As the World Cup fever marches on, soccer fans continue to be geared up for upcoming matches.
For the uninitiated, its 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 with front row seats and big screens.
Fans can expect venues ready with walls of TVs 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 FIFA 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 multicultural 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 other countries 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 FIFA 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 U.S. and Mexico FIFA 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.
El Nacimiento Mexican Restaurant
In southwest Detroit, El Nacimiento is open daily 8 a.m. to 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 FIFA 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 TVs 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 FIFA World Cup McShane’s is hosting American Outlaws watch parties on Friday, June 19 and 25. The American Outlaws are a non-profit soccer supporters’ group of the U.S. Men’s and Women’s soccer teams, the largest in the nation. 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 is requested.
McShane’s, 1460 Michigan Ave.; mcshanespub.com
Mezcal Mexican Restaurant
In Detroit’s Midtown, there will be specials when the Mexico team plays including turning the beer verde (green). On tap there will be $3 green beers and 15% off food. The next game is June 24.
Mezcal Mexican Restaurant, 51 W. Forest, Detroit. 313-974-7441 or mezcaldetroit.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 FIFA World Cup viewing events and celebrations throughout the tournament. 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
The Regal Eagle
Sound on at this sports bar in southwest Detroit’s Mexicantown. Every World Cup game will be broadcast live. According to its website, there will be guest food vendors from the neighborhood including Sicily’s Pizza and food trucks. Fans can watch games on its big screen projector in outdoor beer garden.
The Regal Eagle, 3537 W. Vernor, Detroit. 313-228-5447; theregaleagledetroit.com.
Thomas Magee’s Sporting House Whiskey Bar
At this Eastern Market sports pub barbecue food will be available from Delroy’s Barbecue Pit and is planned for every U.S. World Cup game, owner Erik Olson told the Detroit Free Press. Businesses around Olson’s, he said, will be open and also celebrating the FIFA World Cup. Olson said the party will be an indoor/outdoor party and they’ll serve Bourbon peach sweet tea as a U.S. team special. Thomas Magee’s is known for their Irish coffees and loaded Bloody Mary’s. Men in Blazers 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: Bars, venues, key events
Reporting by Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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By Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press | USA TODAY Network
