The best bars for watching Women’s World Cup in Raleigh, Durham, Cary & Chapel Hill
For the second time in nine months, the United States will play in the World Cup.
This month the U.S. Women’s National Team will aim for a fifth Women’s World Cup title and local fans will need to know where to watch the games.
With the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup being hosted by Australia and New Zealand, watch parties will be a little tricky as fans contend with a wild time difference. Easy games will air at 9 p.m. Eastern Time, while later games could be in the middle of the night.
The Triangle has some of the country’s most passionate soccer fans, and therefore some of the country’s most passionate soccer bars. Many bars are staying open late to air some games and some are bending over backwards to host early morning watch parties.
Here are some of the best spots to watch this year’s Women’s World Cup.
Best bars to watch the World Cup
▪ Carolina Ale House
2240 Walnut St., Cary. 919-854-8444 or carolinalehouse.com/our-restaurants/cary
It doesn’t get more official than this. The NC Courage is hosting watch parties at Carolina Ale House for USWNT 9 p.m. games. The Courage has sent six players to this year’s World Cup, including Americans Emily Fox and Casey Murphy. The watch party for Wednesday, July 26 will be at the Cary location.
▪ Sports & Social
301 Fenton Gtwy, Cary. 919-363-8888 or sportsandsocial.com
The largest sports bar with the largest screens in the Triangle is hosting watch parties for the USWNT games. Even though the games start at 9 p.m., the bar hopes you’ll stick around for the after party.
▪ The Bridge DTR
110 E. Hargett St., Raleigh. 919-838-6633 or facebook.com/thelondonbridgepub
This is the official watch party spot for US Soccer fan club American Outlaws, so expect one of the best atmospheres for USWNT fans. London Bridge plans to air most games, even those in the middle or the night or early morning, though liquor laws may prohibit the sale of alcohol. Now that’s dedication.
▪ The Boot Room/Beer Study
2501 University Drive, Durham. 919-748-3499 or bootroomdurham.com
It’s always match day at this Durham and Chapel Hill duo of the taproom Beer Study and soccer-loving sandwich shop The Boot Room. The kitchen in Durham will stay open late to 9 p.m. when the first games begin.
▪ Bull McCabe’s Irish Pub
427 W. Main St., Durham. 919-682-3061 or bullmccabesirishpub.com
The wide porch and lawn at this downtown Durham pub is sure to be one of the Triangle’s World Cup centers. Bull McCabe’s has installed TVs out on the lawn, making for one of the largest watch parties around.
▪ Tobacco Road Sports Cafe
280 S. Mangum St., Durham. 919-804-0764 or tobaccoroadsportscafe.com
505 W. Jones St., Raleigh. 919-737-2022
Sporting some of the largest projector screens around, Tobacco Road will be a coveted spot for World Cup games.
▪ Italian Pizzeria III
508 W. Franklin St., Chapel Hill. 919-968-4671 or italianpizzeria3.com
Pizza and soccer are the passions of this Franklin Street institution. The 9 p.m. games start an hour before closing, so come through and get a pizza and beer for the first half, if you can find a table.
▪ Person Street Bar
805 N. Person St., Raleigh. 919-977-5952 or person-street.com
This Raleigh neighborhood bar will air the 9 p.m. matches on the big screen with sound.
▪ The Winchester
6164 Falls of Neuse Road, Suite A, Raleigh. thewinchesterraleigh.com
Named for a place of refuge in the zombie movie Shaun of the Dead, Raleigh’s The Winchester has soccer in its soul. Even on non-World Cup days, the hours of The Winchester are determined by major matches. Expect 9 p.m. games to buzz with excitement.
▪ Raleigh Beer Garden
614 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh. 919-324-3415 or theraleighbeergarden.com
The Triangle’s biggest bar is a great spot for the world’s biggest soccer tournament.
▪ Fullsteam Brewery
726 Rigsbee Ave., Durham. 919-438-2337 or fullsteam.ag
The big screen in the big room at this Durham brewery will air 9 p.m. United States games and keep the doors open late.
