With millions of residents directly from, or descended from, and with at least sporting allegiance to, many different foreign countries, Chicago is a perfect city to get a taste of just how popular soccer is all around the globe come World Cup time. For the next month (June 11-July 11), South Africa hosts thirty-two countries’ teams vying for the title but with all the events going on in Chicago to celebrate the World Cup, you might think it was 1994—when the U.S. hosted and games took place in Chitown—all over again.
Splashy ‘n’ Big There are more Mexicans in Chicago than in most Mexican cities, and our southern neighbors’ squad—nicknamed El Tri—takes on host-nation South Africa on the tournament’s first day. If you can get away from work downtown for a little bit, check out the full-day viewing party in Daley Plaza. There will be a giant screen to watch the action. It’s free and kid-friendly (see World Cup mascot photo ops). Mexico plays South Africa at 9am and France takes on Uruguay at 1:30pm.
The next day, June 12, North Siders—and anyone willing to trek up there—can enjoy games in Montrose Park, right off the lake. The first game starts at 9am as Nigeria plays Argentina and at 1:30pm the U.S. takes on Britain to settle the old colonial grudge. Usually considered somewhat of an ignorable team, the U.S. enters the Cup riding high off of a win over number-one-ranked Spain.
For Chicagoans not able to fly to South Africa, the best place to watch the Cup finals on July 11 has to be inside of our own Soldier Field. There’s one game to watch but the festival on the field goes on from 8:30am to 5pm with an interactive World Cup Village, fashion show, Bastille Day festivities and a slew of other kitchen sink-like attractions.
All Day, Every Day Every day will be a special event at the many bars and restaurants that will be showing games and offering food and drink specials and extended hours. If you can find a spot, these are some of the most essential places to try and catch your favorite team kick it on television.
The Globe Pub This public house ain’t no bandwagon football bar. World Cup or not, The Globe airs soccer all year round and has earned a reputation as one of the best places to watch a game. Because of this, it should be fairly busy throughout the Cup but if you can grab a stool or booth, go for it. The kitchen is normally open until midnight so you can nosh late. The house specialty is the “traditional breakfast,” of two eggs, bangers (sausages), rashers (bacon), black and white pudding (mixture of meats, fat oats and bread. The black variety comes with blood. You know, for health.), grilled tomato, hash browns and toast. 1934 W. Irving Park, (773)871-3767. www.theglobepub.com
The Galway Arms The Gallway Arms has good food in big portions, is comfortable and beautiful inside and a hardcore football bar. As the name suggests, its an Irish joint, but even though Ireland didn’t make it to the Cup this year, Arms will be showing games every day throughout the tournament. 2442 N. Clark, (773)472-5555. www.galwayarms.com
Chitown Futbol In the winter, this Pilsen facility is bustling with indoor-soccer-league action. But they also have an in-house restaurant and more than a dozen HD screens as well as a couple projectors and will put them all to good use showing every game of the World Cup. Viewing is free and food and refreshments can be purchased. 2343 S. Throop, (312)226-1988. www.chitownfutbol.com
Fado Apparently Fado is the official soccer bar of U.S. Soccer and while we’re not sure what that means, exactly, we do know that they will be airing all sixty-four games of the World Cup. Good enough for us. Breakfast, lunch and dinner menus are available to make sure you don’t go hungry or thirsty during marathon viewing sessions. 100 W. Grand. (312)836-0066. www.fadoirishpub.com
SmallBar All three locations are playing all sixty-four World Cup games, beginning Friday. So whether you are closer to Lincoln Park, Wicker Park or Logan Square, you’re good to go if you’re in SmallBar. Drink specials also abound throughout the tournament. SmallBar, 2049 W. Division, (773)772-2727; 1415 W. Fullerton, (773)525-2727; 2956 N. Albany, (773)509-9888
There’s also no need to just live vicariously through the stars you see playing on television. Kids and adults have some opportunities to impersonate their favorite footballers in addition to watching them.
Chicago World Cup, men Seven-on-seven team soccer with two twelve-minute halves. Free t-shirts and free tickets to the Soldier Field finals. Registration is free and there are both individual and team spots still available. Complete information at www.chicagoworldcup.com/
Mundialito This one is for the tykes and translated to English means, “little world cup.” Kids six-twelve can take part in this tournament at the same indoor soccer facility that will air all the World Cup games. So you can drop off the kids and go watch the games you really want to see. Chitown Futbol, 2343 S. Throop, (312)226-1988. www.chitownfutbol.com
Drink Specials Like language, full immersion is one proven way to learn the ways of soccer. All the aforementioned spots will serve you well to that end. But if you want a more posh experience that will allow you to safely dip your tootsies into the futbol world and get back to your world unscathed, there are plenty of nice spots with drink specials.
Carnivale World Cup Cocktails This pan-Latin cuisine restaurant and nightspot will offer country-themed drinks like a Strawberry Caipirinha inspired by Brazil ($9.75), Spanish-style Sangria, Vino Verde of Portugal and, of course, Margaritas to rep Mexico. Sip these drinks and look sharp while watching games during their regular hours in Carnivale’s lounge. 702 W. Fulton, (312)850-5005. CarnivaleChicago.com
Luxbar World Cup Beer Buckets Yeah, it’s exactly what it sounds like: Big ‘ol buckets of beers from around the world. $30 a bucket and includes Miller Lite (US), Hacker Pschorr (GER), Corona (MEX), Heineken (NLD), Bass (England), and Peroni (ITA). Maybe pick up a couple of Luxbar’s signature burgers while you watch the games. Games air during brunch, lunch and dinner service. 18 E. Bellevue Place, (312)642-3400. www.luxbar.com
Quartino Ristorante Wines of the World Cup Wines from France, Argentina, Germany, South Africa, Greece, Italy, Australia, the USA and Italy served throughout the Cup.
Special White Wines: France – Mouton Cadet White Bordeaux Argentina – Don Cristobal 1492 Torrontes Germany – Blufeld German Riesling South Africa – Neil Ellis Sauvignon Blanc
Special Red Wines: Spain – Altos Rioja Reserva Greece – Domaine Skouras Saint George Italy – Vesevo Aglianico Australia – Hardys Nottage Hill Shiraz U.S.A – Hayman & Hill Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
$7-$12 quartino/glass; $21-$36 bottle. All games played during business hours will be aired. 626 N. State, (312)698-5000. www.quartinochicago.com
Watch this space for more updates about World Cup, Chicago style.
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