After the Memphis901 FC was established and the USWNT secured a global victory for America in the 2019 Women’s World Cup, soccer lovers and those who couldn’t care less about the game joined hands in celebration. From the passionate fans, heroic victories, heartbreaking losses, and assemblage of cultures and identities, there’s a reason why it’s considered as “the world’s most popular sport.” It’ll be another four years until the next world cup, but luckily soccer season is year round and half of the fun is gathering in the morning, jersey on, and watching your team play at a local pub. Yeah, that’s right, we’re talking about soccer bars and Memphis’s got a few of them:
Celtic Crossing Irish Pub– 903 Cooper St.
Located in the heart of Cooper Young, Celtic Crossing is a traditional pub with a large outdoor patio that features celtic fare, DJs, and dancing. All soccer fans are welcome at Celtic, however supporters of the English rivals Liverpool and Manchester United have a particularly strong presence at this pub. You can feel the tension in the air when the two go head to head. Regardless, Celtic is great time whether or eating, drinking, or watching. The atmosphere is great and the food is even better. The pub has a special “soccer menu” that is available on these days. As for the menu, Celtic serves irish pub classics, including fish & chips, corned beef, and hand pies. Additionally, the menu contains a variety of salads, soups, “dirty chips,” and a multitude of draft beers and whiskeys.
The Brass Door– 152 Madison Avenue
Serving as Memphis’s Downtown soccer bar, The Brass Door is another authentic Irish pub with traditional pub cuisine, a long list of drafts and whiskeys, and more than enough TVs to yell at. Brass Door is undoubtedly a great place to have a drink, a bite to eat, and watch the game, especially if you’re an Arsenal fan. The Brass Door is widely known as the meeting place for the Memphis branch of die hard Arsenal fans, known as the Memphis Gooners. For every game, somewhere between 25 and 40 Arsenal fans gather at Brass Door to watch their favorite team play. Since 2010, the Gooners have consistently made their presence felt at the downtown pub, creating a swarm of red that’s ready to pour onto Beale Street after an Arsenal victory.
NOW OPEN: Soccer City 901- 5560 Shelby Oaks Dr
Soccer City isn’t just the spot to catch the game, but also the spot to play the game! The 10,000 square foot building houses two playing fields alongside a bar and restaurant that serves traditional bar food as well as Mexican fare. Owners and spouses Sylvia Leon and Roberto Cantu sought out the space as a way “to provide the No. 1 spot in the city where all communities come together to embrace sports, Latin culture and good, quality time with their families and friends.”
