Back in May, we wrote an entry ahead of the Champions League Final on this very important topic. But, since the turn out for the World Cup has been tremendous (this never gets old and neither does this), an updated version ahead of the USA v Germany game tomorrow seemed prudent.
So, if you are new to the soccer bar scene this World Cup and your friends have persuaded you to take the day off work Thursday (absolutely), please take heed …the pub will be rammed. I don’t mean “wow, it sure is busy in here”. I mean more like, “when you go to the bar mate, go on and order me 2”.
THAT busy.
Kick off is Thursday at noon ET and we’re opening doors early (breakfast time early). So, play it smart.
Here’s our version of how to “Navigate a big game day like a Pro”
Arrive early.
Do: Arrive early …duh. And, 20 Minutes before kick off is NOT early, you likely won’t get in. More like 2 hours early. We are opening doors early so you can get your party started. So, get your beers in, grab some food, and start singing.
Gear Up.
Do: Wear your colors. Fly your flag. Sing ….the Columbians, Argentians and Dutch all do this quite well …and, I am proud to say that the Americans are in on it too — in a BIG way. It all makes the atmosphere on game day what it is.
P.S.A: DON’T stand on the tables. Sure it’s understandable- your girlfriend is only 4 1/2 feet tall and you’ve been drinking. I get that sensible doesn’t always get a vote, but trust me here, it’s just dumb. And, no one likes cleaning up after dumb.
DRINKING:
Do: Order in Rounds. And, always try and keep up with the fastest drinker of the group. So, if someone is heading to the bar and you still have a third of a pint left, just go on and get a drink in. On a big game day it’s just smart.
Not drinking? Don’t stop a server in her tracks with a tray full of beers & ask her to take your glass and refill your Coca-Cola. We do love D.D.’s but you can do better. Be patient. She’ll be back around soon enough. And when you place your order, request 2 cokes. On a big game day, it’s just smart. Are you getting the theme here?
EATING:
Do: Order during off-peak times. Peak times would be described as a time when soccer fans stop, breath, go pee and realize also that they are hungry …usually that’s Halftime. During USAvGER though there just isn’t going to be an “off peak time”. So, just plan to arrive early and get eating out of the way. We’ve got a match day menu that’ll make the decision making easy and a bit cheaper too. THAT’s a Pro move.
Don’t be a pain in the arse when ordering. We’ve been doing this for a long time and know how to get food out to a packed house with fairly consistent ticket times. Don’t be that table –the one determined to take a menu and turn it up on its head. Save the special order for Trivia night. This is the final game for the USA and Germany in the Group stage of the 2014 World Cup. This is serious. Put all your worries into that basket.
CHECKING OUT:
Do: Request your check in advance of when you actually want to leave. For example, if you want to leave as soon as the whistle blows …like really bolt (because you’ve painted your face and your team’s conceded 3 in the 1st 60 minutes), give your server an extra heads up. Only so many people can check out at once so at the very least anticipate it. In general, it’s best to avoid the mass exodus when the whistle blows.
Don’t: Seriously, how about don’t bolt? I say, have another pint. You need to celebrate your win or inoculate your loss. You’ve navigated game day at the most serious soccer bar in the city. No one will be going back to work, so as far as I’m concerned it’s time to relax and really let loose.
So, come Thursday am, play it smart, have a blast and don’t forget to take care of your servers. It’s fun for us too, but it isn’t as easy as it looks!
#Ibelievethatwewillwin
