Best Soccer Bars in NYC to Watch Every Match
Hello NYC Lover!
Finding a good soccer bar in New York City was not on Tanin's moving checklist. There were a hundred other things to figure out first. But a place to watch football? That was Florian's department — and he had strong opinions about it. Coming from Europe, the idea of missing a Champions League knockout game because you couldn't find a decent pub was genuinely not an option.
So we went looking. New York's soccer bar scene turned out to be bigger, louder, and more serious than either of us expected. These are the five spots that passed the test.
Legends Bar NYC from outside
Legends NYC (Football Factory) - Midtown Manhattan
Address: 6 W 33rd St, New York, NY 10001
Hours: Mon–Fri 12pm–12am | Sat 7am–7pm | Sun 9am–7pm
Nearest subway: B/D/F/M/N/Q/R/W to 34th St–Herald Square
Located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, Football Factory at Legends is a two-floor soccer headquarters with 20+ big screens and coverage of over 100 matches per week. We went on a Champions League night, and the energy hit us the moment we walked through the door.
Screens literally everywhere — you can't find a bad angle in the place. The beer selection is solid and the pours are honest. Our one heads-up: it gets very crowded for big games. We arrived about 30 minutes before kickoff and still had to squeeze in. For a UCL final or a derby, get there early or you'll be watching from someone's armpit.
Legends is home to over 30 supporter clubs from around the world, including AC Milan, PSG, and Leeds United — plus an impressive wall of memorabilia and team scarves that makes the place feel like a proper football venue. If you're a fan of a major European club, there's a real chance your people are already here.
The atmosphere is the headline act. This is not a place where football is playing in the background while people talk about something else. Everyone in the room is watching the game.
For the Champions League: Football Factory regularly hosts viewing parties for major UCL fixtures and tournament finals. Reservations open up for big matches — check their website before you go.
Smithfield Hall - Chelsea
Address: 138 W 25th St, New York, NY 10001
Hours: Open daily from 12pm (earlier on weekends for match days — check their schedule)
Nearest subway: 1/2/3 to 23rd St or F/M to 23rd St
If Legends is the loud stadium experience, Smithfield Hall is the more grown-up alternative a couple of miles south. Smithfield takes the sports bar model to a more refined level — vintage sports photographs on reclaimed wood and exposed brick walls, an upscale menu with locally sourced ingredients, and a full bar with premium cocktails alongside the draft beers.
Inside there are 2 bars, 27 tables, and 26 TVs — and the bar is famous for its coverage of soccer from all over the world, showing games from every major league. The FC Barcelona connection runs deep here; this is the official home of the NYC Barça Peña, and on El Clásico day the place transforms.
We haven't been in person yet — it's firmly on our list — but the reputation is consistent: this is the bar where serious football fans go when they want good food alongside the game. The short rib tacos and burgers get mentioned constantly. The crowd shows up in team jerseys. And unlike some of the bigger venues, it reportedly doesn't feel like a cattle pen even when it's full.
Cover charges can apply for major match events, so it's worth checking in advance for Champions League nights and derby days.
The Red Lion - Greenwich Village
Address: 151 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10012
Hours: Mon–Fri 11am–4am | Sat–Sun 10am–4am
Nearest subway: A/B/C/D/E/F/M to W 4th St
Greenwich Village isn't the first neighborhood you think of for a football bar, but The Red Lion on Bleecker Street has been quietly building a serious reputation. With 10+ HD screens covering every angle of the bar, they broadcast every Premier League fixture, every UEFA Champions League match, every FA Cup round, and all major international football throughout the season.
The Red Lion is also the official NYC home of Brentford FC — the only dedicated Bees supporters bar in New York City. A small but passionate community has formed around it, and the match-day atmosphere is apparently unlike anything else in that part of town.
What makes it different from the Midtown options is the setting. This is a proper British pub — the kind where the food actually deserves attention. The kitchen runs all day from 11am, with pub classics like Fish & Chips, Shepherd's Pie, a Full Irish Breakfast, and their signature Red Lion Burger. There's also a bottomless brunch on weekends from 10am to 3pm — which, for early Premier League kickoffs, is genuinely inspired programming.
For Champions League nights and derby days, they strongly recommend reserving a table in advance — it's a smaller space than the Midtown bars, and word has gotten out.
Carragher's - Midtown Manhattan
Address: 17 John St, New York, NY 10038
Hours: Sun–Tue 10am–2am | Wed–Sat 10am–4am
Nearest subway: N/Q/R/W to 49th St
Named after Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher, this one is exactly what it sounds like. Carragher's is a Liverpool FC-themed pub showing Premier League and major matches on multiple screens, known for its strong Liverpool atmosphere, traditional pub fare, and passionate game-day crowds.
If you support Liverpool — or you just want to be in a room where everyone actually understands the offside rule — this is your place. It's more of a proper pub than a sports bar, which means the food and drinks get equal billing with whatever's on the screen. Midweek Champions League games here must feel like being in a different city entirely.
We plan to make it here before the end of the season and will update with our full honest take. Until then: if you're a Red, you already know.
Banter Bar - Brooklyn
Address: 132 Havemeyer St, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Hours: Mon & Tue 2pm–12am | Wed–Fri 2pm–2am | Sat 7:30am–2am | Sun 8:30am–2am
Nearest subway: L to Bedford Ave | G to Metropolitan Ave | J/M/Z to Marcy Ave
If you're in Brooklyn and tired of the Midtown trek every match day, Banter in Williamsburg is your answer. It's been a neighborhood fixture for over 15 years — a beautiful 60-seat room with a long copper bar, high ceilings and spectacular woodwork that feels nothing like a typical sports bar. But don't let that fool you. They open at 7:30am on Saturdays for Premier League, the screens are perfectly placed, and the beer list is serious: 24 craft taps, 35 bottles, and a daily happy hour until 8pm with $3 beers.
Banter is an official NYCFC pub partner and the home of Brooklyn Spurs, the local Tottenham supporters club. Seating is limited — for big Champions League nights, arrive early or try to get a reservation!
Quick Tips for Watching Soccer in NYC
A few things we've learned since moving here that nobody told us upfront:
Arrive early
For any game with genuine stakes — a UCL knockout match, a league title decider, an international final — these bars fill up fast. 30 minutes before kickoff is the minimum. An hour is safer.
Check for reservations
Several of these bars now take reservations specifically for big match days. It's worth five minutes on their website.
Bring cash as backup
A couple of these spots still prefer it, especially during busy periods.
The early starts are worth it
European games kick off in the morning New York time. There's something genuinely fun about sitting in a dark bar at 8am with a Guinness in hand and 50 other people who made exactly the same life choice. Lean into it.
Best Soccer Bars in NYC for the Champions League Specifically
If you're coming specifically for UCL, our top two picks are Legends (Football Factory) for the size, the screens, and the sheer volume of supporters clubs under one roof, and The Red Lion for a more intimate British pub atmosphere where the game is taken seriously but you can actually hear yourself think.
For the final — which historically draws the biggest crowds — reservations are basically mandatory at any of these spots. Plan ahead.
Pumps or Sneakers?
👟 Sneakers, all the way. These are football bars — you're there to watch the game, shout at the ref, and spill a little beer. Legends and Smithfield Hall both have a slightly elevated vibe when it comes to food and decor, but the dress code is still firmly "wear your team colors and nobody will look twice." Save the pumps for dinner afterward. Tanin made the mistake of wearing heels to a Saturday morning Premier League match at Legends — standing room only, 90 minutes on her feet, never again.
Bye, see you next time!
Hugs, Kisses, and NYC Wishes! ♥️
Frequently Asked Questions About Soccer Bars in NYC
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Legends NYC (Football Factory) in Midtown is the most popular spot for Champions League nights — multiple floors, 20+ screens, and over 30 supporters clubs under one roof. If you prefer something smaller and more pub-like, The Red Lion in Greenwich Village covers every UCL match and takes reservations for big games.
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Most dedicated soccer bars open as early as 7am on weekends to catch European kickoffs. Legends opens at 7am on Saturdays, and The Red Lion opens at 10am on weekends. Always check the bar's match day schedule in advance — opening times can shift depending on the fixture.
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For regular season games, walk-ins are usually fine. But for high-stakes matches — Champions League knockouts, Premier League title deciders, or international finals — reservations are strongly recommended. Spots fill up fast, especially at smaller venues like The Red Lion.
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Smithfield Hall in Chelsea is a top pick, with dedicated sections for Manchester United, West Ham, and FC Barcelona supporters. Legends NYC hosts over 30 supporters clubs. For a more neighborhood feel, Banter Bar in the East Village has a loyal local following for Premier League mornings.
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Yes — Brooklyn has a growing scene. Floyd NY, a beloved bar with an indoor bocce court and Premier League on weekend mornings, is currently reopening in Brooklyn Heights after closing its Atlantic Avenue location. Worth keeping an eye on if you're based in Brooklyn.
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