We’ve had World Cups where we had to open at like 5 a.m. The last one in Qatar, in 2022, when it was over the holidays … that Black Friday in November was the biggest day we’ve ever had, because everyone was off. We had 3,000 people in the bar and out in the street. It’s all about getting together, and this is it: Let’s watch soccer, let’s talk about it, let’s scream, let’s yell, let’s have a good time together.
Q: Besides the U.S. and, I’d imagine, Bosnia, are there certain teams you’re expecting to draw the biggest crowds here?
England-Croatia, we had a huge crowd. Germany, we get really big crowds, and basically any match that looks good. We get tons of South Americans, depending on which team is playing. But especially once you hit the knockout rounds, it doesn’t matter who’s playing. We’re gonna be to the gills. Once you start knocking people out, we’ll be full every day.
Corey Schaffer, center, holds his head in disbelief after the Netherlands gave up a late goal to Morocco to tie the game at 1-1 in the knockout stage of the World Cup, as Schaffer watches the game on television at the Amsterdam Tavern on Morgan Ford Road in St. Louis on Monday, June 29, 2026.
David Carson, Post-Dispatch
Q: Do you have a favorite article or something, on the walls?
The 1950 U.S. men’s team — all the guys from The Hill — we have an autographed (picture) in there. It’s actually the picture of the old black and white picture and then it’s autographed by all the St. Louis guys. I think there were six, and I think only one of them had passed. It’s autographed by five of them. I mean, we have a lot of incredible things in there on the walls that people are just like, ‘Here, will you put this up?’
1950 U.S. World Cup soccer team that upset England 1-0. Members of the team included Frank Wallace (front left) Ed McIhlvenney, Gino Pariani, Joe Gaetjens, John Souza, Eddie Souza, Joe Maca (back left), Charley Columbo, Frank Borghi, Harry Keough, Walter Bahr and coach Bill Jeffriey.
Reuters
Q: Do you have a favorite World Cup moment?
I’d have to just go back to 2010, when Landon Donovan scores that goal against Algeria to get us through. I mean, the game is almost over. It’s our first World Cup, and the tension in here, it was palpable. … When he goes down and scores that goal, the eruption, and the way this place was — I get goosebumps right now talking about it, it was so completely insane. Every year when they keep showing that highlight, I just get goosebumps, thinking, like, man, that was the greatest moment in the Tavern’s history. It was just absolute mayhem here.