Advertisement

Arts & Entertainment

The best places to watch the France vs. Croatia World Cup final in Dallas-Fort Worth

Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect details of which bars will be showing the finals.

After an exciting 2018 FIFA World Cup tournament, the final match between France and Croatia is upon us. Kickoff is 10 a.m. Texas time, but you'll want to get to these spots earlier to get a good seat.  (You can also follow along on Instagram.)

Legacy Hall

7800 Windrose Ave., Plano. 972-846-4255

Advertisement

FC Dallas is hosting World Cup watch parties at the outdoor Box Garden venue at Legacy Hall in Plano. Food and booze vendors there will be open so attendees can get their grub on. More deets.

News Roundups

Catch up on the day's news you need to know.

Or with:

The Bomb Factory

2713 Canton St., Dallas. 214-932-6501.

Advertisement

FC Dallas is hosting an additional watch party at the Bomb Factory music venue in Dallas, which can hold 4,300 patrons. More deets.

Klyde Warren Park

2012 Woodall Rodgers Fwy., Dallas. 214-716-4500.

Advertisement

This outdoor park in downtown Dallas is hosting a watching party for the final, complete with food trucks, tailgate games, and a surprise appearance by a soccer player. The game will be broadcast on a big outdoor TV screen. The party starts at 8 a.m. with a DJ, before kickoff at 10 a.m. Blankets and chairs are welcome to this free party.

The Londoner (Addison)

14930 Midway Rd., Addison. 972-458-2444.

This just might be the best game day-watching bar in North Texas, at least according to the diverse crowd of locals that has shown up to support teams from across the globe. 

Happiest Hour

2616 Olive St., Dallas. 972-528-0067

Happiest Hour in Victory Park is often a go-to for American football watching, but it changes the channel during the World Cup. That's where fans can find Andy Swift and Peter Welpton, hosts of The Ticket's The KickAround radio program, during the final match. More deets.

Advertisement

Trinity Hall

5321 E. Mockingbird Ln., Dallas. 214-887-3600

This spot in Dallas' Mockingbird Station has been a World Cup-viewing mainstay since 2002. No matter your team, you'll be able to watch the game here on three large projection screens and additional TVs throughout the dining area. The restaurant opens a half-hour before the earliest matches and offers breakfast options, like the Irish breakfast.

Ojos Locos in Dallas is always a hot spot to watch Mexico's World Cup matches.
Ojos Locos in Dallas is always a hot spot to watch Mexico's World Cup matches.(ANDY JACOBSOHN/Staff Photographe)
Advertisement

Balones Sports Bar

2905 Webb Chapel Ext., Dallas. 214-358-4449.

The sports bar is debuting new hours for the soccer championship. The spot will be open 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. every day. To accommodate the new hours, the bar will have breakfast foods for purchase, like chilaquiles, omelettes, smoothies and coffee. There will also be its usual Tex-Mex fare and beers for afternoon viewers.

The British Lion Pub

5454 Main St., Suite 123, Frisco. 214-618-5025.

Advertisement

There’s no game too early for The British Lion Pub in Frisco, which will broadcast every World Cup match in the group stage and beyond. Fans should expect doors to open around kickoff time when it's earlier than the bar's usual hours. The kitchen will offer a breakfast buffet ($10 for adults, $7 for kids) from open to 11 a.m. Mimosas, screwdrivers and Bloody Mary cocktails cost $3 each on the weekend.

Four Corners Brewing Co.

1311 S. Ervay St., Dallas. 214-748-2739.

This brewery in Dallas' Cedars neighborhood plans to open its taproom and show every World Cup match that begins after 8 a.m. local time. Stop by on June 17 to enjoy live music from DJ Big Texican and bites from Trompo taqueria.

Advertisement

Guadalajara Mariscos Mexican

1004 E Division St., Arlington. 817-299-0357.

When Guadalajara Mariscos Mexican is open, soccer fans can expect to find the World Cup featured on its many TVs. Pair that with one of its happy hour specials -- 99-cent margaritas, anyone? -- and you're in for a win no matter how your favorite team is playing. The bar and restaurant's hours of operation are Monday through Wednesday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 a.m., and Thursday and Sunday 10 a.m. to midnight.

Roeien Baldrich, right, embraced Leonie Leiber during a Dallas watch party after Germany won...
Roeien Baldrich, right, embraced Leonie Leiber during a Dallas watch party after Germany won the 2014 FIFA World Cup.(Brittany Sowacke / Staff Photographer)

La Brasa Bar and Grill

430 N. Coit Rd., #400, Richardson. 469-845-7353.

Advertisement

Even though Peru, the underdogs, didn't make it to the knockout rounds, La Brasa still plans to show the remainder of the tournament. The restaurant, which is known for its fried chicken, opens each day at 11 a.m.

The Londoner (Rockwall)

308 N. Fannin St., Rockwall. 469-314-1126

England soccer fans can find camaraderie at The Londoner pub in Rockwall, which will feature the team's matches. That includes opening early if England plays at 9 a.n. during the knockout rounds. The bar features its regular happy hour Monday through Friday 2 to 6 p.m., but when England plays, discounts begin at 1 p.m.

Advertisement

Las Palmas

3957 Belt Line Rd., Addison. 214-730-0135.

This Colombian restaurant is shifting its hours to open Tuesday through Sunday at 6 a.m. to accommodate World Cup watchers. And when the home team plays, it will be offering specials such as empanadas colombianas and rifas. Columbia plays Japan on Tuesday, June 19 at 7 a.m.; Poland on Sunday, June24 at 1 p.m.; and Senegal on Thursday, June 28 at 9 a.m. Las Palmas is a BYOB establishment.

Las Ranitas

325 E. Jefferson Blvd., Dallas. 214-942-4400.

2100 E. Abram St., Arlington. 817-226-2444.

4200 South Freeway, Fort Worth. 972-555-1923.

Advertisement

All Las Ranitas locations in D-FW plan to air games during the World Cup. Now that Mexico is no longer in the tournament, the bars will features games during regular business hours: 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. each day. In honor of Russia hosting the World Cup, Las Ranitas will also turn into a "Russian Embassy" by adding themed decor and flair to the bars and menus. The restaurants are located next door to bars called Los Sapitos, which are also expected to show the games. They offer $4 billiard happy hour from noon to 4 p.m. and $2.75 beers from 3 to 9 p.m.

Brazil is a favorite to win the 2018 FIFA World Cup title.
Brazil is a favorite to win the 2018 FIFA World Cup title.(Brad Loper / Staff Photographer)

Ojos Locos (Arlington)

1620 E. Copeland Rd., Arlington. 469-673-1180.

Advertisement

Ojos Locos in Arlington may not open for the earliest World Cup matches, but if you're there during normal business hours, expect to find the tournament on its TVs. The bar and restaurant's regular hours are Sunday through Wednesday 11 a.m. to midnight, and Thursday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Peticolas Brewing Co.

1301 Pace St., Dallas. 214-234-7600

Brewery owner Michael Peticolas is a soccer fanatic, so beer drinkers can bet on catching a game there. Peticolas is releasing a special red ale for the tournament called Rumble in Russia, and reviving several other soccer-themed recipes, including the Thrilla in Brazilla IPA and Match Day pale ale.

Advertisement

Pour House Dallas

1919 Skillman St., Dallas. 214-824-1170.

This sports bar in East Dallas won't open early for most matches, but if it's open, fans can expect soccer on the TVs. There is one exception: PhD will open at 9 a.m. on June 27 to show Mexico play Sweden. And anytime Mexico's team is playing, Tecate and Modelo beers cost $2.75 each. PhD’s regular hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., and Thursday and Sunday 11 a.m. to midnight.

Ringo's Pub

5865 Kinkaid Rd., Suite E14, Plano. 972-307-0300.

Advertisement

When Ringo's Pub in Plano is open, soccer fans can expect to find the World Cup playing on its 11 TVs. The bar will also have its regular specials, including all-day happy hour on Wednesdays.

Rene Moreira, of Dallas, played with Bichos Unidos Selecta for El Salvador fans before a...
Rene Moreira, of Dallas, played with Bichos Unidos Selecta for El Salvador fans before a friendly soccer match between El Salvador and Ivory Coast prior to the start of the 2014 Brazil World Cup.(Andy Jacobsohn / Staff Photographer)

Rugby House Pub de Plano

8604 Preston Rd., #100, Plano. 972-668-8034.

Advertisement

Rugby House Pub in Plano is the official host of Barcelona fans, according to co-owner Sasha Kim, but the bar accepts all fans for the World Cup. And while it won't be showing all games, it'll be featuring the ones broadcast during normal business hours. The pub is open Monday 3 p.m. to 2 a.m., and Tuesday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Even if you don't catch a game, you'll catch happy hour, which lasts all day, every day.

Sonora Factory Grill

1050 Flower Mound Rd., #310, Flower Mound. 972-410-3501.

This Mexican restaurant is firing up the grill for World Cup matches that start at 8 a.m. and on. Need an incentive? Soccer fans posting up to watch the tournament get their first drink free, says an owner. The restaurant also has daily specials, such as free queso on Monday and $3 beers and margaritas on Thursday.

Advertisement

Wheelhouse

1617 Hi Line Dr., Dallas. 214-307-5690.

This eatery in the Design District is enticing locals to celebrate the World Cup by offering several promotions. The first is a $10 burger-and-draft beer deal that's available on Saturday and Sunday. The other is a raffle for a luxurious staycation, including a one-night stay at the Joule hotel in Dallas, Go Go breakfast for 12 delivered to the winner's place of work, brunch for eight at Wheelhouse and breakfast for four at the neighboring Sassetta restaurant. Wheelhouse opens at 10 a.m. on weekends to accommodate World Cup fans.

Nataly Keomoungkhoun contributed to this report.