Whisky Bars for Watching The World Cup

This week kicks off soccer’s FIFA World Cup, which occurs every four years and is the biggest sporting event in the world. Eleven U.S. cities will host matches from June 11th to July 19th, with the full schedule on the official World Cup website. We rounded up a list of bars and distilleries where you can watch while enjoying great whisky selections.

ARIZONA

O.H.S.O. Brewery & Distillery, Phoenix

Showing every World Cup match across its six Phoenix-based locations, this brewery and distillery has large-scale outdoor patios for large parties (except for the Arcadia location), with specials running for Mexico and U.S.A. matches. The full schedule by location is here. To drink, a craft cocktail menu using in-house spirits with whiskey standouts such as peach and apple-flavored editions, Notary bourbon, and Lost Viking whiskey, created from the mash used to make the label’s Lost Viking beer.

Win Worthy pour: Lost Viking malt whiskey ($11/1 oz.)

CALIFORNIA

Gold Bar Whiskey Distillery, Treasure Island, San Francisco

This California distillery is hosting five ticketed watch parties between June 19th and June 27th as part of the “Celebration of Nations” summer, which also includes soccer-themed cocktail classes and live music events. Each party will be held outdoors, with a large TV set up overlooking the Bay Area skyline. General admission tickets are available online, with a cocktail included with the purchase. A live DJ and entertainment will keep the energy up, as the watch parties showcase up to three back-to-back games for an all-day experience. Its Napa wine cask-finished whiskey, bourbon, and cask strength bourbon will be available as neat pours and in cocktails.

Win Worthy Pour: Purchase any Gold whiskey during a watch party, and you can have it custom engraved on-site and receive a soccer ball gift bag.

FLORIDA

Batch Gastropub, Miami

Batch gastropub in the heart of Brickell is geared toward sports fans, with all World Cup matches shown on multiple TVs throughout the space. An expansive whiskey menu is also on offer. Catch a Wednesday match and enjoy 25% off whiskey flights. Reservations are not required, but can be made online if you wish to secure a spot in advance.

Win Worthy Pours: Penelope Project X single barrel ($15/1 oz.)

INDIANA

J. Rieger & Co., Kansas City

J. Rieger is hosting a series of events and activations in its “Raise A Cup” campaign, including a cocktail trail, a distillery pop-up, and watch party activations in partnership with local businesses at fan hubs. Bar hopping through the city to watch matches, fans can earn points for redemption at the distillery with the opportunity to win merchandise and a complimentary distillery tour. An activation at Union Station will have neat pours of J. Rieger spirits, while the art gallery Cezanne will host "Field & Frame," a series of three watch parties which will primarily offer Rieger cocktails.

Win Worthy Pour: Grab a bottle of J. Reiger Raise the Cup whiskey ($40)

MASSACHUETTS

The Haven, Boston

The Haven, a Scottish restaurant and bar, is hosting ‘Ten Days of Whiskey & Football” from June 10th through June 20th. It kicks off on the 10th with DRAMnight, a ticketed event celebrating Scottish culture that includes a whisky tasting in anticipation of Scotland’s first match on June 13th. Gordon & MacPhail are hosting two watch parties in the elevated Assembly Room Lounge, one on June 12th and one on June 13th. Guests can purchase a ticket here that includes reserved lounge seating, a specialty menu, and a guided Gordon & MacPhail whisky tasting while watching the game.

Elsewhere at the general bar and outdoor tented area, the “Home Ground Festival,” also ticketed, will run from June 12th through June 14th, providing large-scale watch parties, live music from U.S. and Scottish artists between matches, and more. Patrons can purchase tickets for each day here. On the menu is authentic Scottish fare plus a whiskey list with a dedicated scotch whisky menu, organized by region, to wash it all down. Scotch cocktails are on offer, as well as scotch-infused crème brûlée for those with a sweet tooth.

Win Worthy Pour: Bruchladdich Private Collection 19 year old sherry cask ($39/1.5 oz.)

Liberty Hotel, Boston

The Liberty Hotel is a boutique hotel that offers a refined, quieter way to cheer on your team, with large-scale match screenings in its elevated lobby, food specials, and celebratory pop-ups throughout the World Cup season. Also on offer are two luxurious soccer-themed weekend packages: one includes seats to select matches, helicopter rides, and autographed jerseys, and the other features a “Kick Off Kit” of select beer and snacks. For whiskey-lovers, blended scotch cocktail specials tailored to match days in which Scotland kicks off are available. Monkey Shoulder serves as the backbone for the “Highland Reverie,” a honey, apple, and lemon libation (available June 13th), and “Braveheart Sour,” a scotch Sour (available June 19th). Barrel-aged Old Fashioneds and Negronis are available every day. No tickets are required; reservations can be made here.

Win Worthy Pour: House Barrel-aged High West Bourbon Old Fashioned...$21/cocktail.

NEW YORK

Whiskey Tavern, New York City

One of the most popular sports bars in the city is opening its doors for watch parties this year, with tickets available for all 104 World Cup matches showing on over 10 TVs beginning at $7 for single match tickets, with other packages available. Tickets can be purchased here. Its sister establishment, The Whiskey in Williamsburg, Brooklyn is also open for matches, patrons are encouraged to email info@whiskeybrooklyn.com to book a booth. Five other bars under the same ownership—Whiskey Town, The Whiskey Brooklyn & Annex, The Whiskey on Grand, The Little Whiskey, and Tom & Joan’s—will be showing the matches and are offering World Cup-themed T-shirts if you make it to all locations between June 11th and July 19th.

Win-Worthy Pour: Macallan 12 year old Double Cask ($18/1 oz.)

Turnmill NYC, New York City

Designed to look like the interior of an old mill, Turnmill is an East Village sports bar is the perfect no-frills space to celebrate game day. Every game is being shown on the bar’s 20 screens, with drink specials, bar snacks, sandwiches, and salads available. Fans can book window sections, back rooms, the lively mid-section, or booths for watch parties via an online form here. $10 Old Fashioneds are available during happy hour from opening at 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and all day Sunday and Monday.

Win-Worthy Pour: Michter’s US*1 Kentucky straight bourbon ($20/2 oz.)

The Dram Shop Brooklyn, Brooklyn

The Dram Shop Brooklyn, a beloved gastropub in the Park Slope neighborhood, is hosting viewing parties for all World Cup matches on its seven TVs and big-screen projector. Two promo meal deals are on offer: a $48 World Cup Nation including an appetizer, entree, dessert, and cocktail, and a $26 Brooklyn Prix Fixe menu with a cocktail and sandwich or salad of choice. Over 70 whiskies are featured on the menu, plus classic Old Fashioneds and Whisky Sours alongside signature creations such as Bourbon Sweet Tea. Patrons can reserve a ticketed spot for the final on July 19th here.

Win-Worthy Pour: Widow Jane Baby Jane ($29/2 oz.) or Old Rip Van Winkle 10 year old ($45/2 oz.)

NORTH CAROLINA

Whiskey Warehouse, Charlotte

Whisky Warehouse, an upscale neighborhood sports bar, is home to an expansive list of whiskies, mostly bourbons, and a whiskey-forward craft cocktail program. It’s a perfect spot to cheer on your favorite team on one of its many TVs. The second-floor patio has ample space to enjoy the rooftop views while watching the game. Catch a Friday match and enjoy the special $10 Old Fashioneds made with Four Roses bourbon. A full menu filled with elevated game-day staples, including burgers, wings, and nachos, is available all day. Reservations are not required.

Win-Worthy Pour: Weller 12 year old ($28/2 oz.)

OREGON

Kell’s Brewery, Portland

This bar and brewery, owned by Irish immigrants, the McAleese family, is home to a 200+ whiskey list, featuring a hearty selection of Irish, scotch, Japanese, and American, alongside rare American and scotch vintages. It’s also a soccer hub for fans, with no reservation needed, patrons can catch all the World Cup matches playing on more than 10 TVs and three large projectors throughout July.

Win-Worthy Pour: Redbreast PX Edition, ($20/1 oz.)

TEXAS

William Price Distilling, Houston

William Price Distilling is offering free entry and walk-ins for those wanting to watch the World Cup, as well as reservation-needed VIP table options with guaranteed seating and a beverage credit in the distillery’s tasting room, bar, and semi-private lounge. The 20-foot big screen TVs will show matches when the U.S.A., Mexico, and Columbia are on the field, as well as all the Houston-hosted matches and knockout rounds. Guests can select from a large list of cocktails, beer, wine, and mocktails alongside free popcorn and your own food, if you wish to bring it in.

Win-Worthy Pour: William Price Distilling Reserve Double Oak Cigar blend ($12/2 oz.)

Hardwood Arms, Dallas

Hardwood Arms, a British-style pub in Uptown, is hosting watch parties for all World Cup matches, along with a ticketed World Bar Crawl to seven bars, all representing a different country on June 13th. They feature a whisky bible, including a selection of American, Japanese, Irish, and scotch whiskies.

Win-Worthy Pour: Russell’s Reserve Hardwood Arms Private Select ($25/1.5 oz.)

WASHINGTON

Kell’s Irish Restaurant and Pub, Seattle

The family behind the beloved Kell’s Irish Pub in Portland also owns this location in the World Cup host city of Seattle, offering a robust watch party schedule for every match of this year’s tournament. Doors will open early for kickoffs, and patrons are encouraged to book tables ahead of time online, though it is not ticketed. Guests can get all the action from 20 large TVs and 3 projectors, while enjoying a whisky selection of over 100 bottles alongside an extensive Irish comfort food menu with brunch available on the weekends.

Win Worthy Pour: Larceny Barrel Proof ($22/1 oz.)

MULTI-CITY

Fado Irish Pub

This traditional Irish pub is cemented as a sports-watching destination in Chicago, Philadelphia, Columbus, and two locations in Atlanta, with English Premier League and international rugby watch parties, and this year, World Cup viewings for each game. Whisky lovers can select from a robust menu of Irish, American, and scotch whiskies, or if going for a cocktail, a bourbon-based Kentucky Mule or an energizing White Peach Red Bull Green Tea made with Jameson, peach schnapps, and green tea-flavored Red Bull.

Win Worthy Pour: Redbreast 12 ($17/1 oz.)

Tom’s Watch Bar

The rapidly expanding national sports bar chain, now in 18 cities, is hosting game day watch parties, with general admission and VIP packages for larger tables online, each including a food and beverage credit. Fans can sip on one of three signature Old Fashioneds on the menu, or order a pitcher of the Bourbon Peach Smash, made with Puncher’s Chance bourbon, peach purée, and fresh lemon. The large-scale sports bar setup includes usual bar suspects, including Angel’s Envy, Woodford Reserve, Glenlivet, and Jameson, among others.

Win Worthy Pour: Jim Beam Black Label ($12/1 oz.)