It’s finally here! After all the anticipation, it’s officially World Cup 2010 time. And why watch the matches at home when there are plenty of local bars with vast arrays of flat-screens, ice-cold beer, and fun and energetic atmospheres throughout the Valley? Here’s your Haute 5 guide to the best places to catch the matches this summer.
The Lodge
Located in Old Town Scottsdale, the interior of The Lodge is nothing like its surroundings. Enter to a cozy, rustic setting decorated with an outdoorsy flair that will make some patrons recall their Midwestern roots. But most importantly, the food is good, the beers are cold, and the televisions are aplenty. If you feel like celebrating the many (soccer-playing) cultures of the world from the comfort of your little slice of America, then the quaint atmosphere of The Lodge is the place to be to catch the matches. Just watch out for Sasquatch.
The Lodge is located at 4422 N. 75th Street in Scottsdale 480.945.0828
Skeptical Chymist
We’re not sure if there’s any bar around town more excited to see the World Cup arrive than the Skeptical Chymist. The Irish restaurant and pub plans on showing every single match on their big flat-screens and one projection screen. Not to mention, you’ll be able to enjoy a pint (OK, pints) of perfectly poured Guinness and Harp while cheering on your favorite teams. Don’t be surprised, too, if you hear a mix of U.K. accents cheering along with you; the Skeptical Chymist has a good number of regulars who are originally from across the pond. Decorated with lots of dark woods and more artifacts from the Emerald Isle than you could shake a shamrock at, this bar will have you believing you’re actually in Ireland before the second half.
Skeptical Chymist is located at 15688 N. Pima Road, Suite C6, in Scottsdale 480.609.8677
Padre Murphy’s
Like we said, we know there are a lot of different culture that enjoy the sport, but who doesn’t need another reason to watch soccer with a Guinness in hand? At Padre Murphy’s, the atmosphere is loud, the energy is high, and you’re likely to make friends – or enemies, depending on which team you’re rooting for – with the people sitting at the table next to you before the match is over. That’s just how this place works. Of course, it may have something to do with the fact that there are more than 80 TV screens here, so there’s really not a bad seat in the house. This pub serves both American and Irish appetizers, salads, soups, sandwiches, and entrees, and has three dozen local and imported beers on tap and by the bottle.
Padre Murphy’s is located at 4338 W. Bell Road in Glendale 602.547.9406
Hazelwood’s First Place
With more than 30 flat-screens, Hazelwood’s offers a fun place to watch sports of every kind, including NASCAR, horse racing, rugby, football, golf, tennis, baseball, basketball, and more. There are arcade games, poker tournaments, live music, mini beerfests, trivia nights, and so much more on a monthly basis that it could make a person’s head spin. This bar will be a great spot for watching the World Cup matches if you’re looking to be among a more movin’ and shakin’ crowd. They have 16 beers on tap and all the yummy fried food variations one expects to find at a sports bar, such as nachos, chili cheese fries, beer-battered onion rings and many more surprising options. Trivia for you: Hazelwood’s is a sponsor of the Phoenix rugby team.
Hazelwood’s is located at 3626 E. Indian School Road in Phoenix 602.957.2462
Four Peaks Brewery
So maybe the Four Peaks in Tempe isn’t exactly a sports bar, but it sure has all the right components: lots of flat-screens, an energetic atmosphere and staff, great beer, and great nibbles. This dairy creamery-turned-brewery has a cool interior where diners can even see the brewing equipment, and sometimes even watch the brewmasters work, while enjoying their meal and a game. It’s also close to a Light Rail stop, which means that if you live anywhere along the route, getting there to watch the soccer matches and back will be a snap. Maybe while you’re watching the World Cup, you could even guzzle one of their 8th Street Ales, which one a medal in the World Beer Cup in 2002.
Four Peaks Brewery is located at 1340 E. 8th Street in Tempe AZ 480.303.9967
