Chicago’s Best Places To Watch The World Cup 2018

Brazil’s Neymar celebrates scoring against Paraguay at a 2018 World Cup qualifying soccer match in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Tuesday, March 28, 2017.
Brazil's Neymar celebrates scoring against Paraguay at a 2018 World Cup qualifying soccer match in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Tuesday, March 28, 2017. Andre Penner / AP Photo
Brazil’s Neymar celebrates scoring against Paraguay at a 2018 World Cup qualifying soccer match in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Tuesday, March 28, 2017.
Brazil's Neymar celebrates scoring against Paraguay at a 2018 World Cup qualifying soccer match in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Tuesday, March 28, 2017. Andre Penner / AP Photo

Chicago’s Best Places To Watch The World Cup 2018

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The U.S. didn’t qualify for this year’s 2018 FIFA World Cup, but that doesn’t mean you can’t lace up those Adidas shoes, put on a jersey, and watch the games in Chicago.

The World Cup, which takes place in various cities in Russia from June 14 to July 15, will be shown at plenty of parties throughout the city, which, if you didn’t know, is home to the U.S. Soccer Federation.

Below is a list of some of the best places to watch the games (with some facts about the teams and the tournament). But a warning: You might want to leave the vuvuzela at home.

Click the “play” button above to listen to ‘Worldview’ host Jerome McDonnell discuss the World Cup with three longtime ‘Worldview’ soccer contributors — Scottish soccer fanatic Euan Hague, Russian and soccer nut Pavel Yusim, and freelance writer Dan Shalin.

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DANK Haus German American Cultural Center

Address: 4740 N. Western Ave.
Fan favorites: Germany
When: Germany v. Mexico on June 17 at 10 a.m., Germany v. Sweden on June 23 at 1 p.m., and Germany v. South Korea on June 27 at 9 a.m. They will open 45 minutes before each game starts. According to the venue’s website, the viewing parties will continue “as long as Germany wins.” There is a $5 suggested donation.
Specials: German beer and pretzels.

Fun Team Fact
Germany has won four World Cups.

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Nacional 27

Address: 325 W. Huron St.
Fan favorites: Mexico
When: Mexico vs. Germany on June 17 at 10 a.m., Mexico vs. South Korea on June 23 at 10 a.m., and Mexico vs. Sweden on June 27 at 9 a.m.
Specials: $15 for a Modelo bucket and $65 for a Modelo bucket, a mini bottle of Patron Silver and Michelada mix.

Fun Team Fact
Team Mexico plays more games in the U.S. than in Mexico, according to this profile from ‘Sports Illustrated.’

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The Globe Pub

Address: 1934 W. Irving Park Road
When: Games will be shown daily during the tournament, and general manager Megan Kosmensky says the bar will be open 30 minutes before the first game of the day during the whole tournament. “Yes, even the early ones,” she says. Some games play as early as 5 a.m.
Specials: This freshly remodeled soccer bar has more than 30 beers on tap, and it will also feature $5 Krombacher drafts for the World Cup.

World Cup Fact
This is the first time Russia will host the World Cup, and some players are concerned.

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A.J. Hudson’s Public House

Address: 3801 N. Ashland Ave.
When: Games played daily throughout the tournament, starting as early as 8 a.m. The bar has a handy schedule that you can find here.
Specials: A.J. Hudson’s will unveil a new menu for the World Cup that includes dishes from countries that are playing.

World Cup Fact
For the first time since 1938, there will be no British referees at this year’s World Cup.

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Theory Chicago

Address: 9 W. Hubbard St.
When: They will open early for mid-morning games around 9 a.m. Games will be played daily during the World Cup.
Specials: Theory Chicago will add a new brunch menu for the games.

World Cup Fact
More than 2.5 million tickets have been sold for the games so far. A majority of ticket holders are Russian (871,797), with the U.S. in second place (88,825), according to FIFA.

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Black Bull

Address: 1721 W. Division St.
When: They will open early to air games live after 1 p.m. on both indoor and outdoor TVs, with games shown daily.
Specials: Black Bull will have $30 sangria and $15 porrons of Estrella Galicia summer shandies.

World Cup Fact
Wait, aren’t there a ton of U.S. sanctions against Russia? Will Johnny Law come after me if I go? Nope!

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Galway Arms

Address: 2442 N. Clark St.
When: Airing games beginning at 10 a.m. or later. All broadcast games can be seen from the outdoor patio.
Specials: Galway Arms will be serving $5 Carlsberg pints, $6 Moscow mules, $4 Budweiser pints, and $6 wings.

World Cup Fact
This is the first time both Iceland and Panama have ever qualified for the World Cup.

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Timothy O’Toole’s Pub

Address: 622 N. Fairbanks Court
When: Germany v. Mexico on June 17 at 9:30 a.m., South Korea v. Mexico on June 23 at 9:30 a.m.
Specials: They will feature a special menu for the tournament, a mimosa and bloody mary bar, and free Heineken scarves.

World Cup Fact
The United States, Canada, and Mexico will be hosting the 2026 World Cup, which they won in a joint bid. The United States has hosted the World Cup only one other time in 1994.

Bea Aldrich is a digital production assistant at WBEZ. You can follow her @baldrich42.