As a devout fan of futbal once every four years, it was imperative for me to find a bar that allowed me to showcase my passionate fandom in between bouts of affordable beer. Luckily, I found Murio's. And in this fine establishment, my World Cup experience this past month was everything I had imagined.
Murio's has three large televisions. Two of them were along the bar, one on each side. Great for if you have a seat along the bar as you can chat up the barkeep about the current state of modern football -- that is when she isn't super busy dealing out $5 Modelo's. The largest TV is off to the side, for the viewing pleasure of the lounge area. This area is furnished with large L-shaped couches, ideal for group sizes between 4 to 10. When occupied, it gives that fervent energy one looks for in a sports bar, combined with the rare comfort of personal space commonly forgone during a sporting event.
The bar was a little too intimidating for me. I feel like if your Manchester United jersey is not advertising vodafone, you may not be ready to appreciate the subtle intricacies in the "pitch" as many of the bar side stalwarts would. I'm sure they're all still very inclusive, I just don't wanna answer with "FIFA" to when they drop that friendly - "I'm a left wing back. Whaddaya play, mate?"
My buddy and I spent most of my 90 minutes plus stoppage time in the lounge area, enjoying the World Cup in the only way we know how --- directing troll comments at the world class athletes as they flash across the screen.
"Damn does Toni Kroos spend his offseason at Vegas DJ-ing?"
"Yo the Croatia jersey reminds me of the checkered wax paper from Golden Boy's Pizza"
The more beer, the less tact.
"Breh Modric looks like Steve Nash without sunlight."
"Oh wait watch-- wait-- ah damn! I thought Suarez was gonna bite him from the back right there!"
"Let God save the Queen, Pickford you save that goal"
There will be a point in alcohol consumption when the indecencies from our mouths are assuaged, if only by its incoherency. Instead of becoming a nuisance, our recent loss of intelligible speech becomes a welcomed excitement added to the bar. We begin to exchange high fives with new found friends.
"ALL ABOARD THE LUKAKU TRAIN!"
"It's ha-mays. HA-mays. HA-MAYS Rodriguez."
"MBAPPPPPPE!!! That boiiiiii fast"
"RaHEEEEEEEMMM"
Jubilation in the air, beer dripping freely from our chin, and flashes of thumbs up to the bartender who still manages to find time to clear empty glasses from our den. It did not matter if a jersey had three lions, or if they looked like pizza wax paper. Everyone was just at Murio's to have a good time, and a good time was there to be had.
It only happens once every four years. Thanks Murio's for making it count. read more