The best soccer nations on the planet will converge in Qatar for the 2022 World Cup this November. Running from Nov. 20 to Dec. 18, most New Yorkers’ tickets and flights are out of reach. Thankfully some of the best local sports bars will screen all the action, so you needn’t miss a moment.
The Creek
The Creek in Croton Falls, around 12 minutes south of Carmel, is a cut above your average sports bar. Unlike most sports bars, you won’t just find bar snacks here. Instead, you can enjoy the same quality meals as patrons in the steakhouse dining room while you watch every World Cup match. Savor a thick NY strip with herbed truffle butter or some pan-seared scallops with a white wine cream sauce.
Location: 4 W. Cross St., Croton Falls.
Hours: 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 4 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday, and noon to 11 p.m. Sunday.
Red Mills Pub
It might sound British, but the club sandwiches, wings, and steak fries they serve at Red Mills Pub in Mahopac, 10 minutes southwest of Carmel, are all American. This friendly sports bar has several high-definition TV screens, so you can see every game in glorious detail. If a match drags on, you can occupy yourself with a round of darts or play your favorite tunes on the digital jukebox.
Location: 575 Route 6N, Mahopac.
Hours: 10 a.m. to midnight Monday to Saturday and 11 a.m. to midnight on Sunday.
The Mahopac Inn
Another Mahopac institution, the Mahopac Inn is one of the area’s longest-running sports bars. It’s stayed in business so long because it gets the fundamentals right. Its TV screens are enormous, the bar staff and regular patrons are friendly, and the food is always good. The blend of Kobe and Angus beef elevates the burgers, while the blackened chicken rigatoni and shepherd’s pie offer a refreshing change from the standard sports bar fare. The Mahopac Inn’s extra-long opening hours are also ideal for overcoming time zones and catching every minute of World Cup action.
Location: 1927 S. Lake Blvd., Mahopac.
Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 3 a.m. Monday to Sunday.
Square One Bar and Grill
Square One Bar and Grill is another great option if you prefer upscale sports bars. Cross the New York-Connecticut border into Danbury, 23 minutes east of Carmel, for this high-end gem. With 14 different craft beers on tap, you can always find the perfect pairing for your meal. The kitchen makes all dishes from scratch with fresh ingredients. You can taste the difference when you bite into the burgers, sandwiches, and slow-cooked jumbo wings. The BBQ Beyond burger with vegan cheese and chipotle cauliflower tacos ensures non-meat eaters can join in the fun at World Cup time.
Location: 24 Mill Plain Road, Danbury.
Hours: 4 p.m. to midnight Monday, 11:30 a.m. to midnight Tuesday to Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday.
Pippa’s Sports Café
Another Danbury institution, Pippa’s bills itself as a sports café rather than a sports bar. Rest assured, the alcohol still flows freely, especially during happy hour every weekday between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Big League entrées, Hall of Fame sandwiches, and Sunday Funday specials add to the themed fun. But the big games are the focus here, with plenty of TVs and even some personal sets on the tables. Expect a great atmosphere with plenty of other fans this World Cup.
Location: 114 South St., Danbury.
Hours: 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
Player’s Restaurant & Bar
Nestled on the second floor of Brewster Ice Arena, you might miss this sports bar if you aren’t an ice hockey fan. However, this is a place that celebrates all sports, including the World Cup. It’s just one of many international competitions screened on the bar’s numerous televisions. The casual menu features all your sports bar favorites, including nachos, buffalo wings, and baskets of fries.
Location: Brewster Ice Arena, 63 Fields Lane, Brewster.
Hours: 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Monday to Friday, noon to 1 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Brodie’s Pub
Located in Mohegan Lake, 24 minutes southwest of Carmel, Brodie’s Pub is one of the furthest sports bars we’ve included in this list. However, it deserves its place because it’s an authentic Irish pub that opens late. If you want to cheer on the teams with people who call the game football instead of soccer, this is the place to do it. The shepherd’s pie, chicken boru with Irish whiskey sauce, and classic fish and chips give a nod to the owner’s heritage.
Location: 3262 E. Main St., Mohegan Lake.
Hours: Noon to 4 a.m. Monday and Thursday, noon to 10:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, noon to 12:30 a.m. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Icons Sports Bar & Grill
Like Brodie’s Pub, Icons Sports Bar & Grill is 24 minutes from Carmel. However, it’s worth crossing the border because it puts sports front and center while remembering what enhances your viewing experience — friendly staff and a varied menu. All the usual bar snacks, such as burgers, wings, and hot dogs, are present and accounted for, but you can also choose poke tuna, lemon pepper chicken, or BBQ salmon if you’re tired of the old favorites. The beer menu is always changing, and you can try exciting ales from around the world as you cheer on soccer’s best.
Location: 80 Connecticut Highway 39, New Fairfield.
Hours: Noon to 1 a.m. Sunday to Thursday, noon to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
Centennial Grille Room

Let’s start in our own backyard with Centennial Grille Room, a buzzing sports bar at Carmel’s Centennial Golf Club. The bar opens early so that you can catch those morning matches. Start the day with a breakfast burrito or the signature Centennial breakfast. There’s also heartier fare as the day wears on, including blackened chicken tacos, penne a la vodka, and chicken parmesan.
Location: 185 Simpson Road, Carmel.
Hours: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Sunday.
These are the sports bars that the Meadowland GMC team loves around Carmel, but have we missed your favorite? Make sure to tell us about it. Drop us a line, and we’ll be sure to add it to our list.
Photo Credit: Fans Cheer On Their Favored Team at the World Cup Viewing Party by Sweeter Alternative is licensed with CC BY 2.0
