The FIFA World Cup kicks off Sunday (literally), so here’s a guide to our starting lineup of quick stops and hot spots to watch the world’s best soccer teams this November through Dec. 18, when a new champion is crowned in Qatar. Catch the series of games over brunch at Mullets or lunch with friends at Gilroy’s.
Team USA plays their first match in Group B on Nov. 21 at 1 p.m. against Wales.
This guide features a wide array of selections for game day, along with watch parties with Iowa Pro and the Des Moines Menace, so put your best foot forward when choosing where to watch the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Order Barn Town brews and burgers while watching the games this month. With a full lineup of beers on tap and plus-size TVs, it’s time to get comfy with the ’55, a saucy classic burger with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, and red onion that’s named for the Ford F-100 on top of Barn Town Brewing’s bar.
Location: 9500 University Ave., #1100, West Des Moines
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday
Contact: 515-978-6767; barntownbrewing.com.
More:It’s time for World Cup soccer! Here’s a list of more than 50 places to eat and drink in the Des Moines metro
Home of flame-broiled wings and specialty pizzas, the Chicken Coop’s three locations include great spots to watch the game and sip on brews, cocktails, and mixy margaritas. If you like it spicy, order the Pepper Jackoroni pizza pie with pepper jack cheese, pepperoni, and red bell peppers.
Location: 1325 S.W. Oralabor Road, Ankeny; 12725 Meredith Drive, Urbandale; 5906 Ashworth Road, West Des Moines
Hours: Daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Contact: 515-289-1578, chickencoopurbandale.com
More:What to know about USMNT World Cup roster: Surprises, heartbreak and the countdown to Qatar
Gilroy’s will show all the FIFA World Cup games on its big-screen TVs in the bar area. Customers can order from the weekend brunch buffet or try some crispy tempura-fried white cheddar cheese curds with ranch dressing. Check out the menu’s crispy Gilroy’s fried chicken, an elevated take on the Southern dish served with garlic green beans and Parmesan scalloped potatoes.
Location: 1238 Eighth St., West Des Moines
Hours: Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Contact: 515-809-1727; gilroyskitchen.com.
Pub food and game-watching go hand-in-hand, especially when you can order from The Hall’s specialty menus all at once. Watch the game on The Hall’s giant screens and grab finger foods such as fried Brussels sprouts and nachos from FoodWorks. Order a red lager brat or giant pretzel at DieHalle. Burgers topped with fried jalapenos or poblano peppers and verde sauce come from a burger stand. Pizza and hand-held sandwiches are also on the menu. Make sure to grab a beer or a craft cocktail while you catch the players take the pitch.
Location: 111 S. 11th St., Suite 200, West Des Moines
Hours: Monday through Wednesday, 3 to 10 p.m.; Thursday and Friday, 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Contact: 515-608-4100; thehalldsm.com.
This sports bar in West Des Moines is a great place to relax and play games while watching the game. Share some street corn nachos with friends and take a bite out of starters such as breaded baby Portobello mushrooms with a side of ranch dressing or indulge in The Keg Stand’s signature boom fries featuring bacon, cheddar cheese, sour cream, and chives.
Location: 3530 Westown Pkwy., West Des Moines
Hours: Monday and Tuesday, 3 p.m. to 2 a.m.; Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.; Sunday, 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Contact: 515-327-7429; thekegstanddm.com.
The bar at Mullets is a great spot to watch the games. Mullets’ massive menu sports a wide selection of American favorites including breakfast items such as chorizo hash browns and chicken and waffles, big pizzas topped with taco fixings or brisket mac and cheese, and burgers bedecked in jalapenos or avocado and egg.
Location: 1300 S.E. First St., Des Moines
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Friday through Sunday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Contact: 515-244-1443; mulletsdm.com.
The Other Place has two spots in the metro where you can watch FIFA World Cup games on big-screen TVs. Try the hand-breaded onion rings with ranch dressing, or share the Smokehouse pizza, loaded with smokehouse pizza sauce, chopped roast beef, smoked ham, bacon, red onions, four cheeses and cilantro and then drizzled with barbecue sauce.
Location: 12401 University Ave., Clive; 2010 SE Delaware Ave., Ankeny
Hours: Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to midnight.
Contact: Ankeny, 515-963-9494; Clive, 515-225-9494; theotherplace.com.
Players Sports Bar & Grill is ready to play during the FIFA World Cup. Nibble on some hot wings or take a bite out of one of the eight assorted burgers such as the Juicy Pipin’ Lucy, a half-pound burger oozing with melted cheddar and topped with pepper jack cheese, jalapeños, bacon, chipotle ranch, lettuce, tomato and pickles.
Location: 1760 Beaver Ave., Des Moines
Hours: Monday and Tuesday, 3 to 10 p.m., closed Wednesdays; Thursday and Friday, 3 p.m. to midnight; Saturday, 11 a.m. to midnight; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Contact: 515-274-8639.
Since 2001, this grub pub has been bringing a touch of British style from across the pond to the heart of downtown. This is a metro must-see for FIFA World Cup games while feasting on traditional fish and chips, Scotch eggs, or Shepherd’s pie. Wash it down with one of more than 100 single malt scotches behind the bar.
Location: 210 Fourth St., Des Moines
Hours: Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. to 2 a.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Contact: 515-282-2012; royalmilebar.com.
Saints Pub + Patio in Waukee plans to show FIFA World Cup games on a slew of TVs. Try the pub nachos peppered with pickled jalapenos, pico de gallo, and scallions topped with sour cream and saucy beer cheese queso or poblano chicken dip served with tortilla chips or pita bread. Go for a Philly cheese steak or French dip to fill a bigger appetite.
Location: 87 N.E. Carefree Lane, Waukee
Hours: Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Contact: 515-216-1654; saintspub.com.
FIFA World Cup frenzy comes to the Station on Ingersoll, which plans to open daily at 10 a.m. starting on kickoff day, Nov. 20. Order crab Rangoon nachos, pretzel bites with beer cheese, fried pickles and state fair pickle dip with ham and pub chips. Try a pumpkin pie spiced White Russian or a Drunken Appletini shot.
Location: 3124 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines
Hours: Open daily from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Contact: thestationdsm.com
Since 1982, Wellman’s Pub has been the place to be to watch games and chow down on classic pub grub like pizza, burgers and wings. Try the splurge-worthy Buffalo chicken mac — tender chicken paired with penne noodles and the restaurant’s new Buffalo cream sauce with cornbread crumb crust, bleu cheese crumbles, and Buffalo sauce.
Location: 2920 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines, and 597 Market St., West Des Moines
Hours: Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Contact: Des Moines, 515-245-9737; West Des Moines, 515-222-1100; wellmanspub.com; Ingersoll Facebook; West Des Moines Facebook.
Pro Iowa, the initiative aimed at bringing professional soccer to the state, and the Des Moines Menace is inviting Iowans to attend a select series of watch parties for nation teams including USA and Mexico. The open house-style watch parties are family-friendly and kick off on Nov. 21 as attendees watch USA take on Wales, and Germany taking on Spain at Hessen Haus (101 SW Fourth St., Des Moines).
Watch parties will be added as new games arise and attendees who register for watch parties will be automatically entered into a sweepstakes to win fun prizes including $100 gift cards from select locations as well as one 65-inch flat screen TV from Hisense. One additional 65-inch flat screen Hisense TV will be reserved for a winner who attends the final Dec. 18 event in person.
A list of locations hosting watch parties:
Jay Stahl is an entertainment reporter at The Des Moines Register. Follow him on Instagram, Twitter, or reach out at [email protected].
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