FIFA World Cup 2010: Manhattan Bar Guide

The World Cup only comes around every four years, and unless you are a die hard soccer - I mean fútbol- fan with a couple thousand dollars to spare, you will not be in South Africa. But if you are looking for the closest thing to the testosterone fueled booze fest this side of the Prime Meridian, then we have the guide for you!

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Nevada Smith's

According to it's website, Nevada Smith's is a LIVE soccer venue:

"where football is religion."

Frequented by European and South American patrons as well as Daniel Craig who was allegedly spotted here, Nevada's is the venue for those who really are true football fanatics.

There will be 14 plasma screens on hand for the event, with one 12-ft projection screen also showing all matches from June 11 to the Final on July 11.

Complimentary happy hour Hor D'oeuvres will help wash down any of the 24 beers on tap, which are only $5 a pop (for a pint)! One of the best drinking deals in the city combined with a huge bunch of soccer hooligans, this could get messy!

Nevada Smith's is at 75 Third Ave (b/w 11th and 12th)

Stout NYC

Stout at 133 West 33rd seems to have been built specifically to accommodate soccer fans on this the holiest time of year (make that 4 years). The popular sports fortress is equipped with three spacious floors of bars and TVs, an extensive beer collection and a great breakfast menu, perfect for those 10.30am matches.

Stout will be showcasing every match of the World Cup LIVE, so there is no chance of missing your favoured team play.

-Scuderia

For all the uber-fabulous fans who are willing to shell out top dollar for a luxury World Cup experience - then there is Scuderia in Greenwich Village where you can treat yourself to $35-$75 bottles of lower end wine.

Scuderia has set aside June and early July specifically for World Cup oriented celebrations where they'll feature a 10-ft drop down screen for the games.

Being a modern day Italian trattoria, this could be the place to watch those 2.30pm Azzurri (Italy) matches in refined comfort.

Scuderia is at 257 6th Ave.

Novecento

Novecento located at 343 West Broadway, is Soho's popular Argentinian steakhouse duplex. This boisterous and undoubtedly authentic restaurant that overflows with a casual 20-40 crowd is amazingly reminiscent of Buenos Aires.

Novecento is used to hosting the occasional raves, so they are well prepared to handle a fanatical football crowd. No doubt this will be a haven for rapid Argentinian fans, with the team expected to make it through to the final rounds.

All of the World Cup games will be broadcast live, and on Sunday nights you can watch games to the sounds of adrenaline pumping house music.

Play Beautiful

For a unique experience, from June 20, Play Beautiful will be showing World Cup matches in a real-life stadium experience at Openhouse Gallery in Mulberry St, Nolita.

The pop-up stadium hosts a pair of 6-ft projection screens for watching games, bleachers for seating,  an official FIFA merchandise booth, soccer demonstrations and even goes as far as having AstroTurf to give you the real ground experience between your toes.

Stadium seats are FREE but by reservation online only.

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Nike STADIUM

In advance of the World Cup, Nike has set-up Stadiums in leading world capitals such as Berlin, London, Milan, Paris, Tokyo and of course New York. The spaces are more art gallery than merchandise store, displaying a limited amount of apparel and intended to serve as:

“stages for inspired performers, labs for innovative expressions, spaces where stories are told and others are written”

Ah, whatever that means, guess it's safe to say the pop-up space will have a decidedly artistic bent. The NYC space on The Bowery will still primarily serve as a venue for the less frat-boy, more gallery-hopping hipster to watch their fill of World Cup games.

Nike STADIUM will be open to the public Thursday to Sundays from 12 to 7pm, at 276 Bowery in Manhattan.

Frank and Lil' Frankies

East Village stalwart Frank's and smaller offshoot Lil' Frankies, will be hosting World Cup games from June 11 right through to July 11 at both 10.30am and 2.30pm. They promise to deliver their always reliable and inexpensive Italian, including limited time menu offerings and special deals during World Cup games, which they will be showing on two huge screens at both venues.

As both venues are rather small, we would recommend reserving tables before heading over with an Italian craving.

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Puma City

Puma is transforming the area outside Red Restaurant at South St Seaport into Puma City, an outdoor viewing area,  and no doubt- Puma merchandise machine to serve the hordes of tourists that populate the Seaport in Summer (do any locals actually go here?!). The shipping container space will be projecting matches on a 4 X 7 ft video wall in a temporary beer garden that is open throughout the World Cup June 11-July 11 and is free to the public.

To launch the initiative, Puma has teamed up with Time Out Magazine for a launch party on June 14 from 6-9pm. Tickets are $25, available at timeoutnewyork.com/pumacity. Tickets will include food, drinks, DJ Sussone and a special photo area for those in attendance to strike a pose with friends at the party for a chance to win prizes and be featured in an upcoming issue of TONY.

Zum Schneider

Where better to watch reigning Euro 2008 champs and heavy World Cup favorite Germany, than a traditional German restaurant and bar in Alphabet City (107 Avenue C). Zum Schneider will be showing all matches live (regardless if Germany is playing or not) and replays in the evenings.  They will be serving up traditional Bavarian breakfasts during morning games and lets not forget all those traditional German beer steins.

Cover is free, but if planning to go watch Germany play their first match against Australia on June 13th at 2:30 pm, we would suggest propping up the bar early.

Complied By Miguelina Nunez and Natasha Storer