World Cup excitement is spreading far beyond the stadiums, with bars and restaurants across Ottawa welcoming passionate supporters eager to cheer on their home countries and celebrate their cultures. At Braumeister Bierhalle in Ottawa’s west end, black, red, and gold filled the room as German supporters gathered to watch Germany open its tournament. For Alexander Walter, the event was about more than soccer. “It’s really special to me to watch the game and have my kids experience the game here,” he said. The family joined dozens of supporters at the German-inspired beer hall, where traditional food, drinks and national pride helped create a home-away-from-home atmosphere. “They have pretzels, they have good beer here, so I think they’re doing a great job doing the German experience for everyone,” Walter said. The World Cup has also become a major draw for local businesses. William Ambler, chief operating officer of Braumeister Bierhalle, says reservations for Germany’s opening match filled quickly. “We have outdoor seating and the television outside, and then we have the type of service that we’re hoping to be able to accommodate everybody that we possibly can,” Ambler said. Ambler notes it wasn’t just the Germany game that drew large crowds, nearly every game so far this tournament has drawn many supporters. Across the city, orange jerseys and Dutch flags transformed Local Heroes into a sea of Netherlands fans, who gathered to watch their country’s first match of the tournament. Local Heroes owner Chris Pasilas says the World Cup is one of the busiest times of the year for sports bars. “It comes around every four years, right? So, when it happens, everyone loves to come out and cheer on their team,” he said. For many fans, the tournament is about more than results. It’s an opportunity to celebrate their heritage, create new memories and share traditions with the next generation. Germany took down Curaçao in its opener by a score of 7-1. The Netherlands surrendered a late goal to draw with Japan 2-2.
