The Hand of God: Inside the British Embassy's hidden pub honoring Messi and Maradona

Tucked away within the British Embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina, lies a unique establishment known as "The Hand of God," a British pub accessible only to a select few.

Located at Dr. Luis Agote 2412 in the Recoleta neighborhood, the pub's entrance is marked by a sign featuring the pub's name, a hand, a beer mug, and intertwined Argentine and British flags, all rendered in the classic porteño 'fileteado' style by artist Julia Muratake. The pub itself was founded in 1991 by a group of British diplomats. It adopted its iconic name, "The Hand of God," in 2006, twenty years after Diego Maradona's infamous goal against England in the 1986 World Cup.

While it functions as a pub, it is primarily an employee club. Access is strictly limited to embassy staff, their families, and occasionally invited friends or colleagues. To enter, one must leave the main building and ascend a metal staircase in a garden.

Inside, "The Hand of God" pays homage to Argentine football. Walls are adorned with newspaper clippings from Maradona's era, including a rare photograph of him touching the ball with his fist. A framed cover of The Sun newspaper celebrating Argentina's 2022 World Cup victory, featuring Lionel Messi, is also displayed. Additionally, the pub showcases "Gol a los ingleses" (Goal against the English), an artwork by Augusto Costhanzo that accompanies the famous radio commentary by Víctor Hugo Morales.

The pub hosts regular events, including bi-monthly after-office gatherings on Thursdays and serves as a venue for meetings with diplomats from other embassies and celebrations. It's also a popular spot for employees to have lunch, participate in trivia nights, or watch football matches, especially during the World Cup season. A unique rule observed at "The Hand of God" is the equalization of hierarchies; ambassadors and employees are treated with the same respect. In 2024, the pub acquired a special piece of memorabilia: an Argentine national team jersey autographed by Lionel Messi.