It took a while, but the clima mundialista appears to be kicking in — slowly but steadily. First, it was the Panini stickers fever. Then, it was New Zealand player Tim Payne’s rise to social media stardom. The surprising results from the first round of games last weekend contributed as well. 

Now, it’s time for the Albiceleste to make its debut against Algeria. The whole nation will surely descend into reverential fascination for 90 minutes as Lionel Messi, Emiliano Dibu Martínez, and the rest of the stars of la selección work their magic on the pitch — and visitors often find themselves looking for the best spot to catch the magic. 

With that in mind, here are some of the best places to watch football games in Buenos Aires.

Asado v. Sports Bars 

The first thing to note is that the notion of a sports bar isn’t quite the same in Argentina as  elsewhere. Perhaps surprisingly, given the nation’s totemic devotion to football, teams and fan groups don’t have designated bars where they meet to watch the game. Nor does the national team.

More often than not, Argentines will meet at a friend’s house to watch the games, bringing their own food and drink, or firing up the barbecue for some asado if it’s a midday match. So, seek and ye shall find: if there’s a game you want to watch, ask your football-loving friends what their plans are. Odds are, they’ll respond with an invitation.

That’s not to say Argentines don’t watch matches at bars, though. Virtually anywhere with a TV will show whatever match is on, especially if it’s a particularly important game. Some even set up big screens and host events for fans to attend, with special offers on food and drinks.

Where to watch the World Cup in Buenos Aires

Locos x el Fútbol

Las Heras 2101, Recoleta
Instagram: @Locosxelfutbolbar

Probably the closest to a sports bar in the Anglophone world, Locos x el Fútbol is one of Buenos Aires’ most famous and busiest places to watch sports, with plenty of football-themed decor. The bar has several giant screens and will show not only the biggest Argentine league and national team games, but also those of top European leagues and other international tournaments.

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La Puerta Roja

Chacabuco 733, San Telmo
Instagram: @puertaroja.santelmo

This traveler hangout and late-night party joint is a high-octane place to catch the game in company. Apart from their Choripan + beer special, there’s a broad range of satisfyingly greasy burger-and-fry-style fare, and if you need to steady your nerves for the penalty shootout, the house special is the chilli bomb. We’re not going to explain that one, you just have to try it. 

There’s no sign outside this place, but the clue’s in the name. It’s typically full to bursting for major matches, so book in advance via the link in their Insta.

Sullivan’s

Jorge Luis Borges 1702, Palermo
Instagram: @sullivanspub_ba

The self-proclaimed “first Irish pub in Palermo,” Sullivan’s has become a classic for watching sports in the city, and they will be showing all of the World Cup games on their big screen TV. 

It offers a wide selection of beers and classic pub foods — including Irish beef pot pie and fish and chips — and several screens to follow one or several games at the same time. There’s plenty of room, with TVs on the first and second floor, as well as seats outside.

Roma del Abasto

Tomás Manuel de Anchorena 806
Instagram: @romadelabasto

A notable bar that originally opened in 1927 and was revamped as one of Buenos Aires’ top spots for pizza and empanadas, Roma will offer several special menus (3×2 in empanadas and 2×1 in Quilmes beer and La Fuerza vermouth), a good-sized TV and all kinds of pizzas. 

Rabia Bar

Costa Rica 4901
Instagram: @rabiabar_

The three-story bar in Palermo Soho has set up a 98” TV in its main saloon and will broadcast every game from Tuesday to Sunday starting at 6 p.m. They also have an online contest where you can win a 6-seat table and 12 pints of Gaucho beer on game nights.  

ORNO Palermo OFF

Beruti 3336, Palermo OFF.
Instagram: @orno.pizzeria.cantina

ORNO’s will place special focus on Argentina’s national team matches — against Algeria on June 16, Austria on June 22, and Jordan on June 27 — and other standout fixtures throughout the competition.

Perks include a prediction pool with prizes, a sticker album for fans who follow the matches throughout the tournament, a foosball competition inside the venue, and a grand final raffle for an official Argentina jersey. Plus the Goal Promo, where every time Argentina scores, a five-minute Happy Hour will be activated.

La Guitarrita

Branches across the city
Instagram: @pizzerialaguitarrita

Founded in 1963, this traditional Buenos Aires pizza place has a major footballing connection: founders Mario Boyé and René Pontoni played for clubs including Boca Juniors and San Lorenzo. The chain has several spots across the city, all sharing a historical ambience with typical pennants, scarves and shirts from different clubs and photos and newspapers from the old days.

Our pick is the Caballito restaurant, at Av La Plata 225, for its massive screen.

El Galpón de Tacuara

Av. Juramento 2781, Belgrano
Instagram: elgalpondetacuara_belgrano

If the widest possible beer selection is what you need for an improved match-viewing experience, you’ll struggle to do better than El Galpón de Tacuara. Originally from San Fernando, in Buenos Aires metro area north, their spot in Belgrano offers match-viewing events, with promos on beers and drinks and a giant screen to watch the games.

Culpina 

Av. Jorge Newbery 3791
Instagram: @culpina_pizzeria

The coolest pizza in Chacagiales — they also have short but fine selection of empanadas — set up a big TV on its street terrace and will offer a 2×1 special in beers on the days Argentina plays, as well as 2 fainá slices for free with each pizza. 

878 Bar

Thames 878
Instagram: @878bar

The long-standing 878, a local hub for cocktails and whisky, will screen Argentina’s first two matches offering discount vermouth and a complimentary round — alcoholic and non-alcoholic — for every goal Argentina scores. 

The menu includes street choripanes and Chipazetas XL. And if you show up wearing the Argentine team t-shirt, the first shots are on the house. Can’t beat that. 

Mondongo & Coliflor

Del Barco Centenera 1698
Instagram: @mondongoycoliflor

The Parque Chacabuco cantina is gearing up to broadcast every World Cup match live, with special attention to Argentina’s games. Fans who come to watch La Scaloneta will receive a complimentary round of Warsteiner beer on the house. The offer will run throughout the group stage for Argentina’s matches on June 16 at 10 p.m. and June 27 at 11 p.m.

While you’re there, take the opportunity to try an Argentine underdog classic: *mondongo* stew.

El Banderín

Guardia Vieja 3601, Almagro
Instagram: Barelbanderin

If you’re after a more classic Buenos Aires experience, El Banderín is one of the city’s traditional bares notables. It opened in 1923, but took its current name in the 1970s, inspired by the collection of 500 different team flags from all over the world that adorn its walls. The menu includes a selection of traditional sandwiches — to wash down with a solid selection of beers, vermouths and wines — but also a remarkably good vegan menu with animal-free takes on the classics. They don’t take reservations though, so don’t be late.

Strange & Strange 2

Delgado 658 (Colegiales)
Concepción Arenal 4768 (Chacarita)

One of the best — if not the best — breweries in town, Strange takes over Delgado street in Colegiales pretty much every night, and recently opened a warehouse branch in Chacarita. Apart from their own wide range of top-tier craft beer and above-average bar food they will be offering special combos during Argentina’s World Cup matches, which you can watch on big screens in both venues.

Strange & Strange 2

Delgado 658 (Colegiales)
Concepción Arenal 4768 (Chacarita)
Instagram: @strangebrewin

One of the best — if not the best — breweries in town, Strange takes over Delgado street in Colegiales pretty much every night, and recently opened a warehouse branch in Chacarita. Apart from their own wide range of top-tier craft beer and above-average bar food they will be offering special combos during Argentina’s World Cup matches, which you can watch on big screens in both venues. 

Café San Bernardo

Av. Corrientes 5436
Instagram: @cafesanbernardo

A Buenos Aires’ new classic, the “Sanber” opened in 1912, so expect a whole different setting from your regular downtown sports bar or Palermo birrería. The huge salon of this Bar Notable (“notable bar”) is a cross-generational hangout for long-time Villa Crespo neighbors and young people regularly coming to play all sorts of indoor sports and card games (pool, ping pong, truco) while having a no-fuss bottled beer or fernet. You can book a group table in advance. 

Picarón

Av. Dorrego 866
Instagram: @picaron.ba

Chef Maxi Rossi’s Picarón will be serving some special treats including off-menu street bites like empanadas de matambre and grilled tongue tacos. During the weekend, this Michelin-recommended restaurant will also throw in a 2×1 on beer and a low-priced round of wine by the glass every time Argentina scores a goal.

Bonus track: your local pizzeria

If none of these are convenient for you, fear not: wherever you are, your local pizzeria is bound to be showing the match. Case in point: Los Campeones (see cover photo), in Barracas, is just seven blocks from the Boca Juniors stadium and bedecked with sporting memorabilia. Yelling at the TV with a portion of pizza, a slice of fainá, and a cantankerous server-cum-commentator polishing the glasses? As porteño as it gets.

Cover image: Pizzeria Los Campeones, Montes de Oca 856, Barracas. Photo: Amy Booth