Popular restaurant for watching World Cup games in Coral Gables might be leaving the city

Añadido: 2026-05-23

[00:00:00]All new at 5:30. A Coral Gables staple says it's moving out of the city. Fritz and Franz Bierhaus restaurant has been a hub for World Cup fans who have gathered there to watch matches for years.

[00:00:12]Tonight, the owners say the move stems from a disagreement with the city about the plaza in front of the restaurant.

[00:00:18]Good evening. I'm Nacha Sherman. And I'm Lauren Pastrana. Jim Berry has the night off. Thank you for joining us. CBS News Miami's Yvon Taylor is your reporter live in Coral Gables. Yvon, that plaza is a significant spot for the business.

[00:00:32]It's a significant spot for the business and it's also the bone of contention, Lauren and Nacha, and you looking at it right now. Well, next month, the restaurant would have here a setup for a match between the United States and Paraguay, but that's not happening and the owner of this establishment said it's time to move on.

[00:00:54]So, you're selling? I'm selling >> and I'm selling everything. The name and everything. Harold Neuwirth is the owner of Fritz and Franz Bierhaus. It's over.

[00:01:02]You want to leave. I want to leave, yes.

[00:01:04]The city harassed us tremendously.

[00:01:07]Neuwirth's decision comes a few days after Coral Gables Mayor Vince Lago and two commissioners voted for the second time to delay a decision on his proposal to transform the public plaza in front of the restaurant into a space to host watch parties for select games through the month of July. The first time it was deferred was on May 5th. Until I see a detailed plan that you put forward to staff and staff vets it, weeks it, and brings it forward with an action plan on how you're going to address with the noise, the residents.

[00:01:39]Mayor Lago contends the plaza is city property, but Commissioner Melissa Castro disagree with the mayor's deferral. It is important for the city to support local businesses that don't only support this event, but bring people to our downtown. Council total of >> The owner showed CBS News Miami a budget of nearly $70,000.

[00:02:02]He would pay police, the city, and fire to comply with Coral Gables requirements. Ivan, here we have a big screen.

[00:02:09]The same here, right here. It's a 10-ft screen. On May 19th, his request was deferred again. Somebody in the mayor's office called you, and he said, "Let's talk about it. Let's reach an agreement." Yeah.

[00:02:22]I will say, "No, it's over."

[00:02:25]>> [screaming] >> FOR more than 20 years, soccer fans have come to Fritz and Franz to watch soccer games, especially when the US is playing. American people want to see the United States play. But that will not happen on Friday, June 12th, when the US will play against Paraguay. Is this going to be the first time Yeah. that there will be no game on the plaza?

[00:02:47]>> Yeah.

[00:02:47]First time I rest game in 24 years.

[00:02:54]We reached out to Mayor Vince Lago for comment. He did respond, but did not give us a time to interview him. As far as the owner of the restaurant, well, I asked him, "If he's leaving, where's he going?" He said he doesn't know yet, but what he does know now is that he's letting people know that the plaza will not be available to watch games.

[00:03:14]We're live in Coral Gables. Ivan Taylor, CBS News, Miami.