Pubs and clubs beckon fans

Dubai: With the World Cup starting this Friday evening, the UAE's clubs and pubs will soon be awash with the national colours of the 32 countries that have reached the final rounds.

Rather than watching at home, many are opting to venture out to both old haunts and some of the UAE's newer venues.

"I will definitely be watching most of the England games at Biggles, at the Millennium Airport Hotel," said England supporter and longtime Dubai-resident Alan Davis, 27. "My family has been going there for years, and watched the last World Cup there, so we will be going again this year. It has a really great atmosphere, especially for the England games."

David Dunning, 31, a Dubai Media City worker, said he would be watching the World Cup games at El Paso (formerly The Alamo) in Dubai Marine Beach Resort and Spa. Dunning, who has lived in Dubai for just over two years, said he would be heading for the venue because it reminded him of a traditional English pub.

"I'll probably watch a few games. There is a friendly atmosphere there and it's nice to watch football in a traditional pub-style place it makes me feel like I'm back at home."

Also favouring an atmospheric pub-like experience is Waleed Ali, a media professional, who said that he would be watching at old favourite, the Boston Bar.

"I think I'll watch some of the games there, as it has a great atmosphere," he told Gulf News. "Otherwise I'll probably be going to the Irish Village, or the FIFA World Cup Fan Park."

Many of the clubs in Dubai will also be showing the games, including the Iranian Club.

"I am expecting a full house, with a mostly Iranian crowd, obviously," said Hussain Zadeh, Cultural and Social Affairs Manager.

Simon Palmer, 37, a British expatriate, said he would be watching some of the games from Italian restaurant Pasta Moré at Mall of the Emirates.

"The Italian fans should be quite fun without being too aggressive and I have a couple of Italian friends who I might go with," he said

A venue that is sure to be quite different is Aussie Legends, at Rydges Plaza Hotel, where many members of Dubai's Australian community will be watching the games.

"We are of course hoping that Aussie Legends will become the venue for Australian fans during these historic World Cup matches," said manager Paul Collier.

WORLD CUP VENUES

DUBAI

Harvester's, Crowne Plaza Hotel
Cost: Free
Coverage: All games
Capacity: 100
Set-up: Large screen, and
4 smaller screens
Telephone: 04 3311111

Aussie Legends, Rydges Plaza Hotel
Cost: Free
Coverage: All games
Capacity: 300
Set-up: Many screens
Telephone: 04 3982222

Iranian Club
Coverage: Most games
Cost: Free
Capacity: 450
Set-up: Cinema screen
Telephone: 04 3367700

Champions Bar, JW Marriott Hotel
Cost: Approximately Dh55 worth of vouchers sold on the door and redeemable at the bar or restaurant.
Coverage: All games
Set-up: Many screens
Telephone: 04 2624444

Biggles, Airport Millennium Hotel
Cost: Free - first come, first served basis. Exceptionally busy games, vouchers will be sold on the door
Coverage: All games
Capacity: 200
Set-up: Big screen and
4 smaller screens
Telephone: 04 2823464

Double Decker, Al Murooj Rotana Hotel
Cost: Free - first come,
first served basis
Coverage: All games
Set-up: Big screen outside,
smaller screens inside
Telephone: 04 3211111

Poolside at the Grand Hyatt, Dubai
Cost: Dh100 for each match,
complimentary drinks
Coverage: all games
Capacity: 200 people
Set-up: Many screens around the pool
Telephone: 04 3171234

Soccer Arena, Jumeirah Beach Hotel
Cost: Dh150 food voucher,
increasing to Dh500 for final
Coverage: All games
Capacity: 500
Set-up: 4 large screens
Telephone: 04 3480000

Long's Bar, Towers Rotana Hotel
Cost: Free
Coverage: all games
Capacity: 400
Set-up: 2 large screens
Telephone: 04 3438000

Goodfellas, Regal Palace Hotel
Cost: Free (regulars); non-regulars, Dh50, including 1 free drink
Coverage: All games
Capacity: 300
Set up: 18 screens

El Paso (formerly The Alamo), Dubai Marine Beach Resort and Spa
Cost: Dh95 with set menu,
Dh100 for four drinks in June and three drinks in July
Coverage: All games
Capacity: About 200 (restaurant and bar)
Set up: One large screen plus four smaller screens
Telephone: 04 3493455

ABU DHABI

Hemmingways, Hilton Hotel
Cost: Dh25 redeemable coupons
Coverage: all games
Capacity: 200
Set-up: 8 large screens
Telephone: 02 6811900

P.J. O'Reilly's, Le Royal Meridien Hotel
Cost: Redeemable coupons
Coverage: all games
Capacity: 250
Set-up: 3 large screens, 8 smaller screens
Telephone: 02 6742020