Where to watch the Copa America in New York

La Choza del Gordo in Long Island City in Queens

The Copa America is already underway. As I write this post we’re almost midway through the group stage involving all 16 teams. Then we move to the quarterfinals and beyond. The first match in the NY metro area will be on June 12th.

But you can experience the madness right here in New York City. Supporters of Team USA and the 15 other North and South American nations abound in NY and are packing various bars and restaurants to watch the matches.

In general it is best to simply go to a neighborhood where many of the first or second-generation immigrants from the nations playing live. The best area is Jackson Heights in Queens, an area with many South American immigrants and very vibrant during soccer tournaments involving them.

Football memorabilia inside La Gran Uruguaya

Two particular places I recommend are La Gran Uruguaya and Boca Juniors–both in Queens. La Gran Uruguaya, in Jackson Heights, is devoted to Uruguayan football. It is a bakery and a bar. Inside is Uruguayan soccer memorabilia. It is a fine place to watch any soccer match and attracts fans of many teams.
Boca Juniors, a steakhouse in Elmhurst on Queens Boulevard named after Argentina’s most famous soccer club. It’s absolutely packed during Argentina games and often features a band during big matches.

Here are some of the better places to watch the matches, sorted by country:

General soccer-friendly bars, and good for USA matches:
Legends: 33rd and 5th.Manhattan
Smithfield Hall NYC 138 W 25th St Manhattan
The Weir, 3rd Ave and 93rd St, Manhattan
Banter, 132 Havemeyer St, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Woodwork, 583 Vanderbilt Ave, Prospect Heights Brooklyn