Where To Watch The Final 2018 World Cup Games In Houston — Updated

There are only two matches left in the 2018 World Cup and Houston has plenty of restaurants and bars that are opening early and offering specials for hungry fans. Belgium plays England in the third-place play-off Saturday at 9 a.m. while France takes on Croatia in the championship match Sunday at 10 a.m.

Artisans Restaurant, 3201 Louisiana: Kick off Sunday’s championship match with a special brunch menu at Artisans. Featuring a Gabriel Boudier crème de cassis Kir Royale, quiche lorraine, scrambled egg puff pastry, creamy au gratin potatoes and a triple-layered chocolate cake, Artisans is providing a deliciously sweet brunch for only $29. There will be large screens installed specifically for the day so every seat comes with a great view. Seating is limited and can be reserved by calling (713) 529-9111.

Avenida Brazil, 12000 Southwest Freeway: Heads up for World Cup fans on the southwest side of Houston: this Brazilian churrascaria is projecting the game on a screen in the private dining room. It coincides with the brunch-time salad bar and buffet, both available for $25 per person.

The Barking Pig, 2307 Ella: Owner Kristen Powell says due to the early game time that a special steak sandwich is being offered for $9. Diners can add an egg for $1.50. Steak fries are served alongside.

downstairs bar at Biggio's
A wall of TVs is front and center at the main bar, just a fraction of the 30+ screens available throughout Biggio’s. Photo courtesy of Biggio’s

Biggio’s, 1777 Walker: Head downtown to the Marriott Marquis and grab a stool at this two-story sports bar. Known for its massive, 30-foot tall HD screens and equally massive entrees, every seat in Biggio’s is guaranteed to completely immerse you in championship match action. Biggio’s is opening early at 9:45 a.m. so patrons can attack the Bloody Mary bar and order chicken and waffle specials just before the 10 a.m. match. Splash some Pernod on top of your Bloody Mary for a French kick.

Bosscat’s red velvet churros are a great way to celebrate every sweet goal. Photo by Josh Armendariz.

Bosscat Kitchen & Libations, 4310 Westheimer: The match may be France vs. Croatia, but Bosscat is coming out in full support of Les Bleus with a French watch party. The already popular Sunday Funday brunch is getting a French twist with croissants and Champagne all around beginning at 9:30 a.m. Reservations may be made by calling (281) 501-1187.

El Big Bad
The downstairs Bar at El Big Bad. Photo courtesy of El Big Bad.

El Big Bad, 419 Travis: Owner Steve Sharma has been showing all of the matches to packed crowds, but Sunday’s final is extra special for him. His mother Slavitza “Sylvia” Sharma was born in Croatia and left because of Croatia’s war for independence in the 1990s. Though Sylvia won’t be onsite for the match (she lives out of state), Sharma is hosting a huge watch party. All of El Big Bad’s TV’s and projectors will be showing the match with the sound on. Telemundo Houston is also going to be onsite with a camera crew and plenty of swag to pass out. Reservations can be made by calling (713) 229-8181.

Harold’s Restaurant & Tap Room, 350 West 19th: Reservations are recommended for the Final Match Brunch Party on Sunday, July 15 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. but the restaurant is actually opening up bright and early at 7 a.m. Brunch is a three-course prix fixe affair for $22.95 plus tax and gratuity. It includes guest’s choice of beer, mimosa, Bloody Mary, sangria or a frozen cocktail with Deep Eddy vodka. Just for fun, Harold’s is giving away Saint Arnold pint glasses while they last. Nine Banded Whiskey shots are $7 and 11 Below Brewing beers are $4. Both companies are giving away swag, too. Believe it or not, that is just a smattering of the available specials both upstairs in the restaurant and in the tap room. Vote by 9 a.m. on Sunday by commenting on the Facebook post above on what you think the winning team will be an get a chance at a $50 gift card. Call (713) 360-6204 for reservations and more information.

Snow Topi's Nutty 4 Nutella bubble waffle
Snow Topi’s Nutty 4 Nutella bubble waffle. Photo courtesy of Snow Topi.

Holler Brewing Co., 2206 Edwards: This Washington district brewery is opening at 10 a.m. Sunday morning for a special Kegs & Eggs brunch. Wear your team’s jersey and you just might win a prize or receive a special discount. Snow Topi will be popping up with a special menu that includes Three Sister Farms eggs poached with Holler beer with a sweet or savory version of Snow Topi’s bubble waffles—think Asian crepe. The match should be over just after noon, and there will also be plenty of Snow Topi handcrafted gelato to cool patrons off. Holler Brewing is both dog and kid friendly, so bring the entire family out to cheer your team on.

La Villa Saint-Tropez will be serving its Banoffee pie. Photo courtesy of La Villa Saint-Tropez

La Villa Saint-Tropez, 4315 Montrose: When this new French restaurant soft opened on July 4th, only eight of the original 24 countries were still competing in the World Cup. La Villa Saint-Tropez is combining it’s grand opening with Sunday’s championship match. Along with the game being, patrons can listen to Parisian DJ Dr. Fazz.

Mongoose versus Cobra, 1011 McGowen: Celebrate the World Cup with one of the most celebrated beer lists in the city. Root on Belgium on Saturday with a Belgian IPA from Danish microbrewery To Ølor pay homage to World Cup host and perhaps our future overlord Russia with a Russian Imperial Stout—a high ABV beer initially brewed to impress a Russian Czar. Pair that with MvC’s infamous 32 oz. pretzel and celebrate a victory with an order of fresh baked chocolate chip and pecan cookies and it’s as if you’ve won as well.

The New Potato, 3519 Clinton: Located on the east side, The New Potato is opening at 9:45 a.m. and hosting a World Cup Brunch from Punk Rock Pop-Ups which is serving until 4 p.m. The menu boasts locally sourced ingredients and there are mimosas (both regular and frozen), Champagne by the bottle and Bloody Marys to have alongside.

Pimlico, 810 Waugh: The Irish pub in Montrose is opening at 9:30 a.m. for game-watchers and hosting the Family Meal HTX truck. The menu, which is posted online, includes solid breakfast fare like challah French toast and a biscuit Benedict and hearty items like a breakfast burger and breakfast hot dog.

Pitch 25, 2120 Walker: This might be the most popular spot in the city to watch a soccer match. Saturday’s third-place match will be busy, but it’s a solid choice for patrons with well-behaved children. The real party is on Sunday for the championship match. Pitch 25 and Warehouse Live are hosting an all-day festival that spans over 20,000 feet of air-conditioned space with giant screens showing the championship. Following the match, there will be performances from DJ’s and live bands with food trucks on-site for bites. Sunday Funday could very well turn into “surprise vacation day” Monday.

Rosehill Beer Garden, 14540 Cypress Rosehill: The Cypress-area hangout is hosting two food trucks: Pitas Bites and Craft Burger (operated by chef Shannon Tune). The trucks and the venue all open at 10 a.m. The game-time happy hour includes $2 domestic bottled beers, $2 domestic drafts, a variety of $4 wine and $2 margaritas. After the game, if Croatia wins domestic bottles remain $2 through out the day but if you’d prefer $3 imports, root for France.

Shay McElroy’s Irish Pub, 909 Texas: The downtown pub takes pride in its Reubens and Guinness and is hosting a watch party for the final World Cup game on Sunday. The drink specials feature $4 Bloody Marias and Bloody Marys, $3 Mimosas and $4.50 Saint Arnold’s Summer Pils. Seating is first come first served and kickoff is at 10am.

There are also plenty of great spots around the city for those who just want to watch the match. Our favorites are Axelrad Beer Garden in Midtown, Heights Bier Garten (confirmed to be opening at 10 a.m. on Sunday by co-owner Steven Salazar), The Kings Head Pub in West Houston, and Rudyard’s British Pub in Hyde Park. The Patio On Richmond opens at 9 a.m. and FM Kitchen & Bar is showing the game as well.

Josh Armendariz is Houston Food Finder’s lead freelance beer and cocktail writer. He can often be found on a stool at your favorite bar, sipping a hoppy craft beer and talking about the Astros with anyone who’ll lend an ear. Follow him on Instagram at @drinkwithjosh.

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