PHILADELPHIA - Let's be honest: not everyone wants to watch the summer's biggest soccer matches crammed into a loud, sticky-floored pub. If you prefer your game day with a side of elegance, Sofitel Philadelphia at Rittenhouse Square is stepping up. The luxury hotel is completely revamping its Liberté Restobar to serve as an upscale, Parisian-style hub for the tournament.
"When Les Bleus play, Liberté becomes a little piece of France in the heart of the city," says Pierre Jotterand, General Manager of Sofitel Philadelphia. "We wanted to create a place where fans can celebrate in a way that's uniquely Sofitel—bringing together French heritage, Philadelphia energy, great food, and world-class soccer under one roof."
The Big-Screen Match Celebrations
Liberté will be showing games all summer long, but they are pulling out all the stops for the French national team. If you want to root for Les Bleus in style, mark your calendar for these three group-stage watch parties:
- France vs. Senegal: Tuesday, June 16 at 3:00 PM
- France vs. Iraq: Monday, June 22 at 5:00 PM
- France vs. Norway: Friday, June 26 at 3:00 PM
Expect multiple big screens, dialed-up sound, and a high-energy crowd. To sweeten the deal, the hotel is hosting a halftime raffle for every France match, with an official national team jersey up for grabs. Just walk in—there are no reservations, and seating is strictly first-come, first-served.
Gameday Eats, Upgraded
You won't find standard pub grub here. Two-time James Beard-nominated Executive Chef (and Top Chef alum) Sylva Senat has put together a menu that gives classic French cuisine a fun, match-day spin.
The signature menu features:
- Le Nugget Royal: A cheeky, ultra-premium take on chicken nuggets, topped off with actual caviar.
- "Penny Stock Wagyu" Sliders: Incredibly rich, melt-in-your-mouth Wagyu beef burgers meant for sharing.
- Mini Croque Monsieur: Bite-sized versions of the legendary French grilled ham and cheese sandwich.
World Cup Spirits and French Sips
You need something good to toast with when your team scores. The bar has rolled out an exclusive beverage lineup for the summer:
- Taittinger Champagne: Poured by the glass. As the staff points out, "after all, we're French."
- Don Julio 1942 FIFA World Cup Edition: A rare, tournament-exclusive spirit.
- Kronenbourg 1664 on Draft: France's iconic, crisp lager pouring all season long.
The Vibe Beyond the Pitch
Even if there isn't a match on, Sofitel is running a full schedule of summer events from June 11 through July 19.
- Le Brunch: Saturdays and Sundays (11:00 AM – 2:30 PM) featuring French classics, pastries, and champagne.
- Champagne & Vinyl Thursdays: Every Thursday (4:30 PM – 8:00 PM) with bubbly, a vinyl DJ, happy hour oysters, and unlimited table fries.
- Festive Afternoon Tea: Saturdays and Sundays (12:30 PM – 2:00 PM) for $42 per person, including Palais des Thés teas, scones, and Parisian desserts.
- Daily Happy Hour: Sunday through Friday (4:00 PM – 6:00 PM) with drink specials and small plates.
If you're coming from out of town (or want a serious staycation), Sofitel is located just six miles from Lincoln Financial Field. They are offering overnight packages that bundle a suite and breakfast at Chez Colette, with perks such as private museum tours and historic walks.
Plan Your Visit
- Location: Sofitel Philadelphia at Rittenhouse Square, 120 S. 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
- Reservations: Match days are walk-in only. To book a table for brunch or tea, or to grab a room, head to sofitel-philadelphia.com/happenings/.
- Social Media: Catch the latest updates on Instagram at @sofitelphiladelphia.
William Zimmerman
Publisher
Publisher / Webmaster at Phlly Bite Magazine.
