Aussie Aussie Aussie | Where to Watch The FIFA World Cup in Sydney

Escape your living room for the FIFA World Cup

Whether it’s FIFA, football or soccer to you, the FIFA World Cup 2018 is one of the most exciting events in the sporting calendar. Coming around every four years, the FIFA World Cup 2018 is being held in Russia this year, and football fans are eagerly awaiting kickoff in Moscow on the 14th of June.

For those of us not lucky enough to make the journey to Russia to catch the action firsthand, fear not, because there are plenty of places to watch the FIFA World Cup in Sydney. While this may come as a surprise to you – hello 9 hour time difference and those pesky NSW lockout laws – there’s actually quite a few games being played earlier in Russia. Which means, eating dinner and watching Australia kick themselves to glory (it’s possible) can happen. Excellent news football foodies, amirite?

Seriously, you can actually go to these pubs

Now, in this article we’re looking at places to watch Australian football games in Sydney, so we apologise if you happen to be an avid supporter of Tunisia or Senegal, for example, but let’s be honest – soccer hasn’t won Australia over quite as much as it has Europe. But we’re getting there guys… this could be our year! That said, booking ahead at these five places showing the FIFA World Cup 2018 is more than necessary as football fans are expected to come in their droves. Expect passion, and lots of it.

It’s time to gear up for a month of minimal sleep, a lot of beer and football fever. The FIFA World Cup 2018 is finally upon us. So here are five of the best places in Sydney to watch it.

Watch the Socceroos in action

1. The Royal Oak Hotel

One of Sydney’s coolest pubs, The Royal Oak Hotel in Double Bay has been serving cold schooners and tasty food for over a century now. With a refurbished dining room and bar, this Double Bay pub is one of our favourite picks for FIFA World Cup viewing. The Royal Oak is home to four different bar areas, suitable for all manner of occasions – with the kids, cocktails with the girls or grazing on antipasti platters. We advise booking in advance and filling up before the games get underway, then just make sure you’re well watered with a prime position.

Fill up before the game with The Royal beef burger filled with wagyu beef, bacon, cheddar, pickles, lettuce, tomato, mayo, ketchup and mustard.

28 Bay Street, Double Bay, Sydney 2028

2. The Bourbon Hotel

With prime position on Darlinghurst Road in Potts Point, The Bourbon Hotel is more rustic than your average watering hole, but boy, are we big fans. The menu here is American-inspired and home to some super fresh takes on pub classics. Think bourbon ‘n’ hotdogs; Southern fare, sharin’ plates and a whole lotta craft beer. Now while the menu may be all about the U S of A, the FIFA World Cup 2018 will be shown front and centre at The Bourbon. So you can basically get your fill of comfort food – we all know it’s done better in The States – and a little European culture. Feel the balance! Sydneysiders most certainly know about this one, so before you even think about making plans, book that table.

Fill up before the game with the blackened spatchcock coated with a dry spice rub and served on sweet potato wedges with Creole-style pecan crumbs and watercress.

22 Darlinghurst Road, Potts Point, Sydney 2011

3. The Gregory Hills Hotel

Located over in Gregory Hills, The Gregory Hills Hotel is one of the best places to catch the first three Australian games in the FIFA World Cup. Hosting events sponsored by Budweiser, you’ll be in for a raucous night cheering on the green and gold. This will be a pretty popular event so getting there early is highly recommended. Our tip is to book a table in the restaurant section and settle in for some delicious pub classics and a few rounds, before heading into the bar to watch the matches.

Fill up before the game with a chicken parmi smothered in housemade tomato sauce, double-smoked ham and mozzarella, served with salad and chips.

14 – 26 Lasso Road, Gregory Hills, Sydney 2557

4. PJ's Parramatta

For soccer fans out west, PJ’s Parramatta has your name written all over it. This Irish pub has been slinging pints and traditional pub grub since 1999 and is a banger of a spot to hit up before the games get underway. More Irish than St. Patrick himself, we’re secretly a little bit happy that Ireland didn’t make the FIFA World Cup cut – can you imagine how that one would play out here? Instead you can relax – well, sort of – and cheer on the Aussies without too much rivalry. Though we do love a bit of healthy competition. This Church Street pub is also home to several rooms that suit different functions and events, so you can make a night of it here with all your best pals… No matter how rowdy they may get!

Fill up before the game with the garlic shrimp, chilli, ham and chorizo pizza topped with baby spinach and lime aioli.

74 Church Street, Parramatta, Sydney 2150

5. The Wentworth Hotel

Another Sydney spot that’s recently had a facelift, The Wentworth is gearing up for a sport mad day on June 16th: the Socceroos first FIFA World Cup game. Head in early for a slice of the pre-game action – they’ll be showing a few other games throughout the day – and tuck into some grub to get yourself pumped for Australia versus France. Family-friendly and relaxed, this cool spot also has an outdoor balcony that you can escape to if the cheering gets a bit too much. Plus, the bistro is loaded up with tasty dishes so all that beer can be soaked up, easy as a header from Cahill.

Fill up before the game with chargrilled, grain-fed sirloin steak that comes served with chips and salad.

195 Parramatta Road, Homebush West, Sydney 2140