Brooklyn is already beginning to feel the energy of the 2026 World Cup and Latin businesses are fine-tuning details to receive thousands of fans who will be looking for much more than just watching a game: they want to live an experience.
In that map of places that combine culture, food and community, Alma is positioned as one of the most vibrant spaces. With more than 25 years of history and roots in the cuisine of Oaxaca and Puebla, the Mexican restaurant is preparing to become a meeting point during the soccer season, betting on a mix of gastronomy, atmosphere and views that distinguish it within the Brooklyn landscape.
Located in a three-level building, Alma offers an experience that adapts to different audiences. On the first floor, the atmosphere is relaxed and social: televisions, billiards and an active bar that turns each match into a collective celebration. The second floor adds more capacity, additional screens and an ideal environment for large groups that want to experience the excitement of the World Cup without losing comfort.
But it is the rooftop that elevates the experience. With open views of Downtown Manhattan, the river and the Statue of Liberty, the space is transformed into one of the restaurant’s most attractive settings. There, visitors can choose between joining the soccer fever or simply enjoying dinner, a cocktail and the city from above.
For Roberto López Pacheco, president of Alma, this diversity of spaces defines the essence of the restaurant from the first visit. “I think it is a unique place, very special, because it has three floors,” he explains. “The first floor is for those who don’t want such a formal or family dinner; there they can have a good time, play pool or watch a game. The second floor has the kitchen and another dining room. And the rooftop, with a tremendous view of Downtown Manhattan, is also available. That’s why it offers alternatives for anyone.”
That same logic of experience extends to the cultural nights that the restaurant has promoted in recent years. The rooftop, which has been the scene of initiatives such as Arte con Alma, is transformed into a living space where the community participates directly.
“The experience is always very well received, very good, they enjoy it a lot. Everyone leaves very happy with what they experience here,” says López Pacheco about those meetings where art and community intersect without barriers.
With the World Cup approaching, that spirit is transferred to football. Alma is preparing to become a key meeting point in Brooklyn, activating its three levels for watch parties and adapting its proposal to the intensity of the tournament.
The experience is complemented with a special food and drink proposal designed for the World Cup. The restaurant will offer a house drink and dishes such as chicken tacos, with an affordable price for groups. Among the options, the cucumber margarita continues to be one of the public’s favorites, although the official cocktail of the tournament is still being defined.
Beyond logistics, what defines Alma is the way it welcomes its community.
“The first thing I would love is for them to feel the same thing that one likes to feel: to be well received,” says López Pacheco. “And see that tremendous view of the rooftop, which is incredible, immense. You can see the river, the Statue of Liberty and all of Downtown Manhattan. That’s what I would like them to experience. That they leave enchanted and happy with the whole experience.”
In a city where every corner competes for attention, Alma opts for something simpler and more powerful: staying. Share the table, watch the game, look up at the city and feel part of something bigger.
The World Cup will bring its own global spectacle, but in Brooklyn it will also be experienced in places like this: where soccer is not only watched, but celebrated in community, between food, views and conversation.
Visit www.almabk.com for reservations and more information.
