Where to Watch the World Cup in OB

Raglan is ready for the World Cup. (Photo by Matthew Wood)

By Matthew Wood

Calling all soccer fans: The place to be if you want to watch the World Cup in OB is at Niagara and Bacon Streets.

That’s where neighboring spots Bar 1502 (aka the New OB Noodle House) and Raglan Public House will be showing all the games with the best specials in the ‘hood.

“We’re really excited for it,” Bar 1502 owner Steve Yeng said about the World Cup. “We want people to come out and have some fun.”

They will have an array of specials as well as jersey and soccer ball giveaways throughout the tournament, which runs through July 13.

Get select drafts for just $2 each day, as well as $10 glass boots (10 liters). Shots will flow freely, with specials including $3 Jim Beam, $4 Jameson and $5 Makers Mark, as well as $3 shots of Fernet – the official drink of Argentina.

Bar 1502 will also be open for breakfast during the games, which start as early as 9 a.m. Yeng will be serving the restaurant’s signature pho soup with an egg on top along with his special concoction of three espresso shots with sweet condensed milk and hot saki – what he calls a “Ho Chi Minh Heart Attack.”

“You’ve never had anything like it,” Yeng said.

Local sports radio station The Mighty 1090 will be broadcasting live from Bar 1502 on Saturday.

Raglan will also be open for the early games, but the kitchen will be closed. So co-owner Mike Zouroudis is bringing in bagels and cream cheese for early-rising fans.

“We’ll serve ’em up until they run out,” he said.

They will also have a slew of drink specials. Get select pints for $3, pitchers for $12.50 and wings for $6 during every game. When the United States is playing, they’ll also offer $3 shots of Jameson and half off the appetizer menu.

You can’t help but get into the mood as soon as you step foot in the place. Jerseys hang from the ceiling and a homemade wall-size scoreboard in the back shows results from every game, just in case you miss any of the action.

“I love soccer, we all do,” Zouroudis said. “It should be a great time.”

Those are the best specials in the ‘hood, but not the only ones. Head to Gallagher’s for free hot dogs and $3 Budweiser bottles during all games. They also have some soccer-themed shot specials like the Beckham (basically a purple hooter), a Goalie (fireball and pineapple) and a Penalty Shot (Jager and root beer).

Just down Newport Avenue at Cheswick’s West, anyone who wears a team jersey (any team) gets happy hour prices all day long.

For German fans, there’s obviously only one place to go in OB: Kaiserhof. They will be open early for all Germany games, including 8 a.m. openings for the June 16 game vs. Portugal and the June 26 game against the U.S. — both games start at 9. But they recommend you make a reservation or get there way early, as long lines are expected.

Once you’re in the door, you’re drinking $4 specials on shots that you can’t pronounce, like Kellepitsch (a herb liquor) and Barenjager (honey liquor). They will also have $5 Bloody Marys and mimosas.

Mother’s Saloon is getting international with their beer specials. English IPA Red Betty pints are $4 and the Estrella Lager from Spain is $3.75. Or get a good old-fashioned American Coors Summer Brew for just three bucks. Just down Voltaire, Tiny’s Tavern will have $15 buckets (five bottles) of Bud Light during all the games.

Most of the other sports bars in the neighborhood like Wonderland, The Harp, Arizona Café and Sunshine Company will be open early for the games, although they don’t necessarily have any specials.