Where is the best place to have a pint and get a bit of the World Cup Experience in Houston?

For the brewski, I like the Flying Saucer downtown.

In 2010, the Houston Dynamo hosted outdoor watch parties at Discovery Green for the US games. Those parties were outstanding! I have made an inquiry to see if there is anything similar planned this year.

(06-09-2014 07:19 PM)georgewebb Wrote:  In 2010, the Houston Dynamo hosted outdoor watch parties at Discovery Green for the US games. Those parties were outstanding! I have made an inquiry to see if there is anything similar planned this year.

Good to know. Thanks George.

Is it my failing memory, or were there early morning watch parties at pubs that got some airtime on the local news last Cup?

(06-09-2014 07:25 PM)13thOwl Wrote:  Is it my failing memory, or were there early morning watch parties at pubs that got some airtime on the local news last Cup?

I think that was only because of the time difference between here and South Africa. This year's games are mostly during prime viewing hours for the US. Bar Munich in midtown is generally a good soccer atmosphere

The really early ones were 2002 when it was in Japan and Korea.

I would assume that Hay Merchant will have the games on their big screen. The beer selection is the best in the city, but it may be hard to find a seat.

I've watch soccer at The Phoenix (formally Firkin and Phoenix) and it was a pretty great atmosphere.

US
England
Australia

Three English speaking clubs. Should I focus on them, or is there other countries that would be more fun to watch in a crowd?

(06-09-2014 09:54 PM)13thOwl Wrote:  US
England
Australia

Three English speaking clubs. Should I focus on them, or is there other countries that would be more fun to watch in a crowd?

Mexico and Honduras will also have big followings in Houston. Nigeria may as well, if you can make it out to the Braeswood/Bellaire area of town, but that's just speculation.

And of course, any of the really big-time teams (Brazil, Argentina, Germany) will be good to watch in a group.

(06-09-2014 10:03 PM)jwn Wrote:  

(06-09-2014 09:54 PM)13thOwl Wrote:  US
England
Australia

Three English speaking clubs. Should I focus on them, or is there other countries that would be more fun to watch in a crowd?

Mexico and Honduras will also have big followings in Houston. Nigeria may as well, if you can make it out to the Braeswood/Bellaire area of town, but that's just speculation.

And of course, any of the really big-time teams (Brazil, Argentina, Germany) will be good to watch in a group.

Any suggestions on where to view in the Braeswood/Bellaire area?

(03-30-1973 12:18 PM)13thOwl Wrote:  Is it my failing memory, or were there early morning watch parties at pubs that got some airtime on the local news last Cup?

Richmond Arms has opened early in the past. Stag's Head another good bet.

(06-10-2014 05:01 AM)Da.Owl Wrote:  

(03-30-1973 12:18 PM)13thOwl Wrote:  Is it my failing memory, or were there early morning watch parties at pubs that got some airtime on the local news last Cup?

Richmond Arms has opened early in the past. Stag's Head another good bet.

And here's a listicle from the Houston Press ....

http://blogs.houstonpress.com/eating/201...n.php#more

(06-10-2014 06:16 AM)Da.Owl Wrote:  And here's a listicle from the Houston Press ....

http://blogs.houstonpress.com/eating/201...n.php#more

Of the ones on that list, Local Pour has especially good food.

(06-10-2014 08:14 AM)georgewebb Wrote:  

(06-10-2014 06:16 AM)Da.Owl Wrote:  And here's a listicle from the Houston Press ....

http://blogs.houstonpress.com/eating/201...n.php#more

Of the ones on that list, Local Pour has especially good food.

I'm not sure if these were rated for a soccer-viewing experience or just bars that are advertising World Cup specials. Any list of bars in Houston to watch soccer that doesn't have Bar Munich is suspect, in my opinion.

I'd love to get some recommendations on a bar with a Nigerian crowd for their matches.

For the newbie I recommend finding a specific bar frequented by a Mexican/Honduran/Brazilian crowd for a true World Cup experience.

(06-10-2014 09:08 AM)Rice93 Wrote:  Any list of bars in Houston to watch soccer that doesn't have Bar Munich is suspect, in my opinion.

That sentence reads very differently without the bolded words (letters). I was wondering why every bar must have a bar Munich, even wondering if you'd misspelt Eunuch, as if somehow having one behind the bar enhanced the world cup viewing experience.

(06-09-2014 07:19 PM)georgewebb Wrote:  In 2010, the Houston Dynamo hosted outdoor watch parties at Discovery Green for the US games. Those parties were outstanding! I have made an inquiry to see if there is anything similar planned this year.

Well, here's what I learned from the Dynamo:

Quote:We do have Dynamo hosted watch parties going on around the match days. All the USA games will be at Lucky's Pub next to BBVA Compass Stadium. It's also the official bar for American Outlaws, the USA supporter club. The match that we're putting the most behind is the 6/22 Portugal match since it's on a weekend. All of our other watch party locations are listed at
http://www.houstondynamo.com/worldcup

From the link, Discovery Green will be the site on Tuesday, June 17 (Belgium v Algeria, Brazil v Mexico, Russia v South Korea). It looks like the other parties are rotating among the Dynamo's official bar partners.

This is John Oliver's (and my) take on international soccer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlJEt2KU33I

(06-10-2014 03:44 PM)WRCisforgotten79 Wrote:  This is John Oliver's (and my) take on international soccer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlJEt2KU33I

I laughed out loud several times. Thanks.

Pretty much every bar in Houston is going to be packed for the World Cup. I don't think there is a wrong answer, but Richmond Arms and Bar Munich are outstanding soccer specific bars as is Mezzanine. I wish America had a better draw. Ghana is America's kryptonite, Portugal is average but has the best player in the world Cristiano Ronaldo, and Germany is Germany. Anything more than a tie in any of the games is gravy. I'm taking Belgium to win and the Ivory Coast as my sleeper to be the 1st African team to make the semifinals.