Soccer fans flock to Norwegian-Irish bar in Sunset Park for Norway Quarterfinal World Cup Fans
The owners told News 12 the area has seen many changes even since they took it over in the 1980s, but the bar has stood through them all.
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A 93-year-old institution in Sunset Park drew big crowds for the World Cup Quarterfinal Saturday between Norway and England, as fans flocked to the Soccer Tavern on 8th Avenue.
The Norwegian-Irish bar opened back when the neighborhood was known as "Little Norway." The owners told News 12 the area has seen many changes even since they took it over in the 1980s, but the bar has stood through them all.
Now the bar celebrates the combination of Irish, Norwegian and Chinese cultures, with a unique mural in the back of the bar. The mural with a rowboat features a dragon's head and an Irish flag that was made by hand by local artists during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"It's only in Brooklyn that you have everyone coming together, especially for the World Cup. It's amazing and it's been amazing for us," said co-owner Brendan Farley, who says he has no plans of slowing down after 40 years.
"It's been an amazing experience keeping the history going," he said, pointing to a photo of the last World Cup run the Norway national team made back in the 1980s hanging on the side of the bar, in which he's front and center.
Saturday saw new fans, and old stapples cheering side-by-side for Norway to advance.
"This is what the World Cup is about. It's giving me hope for humanity, honestly, the friendships happening and the connection," said Norway fan Justin.
Farley says he's been thrilled without the amount of people of Norwegian descent from the city who have sought the bar out for the first time to find a bit of home away from home, while watching the World Cup.
"It's just been incredible and the timing has been great for us. The 12 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m. matches, last cup, you have to be dedicated to having a Guinness at 8 a.m. If I'm honest, not too many people are up for that," he said.
Justin was sitting right next to 85-year-old Jimmy, a former bartender and now fixture of the bar, who says this is the most excitement he can recall. He added that the owners deserve it.
"In Sunset Park, in Chinatown, this bar is thriving because they treat everyone like family, so much love. There's no other place to be for a match, or any other time I believe," he said.
