Come fall, Saturday afternoons are spent tailgating, throwing bean-bags into holes, and watching college football. But early weekend mornings, like 8 a.m.-early, is quickly becoming the designated time for soccer hooligans to gather at one of the fine establishments that will open the front door at such an early hour just so the European soccer matches can be seen live, in all their glory. It's a pretty great way to start the day. For those soccer fans looking for such a place, we've assembled some of the best spots where your kit-wearing-self will fit in just fine.
Amsterdam Tavern (3175 Morganford Road; 314-772-8224)
The Amsterdam Tavern lives and breathes soccer, with scarves and jerseys from dozens of European clubs covering the walls and every TV showing games from leagues located all over the world (English Premier, Italian Serie A) on all the pertinent soccer channels: the NBC networks for the English Premier League, GOL TV and beIN Sport. Amsterdam opens early so that you, the dedicated/obsessed fan can watch each and every game live. If the weather is nice, there's a large, newly remodeled covered patio and beer garden outside with big flat-screens so you can keep up with the match. A large draft list emphasizing English and Scottish ales combines with The Dam, a restaurant that shares a walkway with the tavern and specializes in burgers and bar food, to offer everything you'll need to last the full 90.
See also: - Soccer Bars and Farmers' Markets: An Updated Guide to Tower Grove
Barrister's (7923 Forsyth Boulevard, Clayton; 314-726-5007)
Barrister's opens up bright and early on the weekends at 8 a.m., or, "if match quality dictates," will open up even earlier -- so next time the World Cup is on the other side of the globe, count on Barrister's. Plus, this is the self-proclaimed "Best Happy Hour in Clayton," with a menu that's quintessential pub fare, like crab cakes, onion rings, twelve kinds of burgers, six varieties of personal pizzas and a "Brie-L-T." There are also seventeen beers on tap, which only improves the experience.
See also: - The 6 Best St. Louis Sports Bars for Food
