Footie fever is about to hit the world – and Toronto. The World Cup begins tomorrow! This year, it will be easy to watch live as the time zone is so close from here to Brazil. The big question is, where will you be watching?
Some people like to watch in the comfort of their homes, but it can be more fun to watch with company, on big screens, in the company of fellow fans, while being served. If that’s your preference, we’ve got some local suggestions for you.
Opera Bob’s (1112 Dundas St. W) is already known as a footie bar, hosting regular crowds for the English football club, Manchester City. They serve craft beer on tap and tasty pub fare, including wings and pulled pork.
The Dock Ellis recently opened at 1280 Dundas West and has proven itself to be an ideal location for watching all kinds of sports. With friendly staffers, big screens, local craft on tap, and tasty bar snacks like chorizo corn dogs and fried chicken sandwiches, you’ll have a good time here.
If you want to watch the matches outside while enjoying some brews, The Crooked Star at 202 Ossington plans to put up a 50 inch screen on their side patio. If the weather’s good, that patio will be busy for sure. The Churchill, at 1212 Dundas, also plans to show games on a screen on their patio. 
Reposado was planning to show games in the el Norte bar – and they still might – but they’ve also installed a TV on the back patio for viewing in good weather. La Porte, just north of Roylat St., which usually only opens a few nights a week, will also be showing games with beer specials. Union Restaurant has also installed a TV to allow diners to keep watch.
One local bar, Mojo Lounge, which recently changed hands, (and will soon be changing it’s name after a renovation) is calling itself FIFA HQ for Du West. Downstairs at 1305 Dundas West, they have a big space and big screens, and plan to be open for all the games.
Dundas West is officially Little Portugal, and you know local sports bars will be cheering for Portugal, including Delta Sports at 247 Ossington just north of Dundas. Also supporting Portugal is the aptly named “Sports Bar” at 1276 Dundas West, which isn’t a big bar but does have a big-screen TV. And the media are already focusing their attention at Brazilian Star at 1242 Dundas as the Brazil team HQ.
If you’re looking to root for England, head to The Dog and Bear Pub at Queen and Dovercourt. They’ve been cheering for England since opening, and with 8 TVs including a 70 inch screen, they’ll do a good job for World Cup. They serve lots of beers on tap, including traditional English pints, and some English pub food.
Fans of the Netherlands will want to check out The Ossington at 61 Ossington for the Orange team’s matches. Their weekly Dutch borrel has become so popular, they are extending their love of all things Dutch to World Cup soccer, starting with the team’s first match this Friday at 3PM versus Spain. On top of broadcasting the games, they’ll also be serving up Dutch snacks like herring and bitterballen.
If you want World Cup in the background with the sound off while you are eating or drinking, try The Saint or Rock Lobster. Both have TVs behind the bar but they are not the centre of attention.
The first game pits Brazil vs. Croatia and is tomorrow, Thursday June 12 at 4pm.
Whatever your team, have fun, and be prepared for cars driving around honking for the next few weeks.
