Where to Watch: FC Barcelona

In order to prevent traveling barcelonistas from having to miss a game or two while on the road, I thought it a good idea to go ahead and list, as well as possible, all the great places to watch FCB throughout the world. This is not a comprehensive list by any means, but is instead a list of places suggested by myself and the readers who have graciously written me with their suggestions. You can email me your suggestions at barcelona [at] theoffside [dot] com.

USA: Boston | Indianapolis | New York | Seattle
Canada: Montreal

Boston
Phoenix Landing - While technically in Cambridge, this is the only bar in the Boston area that I have found with GolTV. It attracts a small following of La Liga fans, if not Barcelona specifically, but is mainly dedicated to showing EPL games. It’s a Central Square bar, located at 512 Mass. Ave. It has an adequate number of TVs, including one large projection screen.

Indianapolis
BARcelona Tapas - A restaurant dedicated to the traditional feel of a Spanish tapas bar that also features GolTV broadcasts of the games? That sounds…perfect. While not a soccer-specific restaurant/bar, it’s got the Spanish thing down, which is certainly a bonus. Reader llobster suggested this one as the place to go for the authentic feel of a Catalan restaurant when you’re in Indy and now it boasts Barcelona games as well! It is located at 201 N. Delaware and also has Fox Soccer Channel, just in case you want to dabble in the EPL before a Barça match.

New York City
Nevada Smiths - “Where Football Is Religion” is the motto of this pure soccer pub in Manhattan. It’s located at 74 Third Ave, between 11th and 12th streets. If you’re unfamiliar with the ins and outs of getting around Manhattan or New York City in general, feel free to consult OnNYTurf’s subway map. Nevada Smiths is the home of the FC Barcelona NYC Penya and is routinely packed with Barça fans from around the world. Check out the Penya’s website here and Nevada Smiths list of supporters clubs who call it their home here. You can also routinely find me here, having a couple of rounds and watching the boys do their thing.

FloydNY in Brooklyn is a far more relaxed atmosphere, but does boast some nice TVs and bocce for when the game is over. It’s not a real soccer hang out, but it does attract quite a few EPL fans (its the home of a Tottenham supporters club) before La Liga gets going in the afternoons. And did I mention the bocce? They’re really serious about that stuff there. Getting to this slightly out-of-the-way is a little harder than getting to Nevada Smiths, but could be worth your time if you’re not into raucous crowds. It’s located at 131 Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn (on the border of Brooklyn Heights and Carroll Gardens, says their website, which has specific directions).

Seattle, Washington
The George and Dragon Pub: “Seattle’s Only Authentic English Pub” has a pretty wide-ranging series of games available every weekend, according to their website. You can check out their TV schedule here. They’re located in the Fremont neighborhood at 206 North 36th Street. Here is a link to where Google Maps places it. Reader Chucho writes, “A British pub with emphasis on the Premier League, but also shows La Liga matches broadcast on GolTV. Good beer selection, and typical British pub fare: greasy, meaty, and on the cheaper side. Several screens, dimly lit, but with a good atmosphere. Often offers a live and delayed broadcast for the work-a-day crowd. Bigger crowds often appear for the delayed matches on weekdays (e.g. Champions League). It’s the most reliable place in Seattle for watching footie.”

Montreal
Champs - Reader Nolan sent this in, claiming “It’s not football-centric and as far as La Liga goes only the Clasico gets priority on the main screen (along with a pretty lively crowd), but there always seems to be a cult following of cules who frequent the bar, so the game will usually get a decent showing. Drinks are affordable too which is always nice.” Here is a small review of it, and a link to Google Maps. It’s located at 3956 Saint Laurent Blvd.