Watch the 2010 World Cup at these American pubs, where the world’s sport is taken seriously.

By Zachary Faigen for MSN Local Edition / 6.9.10

 The globe turns its attention (and its televisions) to the FIFA World Cup as it kicks off for the first time ever on African soil. Soccer may not attract devotees in the United States the way it does in many other countries, but all sports fans — even Americans — understand the magnitude of the event.  No matter where you are, there’s a great place to watch the World Cup with friends, food and brews. We’ve picked 10 places around the country where you can raise your cup and say “Cheers! Salud! Prost! and Yung sing!” to the world.

Kezar Pub and Restaurant (San Francisco)
Named for the stadium and former 49ers home field just down the street, Kezar Pub and Restaurant has been serving up drinks for over 60 years. With 24 beers on tap and more than 50 others in bottles, it has become a destination bar for soccer fans around the city. A few things you should know before going to Kezar for a World Cup match: First, order the chicken wings even before you order a beer. Second, try to go there for a France match. Owner, Cyril Hackett, a terribly nice man who promotes a friendly atmosphere, is Irish and still a little bitter about what happened last November (France beat Ireland when the referee failed to call a clear handball against France in a World Cup playoff). Cyril’s giving free shots of Irish whiskey to everyone in the bar each time an opposing team scores on France. This means you are rooting for Mexico, Uruguay and the hosts, South Africa, in the first round.

Ye Olde King’s Head (Los Angeles)
You would never guess that a place just two blocks from the Santa Monica Pier could be so authentic. There isn’t a hint of tourism in this pub dominated by accents of the British Isles. And it’s all about the football here. While the earliest World Cup games will start at 4:30 a.m. (PT), King’s Head will open at 4 in order to allow fans to get comfortable before the match starts (California law allows them to start serving booze at 6, by the way). If you’re there for a match, that means you’re probably also there for breakfast. Go with a traditional English breakfast and choose the fried bread. If you’re not rooting for England or the U.S., don’t let that dissuade you from coming out. The pub is expecting big fan turnouts for the South American teams, Central American teams, Mexico, Italy, Germany and most of the other big European nations.

Nevada Smiths (New York)
New Yorkers know Nevada Smiths. If you don’t live in New York, it’s time for a trip. Nevada Smiths is a bastion of true football (yes, they call it football here) insanity. This two-level establishment — with 15 plasma screens and a massive projection screen in HD — has 20 beers on tap, plenty more out of the bottle, and a full bar both upstairs and down. But the reason to go to Nevada Smiths is the atmosphere. The passion of their fans is unmatched. During the year, regulars form “supporters clubs” to watch their favorite club teams from Europe. Some of the names include Arsenal New York Gooners, Aston Villa New York Villans, Sportsklubben Brann and Scotland Tartan Army NYC. It should be an interesting crowd on June 12 when the normally English-leaning patronage has to deal with the influx of American fans.

George and Dragon Pub (Seattle)
If you’re heading to George and Dragon for a big match, get there early. In 2008, for the European Championships, the line out the door stretched for blocks — and the bar can hold over 500 people! To accommodate even more fans, the pub will close its parking lot and bring TVs and beer stands outside. (Let’s hope for good weather.) Speaking of beer, British 20 oz. pints are just $5. Overall, they have 18 beers on tap, coming from England, France, Scotland, Belgium, Denmark, Czech Republic, Germany and, of course, several local Seattle microbrews. If you’re ordering food, try the shepherd’s pie or chicken curry. They’re not as popular as the fish ‘n’ chips, but should be.

Summers Restaurant (Arlington, Va.)
Summers opened in 1983, before soccer had even a niche following in America. This will be Summers’ seventh World Cup — so you better believe they have this thing down. The official bar of the U.S. National Team for Arlington, they will be showing every game live on their 60 HD TVs and will open at 6:30 a.m. for the early matches (an hour before they kick off on the East Coast). For the entire month of the World Cup, Summers will have a special on Peroni beer in honor of Italy being the reigning World Cup champs. Pints of Peroni will be $3.95, and reps from Peroni will be around handing out free T-shirts throughout the tournament.

Meehan’s Public House (Atlanta)
There’s something for everyone at Meehan’s during the World Cup. Dog lovers don’t have to leave their pooches at home but can grab a table on the pup-friendly upstairs terrace, downstairs patio or sidewalk seating. If food is your thing, their fish ‘n’ chips are made with a Guinness-based batter that adds a wonderful complexity without overpowering the fish. Fried pickles with ranch dressing are addictive, while Mayor Bob’s jumbo pretzels (named for the pub’s famed regular) are rightfully popular. For the World Cup, chef Linda Harrell is cooking specials in honor of the bigger teams: Vidalia onion French dip & crudite, traditional gazpacho, sandwich de mortadella and an English trifle. There will be specials for Sweetwater 420, Pimm’s Cups, sangria, Corona, Absolut Berri Acai & lemonade, Heineken, Amstel Light, Bud Light & Budweiser and Bacardi World Cup shots — every game, every day. The pub also has a huge projection screen (15 feet by 25 feet) for optimal viewing.

Trinity Hall (Dallas)
Dallas, if you’re looking for World Cup Central this is it. Trinity Hall is expecting so many people that they already have neighboring theaters and restaurants on call for overflow capacity. Along with U.S. and England fans, expect a robust showing from the Brazilian contingency. On the drinks front, Trinity Hall has too many beers to count — the manager kindly informed me the actual number is about 210. Have you ever had a beer from Tibet? Malaysia? Tasmania? Here for the taking. Want something to eat? Go with a traditional favorite like Irish stew. If you’re really hungry, try the Awesome Bucco, a full, braised pork shank, 16 to 18 ounces, so tender that it literally falls off the bone when you touch your fork to it.

The Globe (Chicago)
Voted Best Soccer Bar in the U.S. in both 2007 and 2008, the Globe isn’t just putting on a show for the World Cup. All of the staff are very knowledgeable about the sport and don’t mind answering questions about players, teams, matchups or whatever else is on your mind. To accommodate more people, the Globe is taking out most of their tables and chairs so most of the bar will be standing room only. Because of that, there will be a special World Cup menu of food that’s easier to eat on your feet. The Globe will be a huge hub for U.S. fans, and they’re also expecting a large showing from fans of Argentina, Brazil and the Netherlands.

See your Server or Bartender for details.  Cheers!

World Cup 2010 – South Africa

Friday, June 11th / South Africa vs. Mexico @ 10A

Friday, June 11th / Uruguay vs. France @ 2:30P

Saturday, June 12th / South Korea vs. Greece @ 7:30A

Saturday, June 12th / Argentina vs. Nigeria @ 10A

Saturday, June 12th / England vs. United States @ 2:30P

Sunday, June 13th / Algeria vs. Slovenia @ 7:30A

Sunday, June 13th / Servia vs. Ghana @ 10A

Sunday, June 13th / Germany vs. Australia @ 2:30P

Monday, June 14th / Netherlands vs. Denmark @ 7:30A

Monday, June 14th / Japan vs. Cameroon @ 10A

Monday, June 14th / Italy vs. Paraguay @ 2:30P

Tuesday, June 15th / New Zealand vs. Slovakia @ 7:30A

Tuesday, June 15th / Ivory Coast vs. Portugal @ 10A

Tuesday, June 15th / Brazil vs. North Korea @ 2:30P

Wendesday, June 16th / Honduras vs. Chile @ 7:30A

Wednesday, June 16th / Spain vs. Switzerland @ 10A

Wednesday, June 16th / South Africa vs. Uruguay @ 2:30P

Thursday, June 17th / Argentina vs. South Korea @ 7:30A

Thursday, June 17th / Greece vs. Nigeria @ 10A

Thursday, June 17th / France vs. Mexico @ 2:30P

Friday, June 18th / Germany vs. Serbia @ 7:30A

Friday, June 18th / Slovenia vs. United States @ 10A

Friday, June 18th / England vs. Algeria @ 2:30P

Saturday, June 19th / Netherlands vs. Japan @ 7:30A

Saturday, June 19th / Ghana vs. Australia @ 10A

Saturday, June 19th / Cameroon vs. Denmark @ 2:30P

Sunday, June 20th / Slovakia vs. Paraguay @ 7:30A

Sunday, June 20th / Italy vs. New Zealand @ 10A

Sunday, June 20th / Brazil vs. Ivory Coast @ 2:30P

Monday, June 21st / Portugal vs. North Korea @ 7:30A

Monday, June 21st / Chile vs. Switzerland @ 10A

Monday, June 21st / Spain vs. Honduras @ 2:30P

Tuesday, June 22nd / Mexico vs. Uruguay @ 10A

Tuesday, June 22nd / France vs. South Africa @ 10A

Tuesday, June 22nd / Nigeria vs. South Korea @ 2:30P

Tuesday, June 22nd / Greece vs. Argentina @ 2:30P

Wednesday, June 23rd / Slovenia vs. England @ 10A

Wednesday, June 23rd / Algeria vs. United States @ 10A

Wednesday, June 23rd / Ghana vs. Germany @ 2:30P

Wednesday, June 23rd / Australia vs. Servia @ 2:30P

Thursday, June 24th / Slovakia vs. Italy @ 10A

Thursday, June 24th / Paraguay vs. New Zealand @ 10A

Thursday, June 24th / Denmark vs. Japan @ 2:30P

Thursday, June 24th / Cameroon vs. Netherlands @ 2:30P

Friday, June 25th / North Korea vs. Ivory Coast @ 10A

Friday, June 25th / Portugal vs. Brazil @ 10A

Friday, June 25th / Switzerland vs. Honduras @ 2:30P

Friday, June 25th / Chili vs. Spain @ 2:30P

**Round 2 begins Saturday, June 26th. Match schedule will be posted once available.

Sunday Special.$5 all day Guinness, $15 Bottomless Mimosas(12:30-3:30) and Free Parking! See you there.

Meehan’s Public House is proud to be showing Liverpool Football. We have teamed up with the Liverpool FC Atlanta, Georgia supporters branch and welcome all football fans to enjoy the matches in our Pub! Red Men, Liver Birds or, new recruits email us at info@liverpoolfcatl.tv to learn more about our fan club or check us out at www.liverpoolfcatl.tv!

Next Match – 4/4/2010 @ 10:00am -LFC vs. Birmingham

 Various distinguished Atlantans braved the buzz saws and the clusters of construction workers hammering away for the first look inside the new Meehan’s Public House downtown Thursday afternoon.  And then Dish showed up, donned a hardhat and peeked in for a looksee too.  Leading the tour was 101 Concepts partner Chris Segal, who’s understandably excited to bring the company’s third Meehan’s location to 180 Peachtree Street.  The building is the site of the late, lamented Macy’s building.

Walking across a 100-year-old hard pine floor acquired from an old cotton mill in Thomaston, Segal told the tour: “We tried to recycle as many things as possible to make this as green as we could. ” The mens room entrance, for example, is a former front door (complete with mail slot) discovered at the Scott Antique Market.Vintage chairs, an old courtroom table and even a shoeshine booth are awaiting installation in the 180-seat eatery.

Segal said he had to sell his 101 Concepts partners on the idea of venturing downtown with the Meehan’s concept.

“When you visit downtown areas in other cities, there’s a vibrancy there that Atlanta is still working on,” he explained. “We wanted to add something new for the downtown visitor in addition to Hooters and Hard Rock Cafe. We wanted to bring the friendliness of an Irish pub to Peachtree.”  Well, a traditional Irish pub with LED flat screen TVs, free WiFi and a private dining room with a breath-taking stained glass sky light scored in Augusta.  While Meehan’s menu mainstays like the famous Guinness battered fish and chips will have a prominent place on the menu downtown, chef Jordan Wakefield will also be bringing his love for the farm-to-table concept to the new Meehan’s as well.

“I’ve already got local organic produce purveyors set up and locally caught seafood as well,” Wakefield told Dish. “I’m also looking at adding things like prime rib to cater to the downtown crowd. I want to take something simple and improve on it.”

Wilma Sothern, Central Atlanta Progress vice-president for marketing, was impressed by what she saw on the tour.

“It’s going to make a terrific addition to downtown,” she said. “And the original integrity of the building remains too. It was great to walk down Peachtree recently and walk right up an Irish pub. They took great strides to work the pub into the building’s facade.”

With the build out continuing 24/7 on the space, Meehan’s fans can look forward to an early March opening.

Just between us?  The doors just might swing open as early as next week for a soft opening. . .

Written By: Richard L. Eldredge
wwww.atlantamagazine.com

 Meehan’s Public House invites you to enjoy the 2010 Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Parade from our cozy Pub right on Peachtree! Parade officials expect this will be the biggest and best parade since the first parade held 152 years ago – 1858! Enjoy all 200 plus floats, Irish dancers, bands, bag pipers, clowns from the only Irish Pub on Peachtree Street!  Meehan’s will be serving up all your Irish favorites- Guinness, Harp, Irish Coffee and Breakfast and more! Grab a pint and enjoy the lovely day! For more  information about the 2010 Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day parade, please visit: www.stpatsparadeatlanta.com

ATLANTA – City dwellers have something to celebrate! Meehan’s Public House, the popular tavern owned by 101 Concepts Restaurant Group with locations in Vinings and Sandy Springs, is bringing its notorious Irish spirit to Peachtree Street, in the heart of downtown Atlanta. Opening in March, Meehan’s Public House Downtown is the ideal laid-back haunt for downtowners, travelers, residents or for visitors looking to escape the typical tourist traps.

“We are over the moon to be joining this vibrant downtown community,” says Ian Macken, co-managing partner of Meehan’s Public House Downtown. “We feel privileged to bring a little piece of Ireland to the heart of this great city.”

Suits and travelers alike will feel right at home in the inviting, 4300 square foot tavern constructed from dark, refurbished wood, and filled with unique, historic pieces and one-of-a-kind treasures. With a cozy private dining room fit for 40 of your closest friends or business associates, an extensive craft beer selection featuring high gravity and Belgian brews, high definition LED screen televisions perfect for cheering on your favorite team, on the house Wi-Fi, and an authentic Irish confessional ready to absolve your sins, Meehan’s Public House Downtown is the perfect place to toil and get into trouble. Revelers who get a little too comfortable to make it home for supper can enjoy the diverse, Irish-inspired menu of cuisine made from organic and locally grown farm fresh ingredients.

Leading the culinary charge is Executive Chef Jordan Wakefield who joins from fellow 101 Concepts restaurant, Food 101. Chef Wakefield, a huge supporter of local farmers and produce, brings the farm-to-table concept to another level and excels in creating comfort foods with personality. The menu will be unique to the downtown location, but will include favorite Meehan’s dishes such as The Full Monty- a skillet with an egg, banger, ham, peppers, jalapeños, onions, hash browns, cheddar, pico, avocado and sour cream; Guinness Battered Fish & Chips, 101 Meatloaf and more. Meehan’s also offers offsite catering for special events.

Sure to quickly rack up a roster of “regulars,” Meehan’s Downtown will offer a Beer Club where members can purchase their own pint glass and keep it in-house, giving all the comforts of home without dish duty. What happens at Meehan’s stays at Meehan’s for beer clubbers when they attend exclusive members-only meetings in the speakeasy-style, private dining room. And in case the wife starts to get suspicious about where you’ve been spending all your time, Meehan’s Public House merchandise will also be available for purchase!

Meehan’s Public House Downtown is located at 180 Peachtree Street, Atlanta Georgia 30303 and is open Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m., Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 3 a.m., and Sunday from noon to midnight. For more information, please call 404-241-9821 or become a Meehan’s Downtown fan on facebook.

About Meehan’s Public House: Meehan’s Public House, a 101 Concepts restaurant, is a casual neighborhood tavern with locations in Vinings, Sandy Springs, and now Downtown Atlanta. Meehan’s Public House is known for bringing Irish customs and neighborhood charm to these Atlanta areas. Serving freshly prepared Irish favorites made from scratch with farm fresh, local ingredients, Meehan’s offers a diverse combination of classic dishes that are updated and elevated to a gourmet level. 101 Concepts restaurant group includes Meehan’s Public House, Food 101, Coastal Kitchen and Catering 101, a full-service catering company. For more information, please visit www.101concepts.com.