New York City soccer bars are kicking off the World Cup right — with festive drink specials, flashy decorations and dozens of new big-screen TVs.
Watering holes across the Big Apple — from Brazilian bars to Irish pubs — are rushing to prep for the world’s most-watched sporting event, which begins on Thursday and goes through July 13.
“It’s like a whole month of Saint Patrick’s Day! The timing is perfect this year — lots of games at 6 p.m., right when people are getting out of work,” said Tom McCarthy, co-owner of Smithfield Hall, in the Flatiron District, which will feature beers from the homeland of teams competing against one another.
The bar also is decked out with national flags, which bartenders will remove once the country’s team is booted from the competition, McCarthy said.
At Nevada Smiths — a sprawling four-story bar in the East Village — owners are adding 20 new big-screen TVs.
“The vibe here is beautiful,” said manager Eric Silva, 25. “It’s four floors — so it’s like a stadium when everybody’s cheering.”
Nevada Smiths will also feature team-centric food specials — including its “Red White and Blue Burger,” which includes mayonnaise, ketchup and blue cheese, and will be served when the USA plays, Silva said.
Other bars won’t be so focused on the USA — like Via Brasil, which caters to a lively Brazilian crowd in Midtown.
To celebrate her country hosting the World Cup, bartender Luiza Pegado will be serving $11 Caipirinhas, a rum-and-lime concoction.
Boozehounds can also score discounted pitchers.
“In terms of specials, we’ll be doing $20.14 pitchers of Heineken and Heineken Light in cool trophy looking pitchers,” said Emilie Konold, manager of Mr. Dennehy’s in the West Village.
Other bars featuring World Cup specials include the Mad Hatter Saloon in Kips Bay, the Monroe Pub in Park Slope and Boca Juniors Restaurant in Elmhurst.