Around here, game day decisions are made based on these key elements: where the TVs are dialed in, the crowd actually cares and the room reacts in real time.
When the World Cup kicks off June 11, Palm Beach County has no shortage of sports bars that check those boxes, with ginormous TVs anchoring the action.
Think early alarms for first kick, shoulder-to-shoulder crowds and the kind of energy that builds with every close call.
Whether you’re settling in with friends or finding your way into a like-minded crowd, these are the bars where matches turn into events and every goal lands a little louder.
Sports & Rec at the Nora District, West Palm Beach
Looking for an elevated sports bar experience? Then do not miss the new Sports & Rec at the Nora District in downtown West Palm Beach. Featuring a beautifully designed interior, walls filled with massive televisions (along with several ‘jumbotrons’ hanging over the bar area), this is a feast for eyes… as well as the palate. The menu at Sports & Rec definitely has sports bar cred with burgers, wings and more, but they also take it up more than a few notches with dishes like the the Elote Caesar salad, Crispy Asian Snapper and Brown Butter Buffalo Chicken Paillard.
Details: 1035 North Railroad Ave., West Palm Beach. sportsandrec.com
Birdie Dockside Bar in Lake Park
At The Birdie Dockside Bar & Grill in Lake Park, chef David Burke adds a waterfront option for match watching, with large-screen TVs, drink specials and a lively clubhouse feel. During matches, expect $5 beers, half-off cocktails and discounted menu items. Between games, soccer simulators and Intracoastal views keep the energy going without the usual crowd crush.
Details: 220 Lake Shore Drive, Lake Park, 561-484-1220, birdiebydb.com
Miller’s Ale House in Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Palm Beach Gardens and Jupiter
A veteran sports TV executive I’ve known since we were 15 swears by Miller’s Ale House with a preference towards its Boca East location, one of six spanning the county. He points to wall-to-wall TVs and responsive staff willing to change a channel on request. The sprawling dining room and smaller outdoor bar keep the energy up, while burgers, wings and salmon consistently deliver, making it a pick for big games.
Details: Multiple locations, millersalehouse.com
Goals on the Green: World Cup Watch Party at CityPlace
This event will take place on Friday, June 12 from 6 to 11 p.m. on The Lawn at CityPlace. Held in conjunction with ESPN West Palm, this event will feature a live screening of the USA vs. Paraquay match, interactive fan activations, music, giveaways and culinary pop-ups from CityPlace favorites including Eataly, True Food Kitchen and more.
Details: 700 S. Rosemary Ave., West Palm Beach. Free. Information: cityplace.com
Pig Beach BBQ, West Palm Beach
This popular barbecue destination featuring chef, pitmaster and Bobby Flay vanquisher Matt Abdoo will be offering $3 select beers, $5 pulled pork sandwiches and $5 nachos for all games that are on during their operating hours. Pig Beach features multiple big screen televisions and even two massive video walls.
Details: 2400 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach. 561-803-0333; pigbeachnyc.com/location/pig-beach
Bounce, Delray Beach
Owned by BrandIt Hospitality Group, Bounce will be showing all games (primarily U.S. and Brazil) on their 20 big screen televisions and massive LED wall. The popular downtown Delray Beach destination is going to be home base for Brazil fans. “We are partnering with a Brazilian group that hosts watch parties and events throughout South Florida to bring those activations to our Delray location. Brazil being such a popular team for many soccer fans, we felt that it was a great partnership for us to have,” said BrandIt CMO and partner Cole Bernard. There will be drink and bottle specials during games and DJs spinning before and after matches, Bernard said.
Details: 33 SE Third Ave., Delray Beach. bouncesportingclub.com/delray
Sabor in Boynton Beach, Greenacres and Palm Beach Gardens
At Sabor, Latin comfort food meets game-day buzz, with a giant TV anchoring the room so you won’t miss a single kick. With three locations in Palm Beach County, the lively space pairs music, cocktails, empanadas and gorgeous ginormous paellas with a crowd that leans all in when soccer takes over.
Details: Multiple locations, saborlatinorestaurants.com
Singer Oceanfront Resort
Not every World Cup watch party comes with a beach. The Singer Oceanfront Resort is setting up soccer-themed poolside cabanas with TVs, drinks and room to spread out. Available to both guests and locals through ResortPass, the setups offer a quieter alternative to packed bars, with matches playing out a few steps from the sand.
Details: 3700 N. Ocean Drive, Singer Island, 561-472-0318, thesingerresort.com
Tap 42 in Boca Raton and Palm Beach Gardens
Tap 42 brings a sleeker take on game day, with multiple TVs lining a lively, high-energy room. At its Gardens Mall outpost, one of the South Florida chain’s largest, and its Boca Raton location, you can catch the action while working through craft beers, cocktail specials, stacked burgers and sharable large plates with food that punches above typical bar fare. It’s less rowdy sports bar, more polished watch party that still keeps the game in clear view.
Details: 3101 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens, 561-725-0100 and 5050 Town Center Circle, Boca Raton, 561-235-5819, tap42.com
Naturally, our sports desk had thoughts. These are their picks for where to watch.
Irish Brigade in Lake Worth Beach
Any soccer bar list starts per the team. A longtime Premier League hub, it draws a crowd that watches year-round, not just for big tournaments. There’s a massive screen in the back, TVs lining the main bar and the kind of loyal following that reacts to every pass. It’s less a watch party than a standing reservation for the sport.
Details: 621 Lake Ave., Lake Worth Beach, 561-585-1885, irishbrigadepub.com
Paddy Mac’s in Palm Beach Gardens
Paddy Mac’s flies the Irish flag year-round, with soccer on screens well beyond tournament play. The pub leans into its roots with traditional fare, a dedicated following and a schedule that keeps matches front and center. It’s the kind of place where regulars know when kickoff is, no matter the league.
Details: 10971 N. Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens, 561-691-4366, find it on Facebook
The Ben, West Palm Beach
At The Ben, matches move indoors to a full-scale fan zone, with a theater-quality LED screen, tiered seating and stadium-style concessions. Think wings, burgers and $5 local craft beers, all in air-conditioned comfort. The setup swaps bar crowds for a more polished watch experience, with games, group seating and plenty of room to settle in for kickoff.
Details: 251 N. Narcissus Ave., West Palm Beach, 561-655-4001, thebenwestpalm.com
Diana Biederman and Eddie Ritz don’t always root for the same team, but they agree on where to watch and eat. Connect at dbiederman@pbpost.com or eritz@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Palm Beach County’s best sports bars for World Cup watching
Reporting by Diana Biederman and Eddie Ritz, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Diana Biederman and Eddie Ritz, Palm Beach Post | USA TODAY Network
