Barasti Beach Stadium
Barasti beach stadium, ready for the World Cup.
A football-shaped fully air-conditioned dome will house a 12x6 metre screen that can accommodate up to 1,200 people. There is a VIP area, but prior booking is essential for it. The opening ceremony will feature a VIP party from 8 to 10pm following which the general public will be allowed to enter the venue.
Timings: 7pm to end of matches
Where: Al Sufouh Road, Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina
Entry: VIP areas are priced between Dh3,000 and Dh5,000. Normal entry is free.
Call: 04-318 1313
Zero Gravity
Visiting the Zero Gravity at Skydive Dubai, Dubai Marina, can be an exciting option. The place has 10 normal screens and one giant screen in a two-tier setting. There is also a PlayStation gaming lounge and themed beverages and special dishes to add flavour to the excitement.
Timings: 6pm to 3am
Where: Skydive Dubai, Dubai Marina
Entry: Dh3,000-Dh5,000 (VIP areas) Dh100 (regular ticket)
Call: 04-399 0009
Long’s Bar
True to its name, the Middle East’s longest bar will have 19 small and two giant screens. A lively atmosphere and with football-based interior, the mood is set perfectly to soak up the World Cup fever. Several competitions will also be run during the matches.
Timings: Noon to 3am
Where: Towers Rotana, Shaikh Zayed Road
Entry: Free
Call: 04-312 2202
The Huddle Sports Bar & Grill
Located at Al Barsha and as well as Bur Dubai, the bar is going all out to create a World Cup vibe with FIFA themed décor and beverages. A popular haunt for sports enthusiasts all year long, it features a number of giant HD televisions and projectors (32 to 80 inch screens).
Timings: Noon to 3am
Where: Citymax Hotel Al Barsha, next to Mall of Emirates and Citymax Hotel Bur Dubai, Kuwait Street
Entry: Free
Call: 04-399 5000 (Al Barsha), 04-407 8000 (Bur Dubai)
The Underground
Themed like the London Tube network (underground metro system), the place offers 11 screens where you can see all the action. Always a big supporter of football, the place will serve a special theme-based menu for the World Cup.
Timings: Noon to 4am
Where: Habtoor Grand Beach Resort & Spa, Dubai Marina, Dubai
Entry: Dh1,500 (VIP areas), Normal entry is free on first-come-first-served basis
Call: 04-399 5000
Biggles English Pub
With 17 television screens to choose from, combined with an assortment of food and beverage packages, including a special Brazilian a la carte menu to sample the real taste of the samba, it’s an ideal Brazilian environment to be in.
Timings: Noon to 3am (during Ramadan 7pm to 2am)
Where: Millennium Airport Hotel, Airport Road, Casablanca Street,
Al Garhoud
Entry: Free
Call: 04-702 8833/44
Qube
Located at the Meydan Racecourse, the Qube is a perfect sports bar that allows you to watch all sports live in action. The place is installing 16 flat screens showing unlimited action all through the month. Qube also has some exciting offers during this time.
Timings: Noon to 3am
Where: Meydan Hotel, Meydan Racecourse, Nad Al Sheba, Dubai
Entry: Dh100 per person on first-come-first-served basis. Special packages also available.
Call: 04-381 3781
Majlis
Easily one of Dubai’s largest venues with a seating capacity of over 1,000, the Majlis will have three giant screens. There will be also iftar and suhour during Ramadan with a huge spread featuring some interesting dishes.
Timings: Noon to 3am
Where: Shaikh Saeed Hall 3, Dubai World Trade Centre
Entry: Dh200
Call: 04-332 1000
QD’S
All matches will be screened inside a makeshift tent at this place located next to the Dubai Creek. The venue is ideal for those who want to enjoy the matches and also enjoy some good food, with packages starting at Dh125.
Timings: 5pm to 2am
Where: Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club
Entry: Free
Call: 04-295 6000
Mcgettigan’s
The popular sports bar at the Jumeirah Lake Towers will be screening the matches on high definition wide screens at the garden, which has been converted into an air-conditioned Summer Sports Stadium specially for the World Cup. The tent will have floodlights, scoreboard, flags from all the participating countries along with lots of promotions and offers on food and drinks. Meanwhile, at the World Trade Centre, a VIP football fan zone will be set up for private screening with a personal waiter available all the time. The Red Card offer looks good too. When a referee holds up the red card during a match, the price for the beverages will be halved.
Timings: Noon to 3am
Where: Bonnington Tower, JLT, Dubai and Dubai World Trade Centre
Entry: Free
Call: 04-378 0800
Football Chair
For those who have decided to stay home and watch the World Cup from the comforts of your living room but still want to spice it up, then try the Flore Rosso Furniture’s new football styled seating chair ‘Gioco’.
Priced at Dh3,500, the football shaped sofa also acts like a bed and can be closed after use which then comes across as a big football in the living room.
