where to watch the world cup

Where to watch the World Cup in Houston

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Soccer fans all over the world are turning their attention to Qatar where the World Cup will take place from November 20 through December 18. The 32-team field includes the world’s top squads, including the US’s first appearance since 2014.

For those whose knowledge of international soccer is limited to playing FIFA, check out this handy guide from The Verge that explains the controversies surrounding the event, lists a few teams to watch, and offers other tips for newbies.

A number of Houston bars and restaurants will be showing many of the matches, some of which kick off as early as 4 am. Look for plenty of opportunities to root for all the participating squads, with some establishments offering themed food and drink specials to champion individual countries.

Betelgeuse Betelgeuse
Washington Avenue’s cocktail bar and pizzeria will open at noon November 21-28 to show the 1 pm matches. Drink specials include $15 domestic buckets and happy hour pricing until 6 pm — $7 32-ounce drafts, $6 wines by-the-glass, and $8 World Cup-themed cocktails.

Bosscat Kitchen & Libations
The whiskey-obsessed comfort food restaurant will serve special dishes for all matches by the USA, Mexico, England, and France. Look for dishes such as the All American Dog (chili cheese hot dogs), fish and chips, birria tacos, and steak frites. Each menu comes with drinks specials such as $10 Maker’s Mark bourbon, beer specials, and $25 glasses of Veuve Clicquot champagne.

CounterCommon Beerworks & Kitchen
Bellaire’s new brewpub rolls outs its brunch menu this week, which is just in time to show the opening match on Sunday. Look for food specials for the 1 pm matches in the first, such as fish and chips for Monday USA vs Wales tilt and a Sonora hot dog for Mexico vs Poland on Tuesday.

Drift
The popular sports bar will open at 10 am November 20-28 to show World Cup matches on 50 TVs. Expect daily drink specials to put fans in the proper rooting spirit.

The Flying Saucer Downtown
The craft beer destination will open at 10 am this Sunday, November 20 for the opening match and at 10 am on Tuesday for Mexico vs Poland. Look for drink specials such as $4 Houston drafts on Sunday, $4 drafts and $4 cocktails on Monday, and more.

Lyric Market
Downtown’s newest food hall will show all matches that take place during its operating hours of 7 am - 10 pm on both a projector screen and its TVs. Bar manager Andy Charlton has created a menu of $8 cocktails inspired by each of eight groups in the round of 32. For example, consider Group B’s Best of Enemies (Pimm’s, bourbon, lemon and mint syrup) or Group F’s Second Time’s a Charm (rye, cold brew coffee, Maraschino liqueur, and bitters).

Monkey’s Tail
The north Houston bar will open at noon for all of the Mexico and USA games that start at 1 pm. In addition, the kitchen will serve two-for-$12 birria taco during Mexico’s matches and $7 Frito pies during USA matches.

Patterson Park
The Heights-area bar will open at noon for the USA matches on November 21, 25, and 29. It will show the games on its 40 TVs with full sound.

Pier 6 Seafood & Oyster House
San Leon’s waterside restaurant will show World Cup matches on the TVs at its bar and patio. Get $4 drafts during weekday matches, and fans sporting team gear will receive 10-percent off their bills.

Pitch 25 Beer Park
Naturally, Dynamo legend Brian Ching’s massive, soccer-themed bar in EaDo will open as early as 7 am for select matches. The indoor-outdoor bar’s World Cup parties will feature a 20-foot screen, more than 45 TVs, six pop-up bars, food trucks, and appearances by soccer players including former members of the Mexican National Team.

Those looking for a more premium experience may opt for VIP passes that come with a dedicated seating area, separate entrance, and a private bar.

The Richmond Arms
The beloved, Galleria-area pub will open at 7 am November 21-28 and at 9 am November-December 18. As everyone knows, watch soccer is more fun with English pub grub and properly poured pints.

The Upside Pub
Garden Oaks’ newest neighborhood bar will offer different drink specials during the 1 pm matches. Some days will feature discounts on specific breweries while other days will feature early happy hour pricing.

William Price Distilling
Head to Garden Oaks where this distillery will be showing all of the 7 am, 10 am, and 1 pm games on a 20-foot indoor screen on its production floor and on multiple TVs in its tasting room and lounge. Fans can catch all of the USA, Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina matches, including the one that starts at 4 am.

Attendees can sip coffee, beer, wine, or cocktails, and food will be available. Plus, the distillery offers fast wifi for anyone who needs to get a little work done. Reservations available via Eventbrite.

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what's new at Julep

Southern-inspired Houston cocktail den ranks No. 84 on North America best bars list

Courtesy of Julep

Julep is North America's No. 84 best bar.

Houston’s only bar to win a national James Beard Award is once again basking in the international spotlight. Julep has been ranked No. 84 on the extended list of North America’s 50 Best Bars 2026.

The ranking marks Julep’s first appearance on the list since 2022, when it ranked No. 46. Last year, Bandista, the speakeasy-style cocktail bar at the Four Seasons Hotel Houston, ranked No. 59. The only other Texas bar on the list is Austin’s Nickel City, which ranked No. 96.

“Julep takes its Southern heritage seriously,” its entry on the 50 Best website reads. “American whiskey and warm hospitality form the backbone of the bar's operation and identity, together with house cocktails that lean into herbal flavours. Make sure to venture beyond its trio of namesake concoctions into the selection of house creations, such as its guava-infused vesper.”

Founded by bartender Alba Huerta in 2014, Julep pays homage to Southern cocktail traditions. In addition to its spot on the best bars list, it earned a James Beard Award in 2022 for Outstanding Bar Program.

“This recognition reflects years of focused work, strong leadership, and a team committed to doing things with intention every single day,” Huerta said in a statement. “Launching our spring menus in both the Main Bar and The Parlor is especially exciting. The creativity in house is at an all-time high, and the drinks are not only technically strong, they are incredibly delicious. It feels like a moment where everything is coming together, and that energy is something we’re excited to share with our community through experiences like Chef’s Cut.”

As Huerta noted in her statement, Julep isn’t resting on its laurels. In November, Huerta transformed an event space/storage area into The Parlor, a separate bar within Julep that serves drinks made with advanced techniques such as clarification, carbonation, and other culinary-driven processes. For spring, The Parlor has introduced new cocktails such as La Fresa, a carbonated cocktail made with tequila, house made strawberry soda, and a chile de árbol tincture, and the Silk & Oak, made with butter fat-washed rum and bourbon, activated yeast, shiitake mushroom, maple, and Angostura bitters.

On Wednesdays, Julep hosts its Chef’s Cut pop-up, where local chefs create special dishes to pair with the bar’s cocktails. A portion of proceeds from the night’s featured food items benefit the Southern Smoke Foundation, the Houston-based nonprofit that provides emergency assistance and access to mental health services to hospitality workers.

Future participants include Top Chef contestant and pitmaster Michelle Wallace on April 8, CultureMap Tastemaker Awards Rising Star Chef of the Year winner Lucas McKinney of Josephine’s on April 15, Anthony Anderson of Sophie on April 22, and Anitra Broussard, formerly of Riel, on April 29. Blood Bros. BBQ co-owner Robin Wong serves as resident DJ for the Chef’s Cut series.

“Chef’s Cut is about creating a space where culinary talent and cocktail innovation come together in a way that feels both intentional and approachable,” said Huerta. “It’s an opportunity to celebrate our peers, support one another, and work with a great cause — Southern Smoke.”

Courtesy of Julep

Julep is North America's No. 84 best bar.

awards lists cocktails julep