The 7 Best Soccer Bars in San Francisco for Watching the World Cup
You should know if you're a Real Madrid fan walking into an Arsenal bar...
San Francisco’s sports culture is tightly connected with its flagship teams: the Giants (baseball), the 49ers (American football), and the Warriors (basketball). Each team has a long legacy in the city, as well as fiercely loyal fanbases.
Like most cities in the US, soccer isn’t considered a hugely popular professional sport — but that’s changing, especially in San Francisco. The city’s soccer scene is growing in popularity, probably due to SF’s multicultural influences that predate the current American soccer boom. While the closest Major League Soccer team to San Francisco is the San Jose Earthquakes, SF does have several important soccer institutions in its boundaries. That includes the San Francisco Glens Soccer Club, the Bay FC that competes in the National Women’s Soccer League, and San Francisco City FC. It was founded in 2001 and is a supporter-owned club that competes in USL League Two, an important stepping stone in developing professional soccer players.
So while the city may not have hometown soccer stars playing in the 2026 World Cup matches, it’s still likely to be one of the liveliest cities in North America on game days. The city has several official supporters clubs for teams like Real Madrid and Manchester United, plus tons and tons of bars that open early and are packed with fans from around the globe.
To get the scoop on the best soccer bars in San Francisco for watching the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Matador Network reached out to one of the city’s soccer experts: Brendan Browne. He’s on the Board of Directors of SF City FC and runs the local Everton FC supporters group, the SF Evertonians. The club is the most well-known in the city, and the fact that it’s owned by supporters like Browne mean it’s motivated purely for the love of the game. “We believe sports teams should be a reflection of and an asset to their community,” says Browne, “rather than a vehicle for owners to make money.”
Here are Browne’s picks for the best soccer bars in San Francisco for watching the 2026 FIFA World Cup Matches.
McTeague’s Saloon
Near Knob Hill on Polk Street, McTeague’s is a longstanding fixture for soccer fans in San Francisco. Browne says it’s “the home base for the SF Evertonians, American Outlaws SF, and the local Crystal Palace supporters groups.” It’s also one of the rare bars in the city that reliably opens quite early for Premier League, Serie A, and La Liga matches. The bar’s interior is decorated with European soccer memorabilia with a long wooden bar, a handful of TVs tuned to live matches, and a pool table in the back. The bar doesn’t serve food so you’re allowed to BYO from nearby restaurants, and the atmosphere can shift from laid-back to rowdy depending on the match. As Browne points out, “many famous players and media members have shared pints at McTeague’s, and it’s been on TV many times.” The crowd is largely local, and the bar’s reputation for being unpretentious adds to its appeal for regulars and visiting fans alike, especially in a city where even basic bars can be pretty pricey.
Literature fans may also recognize the name: the bar is named in homage to the 1899 novel McTeague by early 20th century writer Frank Norris.
McTeague’s Saloon: 1237 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109
Maggie McGarry’s
Opened by two Irish transplants to San Francisco in 2006, Maggie McGarry’s in North Beach is a well-known gathering spot for soccer supporters, especially supporters of Arsenal and Manchester City. Browne highlights its location as a “fun street in North Beach,” as it’s in one of San Francisco’s most vibrant nightlife districts (and bound to be lively as it gets during the 2026 World Cup matches).
Maggie McGarry’s also hosts live music and DJs in the evenings, so the energy can shift from patrons focused on every penalty kick to a more general party atmosphere as the day goes on. The community feel and the way it draws in both die-hard fans and casual viewers is a huge selling point, ensuring you’ll have a mixed bag of fans from across the world during the World Cup. The bar’s Irish roots are evident in its decor and drink selection, but the crowd is international, reflecting the city’s diverse soccer culture.
Maggie McGarry’s: 1353 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133
The Mad Dog in the Fog
Recently moved to the Upper Haight, the Mad Dog in the Fog is a longtime favorite for San Francisco soccer fans, especially as it opens quite early to show European matches. Browne describes it as “one of the city’s most reliable places to catch a match, regardless of the league.” Expect classic pub decor and plenty of large TVs, including a big screen in the back. It draws in both locals and dedicated international fans as it shows all sports, but it’s definitely known primarily as a soccer bar.
The bar has a solid selection of beers and cocktails, plus an outdoor area and relatively robust food menu. You’ll find sports on every day of the week, but also trivia once or twice a week — useful when you’re looking for something to do on nights when matches aren’t happening. Note that during important or well-advertised match ups, the bar will probably fill up fairly quickly, so try to get there early (or be ready to cozy up to your fellow fans).
The Mad Dog in the Fog: 1568 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117
The Kezar Pub
Kezar Pub has been a staple soccer bar in San Francisco since the 1930s, with its current owners at the helm for the last 30 years. Browne says it’s where you’ll find the local Liverpool FC and Aston Villa FC supporters groups, so you’ll always be able to find Premier League matches on the screens. While it’s known for soccer, the pub is very close to the former Kezar Stadium (where the San Francisco 49ers American football team played until the 1970s), and it has plenty of NFL memorabilia from that era, too. On the walls are game day announcements from the ’40s, historical photos of the stadium and SF, and vintage items from past events held at the stadium. The original Kezar Stadium was demolished in 1989 following earthquake damage.
If you’re looking for a classic bar experience, Browne compliments Kezar Pub as having “some of the best wings in the city,” though it also has heartier dishes like shepherd’s pie and bangers and mash (yup, it’s an Irish bar). It opens early for games and also has a huge breakfast and brunch menu, so you won’t go hungry if you have to catch that 7 AM match.
Kezar Pub: 770 Stanyan St, San Francisco, CA 94117
Underdogs Cantina
Underdogs Cantina is near Oracle Park, near the Mission Bay/South Beach neighborhoods. Browne says it has excellent food and drink, but recommends it above all as the place to go if you’re a fan of Real Madrid. It’s the official meeting spot of the city’s Real Madrid supporters group, Peña Madridista San Francisco. Internationally known Real Madrid players like Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham will almost certainly be playing during the World Cup (for France and England, respectively), so expect this to be one of the most popular soccer bars in San Francisco when the World Cup gets underway.
The cantina is a modern taqueria meets sports bar, with more than two dozen TVs to ensure everyone can see the screens, even when it’s crowded. It’s busy before and after games at Oracle Park, but the multiple levels (and arcade games) ensure it’s always lively, even when the Giants are out of town.
Underdogs Cantina: 128 King St, San Francisco, CA 94107
Irish Times
Browne says Irish Times is the best soccer bar in San Francisco for people who workin the Financial District and don’t want to miss a second of the World Cup matches. It’s an ideal place to head after work or even on a lunch break, with multiple TVs. It’s not dedicated to just soccer — you’ll find everything from American football to UFC games at any given time — but when it is soccer season, you can count on them having whatever game you’re keen to watch. It’s not a home for any one team, so you don’t need to worry you’ll walk in rooting for England when everyone else is cheering for Argentina. It opens early almost every day, so expect it to be busy throughout the entirety of the 2026 World Cup.
Irish Times: 500 Sacramento St, San Francisco, CA 94111
Danny Coyle’s
Do an online search for the best soccer bars in San Francisco, and Danny Coyle’s is always going to be on the list — as it should be. It’s the official home for two Premier League supporters clubs (the SF Spurs, for Tottenham Hotspur, and the SF Red Army for Manchester United), as well as the supporters clubs for Borussia Dortmund, and Bayern Munich, all of which will have multiple players taking the field for their respective home countries. Browne says it has a “fantastic atmosphere for sports,” especially on match days when multiple supporters groups are posted up to cheer on their boys. It has a lot of regulars, and while it’s welcoming to everyone (it’s San Francisco, after all), you’ll make a lot more friends if you’re there cheering for players from one of the home teams.
Soccer aside, Danny Coyle’s also has a pool table, darts, and events like Tuesday night bar bingo.
Danny Coyle’s: 668 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117
Fortunately, if you can’t snag tickets to a SF World Cup Match, or can’t be in town for the dates, you still have options when it comes to catching high-energy soccer. “Come support your local fan-owned team,” says Browne. “We have food trucks, beer, the best supporters in the Bay Area, and the best local talent on the field. A season membership is only $75 and comes with season tickets, a scarf, and more.” 
