GOOOAL: Where to Watch the World Cup in LA

In LA, people are talking about it in the lunch rooms, street corners, and on TV: the World Cup is here, where you will watch? The truth is, there’s nothing more exciting than being with a group of futbol fanaticos, cheering their favorite team at a local bar. So to help you plan your SoCal World Cup tour, we've found the best restaurants and bars around the city. Because while traveling to South America is probably out of reach for most U.S. fans, we can all tune in.  

El Pescador Bar & Grill

One of the more popular soccer bars in the South Bay, El Pescador Bar & Grill in Carson claims to be the Mexican team headquarters. A casual ambience, the restaurant features authentic seafood cuisine, including tostadas de ceviche de pescado, cocktel de campechana (octopus and shrimp), and oysters. As far as drinks go, you’ll definitely want to taste the Diablo Tamarindo margarita made with 100% Blue Agave tequila, triple sec, sweet n’ sour, spicy mango and rimmed with chile for that extra kick.

Guelaguetza

Guelaguetza Restaurant definitely tops the list as a place to watch World Cup matches. Think tamales Oaxaqueños and micheladas for breakfast while watching the game with Mexican team fans. A family-owned business, the family migrated to the US in 1994 from Oaxaca, Mexico. Guelaguetza is a restaurant, boutique market, and advocates for Oaxacan culture located in the heart of Korea-town in Los Angeles. With a website that says “I Love Mole”, you know you can’t go wrong with any of their mole dishes.

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Fronteras Mexican Grill & Cantina

Located a few miles east of downtown LA in the city of Alhambra, Fronteras Mexican Grill & Cantina has oversized TV screens in the main restaurant and upstairs in its outdoor patio, which aslo has water misters so soccer fans can stay cool during in the summer. The restaurant has a new chef who has taken some liberty with Mexican cuisine. Try the Matador taco, a corn tortilla topped with a layer of chorizo, tater tots, and bacon with chunks of avocado and fresh salsa. Fronteras is known for its micheladas and the “Sancho” drink, a margarita on the rocks with a Coronita placed inside the oversized glass.

Ye Olde King’s Head

If you’re on the west side of town and want to catch a match, venture out toward the beach and visit Ye Olde King’s Head in Santa Monica. The British pub will be bursting with people from all walks of life and fans of teams from all over the world. Ye Olde King’s Head menu has received world-wide acclaim for its famous Fish and Chips, including “Best in Town” from the Los Angeles Times. You can also find traditional English breakfasts for those early morning matches. Go for the King Size breakfast: Choice of fried bread or toast, 2 eggs, 2 slices of bacon, 1 banger, sautéed mushrooms, English baked beans, and a grilled tomato. And bonus: this is actually two pubs in one. Spend some time in the “Bulldog Bar”, which is a lot smaller and more intimate, and opens early just to screen the matches.

Barney’s Beanery in Pasadena

This pick is a nod to the city that hosted the FIFA World Cup Final in 1994 at the Rose Bowl (where Brazil beat Italy 3–2 on penalties to claim their fourth World Cup title). Though the Pasadena spot (there are several locations in LA), can get packed early since it’s one of the city’s major sports bar, it's worth the wait just for the food. On the menu you'll find pure American comfort: waffles, pancakes, burgers, pizza, burritos and of course, chili. There are now (at least) 85 different beers to choose from and 45 different kinds of chili.