public House, Bergenfield
A self-proclaimed “World Cup Headquarters”, Tommy Fox’s is building off of their quality 2018 World Cup programming, opening at 10:30 a.m. for all 11 a.m. matches, and will show all USA Games on their big screen. To sweeten the deal, if there’s is a pre-11 a.m. EST match you want to catch, just wrangle up 10 people and they will gladly accommodate.
D’Arcy’s Tavern, Bradley Beach
“The Shore’s Home to Soccer,” D’Arcy’s Tavern in Bradley Beach is a go-to. This place draws a serious crowd, so if that kind of energy gets you going, D’Arcy’s is your soccer viewing spot, shore local or not. They will be streaming all World Cup games live, and if history repeats itself, will throw another parking lot party for the Final.
Blarney Station, East Rutherford
Blarney Station has been serving East Rutherford for almost 20 years and during World Cup matches, will be offering daily food, drink and happy hour specials available. As in former World Cup years, Blarney Station will have a solid selection of team-specific beers on tap, ranging from German Pilsners, Warsteiner, Carlsberg and more.
Firkin Tavern, Ewing
Touted as “Mercer County’s premier soccer bar” and legitimately the first craft beer bar featuring 37 drafts and over 20 bottles and cans, this English/American/Irish gastropub will be showing the World Cup matches starting at 11am on November 20th. Cozy up with your brew of choice in front of one of their 17 TVs or their 100-inch big screen projector. Those less interested in soccer can hang in Firkin’s game room (21 and older), complete with darts, 2 pool tables, shuffle board, air hockey, giant jingo golden tee and more.
Mulligan’s Pub, Hoboken
With a motto like “Every game, every minute, every play,” the high bar that Mulligan’s Pub in Hoboken sets is delivered upon, especially during the World Cup when they will open early for each match. If you’re still in doubt, just stumble outside where you’ll find a World Cup trophy carved into a stump of a fallen tree. To please the masses, Mulligans will offer a variety of custom drink specials for loyal fan bases like Croatia, Germany, Poland and more.
Ed & Mary’s, Jersey City
The vibe in Hoboken’s neighboring town of Jersey City may be a little more mellow, but they still know how to turn it up for major sporting events. Pop in to unassuming, family-owned Hamilton Park local, Ed & Mary’s for any of the 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. soccer matches while you take on their impressive selection of draft, canned and bottled beers.
Scots American Club, Kearny
Kearny is a historical hub for soccer, more specifically, the Scottish-American community,
Formed in 1931, the Scots American Club’s goal of making immigrant Scots feel at home in New Jersey was a consequence of being home to some of the earliest soccer games played in the United States. Fast forward to today, when you can head over to the bar at the Scots Club to experience a slice of that history while enjoying the soccer matches on their flat screens and a rotating selection of Scottish and local craft beers. Bonus points: the club has a professional-grade shuffleboard table, darts a pool table, and private rooms that can be reserved.
Mickey’s Bar & Grill, Lyndhurst
Big groups rejoice! Mickey’s Bar & Grill is a great choice if you’re rolling deep during the World Cup. Home to the $39 Party Special, a four hour-long, 2-course meal (pasta and salad) and and two hours of $1 off drinks for 40 people in their semi-private Party Room, Mickey’s also has 50 televisions, so if you can’t score the party room, there’s plenty of opportunities to watch the World Cup otherwise.
Hailey’s Harp & Pub, Metuchen
“When you’re at Hailey’s, you’ll always be among friends,” their website states … unless they’re on the other team. An official watch site for the American Outlaws, a nationwide organization that supports the U.S. Men’s and Women’s Soccer Teams, Hailey’s will be showing all U.S. Men’s Soccer Team matches (completed with the signature team banners strung up around the pub), offering drink and food specials, giveaways and other festive surprises.
Grasshopper Off The Green, Morristown
During the World Cup, Morristown’s tri-floor Grasshopper Off The Green has historically followed their soccer fan patron’s lead when it comes to opening times during the World Cup. If the demand is there, they will open for the early games, offering multiple beer specials to accommodate the varied start times for most matches.
Barca City Cafe, New Brunswick
Soccer and sangria, olé! Inspired by “Barça,” better known as FC Barcelona and one of Europe’s most famous soccer teams, Barca City Cafe & Bar will be one of the best places for the RU crowd and beyond to catch the World Cup matches. Post up in front of one of their six plasma TVs while enjoying some tasty tapas.
Golden Rail Pub, New Brunswick
A Rutgers University right of passage, the recently reopened Golden Rail is a great place to set up shop during one of the soccer matches. Fans can pop in early for the 10 a.m. matches. RU students - cutting class for soccer is highly discouraged.
The Dublin House, Red Bank
The Dublin House in Red Bank is no stranger to soccer, touting a schedule of English Premier League games during non-World Cup times. To enhance their already soccer-centric programming, they will be showing all World Cup matches after 10am, including drink specials, giveaways and more.
Darby Road Public House, Scotch Plains
The dream child of two locals, Joseph Mortarulo, an ex-pro soccer player and restauranteur, John “Skip” Brandi, Darby Road Public House is Scotch Plain’s “Irish Soccer Pub that redefines the New Jersey pub experience.” They will have a World Cup HQ tent that will officially open on Monday, November 21st, where US Mens National Team fans can watch the matches on big screens while enjoying food, drinks and giveaways.
The Cottage Bar, Teaneck
Fans of English Premier League’s Liverpool FC know The Cottage Bar well, but diehard soccer fans revel in the energy of this high-energy Irish pub. A variety go lunch and dinner specials will run during the World Cup, but it’s the melting pot of fans and high-octane viewing experience that draws soccer enthusiasts in time and time again.