A new Richmond soccer bar aims to open before the World Cup
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
House of Futbol during a recent paella pop-up. Photo: Sabrina Moreno/Axios
House of Futbol, a new Scott's Addition spot, wants to become Richmond's home for World Cup watch parties.
Why it matters: Once fully open, it'll be the city's only dedicated soccer bar serving up coffee, big-match watch parties and Venezuelan food.
The big picture: The idea came to owner Edward Florez about two years ago, when he thought, "Why not turn the regular soccer watch parties I host at my house into a coffee shop and sports bar?"
- The owners of SCOR, the sports center known for its indoor soccer games, loved the concept, Florez told Axios.
- And now his coffee bar is inside the facility on Overbrook Road by the entrance of the rock climbing gym Peak Experiences.
The latest: It soft-opened on Mother's Day to start testing the menu.
- But Florez is still waiting on final city permits as he races to open before the Champions League final on May 30 — or the World Cup kickoff June 11.
Zoom in: His vision includes a 12-foot tall LED screen that's arriving this week.
- The plan: operate from 7am to 11pm to cater to the coffee lovers and remote workers by day and beer- and wine-fueled soccer crowds by night.
On the menu: Venezuelan staples like arepas, cachitos, puffy pastry palmeritas and teque-pretzels — tequeños wrapped in pretzel dough — sourced from local Venezuelan vendors like Tizana and Sicilian Bakery.
Fun fact: Florez, a Real Madrid fan, also dreams of turning the bar into an official supporters club for Real Madrid or FC Barcelona.
- Both are longtime rivals of Penny Lane Pub's significant Liverpool fandom.
What we're watching: For an official opening date and Richmond's first packed World Cup watch party.