photo: courtesy of Bridget Cicenia; pictured: an early-morning match at Ginger's
Haven't gotten your paws on FIFA '08 for the Wii yet? Can't convince your roommates to shell out for the Fox Soccer Channel on digital cable? It can get tough out there for a penniless football (that's British football) fan following the UK action overseas—you're a very particular, cultivated and slightly obsessive breed—but it's getting easier. Pick your club and head to any of these festive spots, where patrons will feel your pain and your passion—and you won't need to explain the definition of "pitch" or "kit".
For the Liverpool fan: Ginger's Ale House
Liverpool Football Club is known for having the loudest fans in the league, and Ginger's, the English and Irish soccer pub that was voted the number one in the country on USsoccer.com, certainly boasts an equally loyal group of patrons, who come early in the morn' to chow on a traditional Irish breakfast and watch a match or two. The all Irish, energetic bar staff breathes football just as much as they do; the pub's Soccer Saturday and Sunday series is four years in the running. The bartenders sling $4 Carlsberg pints and hoppy, full-bodied ESB, Ram Rod London Bitters, and they might just channel Shankly Gates with a chorus of Rogers and Hammerstein's "You'll Never Walk Alone," the unofficial anthem of Liverpool's Anfield Stadium.
For the Manchester United fan: Globe Pub
If not the most popular club in the English Premier League, Manchester is certainly the most valuable (fans know that manager Alex Ferguson was actually knighted) and this bar is, equally, a veritable treasure for football fans. The owners here cull a local soccer community by organizing a shuttle bus to Chicago Fire games and fervently sponsoring local amateur teams. On premise, league-lifers and early-risers gather from 8 a.m. on to catch the live broadcasts, which are also re-aired later in the week. Grab a pint of Boddington's ($5.50) and keep your eyes peeled: LA Galaxy hot-shot David Beckham —who helped Manchester United secure a Treble under Ferguson's watch—has been known to stop in, and the bar's got the pictures to prove it. Also spotted (rather randomly, we might add): Rod Stewart.
For the Celtic fan: Fado Irish Pub
Football fanatics without a club, Irish Catholics have to settle for cheering on the Scottish Celtic Football F.C. instead, but the displaced Dubliners at this River North spot don't have a problem transferring their cheer. Grab a Guinness to celebrate Celtic F.C.'s victory over A.C. Milan or just settle into Fado's hearth-like environs. Tables with television views are somewhat scarce and often bunched together, but the familial atmosphere adds to the fun. Patrons who can't take the pressure of a particular match, or are merely too tired to make it in at 9 a.m., should busy themselves with the (free to play) Ultimate EPL Fantasy League on fado.com. Score!
For the Chelsea fan: Fearon's Public House
Fearon's is sort of a celebrated underdog in the local soccer bar scene: It's not too flashy, not trying too hard and has a solid base of intense fans. Despite the recent departure of field personality and former love-to-hate-him club manager Jose Mourinho and The Blues kicking off to a slow start, the cultish Chelsea fan base is prepared to stand by their club no matter what. So, if you're going to hold your breath, at least kick back in the meantime with Fearon's $4 bloody marys and eight plasma-screen TVs. The food here, which is surprisingly good, might mollify the pain of Chelsea's three-year failure to clinch The Big One. Pass the chips!
For the Arsenal fan: Small Bar (Wicker Park)
Football newbies love the free-flowing technique of the highly successful Arsenal F.C.; known for recruiting spry players over craggy talent, it even tied a century-old league record by winning 38 straight games in the 2003-04 season. As a relatively new addition to the soccer pub scene, Small Bar has already started to draw a crowd, as it's one of the only football-friendly Wicker Park taps, and it appeals to the neighborhood's young hipster crowd, who have quickly warmed to the sport. Barrel connoisseurs will appreciate the selection of drinks here, as will those looking for a little Guinness and eggs; Small Bar's larger-than-life menu will hold your attention during lulls in the match.
Subscribe in your favorite reader using the links below. To learn more about feeds and RSS, click here.
