Mad Dog in the Fog
Neighborhood: Lower Haight
530 Haight St (btw Fillmore St & Steiner St), San Francisco, CA 94117
(415) 626-7279 - call this line for soccer schedule.
It opens early for live EPL, World Cup, Euro, Champions League, MLS and more on weekends and weekdays, with replays shown later in the day and throughout the week. There is an excellent atmosphere for any big match but sometimes there is a cover charge to enter for special matches that you can’t see at home. Call first if you’re concerned about it. I’ve watched numerous games here over the years coming all the way over from Oakland because I like it so much. I have a great time here watching matches, sometimes even if my team doesn’t win. Lots of screens, high ceilings and most people stand when it gets packed. It feels like you’re at a pub in England. I remember watching England vs. Argentina in World Cup ’98. The crowd was mostly English ex-pats and the crowd exploded when Owen scored that amazing goal but was crestfallen when Argentina won the match. It felt so weird leaving that day as it was just a regular day in America once you stepped out into the streets of SF. I also watched USA vs. South Korea here in 2002 and it was packed with US fans including members of the Earthquakes at that time such as Ian Russell. In 2006 the geezers from Fox Football Fone In were in the place doing their internet radio show live during an England match and I won a Winning 11 video game which was cool. Of course the place has a wide selection of beers and some standard pub fare but you don’t go there for the food.
Ben Sizemore
Kezar Pub
Neighborhood: Cole Valley / Upper Haight
770 Stanyan St (btw Beulah St & Waller St), San Francisco, CA 94117
(415) 442-7994, call this line for soccer schedule.
Kezar Pub and Mad Dog In the Fog are the best places to watch soccer in the bay area so perhaps its understandable that they have the same ownership. Kezar like Mad Dog shows live EPL, World Cup, Euro, Champions League, MLS and more on the weekends and weekdays, with replays shown throughout the rest of the day and week. Again sometimes there can be cover charges and they can be up to $20 for games not on ESPN, FSC or a major network. Kezar has loads of TVs making any seat a good one. The big difference with Kezar is that it has lower ceilings and lots of tables and chairs. It’s a better set up to eat and watch a match than Mad Dog but can feel claustrophobic when packed. Case in point, England vs. Brazil in World Cup ’02, it was insanely crowded with both Brazilian and English fans. England lost, again, but it was great atmosphere just not as easy to breath when it gets real full as a place with better circulation and higher ceilings. Most people would consider Kezar nicer inside than Mad Dog but I don’t care about that much. It does have a much bigger menu than Mad Dog but both have a wide selection of brews and drink to chose from. If you’re a soccer fan and live in S.F., you probably have already been to these two pubs a hundred times. Both venues have separate rooms so they can show two live games at once to different sets of supporters.
Ben Sizemore
Pig & Whistle
www.pig-and-whistle.com
Neighborhood: Lone Mountain
2801 Geary Blvd (@ Masonic), San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 885-4779
The Pig and Whistle is a more intimate place, perfectly located to have a beer before or after the USF or San Francisco Seals' games at Negoeasco Stadium (USF) (10 minutes walk from the stadium). Some of the San Jose Earthquakes fans live in San Francisco and they often choose the Pig & Whistle to watch their favorite team's away games on a big screen.
TH.
The Chieftain Irish Pub & Restaurant
www.thechieftain.com/restaurant.html
Neighborhood: SOMA
198 Fifth Street (between 5th & Howard), San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 615-0916
If you are looking for a place to watch the European Champions League south of market, The Chieftain is a good option. It’s a nice little irish pub with good food and drink. There are several TVs and there isn’t a bad seat in the house. I watched the US tie Italy here during the 2006 World Cup, the place was packed and the atmosphere was excellent. As always you should probably call or check the website for more info.
Ben Sizemore
The Steps of Rome Trattoria
www.stepsofrome.com
Neighborhod: North Beach
348 Columbus Avenue, (between Grant and Vallejo), San Francisco, CA
(415) 397-0435
With Euro 2008 right around the corner you may want to consider taking in some matches at this Italian restaurant in North Beach. I’ve watched a number of international matches here over the years and there is always a good atmosphere and big crowd. At times all the seats can be taken and people will stand outside on the sidewalk and watch through the open windows. The people are friendly and you can get some decent Italian food and coffee plus the neighborhood adds to the European feel and overall vibe. Check it out. Call or look at their website for info on matches shown. It will be packed for Italy games so get there early.
Ben Sizemore
The Irish Bank
www.theirishbank.com
Neighborhood: Union Square
10 Mark Lane, (btw Bush St. & Harlan Pl.), San Francisco, CA
(415) 788-7152
Say you work downtown and you are looking for a spot to sneak away to for a couple of hours around lunch to watch the Euro 2008. The Irish Bank is an excellent option as it is located down a discrete alley right off Union Square. It’s a nice Irish Pub and there is guaranteed to be good atmosphere for any big match. I watched a couple of World Cup 2006 matches here and had an awesome time. The place isn’t big but when it gets packed they just set up TVs and seating outside so that everyone can watch. Check out their website for more info.
Ben Sizemore
thanks a lot man
THE DAPPER LOUNGE BRING YOUR OWN LUNCH AND WATCH
I talked to the owner of the dapper lounge ( the old golden bears) on Grand and Staten and he is willing to show all the games LIVE. The cool thing about it is that you can bring your own food, it being lunch time and all.
Dagmawi Eyassu WWW.DAGMAWIE.COM