What to know
- Loons Sports Bar & Pub is hosting lively FIFA watch parties with plenty of indoor seating and a spacious patio.
- Expect a festive atmosphere with country flags, themed drink specials, and a welcoming vibe for all fans.
- No reservations are required during the World Cup, but the bar fills up fast—arrive early for the best seats.
- Specials include half-priced wings, game-inspired shots, and beer deals, with the option to extend hours if demand is high.
If you’re still on the hunt for a bar to watch a FIFA match, Roncesvalles’ underrated and longstanding Loons Sports Bar & Pub is ready for sports fans this World Cup season.
Instead of spending thousands on World Cup tickets, grab a drink and watch the game from a local bar near you.
Now Toronto’s introducing NOW In The City, a new section discovering new spots around town, and especially during FIFA, some underrated spots are getting ready for the games.
So, for the first NOW In The City: FIFA edition, Now Toronto spoke to Roncesvalles’ 25-year-old bar, Loons Sports Bar & Pub, on their preparations for World Cup watch parties.
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- Toronto’s FIFA Fan Festival kicks off today: Here’s what fans need to know
- Canada vs. Bosnia: Liberty Village ‘Feeling the buzz already’ ahead of World Cup action
What is Loons Sports Bar & Pub?
Located at 416 Roncesvalles Ave, the longstanding pub serves mostly as a sports bar, great to catch a FIFA game, Blue Jays, Raptors or any sporting match.
“There are lots of TVs at the front (five inside), lots of TVs outside. It’s one of the biggest patios in Roncesvalles, about 100 people capacity on the patio and inside a lot of seating as well,” Loons’ Pub Owner Oliver Hodo told Now Toronto.
He explained that the popular spot quickly turns into an electric watch party.
How is Loons Sports Bar & Pub preparing for FIFA?
The pub has already catered for three FIFA World Cups, meaning Hodo’s got everything under control and knows what to expect for these big events.
“It is the most exciting time. This is like the busiest season or time we’re going to have during the month of FIFA,” Hodo said.
So, in anticipation of the World Cup, Hodo’s added more staff for the kitchen and bar, including fridges and freezers in the basement, and of course, beer.
“I know from the previous FIFA World Cup that sales of beer have really gone up,” he explained.
So, he’s anticipating sales will go up at least 40 per cent.
He’s also already hung up (and will continue to hang more) World Cup participating countries’ flags all over the inside of the bar and patio.
Which team is the bar cheering for?
The bar is cheering for Canada, and can’t be more excited for the first game against Bosnia. Loons’ patio is already decorated with an “I am Canadian” flag, amongst other decor.
But Loons offers a welcoming vibe for all FIFA fans, no matter which team they support.
“We’re offering a welcoming vibe, as exciting as loud, and as proud as a country that we’re hosting this, this will be like a great experience,” Hodo said.
Will it be busy?
Due to the 100+ people capacity, Hodo stated it’s pretty easy to walk in and find a seat, especially as there are no reservations during the FIFA period.
Will the bar be hyped up?
“I think just because the prices of tickets are, and hotels are very expensive, people are going to want to come into a bar like this to watch the game, just because the vibe is about the same, and the crowd is just about the same,” he explained. “People will be considering the area, this is a very European area, and I know from previous experience that people will come, and they’re so excited to watch the games.”
Loons Sports Bar & Pub is known for its hyped events. In October, during the Blue Jays’ playoff game, people came in with heaters.
“They were adamant, like they really wanted to watch the game outside because inside obviously was very full,” he said.
With good weather in June and July, Hodo’s is anticipating a full bar with hyped-up FIFA fans.
Based on his experience hosting previous FIFA watch parties, he believes Germany, Spain, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Poland fans will be very loud and excited during the matches.
What are the specials?
Hodo’s still working on the details, but is maintaining their current deals:
- Tuesdays: half-priced wings
- Wednesdays: special shots (to be tailored towards the games)
- Thursdays and Sundays: special beer at a lower price
- Dedicated house logger (cheaper than regular pints on draft)
Will the bar stay open till 4 a.m.?
If demand is there, Hodo’s considering it. But as Roncesvalles is a neighbourhood bar on a small one-kilometre street, and there haven’t been any calls about opening hours until 4 a.m., he’s not planning to stay open that late.
“It’s just a small street, and it’s a neighbourhood street, and we’re trying to respect the neighbours as well,” he said.
If you have any underrated bars you think Now Toronto should spotlight or new openings, send us an email at news@nowtoronto.com.
