The big game kicks off in Prague on Thursday at 7:45pm Irish time, and you may be wondering where the best place is to soak in the party atmosphere
Having been drawn against Czechia away in the 19,000 seater Fortuna Arena in Prague, the travelling fans only received an official away allocation of less than 1,000.
However, the rest of the nation will collectively hold its breath in homes and pubs across the land as they cheer on the Boys in Green in search of a play-off final at home to either Denmark or North Macedonia next Tuesday, March 31.
If you are looking for the best place to share in the thrills and spoils of Thursday’s action, below is a list of the best bars in Ireland to watch the match.
The Woolshed, Dublin
The viewing gallery in the Woolshed, Dublin. Picture: Woolshed Bar & Kitchen
This intimate venue on Parnell Street is well-renowned for its international coverage of all sports such as soccer, rugby and NFL.
After availing of a broad selection of beverages while watching game from a packed 360° theatre-style viewing gallery, the venue’s mouth-watering burger menu will serve as the ideal fuel to replenish after the stress of the high-stakes tie.
The Camden, Dublin
Fans watch football on a massive 4K screen alongside other smaller screens. Pitcture: The Camden
Calling itself the “premier sports bar” in Dublin, the Camden is home to two of Ireland’s largest 4k screens and Europe’s biggest indoor 4k screen.
This Thursday, the bar will be showing five other World Cup play-offs simultanously on its screens at 5pm, followed by the big one at 7:45pm.
Classic and signature cocktails are priced at €13.50.
Humphreys Pub, Dublin
Humphreys Pub in Ranelagh, Dublin has a sizeable beer garden, ideal for socialising during and after the match. Picture: Fanzo
Among other things, the best feature about this place in Ranelagh is its beer garden which is always a plus when you make the decision to watch a crucial football match in the company of raucous fans.
Here you will find beer that’s to die for and even some tasty tacos to tuck into pre (and maybe post) game.
An Púcán, Galway
The beer garden in An Púcán. Picture: An Púcán
The popular bar offers “unbeatable” match day food such as burgers, wings and “buckets” of beer while boasting a massive beer garden that will undoubtedly see hundreds of passionate Ireland fans pour in to create an electric and iconic atmosphere.
The Woolshed, Cork
The Woolshed in Cork. Picture: The Woolshed Baa & Grill
A sister of its Dublin incarnation, the bar boasts 20 screens frequently displaying games across rugby, GAA and soccer.
Closing at 11:30pm on Thursday, it received the ‘Best Bar to Watch the Match’ at this year’s Bar of the Year Award 2023.
The Glen Tavern, Limerick
The Glen Tavern. Picture: Top 100 Attractions
This cosy sports-mad bar on Lower Grentworth Street offers coverage of every and all sports on its big screens dotted throughout.
It also specialises in trad sessions and performances by other local musicians to keep fans distracted should the Boys in Green not pull it out of the bag. Doors close at midnight.