Although the 2014 World Cup kick-off is less than a month away, at 4 p.m. ET on June 12 when host nation Brazil takes on Croatia in Sao Paulo, to date we haven't received too many notices about special events and viewing parties. A month is a long time in the Las Vegas event calendar, and we're just moving past March Madness, Cinco de Mayo, Mother's Day, etc., and gearing up for Memorial Day Weekend, so it seems like the World Cup has yet to start registering on mainstream radars, even though the popularity of soccer here continues to grow by the year.
On the Strip, the only properties to declare so far entertainment-wise, to the best of our knowledge, are those owned by Caesars Entertainment. The Piano Bar at Harrah's will host viewing parties for all Team U.S.A. games, plus the semi-finals and finals. For $25, the Touchline Package (available from the Total Rewards center on the casino floor), will include two beers, a commemorative T-shirt, and a raffle ticket to win a trip back to Vegas for the final game on July 13. The prize package includes a suite, dinner, and a pass to ride the High Roller observation wheel at The LINQ. Here's a list of all the other CET-property bars that will also be screening World Cup games live and on multiple screens.
In terms of established soccer-fanatic bars, however, as opposed to bars simply gearing up to make the most fun out of what's just another interesting event in the general sporting calendar for many North Americans, the options we know of are pretty limited. Both of the British Crown & Anchor pubs (1350 E. Tropicana, 702/739-0281 and 4755 Spring Mountain, 702/739-8676) will be natural choices for catching the games, with big screens (the larger original Trop location has been known in the past to charge a cover for some matches, but the west-side venue never does), plus they offer an extensive selection of draft and bottled beers and decent English pub grub. McMullans Irish Pub by the Orleans (702/247-7000) also has a good party atmosphere and food, and most likely will be screening the games live for free, if previous years are anything to go by.
The big chains like PT's and Buffalo Wild Wings will almost certainly be screening the games, plus check the tournament schedule then look out for other bars and interested ethnic restaurants around town that are sure to be in on the action if their national team is doing well.
Casino race and sports books are another good option, as is Legasse's Stadium at Palazzo (especially if you're looking to accommodate a larger party), but so far we're not aware of any of them announcing their specific plans for the World Cup as yet, so keep an eye on our Today's News column, where we'll post this and other relevant betting and entertainment details as they become available nearer the time.
