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The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, held in Australia and New Zealand, is set to be the biggest women’s soccer tournament yet. It has a predicted television viewership of 2 billion, about a quarter of the global population and almost double the audience of 2019. Games began today (July 20) and the final is exactly one month later. The reigning champion, the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT), plays its first game against Vietnam at 6 p.m. on Friday, July 21.
The decorated USWNT has won four Women’s World Cup titles and four Olympic gold medals, making the team the most successful squad in international women’s soccer.
The final 23-player roster also includes seven players with Bay Area connections. Four Stanford alums are making their World Cup debuts: center defender Alana Cook, San Jose native and defender Naomi Girma, defensive midfielder Andi Sullivan and forward Sophia Smith. The newcomers are accompanied by veteran defender and fellow former Cardinal Kelley O’Hara, who is just one of 12 players in USWNT history to be named to four Women’s World Cup teams. Representation for the Santa Clara Broncos comes in the form of defender Sofia Huerta, who is appearing in her first World Cup, and two-time Olympian and defensive midfielder Julie Ertz, who returns for her third World Cup.
To follow the progress of the top-ranked USWNT and the rest of the teams playing in the World Cup, we’ve compiled a list of 10 Peninsula bars and restaurants with plans to show all games within their business hours.
Capelo’s Barbecue, Redwood City: This Midpeninsula barbecue joint serves up brisket, ribs and other barbecue fare alongside local craft beers and wine indoors and in its beer garden. Owner John Capelo is a Texas native and was running a catering business before starting Capelo’s in 2012.
Capelo’s Barbecue, 2655 Middlefield Road, Redwood City; 650-701-5433, Instagram: @capelosbarbecue.
Taplands, Santa Clara: Taplands will be showing the USWNT’s games on July 21 and 26 at 6 p.m. and has a more detailed schedule of games they are showing on Instagram. The taproom, bottle shop and brewery offers 25 rotating craft beers, a small selection of wine, kombucha and cider, and growlers of its own beer when available. Its food menu consists of charcuterie, cheese plates and paninis.
Taplands, 1171 Homestead Road, Santa Clara; 408-709-2990, Instagram: @taplandssantaclara.
Barebottle Brewing Company, Menlo Park and Santa Clara: The beginning of the Women’s World Cup 2023 is perfectly timed with Barebottle Brewing Company’s Menlo Park grand opening July 20. The taproom and beer garden serves a selection of beer, wine, kombucha and coffee. There’s another Peninsula location in Santa Clara.
Barebottle Brewing Company, 550 Oak Grove Ave., Menlo Park, 650-714-0506; 2520 Augustine Drive, Santa Clara, 408-564-5722, Instagram: @barebottle.
The Rose & Crown Pub, Palo Alto: The oldest bar in town will be serving specials during a watch party for the USWNT’s first game July 21. The English pub has over 20 rotating craft beers on tap and a drink menu of assorted cocktails and whiskeys. They serve standard English pub fare, including fish and chips and cottage pie.
The Rose & Crown Pub, 547 Emerson St., Palo Alto; 650-327-7673, Instagram: @theroseandcrownpa.
Molly O’s, San Carlos: The newly opened family-owned Irish pub and restaurant in downtown San Carlos serves traditional Irish dishes and Cal-Mex Irish fusion cuisine, ranging from bangers and mash with Irish baked beans to quesadillas and tostadas. Named for its matriarch Molly Mitchell, Molly O’s is the sister restaurant to Fiddlers Green in Millbrae.
Molly O’s, 1163 San Carlos Ave., San Carlos; 650-486-1370, Instagram: @mollyos_sancarlos.
Steins Beer Garden, Mountain View: The downtown Mountain View restaurant serves American cuisine made from scratch and has 31 beers on tap, as well as a drink menu full of craft cocktails, wine and spirits.
Steins Beer Garden, 895 Villa St., Mountain View; 650-963-9568, Instagram: @steinsbeergarden.
Dutch Goose, Menlo Park: The family-friendly Menlo Park sports bar is open until 2 a.m. Wednesday through Saturday for fans who want to watch late-night matches with their peers. Dutch Goose has traditional American fare, from burgers and sandwiches to beer on tap.
Dutch Goose, 3567 Alameda de las Pulgas; 650-854-3245, Instagram: @menloparkdutchgoose.
Strike Brewing Company, Campbell: The microbrewery and taproom has several TVs and a rotating selection of beers that have different flavor notes, whether you’re in the mood for something light and crisp or malty and dark. The San Jose-based brewery opened in 2014.
Strike Brewing Company, 469 E Campbell Ave., Campbell; 408-796-7810, Instagram: @strikebrewingco.
Alice’s Restaurant, Woodside: With a focus on the USWNT games, the restaurant tucked into the redwoods is a perfect spot to get away and watch some soccer. Several local beers are on tap along with wine and everything from gourmet burgers and breakfast scrambles to homemade pies.
Alice’s Restaurant, 17288 Skyline Blvd., Woodside; 650-851-0303, Instagram: @aliceswoodside.
Stephens Green, Mountain View: The downtown Mountain View Irish bar and restaurant is a local favorite spot for big games, and the World Cup is no exception. With a gastropub menu, 35 craft and draft beers and 13 TVs, the spot is set up for soccer viewing and dining.
Stephens Green, 223 Castro St., Mountain View; 650-964-9151, Instagram: @stephensgreen.