The 2010 FIFA World Cup kicked off on Friday, and bars and restaurants around the D.C. area are hosting special events to celebrate the monthlong tournament. Here are five places where you can take a group to catch the games live.
1. Bar Dupont
Located inside the Dupont Hotel, this upscale bar and cafe offers daylong celebrations throughout the tournament. Fans can watch all matches live—including the games beginning at 7:30 a.m.—on multiple large flat-screen TVs. Private and semiprivate spaces seat groups of five to 180 or hold 200. The bar offers breakfast, lunch, and happy hour specials and also pays tribute to host country South Africa with South African wine, beer, and liquor specials.
2. Evening Star Café
This Alexandria eatery opens daily at 10 a.m. to screen matches live. Groups of as many as 40 people can reserve the upstairs lounge for any game, with a variety of buffet options available. The restaurant will also close out the World Cup with an outdoor celebration on July 11. Despite the long odds, Chef Will Artley is planning for a U.S. victory and will offer an all-American BBQ menu.
3. The Mayflower Renaissance Hotel
Watch the World Cup in a four-diamond luxury hotel as the property screens all of the games live on its mezzanine. Groups of 75 to 1,500 people can rent out a variety of spaces in the historic property, including the mezzanine, for private viewing parties.
4. Café Citron
This trilevel Latin restaurant and lounge in Dupont Circle will open early to show all of the games live on large projection screenson each floor. The restaurant also offers a Latin-inspired breakfast menu with empanadas and choripan and plenty of drink specials. The venue has four private event spaces that can seat groups of 20 to 60 or can hold up to 100 standing. Large groups can preorder party platters featuring Latin specialties or order from the regular menu.
5. Summers Restaurant
Recognized as one of the best local spots to watch soccer year round, Summers in Arlington will show every game live and air reruns during the evening. This two-room restaurant is sanctioned by the U.S. Soccer Federation as the official U.S. soccer bar for Northern Virginia. Either room can be reserved as a private or semiprivate space for groups of 20 to 125 people.
