Catching World Cup Fever in Chicago

OLE OLE OLE OLE, OLE OLE!!! World Cup Fever is here and Chi-town has plenty of places to check out all 64 matches live from South Africa. Welcome to the phenomenon that only happens once every 4 years. It’s when the world stops for 30 days as everyone is watching one thing… fútbol (soccer that is). Here are the best picks to watch el Mundial, no crazy hooligans here, only true hardcore fans of the best sport in the globe.

The Globe Pub, located at 1934 W. Irving Park Rd., is one of the best places to watch an awesome fútbol game. The pub features a TV in every corner with 23 HDTV’s and 4 HD 64” projectors. Here you can find over 180 bottled beers to choose from and 20 on tap. Need I say more? The pub is packed with fans from all over the world, including Chile and Japan, shouting songs and chants. Some even with drums and tambourines accompaniment. It’s a party like no other and the atmosphere is redunkulous.

Aside from an über friendly staff, this pub has great food prices from about $9 with $4 Carlsberg beer specials in June. Celebrities like David Beckham and even Chicago Fire players love to visit. This Friday they will have Dennis Irwin, from Manchester in for a Q&A. The place seats and stands about 200, and is first-come, first-serve (U.S. vs. England is booked) with plenty of parking on the streets and has no cover. So come early!

Fado Irish Pub is a great 2-floor tavern located in the River North neighborhood (100 W. Grand Ave.). The building is decked out with flags from all over the world, and they have soccer jerseys and t-shirts on sale and will be giving away some pretty sweet swag in honor of the Copa. Teresa, a manager at Fado’s, says “We are excited to host all the World Cup games and no matter where you are at in the pub, you will be able to watch the game with plenty of staff to help you. طريقة لعبة القمار ”

Back in 2006, I would go to Fado at 7 a.m. to watch the games while I ate a hearty Irish breakfast of two scrumptious eggs, rashers, beans, pudding, tomato, hash browns and bangers (Irish sausage) imported directly from Ireland. They also offer fish and chips and a variety of food from burgers to quesadillas.

Fado’s has no cover charge and easily fits 150-200 with plenty of HD TV’s, and has one of the best atmospheres you’ll find with from all over the planet.

Other places to check out the World Cup

Small Bar (Three locations: Logan Square, Division and Fullerton), Ginger’s Ale House in Wrigleyville (great drink specials), and Atlantic in Lincoln Square.

Join our Gozamos Fantasy League!

Be a part of the World Cup with the Gozamos Fantasy Futbol Team. Choose your favorite 11 players and the best team will win an official FIFA South Africa soccer ball. It’s free to join, just go to the Fantasy League website, fill out the form, then look for the ‘Gozamos’ team under ‘Enter New League’ and enter the pin 207584. Then you too will be a part of the game! طريقة لعبة البوكر في الجزائر

World Cup Schedule

The early bird gets the tequila worm: All matches will be televised LIVE on HD and most matches will begin in the morning (6:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.) and will be repeated in the afternoon if you decide not to play hooky.

The mayhem begins Friday, June 11 and continues through July 11; check out the schedule here.

Party starts on Friday at 6:30 a.m. with Shakira, Juanes, Black Eyed Peas and other global stars. Soccer frenzy is here and may the best team win… So, grab a frosty mug of hefeweizen for the Germans or crack open a Bohemia for Mexico, and I’ll see you at the pub! Salud!