Bar: Smithfield Hall
Location: 138 West 25th Street, New York, NY 10001
Score: 8.1/10
As much as I truly did not care for visiting New York City, I will give their bar scene some credit. Among all these spots is Smithfield Hall. Located just a few blocks away and known for being a soccer bar, this is a great spot to catch a game and grab some beers.
Walking in you instantly get the vibe of an English style pub (at least what I imagine this would be like considering I’ve never been across the pond). 2 large bars await you to order drinks from, while tables fill in the remaining space. And don’t worry, plenty of TVs line the walls for all your sporting needs. The bar is home to multiple soccer fan clubs across the world, including West Ham, Manchester United, FC Barcelona, Bayern München, and more.
Hearing this was a Man United bar, and being with multiple people who are fans of the club, they wanted to stop in and watch a game. We were lucky enough to snag one of the last remaining tables inside where madness was occurring. Lining the bar were supporters wearing jerseys representing all eras of the club they love, and they were not afraid to show how proud they were to represent their club they love. And from the conversations and chants, you can tell they had been at it a while before the game started. Which I personally loved to see. No one should be knocked for getting rowdy supporting the team you love. The beers instantly started flowing, and soon I found myself wishing I supported Man U so I could join in on the fun. The banter and chants lasting all game made this such an exciting environment to be apart of. We did leave right as the game ended as we had other plans, which was very upsetting to me. The bar was still packed, and I honestly could’ve spent the rest of my day there drinking and talking soccer with the other patrons. I would’ve also liked to see how the atmosphere of this bar changes if a game is not occurring. Does it still get packed in, or does it stay empty relying heavily on patrons watching a game? It certainly seems like a spot that many would choose to go get a pint or 10. Which I guess this just means I need to go back to New York for more research.
Décor: Filled with signs, flags and TVs, this hit all the spots of a perfect design for a bar dedicated towards a soccer fan base.
Service: Service was great. We ordered from the bar, and the bartenders worked down the line as quickly as possible to ensure everyone was getting served.
Atmosphere: Phenomenal. Even if you’re not a fan of soccer, I recommend going to watch a game. Filled with fans showing support for their team, it was nonstop chants and screaming at the TV. Who doesn’t love a bar that allows their patrons to express their love for their team?
Price: More expensive than I would like for a bar aiming towards drunk sports fans. I believe beers were around $6 for a Budlight. But for the price I paid for one at other spots in the city, this definitely wasn’t the most expensive.
Cleanliness: All good, clean fun. Zero concerns.
Bonus Points: No bonus points