With the World Cup bringing fans together from around the globe, finding the right place to watch can make all the difference. Whether you’re looking for a true sports bar, a lively gastropub, or a neighborhood spot with plenty of TVs and an energetic crowd, Koreatown offers several great options. These venues combine good food, drinks, and game-day atmosphere, making them some of the best places in K-Town to catch the action.
Best Places to Watch Sports in KTown LA
Cham Gastropub
One of Koreatown’s newer sports-watching destinations, Cham has quickly built a following by combining the energy of a sports bar with the food and atmosphere of a Korean gastropub. The venue describes itself as a sports gastropub, and the concept is easy to understand once you step inside: large TVs throughout the space, a lively crowd on game days, and a menu designed for sharing over drinks. Unlike many bars that simply happen to show sports, Cham embraces the experience, making it a popular choice for everything from World Cup matches to major playoff games. With its modern atmosphere and strong focus on live sports, it has rapidly established itself as one of Koreatown’s go-to places for catching the action.
Cafe Bleu
Established in 2001, Cafe Bleu has earned its place as one of Koreatown’s longtime nightlife staples. Often referred to by locals as an “OG” K-Town spot, this neighborhood favorite has spent more than two decades serving cocktails, hosting sports watch parties, and giving patrons a comfortable place to unwind. With a full bar, multiple big-screen TVs, and a welcoming lounge atmosphere, Cafe Bleu strikes a balance between sports bar and neighborhood hangout. Whether you’re stopping in to catch a World Cup match, watch the Lakers, or simply enjoy drinks with friends, its enduring popularity and loyal following have made it a true Koreatown institution.
EscaLA
Escala is a Colombian–Korean fusion restaurant and bar in Koreatown, established in 2014, known more for its nightlife programming than for being a dedicated sports-viewing venue. With weekend DJs, brunch events, and a strong music-driven atmosphere, it operates primarily as a social bar rather than a traditional sports bar.
While it does occasionally show major soccer matches and other select sporting events—particularly during periods of heightened interest like the World Cup—it is not built around a heavy TV setup or a sports-first layout. Instead, Escala functions as a nightlife destination where sports can sometimes become part of the broader crowd energy, rather than the main focus of the space.
Hite Kwang-Jang
A longtime Koreatown fixture, Hite Kwang-Jang has been part of the neighborhood’s sports-watching culture since 2001 and is often remembered by locals from its earlier Wilshire Boulevard location, where it was a well-known gathering spot before redevelopment and Metro construction changed the area’s landscape. The restaurant has since continued its legacy at its current location, carrying forward its identity as a Korean sports bar and gastropub with a strong focus on food made for sharing.
The menu leans into classic “chimaek” culture—crispy fried chicken paired with beer—offering a variety of styles and sauces that keep regulars coming back. Beyond the chicken, one of the standout dishes that consistently draws attention is the spicy octopus, a Korean favorite that has become a surprising hit with first-time visitors. Combined with cold draft beer, big-screen TVs, and a casual, lively crowd during major sporting events, Hite Kwang-Jang remains a distinctive place in Koreatown to watch everything from World Cup matches to major league games.
Kiki’s Sports Bar & Restaurant
Kiki’s is a neighborhood Latino bar in North Koreatown that blends casual drinking, simple food, and a laid-back local crowd. While it isn’t as widely known as the area’s Korean-established bars to the south, it definitely is a sports bar with wall-mounted TVs that show live games.
The atmosphere is relaxed and community-driven, with a mostly Spanish-speaking clientele and a focus on beer, tequila, and iconic Mexican eats like tacos. Sports—especially soccer—are part of the experience rather than the sole focus, making Kiki’s a straightforward, no-frills option for catching a game while getting drunk.
Where to Watch the World Cup in Koreatown LA ?
Koreatown LA offers plenty to explore, from catching a show at the Wiltern Theatre to walking through Chapman Plaza and sampling some of the neighborhood’s best restaurants. But during the World Cup, the focus shifts as local bars and lounges become gathering places for fans looking to follow the action together.
From longtime neighborhood spots to newer nightlife-driven venues, Koreatown provides a range of places where food, drinks, and live soccer come together in a social setting. Whether you’re following every match or just tuning in for the biggest games, it’s a neighborhood where fans can gather, watch, and experience the World Cup as part of a shared crowd.
* The open-air watch party for Thursday’s Mexico vs South Korea match will be at Seoul International Park on San Marino, near Olympic Boulevard.
Practically every establishment in Koreatown is having its own World Cup watch party!
koreatownladirectory.com/tag/world-cup-watch-parties
Even the small taekwondo gyms for kiddos and the local KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) branches have set up TVs!
