The U.S. Men’s National Team in soccer may not be participating in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, but that does not mean fans are missing the world’s largest tournament.
Machete Beer House in National City usually opens at 3 p.m. every day.
But with team Mexico playing and eventually defeating current world champion Germany last week, the beer house opened early in the morning for patrons and soccer fans.
Eddie Trejo, owner of Machete Beer House, said last Sunday was a busy day as hundreds of people gathered at his place to watch the Mexico-Germany game and the Brasil game afterward.
Trejo admits that he did not plan accordingly as he was understaffed during the games. Despite being understaffed, Trejo said he has seen a spike in business during the entire World Cup tournament, not just for Mexico.
He said fans of Mexico are by far his largest number of customers.
“The fact that they won is going to at least continue bringing crowds for those Mexico games, if not increasing them,” he said.
Trejo said he is rooting for Mexico because its his home country — and because it’s also good for business.
“A lot of our clientele are rooting for them too,” he said.
In Chula Vista, World Cup fans have watched games at 3 Punk Ales. During the World Cup, the brewery on Third Avenue opens at 5 a.m. every day in time for the start of the day’s first game, although they are not legally allowed to serve beer until 6 a.m.
Steve Garcia, one of the owners and operators of 3 Punk Ales, said most of his patrons are interested in the games involving Mexico, Brasil, Portugal and Argentina.
Garcia said the World Cup has brought his place more business.
“We were pretty consistent with our sales already,” Garcia said. “But for the days we have matches, they do spike.”
Garcia said he is cheering for Mexico to win the World Cup.
When the World Cup ends on July 15, 3 Punk Ales said they will then show English Premier League games.
Elias Maroki, owner of All Stars Sports Bar & Grill on Bonita Road, said other than the Mexico game the World Cup has not been very popular at his establishment.
He said fans will trickle in to watch other games, but when Mexico played last weekend it was standing room only.
Maroki said business during the World Cup would be much better if Team USA was in it.
“Last World Cup we had there were two teams for people to cheer for, United States and Mexico,” he said. “Now, everyone is just cheering for one team with Mexico.”
Maroki said customers are calling to reserve tables for this Saturday’s Mexico vs. South Korea game.
