Best Bars to Watch Soccer in Los Angeles
By: Endalgo, Soccer Community Platform
Tags: Sports Bar In Los Angeles, Soccer News, Los Angeles, Youth Soccer, Soccer

YE OLDE KING’S HEAD

What’s better than watching your favorite soccer teams go head to head? How about watching them play live at one of Los Angeles’ best soccer bars?

Nothing beats a good beer and soccer, so pop into one of the best bars to watch soccer in Los Angeles and watch the game! Food, drink, and good company awaits!

Ye Olde King’s Head

If the name didn’t make it clear, Ye Olde King’s Head is an English pub through-and-through. Located right near Santa Monica State Beach and the Santa Monica Pier, Ye Olde King’s Head has everything you might imagine. Dark wood tables, comfortable chairs, and a portrait of Winston Churchill make this place explode with character. Just watch out for pictures of old English kings — their glares can be a bit intimidating if you’re not an EPL fan.

No proper English pub would be complete without entertainment, and Ye Olde King’s Head doesn’t disappoint. 14 televisions mean you’re not lacking for opportunities to watch the game, and the drink specials will keep you from going thirsty. Two bucks off draught beers from 4–7pm on weekdays and cheap cocktails make for a pleasant drink after work!

If you’re in the market for some proper British comfort food, Ye Olde King’s Head has you covered. The menu has everything from a full English breakfast to a quality fish and chips — it’s good food, and the portions are massive.

As a matter of bar policy, you don’t need to worry about watching the game: matches are always on. There’s enough Premier League, Champions League, Bundesliga, La Liga, Serie A, and MLS games to keep you happy. The staff is excellent as well, so don’t be shy about asking about a particular match.

Ye Olde King’s Head prides itself on never missing an EPL match, so if you follow the English scene religiously, just come here.

Los Angeles Biergarten

There are bars, and then there are gardens of beer. The Los Angeles Biergarten is a bit of both — this self-proclaimed gastropub and lounge has something in excess of 100 drafts beers, a full kitchen, and eight massive televisions. It occupies that brilliant space between restaurant and bar: not too rustic, not too fancy, and just the right amount of atmosphere.

It’s not exclusively a soccer bar, but the venue caters to the crowd when the games are on. They open early for UEFA Champions League and make sure to cover FIFA, MLS, La Liga, Bundesliga, and Serie A religiously. If there’s a game on, Los Angeles Biergarten will have it on the screen. Like we just mentioned, UEFA Champions League is definitely one of the focal points of this bar (they make it a point to open early when UEFA games are on).

On top of their impressive draft beer selection, Los Angeles Biergarten offers $3 bottled beers (good for those Belgian beers in particular), so don’t be shy about opening up the wallet a bit.

For those of you looking for a slightly more unique experience, Los Angeles Biergarten has a secluded mezzanine on tap (if you shell out for it, of course). The mezzanine is a comfortable upper level that’s made for private events or parties.

The beer is great and the food is arguably even better — the steak fries and the Asian chicken salad (we know) are particularly well-received.

All in all, the Los Angeles Biergarten is probably one of the nicest bars on our list. If you like the gastropub scene, come here. If you’re looking for something a little more rugged, keep reading!

The Fox and Hounds

British-style pubs do soccer well, so it’s little surprise that The Fox and Hounds makes an appearance here. It’s not an exaggeration to say that The Fox and Hounds is one of the hubs of international football in the San Fernando Valley. Twelve HD TVs and (even better), 2 large projector screens make this little British pub a serious heavyweight when it comes to watching soccer live.

Like a proper pub, the food is wholesome and not terribly expensive. A good mix of British classics can be found: bangers and mash, Scotch eggs, chips, and impressive appetizers are all available. The Shepherd’s pie comes recommended (as does the English breakfast). Give it a shot!

The beers on tap are reasonably varied, and a pint of Guinness is never far away. The Fox and Hounds is deceptively big — it seems small when inside, but you could fit a fair few people in there without worry. It’s got the coziness of a small pub but the quality and amenities of a bigger establishment. Pretty sweet, if you ask us.

The bar is neutral when it comes to fan clubs, but the regulars aren’t shy about showing their colors. English Premier League teams are a particular favorite, but you’ll find fans of almost every international club present. There’s plenty of Arsenal and Manchester United fans in the area, so prepare yourself for some proper soccer shenanigans when the match is on!

On top of that, The Fox and Hounds opens early for live morning games. You’ll want to check with them on social media, but they usually open early for Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, and Serie A matches.

If you’re looking for a quality British-style pub, The Fox and Hounds is exactly that. It’s dark, there’s probably more cigarette smoke inside than you want, and the food and beer is precisely what you expect.

There aren’t any surprises here — it’s a great little smoky pub where you eat, drink, and watch soccer. Don’t make it more than it is.

The Red Lion Tavern

While The Fox and Hounds and Ye Olde King’s Head are picturesque British pubs, The Red Lion Tavern takes you back to the continent. Think dark, comfortable seating, plenty of great beer, pretzels, sausages, and live music.

The ambiance is every German cultural trope all bundled into one fantastic experience. Bratwurst, sauerkraut, and pilsner galore make this tavern the best place for anyone looking for a Bavarian-style viewing party! Even better, like true Germans, The Red Lion Tavern opts for a proper happy hour (11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.), so the $4.50 draft beers are flowing pretty early.

Six large televisions make for excellent viewing opportunities. The Red Lion Tavern is officially neutral when it comes to teams, but there’s a definite Bayern Munchen, Real Madrid, and Manchester United vibe from the regulars.

The venue opens early for a lot of games, but it does depend on the match. If you’re a fan of one of the teams listed above, you can expect the tavern to be open. For specific matches or teams, the staff encourages you to check with them on social media.

If you forced us to choose between German or British taverns, we’d be hard-pressed to come up with an answer. There’s a lot to be said for the charm of a British pub, but authentic German food and (for us) better beer means the Bavarians take the top spot.

Joxer Daly’s

Under new management as of October 2017, Joxer Daly’s is well on its way to reclaiming its title as the best Irish sports bar in Culver City.

Twenty televisions.

Twenty!

Take that ridiculous number and combine it with classic Irish dive bar aesthetics and you’ve got all the makings of one of LA’s best soccer bars!

Take that ridiculous number and combine it with classic Irish dive bar aesthetics and you’ve got all the makings of one of LA’s best soccer bars!

Cold beer, some solid bar food, and enough soccer passion to fill an entire pitch? Check! Joxer Daly’s is that unassuming sort of pub that attracts just the right crowd. If you’re looking for a place to have a drink and watch the game, this is the place for you. It’s the official home of the LFC Supporters Club in Los Angeles, so Joxer Daly’s is anything but neutral — the bar is chock-full of Liverpool and Arsenal supporters.

It goes without saying that Joxer Daly’s opens at ungodly hours for Liverpool games. The bar doesn’t miss a beat — FIFA qualifiers, Champions League, Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, and MLS are always on the screens.

Is it the best place in Los Angeles to watch soccer? Maybe, maybe not (you decide!), but it’s surely a contender for one of the top dive bars in the area!

And don’t forget about the Irish breakfast in the morning.

Cock ‘n Bull

We started this list with a British pub and now we’ve come full circle. The Cock ‘n Bull is another hallmark of Santa Monica’s nightlife scene — this British sports bar combines English cuisine with polarizing food. Some love it, some hate it, and some find it just passable. The service seems to be hit or miss at times, but the general response is quite positive.

Regardless of the quality of the food, the ambiance is there in spades. Think big, open seating, warm lighting, and a reasonable attempt at a rustic aesthetic. There’s enough beer and chicken pot pie to feed an entire army regiment, so don’t worry about portion sizes. The 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. happy hours nets you a nice $2 off each drink as well!

The Cock ‘n Bull was voted the best soccer bar in the entire country in 2002, so you know the passion is there. Seven big televisions allow for plenty of viewing opportunities, and the bar’s neutral club stance prevents any major team bias from coming through.

The owner is English, so you’re guaranteed to see every English Premier League (the bar opens early for EPL). EPL is definitely where the focus lay, but don’t worry — FIFA, Champions League, La Liga, Bundesliga, and Serie A games are usually floating around as well. There’s no shortage of soccer when it comes to the Cock ‘n Bull, that’s for sure!

What’s the Verdict?

Oh, man. The easy answer? Go to the soccer bar listed above that’s closest to you. Barring that, you’ve got to make a choice.

If you’re looking for the classic British (or Irish) pub experience, Ye Olde King’s Head, The Fox and Hounds, or the Cock n’ Bull are all great choices. Ye Olde King’s Head is definitely the smallest of the bunch, but it has an impressive ambiance to it. The Fox and Hounds is a great option for the shepherd’s pie and beer selection (good appetizers, too!), and Joxer Daly’s is perfect for a Liverpool match.

On the other hand, the German-Bavarian style tavern is hard to top. Los Angeles Biergarten has the best beer selection of any bar in the city, and it’s definitely more upscale than your average dive bar. The Red Lion Tavern clocks in near the top of the list with fantastic German food, excellent beers, and a real authentic German feel.

Take your pick.

In the end, choose the sports bar that tickles your fancy the most. Or, even better, try them all. They’re waiting!

Know of another top bar to watch soccer in Los Angeles? Let us know if we missed your favorite watering hole!