Soccer fans in the U.S. are gearing up.
For the first time the World Cup soccer tournament is jointly hosted by three countries – the United States, Canada and Mexico. And it’s the first time since 1994 that the men’s FIFA World Cup tournament will be played in U.S. cities.
As die-hard soccer fans get ready up for World Cup matches so are metro Detroit bars, restaurants and other venues.
Fans can expect venues ready with walls of TV’s for game watching plus special watch parties or events to cheer on the teams and places that promise to show all the matches and food and drink options to match.
Known sports watching places like Twin Peaks locations will have food and drinks specials and giveaways for the soccer tournament. And don’t forget your local bar, pub or restaurants, which will likely air the games.
It’s an international sport and a big deal because right now the World Cup is considered the biggest sporting event in the world. As an international sport, you will find bars and restaurants in some of metro Detroit multi-cultural cities like Dearborn and southwest Detroit with added tournament watching plans.
Here’s a sampling of special events around metro Detroit.
Candela Detroit
Watch parties for Mexico matches and others starting June 11 at this live entertainment venue in southwest Detroit. Candela Detroit is in the former Lithuanian Hall. Times, days and countries playing vary. Entry is free. There will be food and drink specials throughout the night, a halftime show, free giveaways and contests.
Candela Detroit, 3564 W. Vernor Highway, Detroit. 313-356-4601; candeladetroit.com
Conor O’Neill’s
This Ann Arbor pub boasts itself as a traditional Irish pub. They will show all the World Cup games. Its menu features shareable Dublin Brie Dublin Brie and Irish Poutine. You’ll find fish and
chips, a variety of pub pies including shepherd’s and chicken or fisherman’s pies.
Conor O’Neill’s, 318 South Main St., Ann Arbor. 734-665-2968; conoroneills.com
Detroit City Football Club
The Detroit City Football Club watch parties will stream USA and Mexico World Cup matches at various locations. Each watch party event begins 60 minutes before kickoff times with activities for fans. While watch parties are free to enter and for all ages, limited spots are available. Area restaurants are steps from Campus Martius and there will be food trucks across the street at Cadillac Square as part of the Downtown Detroit Partnership’s Downtown Street Eats program.
Fans can also view tournament matches at City Clubhouse, inside the Detroit City Fieldhouse, 3401 E. Lafayette St., Detroit.
Here’s the lineup:
U.S. Men’s National Team matches
Campus Martius: Watch the matches on the park’s large outdoors screen, 9 p.m. June 12 and 3 p.m. June 19. On June 25, the watch party takes place at Detroit City Clubhouse for the 10 p.m. match.
Los Galanes: This southwest Detroit Mexican restaurant watch party will feature the Mexico matches at 3 p.m. June 11 and at 9 p.m. June 18 and June 24. The watch party will be outdoors in the Los Galenes lot with big screen TV’s with giveaways. Food and drink for purchase will be available inside and on the patio.
Los Galanes, 3362 Bagley St. Detroit. 313-554-4444; losgalanesrestaurant.com
El Nacimiento Mexican Restaurant
In southwest Detroit, El Nacimiento is open daily 8 a.m. – midnight. Its watch parties are promising big screens, surround sound, food and drink. Here, the authentic Mexican food is inspired by the owner and founder’s home town of El Nacimiento. Its menu offerings are vast from botanas to tacos and tostadas to quesabirria and pozole to plenty of main dishes.
El Nacimiento Mexican Restaurant, 7400 Vernor Highway., Detroit. nacimientorestaurant.com
Gilly’s Clubhouse
1550 Woodward, Detroit
This sports bar on Woodward Avenue is in memory of Nick Gilbert, who died in 2023 and is the son of Rocket Mortgage founder Dan Gilbert. A multi-level spot, Gilly’s has sports viewing on a 120 square foot television wall that fans can view from every seat. There’s an array of starters, sandwiches and main dish clubhouse specialties like fish and chips.
Gilly’s Clubhouse, 1550 Woodward, Detroit. gillysdetroit.com
Harry’s Detroit
This downtown Detroit venue is a popular spot for watching sports. Harry’s Detroit is touting it at your “FIFA World Cup 2026 Headquarters.” There is no cover charge during the games and plans to air every match. Harry’s Detroit full menu that includes appetizers, entrees, burgers, sandwiches and salads will be available. The restaurant is known for its burgers, with beef ground in-house.
Harry’s Detroit, 2482 Clifford St., Detroit. harrysdetroit.com
Firebird Tavern
Detroit and Troy
Watch parties are happening at both locations with sound on. The Detroit location partnered with Michelob Ultra, a sponsor of the tournament, for giveaways. Stella Artois is an official a sponsor of the World Cup and Firebird Tavern owners boast they are one of the few bars to have the Stella Gooseneck tap handle. Firebird Tavern’s menu include classic burgers, wings, big pretzels, salads, soups, sandwiches and entrees.
Firebird Tavern, 419 Monroe St., Detroit and 4845 Rochester Road., Troy; firebirdtavern.com
Lava Java Cafe and Hookah Lounge
This Dearborn spot boasts a light remodel that includes having the largest TV screens in the city. In its 3,000 square foot hookah lounge area are two wall TV’s, owner Wally Samad said, that are 24-feet-by-7-feet. About two dozen TV’s are throughout the lounge and outdoor patio area.
There’s a full menu from Samad’s next door cafe where people can order from and take into the lounge. The menu includes items like mixed kabobs, pizza, burgers, wings, subs, pastas, smoothies and fresh juices. Guests can also bring in outside food. Hookah and food specials are planned throughout the whole tournament.
Lava Java Cafe and Hookah Lounge, 4656 Greenfield Road, Dearborn. 313-945-1500; lavajava.cafe
Mangos on the Hill
Here there’s indoor seating with plenty of TV’s and outdoor, patio seating. Along with its hookah menu, Mangoes offers a wide variety of cuisine from Middle Eastern favorites to Japanese sushi. There’s also juices, smoothies and desserts.
Mangoes on the Hill, 14927 W. Warren Ave., Dearborn. 313- 584-5544; mangosonthehill.com
McShane’s Irish Pub & Whiskey Bar
In the heart of historic Corktown this longtime pub is on the corner of Michigan Avenue at Trumbull. For the World Cup McShane’s is hosting American Outlaws watch parties on June 12, 19, and 25. The American Outlaws are known as the largest support group of U.S. Men’s and Women’s soccer teams. McShane’s menu features a selection of bar foods like wings and Irish egg rolls filled with corned beef, salads, soups, burgers, and sandwiches. Watch parties are free to attend, but RSVP on eventbrite.com.
McShane’s, 1460 Michigan Ave.; mcshanespub.com
Sidecar Slider Bar
The Ferndale location of this local chain of bars known for their sliders, has a special first game watch party. Doors open at 8:15 p.m. for the 9 p.m. kickoff. Tickets are $30 and include entry to the event and full buffet. There’s also big screens and reserved viewing. Seating is first come, first serve.
Sidecar Slider Bar, 241 W Nine Mile Road, Ferndale. 248-607-3261; sidecarsliderbar.com
The Brakeman
This downtown spot is hosting World Cup viewing events and celebrations throughout the tournament. A tournament kickoff party 3-11 p.m. June 11. There will be DJ sets paired with beer, seasonal cocktails and themed drinks inspired by competing teams. The Brakeman will screen matches daily and have extended hours, opening early and having late hours for select games. For every drink purchased throughout the tournament earns guests a ticket they can enter for their winning team. After each match, winners will be drawn and receive a round of beer, Brakeman Slammers and chicken, biscuits and sides from Penny Red’s.
The Brakeman, 22 John R, Detroit. thebrakemandetroit.com
Thomas Magee’s Sporting House Whiskey Bar
This Eastern Market sports pub is kicking off the World Cup tournament with what’s known as the “final friendly” or the send off game on Saturday, June 6.
Starting at 2:30 p.m. on June 11 when the tournament starts Thomas Magee’s will have Michelob Ultra swag giveaways. Barbecue food will be available from Delroy’s Barbecue Pit and is planned for every USA World Cup game, owner Erik Olson told the Detroit Free Press. Businesses around Olson’s, he said, will be open and also celebrating the World Cup. Olson said the party will be an indoor/outdoor party and they’ll serve Bourbon peach sweet tea as a USA team special. Thomas Magee’s is known for their Irish coffees and loaded Bloody Mary’s. Men in Blazer’s media company named the Eastern Market spot as one of its Top 100 soccer watching spots.
Thomas Magee’s Sporting House Whiskey Bar, 1408 E. Fisher Freeway, Detroit. 313-263-4342; thomasmagees.com
Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news and tips to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @SusanMariecooks. Subscribe to the Eat Drink Freep newsletter for insider scoops on food and dining in metro Detroit.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: World Cup watch parties in metro Detroit: Where to go
Reporting by Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press | USA TODAY Network
