Imagine this: You're ready to cheer on Spain in the 2014 World Cup, proudly defending your 2010 title, drinking some tasty sangria, and you're surrounded by Brazil fans. Or worse, clutching your chest, living and breathing for Germany -- and getting drowned out by USA diehards. Or, perhaps the worst of all, fearing for your life, lost in a sea of blue and white, a lone Englander among Argentines.
To help you savor all 64 games from June 12 to July 13, we've put together a list of the top spots by country for you to wine, dine, and revel in the magic. Games are scheduled for noon, 3, 4, 6, and 9 p.m.
See also: Where to Eat and Drink in Miami for the NBA Finals
Brazil
At Boteco you'll be surrounded by fans from the motherland while munching on local favorites like pasteles, feijao, fried yuca, and pao de queijo. When Brazil plays, Boteco will provide a live DJ to spin before, during, and after the games.
For the swankier among us, the Clevelanderhas you covered. Enjoy the games, catch some rays, and prepare yourself for a fun, sexy party. Many events to look forward to include watch parties June 20 and 21, where you can enter to win an all-expense-paid trip to Las Vegas to watch the final World Cup match. All you need is a painted face and an Instagram account. Additionally, on June 22 and July 9 enjoy "Fiesta Brazil" with ESPN Deportes live. Specials throughout include $12 pitches of Becks, $20 buckets of Budweiser and Bud Light, among others.
Couldn't afford the trip to Brazil? Yeah, we couldn't either, but at SushiSamba locations in Coral Gables and Miami Beach, you get the next best thing. Delectable themed food items like the "mundial roll," with the Brazilian colors and, of course, caipirinhas. Oh, and did we mention SushiSamba is giving away a getaway to Rio for Carnaval 2015? Check out their opening-game festivities, complete with samba dancers, DJs, contests, and exotic decor.
Spain
For fans who don't love a huge crowd, Bellmont Restaurant is the place to be. For every live game, they'll have 50 percent off wine, beer, and homemade sangria. Got a jersey or two? Wear the jersey of either team playing and you'll be get a free glass of beer or sangria.
Coming off a strong win in 2010, Spain is sure to be well represented at Tapas y Tintos. Not only will the restaurant show every game, but there will also be $10 Spanish bocatas, half off sangria glasses, and Estrella Damm beer buckets (five brews per bucket) for $25. The only question is, can Spain defend its championship?
You can also check out the Traymore Restaurant and Bar, where Spain fans can indulge in special tapas and half-priced gin and rum cocktails. From Thursday, June 12 to Sunday, July 13, the hotel restaurant on Collins Avenue will broadcast each match in its own private dining room area on a giant screen. Executive Chef Jonathan Lane has created a discounted tapas menu that includes Braised Beef with Spanish chorizo empanadas, chicken croquettes, mini queso fresco, and hamburger sliders. Guests also can get half-priced Nolet Silver Gin and Zacapa Rum cocktails, as well as discounted imported beer prices throughout the month of the World Cup event. Discounted valet parking will also apply for attending guests. Call 305-695-3600 or email [email protected] for reservations.
USA
For years Fado Irish Pub has been a mecca for sports fans, and that includes soccer. The pub will host a kickoff party June 12 at 4 p.m. for the Brazil/Croatia game with predictor games and a "Million Dollar" bracket challenge. Be sure to get there early for happy-hour specials and couplings of beer, burgers, and snacks.
Tongue & Cheek will show all games along with $2 beef cheek sliders, $5 select appetizers, $4 craft beers, $8 signature cocktails and perhaps best of all, $20 bottomless beverages.
Abbey Brewing Company will have a 3 to 7 p.m. happy hour Monday through Friday with $5 house wines and well drinks and $4.50 Abbey brewed English IPAs. And if you like your beer with fried food, go for the tried and true Buffalo Wild Wings.
Germany
Fritz and Franz Bierhaus offers fans distinct dishes for each country, along with traditional $5 14-oz German Warsteiner. There's also Hofbrau, which proclaims to show all games every day.
England
The Playwright Irish Pub celebrates with seasonal Sam Adams 16-ounce pitchers at $12.95 and discounted Mahou beers. Churchill's Pub is a laid-back, slightly grimy, but always fun locale for viewing the World Cup. Or head to Miami mainstay Duffy's Tavern.
Colombia
Ready for a crazy Colombian World Cup block party? Um, yes please! Kukamakara and sponsor Bud Light will close down a block to celebrate the opening match. Things to look forward to: outdoor bars, food, a huge LED screen, and an inflatable futból.
Argentina
Baires Grill on Lincoln Road has three 65-inch TVs AND a big screen projector to watch every angle of the games. For World Cup drinking, the restaurant has special caipirinhas with soul cachaca ($7), Peroni beer ($20 for four bottles), and Quilmes ($20 for five bottles). Diners also can get their executive menu Monday through Friday until 4 p.m. at $19 that includes appetizer, main course, and dessert or coffee.
Be surrounded by fellow Argentinos (but don't be surprised if tears are shed) at Manolo, where blood runs blue and white, emotions are always high, and the churros and gnnoqui are always delicious. Novecento in Brickell is having a bash Thursday at 3 p.m., which will include multiple outside bars, country specific drinks, raffles, live music, live samba dancers, and batucada. All the game action will be broadcast on a concert LED screen facing Brickell Avenue.
Mexico
Grab a front seat at La Mexicana Cantina, where they'll show all the games and serve up $1 bites and 50 percent off drinks for the happy hour from 4 to 8 p.m.
Also, Latin House Grill will offer delectable dishes, tequila, and, of course, a place for you and your compadres to get excited.
And Everything Else
Are you one of those fans who doesn't consider a watch party good if there ain't good food? You're in luck, because Crave goes a step further to keep fans stuffed. In addition to showing all the matches, the place will provide special menus with dishes from various countries competing in the World Cup. Paella, fish 'n' chips, empanadas, and Mexican tacos are only the beginning.
OTC had us at "bottomless craft beer" for only 20 bucks, but it also stood out as a choice spot to watch the World Cup because of its $5 food specials. The gastropub will stay open late for football fans, and chef Jacob Anaya will prepare daily specials inspired by the countries playing each day. Happy-hour specials will also be available, including $3.50 craft beers and wines, as well as the aforementioned $5 eats. Nosh on homemade pasta, including clams and linguine, puttanesca, and OTC carbonara with pork belly and jowl (Italy); plus bacalao croquetas and gambas al ajillo (Spain); mussels and frites (France); sausage and mustard (Germany); and feijoada (Brazil).
Owner Michael Sullivan invites you to "kick off the World Cup" at OTC Thursday, June 12, for the Brazil-Croatia match at 4 p.m. "OTC is a place to kick back with friends and enjoy good food and beer," he says. "During the World Cup, we want to make sure everyone has a comfortable place to watch the games and not worry about sky-high prices."
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