All Over Albany

Places to watch the World Cup

Couldn't make it to Brazil this year for the World Cup, but still want to watch matches with a crowd? Well, you're in luck because there are a bunch of places around the Capital Region where you can cheer on your favorite team, catch the matches -- and possibly even fútbol fever.

The World Cup started this past Thursday and runs through July 13. Here's the full schedule of games. The US Men's National Team plays tonight (Monday) at 6 pm vs. Ghana; Sunday, June 22 at 6 pm vs. Portugal; and Thursday, June 26 at noon vs. Germany.

After the jump, a quick list of some bars in the area that will be showing all of the World Cup matches and offering reduced prices or special offers.

Wolff's Biergarten
895 Broadway, Albany, NY 12207
Wolff's is by far the biggest World Cup game in town. And it was even named the second best soccer bar in the nation last year by Sirus radio. The biergarten has already set up a big tent across the street from the bar for crowds to watch games as part of its ongoing World Cup block party -- it has an even bigger tent ready down the street for the US games. (And it's the meetup spot for the Albany chapter of the American Outlaws US national team supporters group.)

A $10 World Cup commemorative stein gains you entrance into their tent for all World Cup matches. A $20 stein gains you entrance and two drink tickets.

Not only will Wolff's be showing all the matches, but it will also be re-airing games that happen during working hours so if you can't get out of work because of -- *cough* *cough* -- that bad case of World Cup cough, you can catch replays of the matches at night.

The big event though is next Sunday, June 22 when there will be two tents set up with capacity for more than a thousand people for the US vs Portugal match at 6 pm.

They are betting that if you set up the tent, the people will come. Judging by the crowd they got on opening day of the World Cup and the crowd who have gone there to watch in years past, it's a safe bet.  

Recovery Room
62 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, NY 12208, and seven other local locations
In the running for the greatest number of televisions is the Recovery Room. Each location boasts 30 televisions in the bar and on their patio. Edited: And the Albany location has two 90-inch televisions and even a private area with a TV and leather seating for 12.

The manager of the Recovery Room says he's made it his personal mission to order beers from all over the world for this event for all of their locations.  

For $16 you can order a bucket of five beers, with options from 16 different countries to choose from. In addition to the 18 beers on tap normally, for the World Cup the Recovery Room has added Carlsberg, a German-style pilsner from Denmark as well as Estrella Damm, a lager from Barcelona.

The Olde English Pub & Pantry
683 Broadway, Albany, NY 12204
Wolff's sibling bar, The Olde English Pub & Pantry, normally does not have televisions but it's installed them temporarily for World Cup-loving patrons.

Specialty buckets of five Crabbie Ginger Beers or Brooklyn Summer Ales or a mystery bucket of bartenders choice will be available for $20. They have also created a special World Cup food menu featuring pub-style food.

City Beer Hall
42 Howard Street, Albany, NY 12207
With six televisions, a quality gastropub menu, and a convenient location right in downtown Albany, City Beer Hall promises to be a World Cup destination. During the matches, drink specials include $1 off all pints, and $3 off all quarts (32 ounces) of beer. Also, during US games, they'll be giving away prizes when team USA scores.  

Wolf's 1-11 Restaurant
111 Wolf Road, Colonie, NY 12205 & 51 South Pearl Street, Albany, NY 12207
Wolf's 1-11 is more along the lines of a traditional sports bars. The location on Wolf Road in Colonie has 40 TVs. There's also a downtown Albany location -- in the Times Union Center -- open Tuesday through Friday.

While they are not offering World Cup-specific specials, their regular weekday happy hour prices will apply - from 4 pm to 8 pm patrons can get $1.50 off all drafts and 1/2 off glasses of wine in the bar area.

Harvey's Restaurant and Bar
14 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
Harvey's took over the Irish Times space in downtown Saratoga Springs recently. The Irish pub will be showing all of the matches during the World Cup. The Saratoga Springs chapter of the American Outlaws supporters group will be there for US matches. (And it also comes recommended by the Capital District Adult Soccer League).

While they won't be offering World Cup related drink specials, their regular happy hour runs weekdays from 3-6:30 pm.