This is one of the only times you see everyday Germans exhibiting national pride, a possible holdover from the war. For once the flags of black, red, and gold fly free and all the goofy costume pieces like beer hats and frizzy wigs are on display. As described by my fellow German-Way bloggers in Football Daze and Soccer Fever!, everyone gets into the madness.

There will be screens showing the game everywhere from your favorite brunch spot to beach bars to the traditional German Kneipe (pub). But not every location is created equally. For some games you really need to join the hysteria. Here are the most epic places to watch the World Cup in Germany.

Public Viewings in Berlin

Fanmeile

PHOTO: Erin Porter

The Fan Mile is the ultimate “Public Viewing” – the peculiar English phrase used to describe massive showings of everything from football to Eurovision.

The Fanmeile is the largest public viewing in the country stretching from the Brandenburg Gate to the Siegessäule on the legendary Straße des 17. Juni. One giant 80-square-meter screen is framed by the gate with multiple screens set-up along the mile-long stretch. An estimated 500,000 rabid fans crowd take advantage of free entry and make their way into this fenced section of roadway for the top games.

Entrances can be found at: Straße des 17. Juni, Yitzhak-Rabin-Straße, and near the Brandenburg Gate at Ebertstraße

Prater Biergarten 
For something much more traditional, Berlin’s oldest beer garden in Prenzlauer Berg is the ideal location. Early-goers can actually get a seat and enjoy the game with fans that are equally as passionate, but a have a higher degree of decorum. And the century-old chestnut trees offer some much-needed shade.

There are only 600 seats here so it fills up fast, but entry is free.

Public Viewings in Munich

Kino am Olympiasee
This open-air cinema on the water is a proper summer destination, made all the more beautiful by boisterous fans. Here viewers can watch Germany’s games on a comfy seat and even a glass of Prosecco.

For these luxuries a fee of €6 euro is charged.

Note that while these venues offer superior atmosphere, safety precautions and crowds can make for a very long game as a spectator. Heed these tips before venturing out into the masses.

• Arrive Early – Capacity for 500,000 sounds like a lot, but the Fanmeile fills up every year. To get a spot, arrive at least an hour early to most locations.
• You may need to walk to your destination – Because of the immense amount of people who make their way to these footie destinations, many adjacent streets and even S & U-Bahn stops will be closed to control the crowds and offer greater security.
• Prepare to stand – While Biergartens and some public viewing locations may offer bench seating, others like the Kulturbrauerei and Fanmeile require you to stay on your feet for the whole 90 minute game.
• Bring a raincoat – Most venues that accommodate this amount of people are at least partially outside. If it rains, the game plays on.
• Read up on prohibited items – Many places now require a basic security check and information can often be found on line listing what isn’t allowed. Common entries are outside alcohol, glass bottles, fireworks, flag or banners longer than 1 meter, megaphones, and animals.
• Despite the exclusion of animals, kids are often allowed – Yes, public viewings can be rowdy, but usually not dangerous and the whole family is welcome. I have seen children in carriers and toddlers bouncing along among the beer bottles. However, you should note the conditions and see if the situation is right for your family.
• Toilets may be in short supply – While venues try to keep up with the copious amount of beer intake, the toilet situation is usually a little dire. Bring a tissue and purell and buck up. But please try to avoid adding to the Pinkelproblem (pee problem) by peeing out in the open.