When Brazil meets Croatia today for the inaugural game of the 2014 World Cup, ethnically diverse Southern California with its rich melange of cultures, nationalities and ethnicities may be one of the best places on the planet to watch the games, outside of those two nations.
Shimmying samba dancers and sizzling barbecue will greet Southern California Brazilian expatriates gathering at Redondo Beach’s Samba Steakhouse.
Near Dodger Stadium, 300 members of Los Angeles’ large Croatian community — and a handful of Brazilians — will gather at St. Anthony Croatian Catholic Church for what organizers are touting as the biggest World Cup opening day party in the county.
A priest will lead the devout in prayers before the game, an accordion player will play traditional songs and attendees will lunch on cevape — a minced meat kebab — washed down with Karlovacko, a Croatian beer.
“Twenty years ago Croatia didn’t exist as a nation, now we’re on the world stage opening up the World Cup in Brazil against Brazil,” said co-organizer Ante Kvartuc, who grew up in San Pedro, home to one of the largest Croatian communities outside the country.
“It’s a dream come true,” Kvartuc added. “Our little nation barely qualified.”
While today features only the 12:30 p.m. opener on ESPN, the group stage that runs through June 26 will boast as many as four games a day. The 32-team, 64-game tournament will reach its climax July 13 with the World Cup final.
With fan-friendly viewing times compared to previous tournaments — games will generally air at 8:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. locally — ratings are expected to far outstrip that of previous tournaments, ESPN officials have said.
The World Cup is already the world’s biggest sporting.
FIFA, the sport’s governing body, estimates 2.2 billion television viewers worldwide — nearly a third of the planet’s population — watched the final game of the 2010 World Cup. U.S. ratings for that year were up 68 percent from the 2006 tournament.
Walk into virtually any local bar or ethnic restaurant and games — at least the ones later in the day — will likely be on television.
But some watering holes are going the extra mile, opening earlier than usual and serving brunch or breakfast.
Others are gathering spots for particular nationalities or fan groups as viewing parties have exploded in popularity since the relatively new tradition began in earnest during the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
And there are some unconventional places, too, where soccer fans can get their fix away from a bar environment.
Here’s a run-down of some of the best places to watch the tournament in Southern California:
Bars and restaurants that will televise every game include Little Tokyo kebab joint Spitz, where anyone wearing their team’s colors gets an order of free pita strips and hummus.
Those opening early and serving breakfast or brunch include Dillon’s Irish Pub & Grill in Hollywood, home to the Los Angeles chapter of the American Outlaws fan group (and a block west of the Hollywood and Vine Metro station for those not wanting to drive).
The Altadena Ale House will offer country-themed food and drink specials including Spanish tortillas every morning, paella for Spain’s noon Friday game against the Netherlands, beef Bourgogne when France plays Honduras June 15 and so on.
Beautiful people will gather to watch all the beautiful games on a 40-foot screen at an outdoor venue dubbed the Station at W Hollywood.
Alpine Village near Torrance, a longtime home of the German-American community, is generally seen as one of the best places to watch soccer in Southern California.
Italian-Americans will gather at The Parlor Hollywood for that nation’s games that begin Saturday with what many see as the best game of the weekend, Italy against England.
And there are plenty of British pubs to choose from including The Fox and Hounds in Studio City (there’s a $10 cover charge for the popular U.S. and England games), the White Harte Pub in Woodland Hills and Santa Monica’s Ye Olde King’s Head and the Cock ‘n’ Bull.
Fan group American Outlaws have adopted various venues around Southern California in addition to the one in Los Angeles.
The Long Beach chapter has adopted Shannon’s on Pine, while the Inland Empire group hangs at Dave and Buster’s Ontario Mills.
As many as 250 soccer fans have turned up at the latter location for games, and even larger crowds are expected for the World Cup, said Inland Empire American Outlaws member Derrick Williams.
“Dave and Buster’s is going to turn into international soccer headquarters for the World Cup,” Williams said. “Our crowds include former national team members, radio personalities, soccer moms, families, Ontario Fury players, local business owners, passionate soccer fans and new soccer fans.”
Those who prefer their soccer alcohol-free have options too.
San Pedro’s Havana Lounge Cigar Club will open about three hours earlier than usual, allowing those who like to puff on a Padrone to see at least the last of each day’s games.
Reservations are suggested at Beverly Hills’ Euro Caffe, an Italian coffee shop popular with expats who watch their club teams play on weekends.
Pasadena’s outdoor Massetti Caffe also will televise most games, although it is closed on Sundays.
“We are a family-owned and operated one-off, and we’re all soccer heads,” said President Steve Felice. “Our shop is an Italian caffé in the truest sense.”
