You decided against going to Qatar to see the World Cup. Was it the price? Not being able to get a month off of work? Not wanting to go to a country that Amnesty International has targeted for myriad human-rights and workers-rights violations?
You still want to watch the games with friends, right? And, with the sound on. After all, you want to hear all the glorious adjectives that come from the English play-by-play commentators.
It will be open for every game, with beer and brunch specials. But, expect big crowds, especially for Canada games, or when the other big international sides are playing. So, call ahead to reserve tables.
Oliver | 11606 Jasper Ave Edmonton| 780-454-9928 | thecabinyeg.com
Games will be on at both locations, with sound. There will be contests for prizes such as jerseys, so you can wear a way-too-tight national-team shirt to the next game. And, there’s a contest for a trip to a Champions League game.
Oliver | 11248 104 Ave Edmonton | 780-428-7177 | 1stRnd.ca
West Edmonton Mall | BRBN ST | 780-487-4600 | 1stRnd.ca
The Voyageurs, Canada’s official supporters group, is having a party here to celebrate this country’s first World Cup appearance since 1986. That happens Nov. 23 when Canada faces, gulp, Belgium. Former Canadian national-teamer Carl Valentine will be there. This is a ticketed event.
Whyte | 8032 104 St | 780-758-7400 | whyte.thepint.ca
One of the best experiences you can have on Alberta Avenue is watching a Portugal game at Handy Bakery. It’s intense. Get their early, way early, to find a table. Feel the anticipation build. It gets loud in there. And, by end of it all, you will be emotionally spent, whether you’re Portuguese or not.
Alberta Avenue | 8660 118 Ave | 780-477-8842
The downtown location is opening early so you can watch the World Cup before the sun comes up. The doors are going to open at 5:30 a.m. on Nov. 21 for the England/Iran game. Through November, there’s also a chance to win a trip to Amsterdam, so you could be off to see Ajax.
Downtown | 10012 100A Ave | 780-426-7784 | thesherlockspubs.ca
This Bonnie Doon spot is also open early for World Cup matches. Too bad Ireland didn’t make it to the World Cup this time around.
Bonnie Doon | 9013 88 Ave | 780-465-4834 | duggansboundary.ca
