Five great places to watch the World Cup

The world can agree on one thing: football is great. It just can't agree on what football is.

In Australia, Canada, and the U.S., football uses your hands. Most everywhere else, it uses your feet. The two games couldn't be more different, but their fans are equally passionate. Soccer fans give Cowboys fans a run for their money.

And just as American football has its premier showcase – the Super Bowl – the "other football" has its own as well: the World Cup, when the top national teams from around the world come together to see who's best.

For only the second time ever, the World Cup has come to our shores, with the U.S. hosting the tournament along with Canada and Mexico (the first time three nations have co-hosted the games). For the next six weeks, beginning on Thursday, a whole lot less work will be getting done around the globe, as nearly four billion soccer fans stop what they are doing to watch the "beautiful game."

That will happen in Huntsville, too – which has its own soccer-crazy people from around the globe. Here are five great places to join them in watching the World Cup.

Potato Shack

A laid-back, all-ages option is Potato Shack. With nine TVs inside and three outside, and sports on every one, you’ve got options. Tired of soccer? Switch over to the College World Series (June 12-22) or Wimbledon (June 29 - July 12).

While no special World Cup promotions are planned, they offer daily specials on Lucky 19 brews and 75-cent wings Tuesday-Thursday 4-8, making it friendly on your wallet.

Potato Shack, at 1229 Josey St., is open Tuesday-Sunday from 11 am to 10 pm.

NRG Stadium, Reliant Stadium, whatever it's called

Have $1,000 burning a hole in your pocket? Enjoy paying $200 to park your car? Then come on down to Reliant Stadium in Houston and watch a game in person!

There you will get to watch a country you've heard of, like Portugal, play a country you may not have heard of, like Uzbekistan, and pound the living daylights out of them – which in soccer means a score of, like, 6-0.

Seven games are set to be played in Houston, all of them really pricey except for the match between Saudi Arabia and Cabo Verde, where the prices are more like those for the NFL.

It is a miracle that Cabo Verde, with a population of only half a million, even made it into the World Cup. This being said, it is not the contest's smallest country this year. That honor belongs to Curacao, in the Caribbean, which will get demolished by Germany at Reliant Stadium on Saturday. A pair of nosebleed seats to that game run only $1,300, including $100 in tax and $200 in fees.

Mario's Sports Bar

The most excited patrons might be found at Mario’s Sports Bar, on 12th Street next to Imerj’s Be Free gallery. Owner Mario Marquina absolutely loves the game. When asked if anything is better than soccer, he quickly replied "Oh no."

"When the game starts, everyone speaks the same language," said Marquina, who grew up in El Salvador. "That’s what makes the World Cup so special.”

Marquina is going big for the World Cup, installing a giant 9' x 16' TV in his large covered patio and opening early all month during the "group stage." There are daily giveaways for those of drinking age, and Sunday is family day, with kids welcome to join their parents from noon-midnight.

While all U.S. and Mexico games will be shown, Mario's biggest celebration will be held in partnership with Lee Baron on June 18th, when Mexico takes on South Korea.

Lee Baron has partnered with Adidas to give customizable jerseys – with Huntsville-centric patches on hand – to the first fifty arrivals, starting at 7 p.m. There will also be food and drink giveaways, drink specials, games, and prizes.

"It’s a big moment and embodies what Lee Baron is about – bringing people from all races and places under one roof to show love to one another," said AJ Jhangiani, co-owner of the sneaker and apparel boutique.  "Huntsville might be a small town, but we deserve big impactful moments like this too."

Mario's Sports Bar, at 1000 12th St., has expanded hours for the World Cup. During the Group Stage, from June 11 - June 27, they are open 2 pm - midnight Monday - Thursday, 2 pm - 2 am Friday and Saturday, and noon - midnight on Sunday.

Olatee African Cafe

The most culturally immersive experience might be at Olatee African Cafe, in a new shopping center on Montgomery Rd. near the interstate. There, you can watch one of their 2 giant TVs while enjoying authentic Nigerian cuisine.

While Nigeria is not one of the 10 African countries that qualified for this year's World Cup, the games will be shown. "We're African, we love soccer," shared an Olatee server.

There won't be any specials on the menu, but the fufu is great, and Olatee's intimate atmosphere of around 30 seats is a special opportunity to meet fellow soccer fans.

Olatee African Cafe, at 3103 Montgomery Rd., is open Tuesdays-Thursdays 11 am-8 pm, Fridays and Saturdays 11 am-10 pm, and Sundays 1-8.

Grandpa's back porch

No, grandpa doesn't really like soccer, and no, it's not showing on his favorite channels, and no, there isn't a TV on his porch anyway. But it's a beautiful evening and we love grandpa, and there's nothing we'd rather do than sit with him and watch the fireflies. And every time a goal is scored, we'll know by the cheers coming out of the neighbors' house across the way.

And when he asks what all the fuss is about with the World Cup, anyway, we'll answer: "You know football? It's kind of like that."

This year's World Cup has three host nations – Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. – each with three "group stage" games this month.

Canada

vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina, June 12, 2 pm
vs. Qatar, Jun 18, 5 pm
vs. Switzerland, June 24, 2 pm

Mexico

vs. South Africa, June 11, 2 pm
vs. South Korea, June 18, 8 pm
vs. Czechia, June 24, 8 pm

United States

vs. Paraguay, June 12, 8 pm
vs. Australia, June 19, 2 pm
vs. Turkey, June 25, 9 pm

The full World Cup schedule can be found here.