World cup fans at Zum Schneider Restaurant & Biergarten

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Hotel on Rivington

If you’re a sports fan and want to watch the World Cup games, but you’re on vacation in NYC, why not combine the two? There’s no better way to do that then get out on the town, and get into Zum Schneider. This little German beer bar buried south of Tompkins Square Park on Avenue C has a unique European flavor that almost makes you forget you’re in New York. With a big-screen TV, inside and outside seating, upbeat sports atmosphere and great drink specials, this place is a lower Manhattan World Cup score for soccer fans.

Choose from a wide selection of over 20 German beers. If you’re having trouble selecting one, ask the tall blond German bartender for suggestions–he knows his stuff. My favorite is the light colored wheat beer called Weihenstephaner Weissbier. It’s most like a Blue Moon, but it has a citrus-kick and a smoother taste.

Beers come in three sizes–small 0.31/ regular 0.51/ large 1.0 L and are priced $4/$6/$12 respectively. If you want upfront seats to the big screen, grab a table or a bar stool in the main room. If you prefer to monitor the game from a distance, score an outside patio table under the umbrellas and watch through the pulled back, large open front doors.

A beer bar wouldn’t be good if they didn’t offer something to munch on between beers. Zum Schneider does better. Instead of (germ-infested) cups of mixed nuts typical of Manhattan bars, choose from the World Cup Menu (available June 11 to July 11) of German and American snacks. Snag a Weisswurst sausage, crispy potato pancakes, or if you’re feeling patriotic, a scrambled egg and cheese melt. Don’t miss the golden toasted, warm soft Bavarian pretzels served with butter.

Zum Schneider is the best bar in lower Manhattan to catch all the soccer you want–it shows live games, there’s no cover charge and you can find it at 107 Ave C @ East 7th Street, a few minutes’ walk from the Thompson LES and the Hotel on Rivington. Tel. (212) 598-1098.

– Patty Hodapp, Lost Girls World

[Photo Credit: Patty Hodapp]