Your VIP pass to DFWs nightlife, sports & party scene.
For the next month, the eyes of the world are going to be on South Africa and World Cup 2010. The country has built five new stadiums and revamped the old ones in preparation for the once-every-four-years festivities. Unless you've already booked a flight to Johannesburg, you'll probably need to find a few soccer-watching sanctuaries in DFW. You know, the kind where every hooligan knows your name. Here are a few suggestions. Let us know your favorite World Cup watching venues at dfw.com:
Ojos Locos Sports Cantina: This joint was opened by the Twin Peaks creators in March, and, yes, it is a breastaraunt. Complete with a corrugated steel-capped island bar and borderline-tacky neon-green booths, it's reminiscent of a bar you'd find in Cozumel. Of course, here you have to try the beef/pork/chicken/fish tacos. But there are also nine flavors of wings to choose from and eight beers on tap, including local flavor Franconia. If you are really thirsty, though, try the mini-kegs shaped like soccer balls. And the serious partying comes in with the tequila cart, which the girls bring to you. There are 10-plus tequilas on that bad boy. On early game days, Ojos Locos will open at 8 a.m. and serve Mexican breakfast tacos. 10230 E. Technology Blvd., Dallas. 972-354-5626
Oscar's Pub: This new addition to Camp Bowie is fresh and clean, so your woman can't put up a fuss about going to a random sports dive. They even have classy food. On Tuesday nights, they bring in sushi from nearby Tokyo Cafe from 5-8 p.m. Best part? It's free! Happy hour is noon-8 p.m. seven days a week and all day long Mondays because everyone knows Mondays usually suck. They also have a patio and live music (in case you get bored with the game). 6323 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, 817-732-3833
The Dubliner: When the first item on the menu is Drunken Goat cheese, you know you're in for an "authentic" experience. The Dubliner was opened by Peter Kenny, a Dublin import himself. It prides itself on an almost ridiculously long list of bottled beer and Scottish and Irish whiskeys. Try the homemade salt and vinegar potato chips with horseradish cream cheese for dippin'. They're addicting. The pub also does fresh-baked soft pretzels. (It's like going to the state fair any time of the year!) This is a great spot for bikers with ample parking and plenty of friendly riders to chat with. For a complete list of the games it will be showing, friend the place on Facebook. The Dubliner, 2818 Greenville Ave., Dallas. 214-818-0911
Conlon's Pub: Owned and operated by Liam Conlon, who is from western Ireland via East Texas, this place on White Settlement Road in Fort Worth is the real deal. Liam's planning a big get-together for Saturday's match between England and the United States. After that, you'll have to check with him. The pub, recently remodeled, is nice and roomy inside with flat-screens, a big bar and a decent number of pool tables and dartboards. Conlon says he'll probably be opening early throughout the World Cup for key matches. 2528 White Settlement Road, Fort Worth. 682-432-5472; www.conlonspub.com
A few more suggestions:
Embargo : This downtown club will be a World Cup gathering place, and while you're there, try the tasty street tacos and Cuban sandwiches at lunch, and amazing cocktails from master mixologist Jem Rodriguez in the evenings. 210 E. Eighth St., Fort Worth. 817-870-9750; www.embargofw.com
BlackFinn: The Arlington hot spot promises to show all of the games (even early starts) and will offer plenty of drink specials, including Red Bull cocktails ($5), as if you needed to be amped up any more. 4001 Bagpiper Way, Arlington. 817-468-3332; www.blackfinndallas.com/arlington /
The Pour House: Because it's the Best Damn Sports Bar in DFW. And it's geeked about World Cup. 2725 W. Seventh St. 817-335-2575; www.pour-house.com