Soccer Mecca in Manhattan

The US is dominated by tailgating football fans, tobacco-chewing baseball fanatics, and wannabe basketball fans. If you are in Manhattan and you are into the real international kick ass game of futball, then you have to go the mecca of it all. Nevada Smith – on 3rd ave, between 11th and 12th street, right across from an NYU dorm – was probably the first bar I considered my bar when I just arrived in NY. It's a huge place with a basement space, where young hooligans and older European dudes come and watch soccer games on any of the 12 screens.

I have only had the beer there, but they have a full bar and the bartenders - Irish and English dudes - will know you by face after the second time. It's a sports bar and the focus is defiantly soccer, so if you are in the mood to get drunk and hit on some girls, this place and you are probably not a match for each other. However, with that said, the girls that do go to Nevada Smiths are girlfriend types. I define girlfriend type as a girl who likes sports, beer and doesn't mind hanging out with the guys.

The best part of this place is definitely the chants. If you are lucky and are able to get in when a huge match is on, you get to hear some chants from all different countries. These guys really get into it and the ecstatic commentary is something you miss in all American sports, with exceptions of college football and basketball.

Other than that, if you are lucky to get in when a game is on, you should definitely remember to bring along your handy cam to record the variety of chants and people jumping out of their seats.