Danielle Farina 
We are just a few weeks out from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and while there’s no shortage of viewing opportunities, we’d be remiss not to highlight the Hoboken soccer bar — Mulligan’s. Mulligan’s, located at 159 1st Street, is an Irish pub that opened back in 2000 and has remained under the same owners, Paul + Cyndi Dawson, ever since. Paul, a Dublin native, played soccer all his early life, and brought his love for the game with him when he moved to the US. At the time of the bar’s opening, it was difficult to get the European feeds to stream soccer games, but Paul was committed to sharing the sport with the Hoboken community. Now, Mulligan’s has earned its reputation as Hoboken’s premier soccer bar, boasting a space populated by numerous televisions, sports memorabilia, and dedicated sports fans brimming with energy. With a reputation as such, navigating FIFA World Cup month at Mulligan’s can be difficult, but luckily, we have the inside scoop. Read on for more about Mulligan’s Pub in Hoboken and how to prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup viewings.
The Backstory
Mulligan’s opened its doors on July 4th, 2000, under the ownership of Paul and Cyndi Dawson. Paul grew up in Dublin and spent most of his young life playing soccer in Dublin and London. He ventured across the pond to the United States in 1990, and despite the geographic change, his love for soccer remained consistent.
Paul’s goal for Mulligan’s was to, as he says, “show as much soccer as possible,” especially at a time when doing so was no easy feat. Despite difficulties in retrieving European television feeds, Paul found a way, and the bar now possesses a total of 20 TVs throughout its three-room space (yes, we counted).
But beyond the impressive number of televisions, Mulligan’s has been able to forge a community of sports lovers. The interior is almost entirely covered with sports memorabilia donated by customers, from scarves lining the ceiling to framed jerseys filling the walls. Nearly every team in the world can be accounted for somewhere within Mulligan’s, and for the few that aren’t, fans are encouraged to stop by and contribute a souvenir.
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What to Expect
Located at 159 First Street, Mulligan’s is deceptively larger than its yellow exterior might suggest. There are three separate rooms, two of which have full bars, and though the back room does not have a bar, it does usually have a pool table, which is pretty fair compensation.
There are plenty of tables and chairs for groups to gather around, including the outdoor patio on the side of the building. In past years, space heaters have been utilized to enjoy the patio in the colder months.
In traditional Irish pub fashion, guests at Mulligan’s can expect a range of menu and beverage offerings, including mozzarella sticks, nachos, burgers, and the like. The most popular food item is, unsurprisingly, the Irish Breakfast, which is a loaded breakfast platter featuring fried eggs, Irish bacon + sausage, black + white pudding, baked beans, and toast. (and it’s served all day!) Of course, there’s no better way to wash down this hearty breakfast than with a good old-fashioned Guinness, fresh out of the stand-alone tap on display at the main bar.
The vibe at Mulligan’s is largely informed by the crowd, which is subsequently informed by the sports schedule. On a low-key day, Mulligan’s is a cozy, dog- and kid-friendly hangout. At game time, however, Mulligan’s definitely picks up on the energy of its customers, and the atmosphere is lively with fanfare before, during, and after games.
Paul cites the customers as one of the reasons his bar is so special, noting how “all the characters that drink [at Mulligan’s] are unique in their own way.” The staff members are equally invested in the culture as their patrons, and together, they’ve created a community centered around a love of sports.
World Cup Details
Updates on Mulligan’s schedule for the FIFA World Cup 2026 can be found on its website. While no special deals or drinks have been announced yet, Paul says that the “special atmosphere” within the bar is a deal in itself.
In the past, Mulligan’s has operated on a first-come, first-served basis, with reservations not accepted. If you’re looking to snag a table with friends, we recommend arriving early and with your full group, as if a member from your group arrives when the bar is at maximum capacity, the bar may not be able to guarantee entry. According to staff, it’s optimal to arrive at least a half-hour before the game. That said, Paul believes there’s no better way to watch the games than “with friends who are knowledgeable, passionate, and love the game — and of course with a proper pint in Mulligans.”
In addition to usual bar happenings, Mulligan’s recruited local artist Danny Azaceta to paint a mural on the left side of the bar’s exterior. First started in June of 2022, the mural depicts iconic, international soccer stars, including Lionel Messi, Christian Pulisic, Paul McGrath, and more. The mural was officially unveiled in November of that year to kick off (pun intended) the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
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