It’s almost time for the World Cup, the tournament kicks off on Sunday, November 20th at 8 a.m. PT. Yes, you read that right, the tournament will kick off at 8 a.m. in the morning! Qatar is 11 hours ahead of Seattle, which means that catching games will be pretty inconvenient. But there are places that will be hosting World Cup viewings. So get your brunch and bloody mary handy as we take a closer look at the 7 best places to watch the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Seattle.
When Will World Cup Games Will Be On in Seattle
Group Stages games in the World Cup will run from November 20 to December 2. In total, every team in the World Cup will play three group stages. On November 21 to 28, these group stage games will take place at 2 a.m. PT, 5 a.m. PT, 8 a.m. PT, and 11 a.m. PT.
Let’s take a look at Tuesday, November 22nd for an example of how each group stage day looks:
- Argentina vs Saudi Arabia: 2 a.m. PT
- Denmark vs Tunisia: 5 a.m. PT
- Mexico vs Polan: 8 a.m. PT
- France vs Australia: 11 a.m. PT
The final group stage games (November 29 to December 2) will have two games happening at the same time, 7 a.m. PT and 11 a.m. PT.
If you’re only interested in the United States games, there is some good news. All their games take place at the latest time possible. So, if you’re hoping to catch the U.S. National Team, you will be able to see their games at 11 a.m. (no setting 5 a.m. alarms, hooray for small victories)!
- USA vs Wales: Monday, November 21 at 11 a.m. PT
- USA vs England: Friday, November 25 at 11 a.m. PT
- USA vs Iran: Tuesday, November 29 at 11 a.m PT
7 Places to Watch the World Cup in the Seatle Area
- Atlantic Crossing: Best Overall Experience
- George and Dragon: Most Games Available to Watch
- Kells Irish Pub: Best Downtown Option
- Prost: Best German Beerhall
- Queen Anne Beerhall: Expansive Space for Watching U.S. Games
- Flatstick Pub: Best Place to View with an Activity
- Three Lions Pub: Best Eastside Viewing Location
1. Atlantic Crossing: The Overall Best Experience
- Neighborhood: Roosevelt District
- Location: 6508 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115
- Specialties: A wild atmosphere of soccer-crazed fans
Atlantic Crossing is an English bar in the Roosevelt neighborhood that’s serious about their soccer. The bar is often open early for the English Premier League, so they’re ready to be open across a wide schedule during the World Cup. Simply put, while there are plenty of restaurants on this list that will be happy to open a little early for U.S. National Team games, the Atlantic Crossing is the premier destination if you’re looking for a lively atmosphere.
You can see their entire schedule by viewing Atlantic Crossing’s Event Page, but the bar will open up as early as 5 a.m. for England matches, and most other days will be open at either 8 a.m. (for weekend matches) or 11 a.m. (for weekday matches). If you’re looking for food, brunch with options like egg benedict, English breakfast, and avocado toast is served during early games. House bloody marys and mimosas are just $5 if you’re looking to enjoy an early drink.
Two final notes: Atlantic Crossing is a 21-and-over establishment. Also, it appears the company is selling tickets for USA matches (as you can see from the embedded Instagram above, it gets very busy), so if you’re planning on going to Atlantic Crossing you’ll want to make sure tickets are still available here.
2. The George and Dragon: Most Games Available to Watch
- Neighborhood: Fremont
- Location: 206 N 36th St, Seattle, WA 98103
- Specialties: Open for even the 5 a.m. matches
George and Dragon hails itself as Seattle’s original English soccer pub. You can get the full details on viewing the World Cup there on their website, but here are the main details.
- 5 a.m. Games: George and Dragon isn’t quite serious enough to stay open for the 2 a.m. group stages, but they will be open for the 5 a.m. games from November 21 to November 28.
- Cover Charge for November 25 and Later Matches: If you’re looking for a spot to watch the premier group stage game (the U.S. vs England on November 25th), there will be a $10 cover charge. If the United States advances out of the group stage, be advised that Round of 16, Quarter, Semi, and Final matches will also include a cover charge that comes with a drink ticket.
- Limited Indoor Seating: Especially during U.S. and English games, this bar is going to be busy. Indoor seating will be limited so you’ll have to arrive early if you want a seat inside. The outdoor beer garden will have heated tent space, but once again, seating will be limited so don’t plan on showing up 15 minutes before game time and having a front row seat in front of a TV.
- Limited Food Menu: The food menu for World Cup days will be limited, if you’re hoping to have a leisurely brunch while taking in the games, you may want to look at some other options from this list.
3. Kells Irish Restaurant and Bar: Best Downtown World Cup Bar
- Neighborhood: Downtown in Pike Place Market
- Location: 1916 Post Alley, Seattle, WA 98101
- Specialties: Right in Pike Place Market
Kells is an Irish restaurant and bar located in Pike Place Market’s Post Alley. We called to verify their World Cup schedule and they confirmed they’d be open for all 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. games. However, it may not hurt to call ahead just to make sure they’re open for a game as they don’t currently have a schedule listed on their website.
The primary advantage of Kells is that it’s located in a prime location. If you’re staying downtown it’ll be just a short walk. The restaurant is also fairly expansive, so you shouldn’t have to show up far in advance for a game like you’ll need to at Atlantic Crossing or The George and Dragon.
4. Prost!
- Neighborhood: Phinney Ridge
- Location: 7311 Greenwood Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103
- Specialties: Open early for German and U.S. matches
If you’re looking for a German beerhall to watch the games, you have plenty of options. Beyond Prost!, Rhein Haus is a fantastic option on Capitol Hill and is opening at 10 a.m. for the November 25th matchup between the U.S. and England.
Yet, we’re featuring Prost! as a better option because they’re simply open for more matches. The Phinney Ridge bar will be opening up early for German matches (even their 5 a.m. match on November 23rd versus Japan), and will also be opening its doors 30 minutes early before each U.S. match.
5. Queen Anne Beerhall
- Neighborhood: Lower Queen Anne
- Location: 203 W Thomas St, Seattle, WA 98119
- Specialties: Hosting large groups
Queen Anne Beerhall is an expansive beer hall (more than 7,000 square feet of space) near Climate Pledge Arena. With large tables and massive steins of beer, it’s a fun place to take in a match, especially if you’re with a group of people that needs more space.
While there’s no schedule on their website, we called Queen Anne Beerhall and verified they’ll be open for World Cup games at 10:30 a.m. (usually the bar opens at 11 a.m.). If you’re going with a group to watch a U.S. match, this could be a top location.
6. Flatstick Pub: Best with an Activity
- Neighborhood: Kirkland, South Lake Union, Pioneer Square
- Location: Multiple
- Specialties: Opening at 10:30 a.m. for US matches
Normally Flatstick Pub opens at noon, but they’ve announced they’re opening up at 10:30 a.m. for the November 21st U.S. game. If you’re looking to catch a different U.S. game there, you may want to call ahead just to confirm they’ll be open.
What’s good about Flatstick Pub? For one, if you’re looking to catch the game out and about with anyone under 21, Flastick Pub allows minors before 7 p.m. Second, it’s a spot where you could also engage in an activity with a group while catching the game. Flatstick pubs host 9-hole putting courses. Finally, most of their locations have a “warehouse” feel which should provide ample space. The atmosphere won’t be as electric as something like Atlantic Crossing, but you’ll also have a lot more space!
7. Three Lions Pub: Best Eastside Viewing Location
- Neighborhood: Redmond
- Location: 8115 161st Avenue Northeast, Redmond, WA 98052
- Specialties: Classic country-style English pub
Three Lions is a neighborhood institution in downtown Redmond. The space is small but feels like an English pub through and through. If you’re on the Eastside and want to take in a World Cup experience with other soccer fans but don’t want to travel to Seattle, we recommend stopping by Three Lions.
As of November 17th, they still didn’t have a schedule posted, but we called in to verify Three Lions will be opening up at a minimum for 10 and 11 a.m. matches. That means if you’re looking to catch any U.S. matches, Three Lions will be a top location.
