First, I apologize if it's not cool to start a thread here like this, but I wasn't sure how else to get responses. Mods, if this isn't an OK thread topic, please move or delete it. Like many of you, I have a lot of friends in NY who should watch more soccer. So I figure the best way to get my NY friends interested in soccer in general and MLS in particular is to get them to go to some games in your sweet-ass new stadium in order to watch the only team in the East likely to play attractive soccer this year. Unlike many of you, I live 3,000 miles away and root for the Galaxy, so I don't really know how to put together a sales pitch and plan of attack for those friends. Accordingly, I wanted to ask if you guys had any suggestions about what people in their early 30s who enjoy having a good time but aren't really big soccer fans should do if they really want to enjoy a game--where to go pregame, where to sit during the game, where to go after the game, whatever else. If it makes the thread more useful to you guys to do a generic What's the Best First-Time NYRB Game Experience for Potential Converts, please feel free to do that. Thanks in advance for any help!
I'd say tell your friends to head over for just one game. Head over to any of the supporters bars and have a look around (El Pastors for the ESC, MMMBellos for GSS and I'm not sure where Viking Army is hanging yet). If they'd rather not have to deal with that, just get to the arena and check it out. Most people, once in, get the vibe and want to come back. If that's there case, have them drop me a line (or you can reach out to me for them) and I'll get you some contact info so they know someone local. If they don't want to walk into El Pastor's without knowing anyone, let me know when they're headed down and I'll keep an eye out for them etc. It's our home, but as long as the don't act like ass hats, they'll be fine. PM me if you need anything and I'll see what I can do to help
If they live in the city I would tell them to take NJ Transit to a game. Skip the path and go early - drink the cheap beers at Pastor -and then after the game go get Brazilian food in Iron Bound. Oh yeah - and get the Rodizio plate outside the stadium with the bacon wrapped pork. But really, the stadium experience is so much better than Giant's Stadium that even as casual soccer fans if the game is half decent they should have a great time just going to the game.
^Agreed. Viking is at Catas- on Market Street as well. If they don't want to jump right into a supporters bar, the Ironbound (section of Newark right across a small,walkable bridge to Harrison) has loads of great restaurants/bars. For Spanish/Portuguese/Brazilian food, the area cannot be beat. In front of the stadium is a beer garden & rodizio (as mentioned) and this year they added the "Taco Truck". (Drinks are much cheaper in the pubs) They usually have the street team or some other type of RB sports related 'performance' going on. Even if they are not huge soccer fans, the game day atmosphere in the area & at the stadium is fantastic.
If they don't want to go into Newark for the pregaming there are always bars in Harrison and Kearny. My friends and I hang out at the green room in Harrison which is the first bar they will hit after the PATH walking away from the arena. Also both the Kearny Scots and Kearny Irish have some great History when it comes to the sport of soccer in the US with some of the best story tellers hanging out in those places. As for the game it self they will definitely get a great vibe if they get seats either in or around the South Ward Supporters Sections.
