The 3 Best Places to Watch the World Cup in Manhattan (2026)
MetLife Stadium is hosting eight matches this summer, including the World Cup Final on July 19. For everyone without a ticket, finding a bar that takes the football seriously is the next best thing. These three do. Spread across Midtown, Murray Hill, and Greenwich Village, each one has built its summer around the tournament.
1. Tara Mór, Midtown, Near Penn Station
150 West 30th Street, Midtown Manhattan
For anyone planning around the MetLife fixtures, Tara Mór is the most practical World Cup base in Manhattan. The bar sits two minutes from Penn Station, the NJ Transit hub for all stadium-bound fans. Pre-match pint here, direct train to East Rutherford, same route back. It is the cleanest path from Manhattan to the stadium.
Every match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup is showing, group stage through the Final, with the sound up and a full kitchen running all day. The Guinness has a reputation that holds up. Over 40 Google reviews mention it by name.
England vs. Panama at MetLife on June 27 is the group stage fixture that will bring the biggest crowd to Midtown, and Tara Mór is the natural pre-match stop for anyone heading to the stadium or watching from the bar. As an Irish pub two minutes from Penn Station, it is also a comfortable home for Scottish fans following Group C. The atmosphere on a big match day here runs closer to a pub in Dublin than a sports bar in Manhattan.
Tables fill quickly for the England game, the knockout rounds, and the Final.
Reserve at taramornyc.com.
2. Tara Rose, Murray Hill, Near Grand Central
384 3rd Avenue, Murray Hill
Tara Rose draws a strong Mexican and American crowd year-round, and for World Cup 2026 the bar has leaned into that. Happy hour pricing runs from kickoff for all USA and Mexico group stage games, with pitchers of margaritas and palomas on offer throughout. Grand Central is a ten-minute walk and MetLife Stadium is around 30 minutes from the door, making it one of the more accessible watch party venues in Manhattan for fans doing both a bar day and a stadium day.
The Famous Spice Bag, named best in New York by the Irish Daily Star and Eater, is the move for 90 minutes of football. The kitchen runs all day.
For groups, Think Retro is the private underground speakeasy beneath the main bar. No venue hire fee, fits 20 and up, and fully bookable for a match. Knockout round dates are already filling. Book via Resy or email info@tararosenyc.com for the speakeasy.
3. The Red Lion, Greenwich Village, Bleecker Street
151 Bleecker Street, Greenwich Village
The Red Lion has been the football bar on Bleecker Street since 1984. Steps from Washington Square Park, it functions as a proper neighbourhood pub rather than a match-day overflow venue, and the crowd reflects that. As the official New York City home of Brentford FC, it draws football fans who follow the sport year-round.
Every World Cup fixture is showing across 10+ HD screens, with early opens and the full kitchen running all day. The bar has been named among the best soccer bars in NYC for World Cup 2026 by The Mirror, and for England supporters looking for a watch party in Greenwich Village, it is the most established option in the neighbourhood. Its now become one of the A local's guide to the World Cup in New York.
Scotland fans in Group C alongside Brazil will find a natural home here too. Cover applies Friday, Saturday, and holidays. No cover Monday through Thursday. Group bookings and private watch party enquiries at redlionnyc.com.
Before You Go
The knockout rounds start June 28. The semi-finals are July 14 and 15. The Final at MetLife is July 19. Booking windows at all three venues are short for the high-demand fixtures.
Tara Mór at taramornyc.com. Tara Rose speakeasy enquiries at info@tararosenyc.com. The Red Lion at redlionnyc.com.
The football starts June 11.