A German Touch in the Heart of the Bluegrass
Lexington is seeing a surge of soccer enthusiasm this summer, with multiple bars broadcasting live matches and organizing watch parties for fans across the city.
At the forefront of this movement is the Wandering Bock, a pretzel and beer joint that has become a gathering point for supporters, offering authentic German pretzels, a curated selection of German‑style brews, and a subtle goat motif that pays tribute to soccer icons such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Co‑owner Jeremy Markle, who launched the venue six years ago from a modest booth in Julietta Market, says his love for the sport drives the pub’s atmosphere; he is a longtime Wolverhampton fan in the English Premier League and frequently discusses the growing interest among locals, including expatriates and followers of diverse teams.
Markle also keeps an eye on the international stage, noting the upcoming fixtures where the United States will face Australia at 3 p.m. on Friday and Turkey next Thursday at 10 p.m., and expressing optimism that the U.S. could make a deep run in the World Cup.