Where to watch the World Cup

What’s On lists the best sports bars in Dubai for your guide for where to watch the World Cup, including Dubai Marina, Downtown Dubai, Barasti and more.

WORLD CUP GUIDE
Brazilian restaurants in Dubai
Eat around the World Cup
Fabio Cannavaro interview

DUBAI MARINA, JLT AND SURROUNDING AREAS

Real Madrid Cafe
How better to watch the World Cup than surrounded by memories from the the world’s best known football club? In what is a world first Spanish giants Real Madrid have launched their own cafe at The Beach Mall in JBR, which is giving all guests 15 per cent off food and drink if they arrive wearing the football strip of their country.

TV COUNT: Two giant

Real Madrid Cafe, The Beach, JBR, Dubai. Tel: (04) 2775625. Metro: JLT. Taxi: The Beach, JBR.

XL Beach Club
What’s the deal? A fully air-conditioned 1,500-capacity arena has been built over XL Beach Club, showing all the World Cup games. With ten TV screens positioned around the venue, and a massive LED screen in the middle, all fans are guaranteed the best seat in the house. The super cool environment is designed to stop you breaking out in a sweat no matter how tense the action on the pitch. There’s a door tax of Dhs100 but it’s redeemable against food and beverages during the game (so, technically free entry, then). Also, a portion of XL’s revenue generated from the FIFA World Cup will be donated to children’s charity BlinkNow, helping the charity to bring education and housing to children in need.

TV COUNT: One giant and 10 other

Habtoor Grand Resort And Spa, Dubai Marina. Tel: (056) 6406161. Taxi to Habtoor Grand. facebook.com/xlbeachclub

Girders Garden
What’s the deal? A breezy rooftop bar that will be open until the end of June with food and bucket deals. Drinks start at Dhs25. Don’t forget, the original Girders is downstairs.

TV COUNT: Six

JA Ocean View Hotel, The Walk, JBR, Dubai, Sun to Thur 4pm to 3am, Fri and Sat 11am to 3am. Tel: (04) 8145590. Taxi: JA Ocean View Hotel. jaresortshotels.com 

Zero Gravity
What’s the deal? Multiple large TVs, plus one giant HD screen will line this impressive two-tier venue on the beach at JBR. A special World Cup-themed menu will offer dishes including ‘Golden Boot’ hot dogs and ‘Defender’ pies.

TV COUNT: One jumbo and more than eight other

Skydive Dubai, Dubai Marina, Dubai, daily 6pm to 3am. Tel: (04) 3990009. Taxi: Skydive Dubai. facebook.com/zero.gravity.dubai

Shades
What’s the deal? Prizes galore here with chances to win free drink vouchers, family pool and beach day passes, dinners and hotel stays. Good off offers on drinks and snacks will also be available.

TV COUNT: One big and three other

Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort and Spa, Dubai Marina, Dubai, daily 10am to 3am. Tel: (04) 3165550. Taxi: Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort & Spa. leroyalmeridien-dubai.com

Reform Social & Grill
What’s the deal? Boasting a giant screen in an air-conditioned tent, and BBQ menu until 2am on match days, Reform Social & Grill is offering one free drink to women wearing football shirts, and face painting for children during earlier games. It is also planning a huge garden party for the Cup final. The place is abuzz with atmosphere, without ever getting too rowdy, as families with young children as well as hardened football fans mix in good spirits. What’s more, the tent is non-smoking, a major plus for many. Even though the majority of the snacks served are ‘finger food’, they don’t fall below the usual high standards of Reform – honey-glazed sausages, mini-sliders, tiger prawns, fish cakes and chicken skewers are all top notch, while those bedding in for the long-haul can enjoy proper meals like fish and chips, pie, and masala.

TV COUNT: One jumbo

The Lakes Club, Emirates Hills, Dubai, daily noon to 2am. Tel: (04) 4542638. Taxi: The Lakes Club. reformsocialgrill.ae 

The Underground Pub
What’s the deal? Grab your steak and kidney pie and settle back for the action. Get pints from Dhs25, World Cup-themed cocktails and live entertainment between the games (except on Mondays).

TV COUNT: Two large and 14 other

Habtoor Grand Beach Resort & Spa, Dubai Marina, Dubai, daily 8pm to 2am. Tel: (04) 3995000. Taxi: Habtoor Grand. habtoorhotels.com

Level 9 (by Hype)
What’s the deal? This urban space – converted to a FIFA World Cup fan zone – promises ‘a full Brazilian experience’ throughout the tournament, with 20 viewing spaces with big screens and large flat screen TVs amidst samba-style décor. If you missed a game, there’s a ‘re-run’ match every evening at 6pm before the day’s main live action starts. There are special offers on beverages every match day from 6pm to 8pm and prizes for fun challenges, such as the Instaprint Man Of The Match, Adidas goal challenge and score predictor.

TV COUNT: 20 viewing spaces with big screens and large flat screens

Level 9, Media One Hotel, Media City, Dubai, daily from 6pm. Tel: (04) 271000. Metro: Nakheel.

Q43
What’s the deal? See the game in style at Q43, the sky high bar in Media City. It’s offering its private room to a single group of supporters. Watch the game, play some pool, and have your every need catered to by your personal waiter in your own private bar. The price you pay depends on the size of your group and the stage of the competition.

TV COUNT: Two

Level 43, Media One Hotel, Media City, Dubai, daily 5pm to 2am. Tel: (04) 4435403. Metro: Nakheel. q43dubai.com

Barasti
What’s the deal? Go big or go home is the rallying cry as Barasti unveils a fully air-conditioned “stadium” on the beach, complete with an enormous 12-metre-wide screen. Up to 1,200 guests are promised a carnival atmosphere inside this giant white football egg on the beach, and the opening night will feature a dazzling mixture of choreography and synchronised football from the acclaimed F2 Freestylers – they do football tricks, just so you know.

TV COUNT: One jumbo and more than 10 other

Le Méridien Mina Seyahi, Beach Road, Dubai, daily 11am until late. Tel: (04) 3181313. Taxi: Le Méridien Mina Seyahi. barastibeach.com 

McGettigan’s
What’s the deal? The always buzzing Irish bar in Jumeirah Lake Towers will be screening all of the games live in its beer garden, which is being converted into an air-conditioned “summer sports stadium” especially for the tournament. Within the tent will be indoor grass (no sliding tackles please) floodlights, a World Cup scoreboard, flags from countries playing and various promotions and giveaways. You can, of course, also catch the matches in McGettigan’s sister venue at the World Trade Centre too.

TV COUNT: More than 10

Bonnington Tower, JLT, Dubai, daily noon to 3am. Tel: (04) 3780800. Metro: JLT. mcgettigans.ie

Goodfellas
What’s the deal? The Ramee Rose Hotel bar is open throughout the World Cup and will be giving away buckets of beer as part of the predictor game every match; the two guests who are most right through the tournament will win a V.I.P table for them and their friends for the final on July 13. There are also pool tables and plenty of food and drink deals to keep you topped up, including steaks for Dhs109 with a free half bottle of wine, and themed buckets of beer for Dhs99.

TV COUNT: Two giant and 19 other. 

Goodfellas, Ramee Rose Hotel, TECOM, Dubai. Tel: (04) 4500111. Metro: Dubai Internet City. Taxi: Ramee Rose, TECOM.  

Spike Bar
What’s the deal? Get bucket deals such as Dhs99 for four or Dhs149 for six. A snack platter for four to share plus eight bottles costs Dhs275.

TV COUNT: Two giant and 13 other

Emirates Golf Club, Emirates Hills, Dubai, daily 6am to 11.30pm. Tel: (04) 4179999. Taxi: Emirates Golf Club. dubaigolf.com  

Wavebreaker Beach Bar & Grill (by Hype)
What’s the deal? Watch all the World Cup action outdoors at Wavebreaker on a giant LED screen or opt for air-conditioned comfort indoors in front of two LCS screens. The outdoor area comfortably holds 150 people while indoors has a capacity of 50. If you’re English, Dutch, Spanish, French, Italian or German, there’s 20 per cent off food and beverages every time your country plays in the tournament. Look out for the surf & turf BBQ.

TV Count: One giant and many more

Hilton Dubai Jumeirah Resort, JBR, Dubai. Tel: (04) 3182582 Taxi: Hilton Dubai Jumeirah Resort. facebook.com/HiltonDubai

Emirates Golf Club
What’s the deal? Boasting the ‘Ultimate World Cup Theatre’, Emirates Golf Club has raised the game when it comes to watching the World Cup matches from Brazil. You’ll find a dedicated indoor venue showing all of the games on 21 TVs, not to mention two large screens for an optimum viewing experience. The Ultimate World Cup Theatre is in association with official FIFA partners Budweiser, Sony and Adidas, means there’s so much more to get stuck into than just the matches themselves.

TV COUNT: Two giant and 21 other

Emirates Golf Club, Emirates Hills, Dubai, daily from 5pm. Tel: (04) 4179999. Taxi: Emirates Golf Club. dubaigolf.com

Story Rooftop Lounge
What’s the deal? The vibrant nightspot in Dubai’s Knowledge Village is undergoing a football makeover to give fans the ultimate South American experience. And they’re claiming it’s the best value of anywhere in town. Enjoy games on their seven screens and jumbo projector, with drink deals by the bucket-load, too.

TV COUNT: One giant and seven other

Behind Zayed University, Dubai Media City, Dubai. Tel: (055) 7730010. Metro: Internet City. facebook.com/StoryDubai

Moroc Lounge and Bar
What’s the deal? Enjoy the football and get the added boost of being able to win plenty of prizes, including burgers, beers, cocktails, buckets of beer and sharing platters.

Movenpick Hotel Ibn Battuta Gate, The Gardens, Dubai. Daily 8pm to 4am. Tel: (04) 4445613. Metro: Ibn Battuta. Taxi: Movenpick, Ibn Battuta.

Belgian Beer Café, Tecom
What’s the deal? The Belgian Beer Café in Tecom aims for a hat-trick by showing the World Cup across its three floors with room for 80 fans on each of the ground and first floors and another 150 (combined seating and standing) on the rooftop. You can also make like old English football pundits Saint and Greavsie and predict match scores to win prizes.

Grand Millennium Hotel, Tecom, Dubai. Tel: (04) 4299999. Taxi: Grand Millennium Hotel. grandmillenniumdubai.com

DOWNTOWN, DIFC, AND SHEIKH ZAYED ROAD

CAFE HABANA
What’s the deal? Café Habana, the vibrant Cuban hangout in Souk Al Bahar, will be showing the World Cup throughout the tournament on two prime positioned screens. Their ‘Viva La FIFA World Cup’ experience includes food and drink deals such as two pints plus Diablo Wings OR Taquitos Caseros (Tacos) for Dhs110. Pitcher of Beer plus Diablo sandwich or burger for Dhs180, and a bucket of Budweiser for Dhs110. Unlike most other places in the Downtown area, there is a real feel here that you’re in a South American bar, and the atmosphere follows suit. Table service for food is an added bonus. If you’re a more vocal supporter, though, steer clear of the wings… they’re HOT!

Café Habana, Souk Al Bahar Level 3, Downtown Dubai, Dubai. Tel: (04) 4222620. Metro: Dubai Mall. Taxi: Souk Al Bahar. habana-dubai.com

Café Belge
What’s the deal? Fancy some alfresco football with a sophisticated European atmosphere? All World Cup matches will be shown on Café Belge’s air-conditioned terrace. Plenty of Belgian suds and frites will accompany the football at a place for the refined football fan.

TV COUNT: Two big

Ritz Carlton DIFC, DIFC, Dubai, daily 6pm to 2am. Tel: (04) 3722323. Metro: Financial Centre. ritzcarlton.com

Spin Dubai (by Hype)
What’s the deal? The focus switches from table tennis to football during the tournament at Dubai’s famous ping-pong bar, with Spin able to play host to 300 footie fans across different areas and outdoor air conditioned terraces. Pitcher, bucket and food combo deals run throughout every match, while in the latter stages, Spin will be giving away Dhs1,000 in score prediction comps.

First Floor, WAFI Pyramids, 26th Street, Umm Hurair 2, Dubai. Tel: (04) 3707707. Metro: Health Care City. spindubai.com 

Wings And Rings
What’s the deal? Football and chicken wings go together perfectly, so indulge your passion for both at this new DIFC bar. Get a pitcher of beer and two meals for Dhs200, or choose five bottles for Dhs99. Coming with a crew? Dhs600 will get you a table reservation with four appetisers, four mains and two pitchers.

TV COUNT: One giant and 16 other

Liberty House, DIFC, Dubai, daily noon to 2am. Tel: (04) 3596900. Metro: Financial Centre. facebook.com/originalwingsandrings

Long’s Bar
What’s the deal? In keeping with the World Cup, there’s an international atmosphere at Long’s with drinks from around the world and a tailor-made menu for the football. You can also try your luck at the Spin & Win Wheel, with lots of prizes to be won.

TV COUNT: Two large and 10 other

Towers Rotana, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, daily noon to 3am. Tel: (04) 3122201. Taxi: Towers Rotana. rotana.com/towersrotana

Majlis
What’s the deal? One of Dubai’s largest fully catered venues, Majlis will screen all 64 games of the tournament at their 1,000-capacity arena. Occupying Sheikh Saeed Hall 3 at DWTC, reservations for a table of four in The Majlis incur a mandatory Dhs200 cover charge.

TV COUNT: More than 10

Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai, daily 7pm till late. Tel: (04) 3321000. Metro: World Trade Centre. dwtc.com

World Cup Lounge
What’s the deal? A plush air-conditioned tent awaits fans at the beachfront venue Dubai Marine Beach Resort And Spa. They’ve hoisted in two whopping LED 6×4 metre screens – that’s 48 square metres of football. Happy hour is 6pm to 7.30pm, there are raffles, board games and a World Cup menu. Plus, if you come here on six separate visits you qualify for entry to win a four–day holiday in Seoul, South Korea for two people.

TV COUNT: Two jumbo

Dubai Marine Resort And Spa, Jumeirah Beach Road, Jumeirah, Dubai, daily 6pm to 3am. Tel: (04) 3461111. Taxi: Opposite Jumeirah Mosque. dxbmarine.com

THE PALM

Atlantis
Atlantis have launched their Mundial 2014 Football Tent offering a lavish beachfront atmosphere in an Arabesque-styled coffee and shisha area seating up to 250 guests. Like the adjacent Ramadan tent (Asateer), Mundial 2014 will offer a top-notch setting with great food and a selection of coffee, teas, juices, signature mocktails and shisha. There will also be an a la carte menu featuring Arabic Mezze such as hummus, moutabal, tabbouleh, spinach fatayer, cheese sambousek, as well as shawarma, manakish and football favourites including burgers, nachos and spring rolls. Minimum spend of Dhs100 per person, excluding shisha.

TV COUNT: 13

Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai, daily from 7pm. Tel: (04) 4260350. Taxi: Atlantis, The Palm.

Voda
What’s the deal? This chic bar on The Palm has lined up a jumbo screen to ensure fans see every tackle. Voda will have football-themed bar bites and drinks, plus promotions during the tournament.

TV COUNT: One jumbo and four other

Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, The Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, daily 6pm to 3am (8pm to 2am during Ramadan). Taxi: Jumeirah Zabeel Saray. jumeirah.com

Waldorf Astoria Dubai
What’s the deal? Palm Avenue invites fans to experience games on their two widescreen TVs, while enjoying promotions on buckets of bottles (5 for the price of 4 on beer, 3 for the price of 2 on wine), and snacks from around the globe. Nestled in the lush gardens of the hotel and beside the beach, the fully air-conditioned interior offers guests (112 indoor and al fresco dining area capacity) a high end yet still fun evening.

Waldorf Astoria, The Palm, Dubai, daily 6pm to 10pm. Tel: (04) 8182222. Taxi: Waldorf, East Crescent. waldorfastoria3.hilton.com

THE CREEK, OLD TOWN AND BEYOND

Mistakes at Hues
What’s the deal? Hues Boutique Hotel on the Deira Corniche, is throwing open the doors to Mistakes Sports Bar in time for the World Cup to begin. Decorated with artwork and memorabilia from sport’s greatest moments, the new nightspot also has pool, snooker, darts, table football and chess. The stff might be dressed in the American kind of football outfit, but it all adds to the experience. And anyway, the food is Tex Mex, British, German and Arabic, so who’s complaining. Deals include pitchers and meals for Dhs79, or buckets and bar snaks for Dhs110. There’s also Happy Hour from 5pm to 10pm.

Mistakes, Hues Boutique Hotel, Ground Floor, Deira, Dubai, daily 11am to 2am. Tel: (04) 2365566 Taxi: Deira Corniche, Al Baraha. facebook.com/huesboutiquehotel

La Fabrique
What’s the deal? Come and join the fun at Pullman Dubai Deira City Centre Hotel and cheer your favorite team in front of 12 TV screens and a projector. To keep you entertained between the matches dart and pool competitions will be taking place, with daily draws for guests to win one of the many giveaways from free brunches to dinners, and even night stays.

TV COUNT: One projector and 12 other

Pullman Dubai Deira City Centre Hotel, Deira, Dubai, daily 5pm to 3am. Tel: (04) 6038201. Taxi: Pullman, Deira City Centre. Metro: Deira City Centre.  pullmanhotels.com

Lucien Belgian Cafe
What’s the deal? Belgium are widely regarded as the team most likely to spring a surprise at the World Cup, so surprise yourself at this cool night spot in Bur Dubai. Enjoy friendly service, great Belgian food, a large selection of Belgian and international beers, wines and spirits, live entertainment, a games room, and lots more.

Ramada Dubai, Bur Dubai, Dubai, daily noon to 2am. Tel: (05) 5061158. Metro: Al Fahidi. Taxi: Ramada Bur Dubai.

Casa de Tapas
What’s the deal? The entire indoor venue has been dressed for the occasion and while supporters of all teams are welcome at this Dubai Creek venue, we suspect it will be a bit of a magnet for those who follow the Spanish and South and Central Latin American teams. There are seven dedicated tables with individual TV screens where up to eight guests can choose their preferred game at any time. The venue has 14 screens in total including a large projection screen.

TV COUNT: One projector and 13 other

Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club, Dubai Creek. Tel: (04) 4161800. Metro: GGICO or Deira City Centre. facebook.com/CasaDeTapasDubai

QD’s
What’s the deal? All matches will be shown on big screens inside a tent. Packages start at Dhs125 per person including snacks, or Dhs150 to include mezze and a main course. Both packages include unlimited coffee, tea and selected juices. No alcohol will be served.

TV COUNT: Four big and 12 other

Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, Dubai Creek, Dubai, daily 5pm to 2am. Tel: (04) 2956000. Taxi: Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club. dubaigolf.com 

Carpenter’s
What’s the deal? Buy three pitchers and get one free here, or just stick to one pitcher and the bar will throw in onion rings or fries.

TV COUNT: One large and two other

Hyatt Regency Dubai, Deira, Dubai, daily 5pm to 3am. Tel: (04) 3172222. Taxi: Hyatt Regency Dubai. dubai.regency.hyatt.com 

Qube
What’s the deal? Their famous giant cube-shaped TV and good deals make Qube a sports bar to be reckoned with. Buy a bucket of beer and get a free bottle and a Brazilian snack. Spend Dhs100 and get entry to a raffle for all sorts of foodie prizes, hotel stays and golf days.

TV COUNT: One giant cube and 16 other

Meydan Hotel, Meydan Racecourse, Nad al Sheba, Dubai, Sun to Wed 3am to 1am, Thur 3pm to 3am, Fri noon to 3am, Sat noon to 1am. Tel: (04) 3813780. qubesportsbar.com

TECOM AND BARSHA

Vantage
What’s the deal? Correctly guess the score of the game on that night and you could win a free drink and a 30 per cent discount on food during your next visit to Vantage. If you’ve got a crystal ball and you correctly guess the score of five matches you’ll win a table for five to watch the World Cup final on July 13 with a credit for Dhs1,000 for the table. The Terrace (next door to Vantage) will have a projector beaming out the action.

TV COUNT: One giant indoor and one jumbo outdoor

Sheraton Dubai, Mall Of The Emirates, Dubai, daily 11am to 2am. Tel: (04) 3772356. Metro: Mall Of The Emirates. sheratondubaimalloftheemirates.co

Nelson’s
What’s the deal? Football fans who choose this popular Tecom spot will be rewarded with serial numbers they can use to enter online competitions, with getaways to Lebanon and Sharm El Sheikh among the prizes. There’ll be food and drink promotions too.

TV COUNT: Three projectors and 14 other

Media Rotana, Tecom, Dubai, daily noon to 3am. Tel: (04) 4350000. Taxi: Media Rotana. rotana.com

The Huddle
What’s the deal? Citymax’s Huddle bars in Barsha and Bur Dubai have cash-back offers and special country-themed cocktails for each team. Football themed décor will add to the atmosphere.

TV COUNT: Three large and 16 other

 Al Barsha: Dubai, daily noon to 3am. Tel: (04) 4078000. Taxi: Citymax, Barsha. Bur Dubai: Kuwait St, daily noon to 3am. Tel: (050) 1007065. Metro: Al Karama. citymaxhotels.com citymaxhotels.com

AND THE REST…

Sports Café
What’s the deal? If you’re looking for some relaxed surroundings to watch the tense matches, the Jebel Ali Golf Resort can help. Hang out and kick back on their chilled terrace where a projector beams the footy. The Sports Café will be running a special menu for food and drinks, themed promotions and  lots of prizes.

TV COUNT: One projector and six other

JA Jebel Ali Golf Resort, Jebel Ali, Dubai, daily 8pm to 2am. Tel: (04) 8145555. Taxi: Jebel Ali Golf Resort. jaresortshotels.com 

Madinat Jumeirah
What’s the deal? Venues joining in the footy fun here include BarZar in Souk Madinat, or the party Mexican restaurant Tortuga in Mina A’Salam, which will broadcast games in Spanish.

Madinat Jumeirah, Jumeirah Beach Madinat Jumeirah, Jumeirah Beach Road, Dubai. Tel: (04) 3668888. Taxi: Madinat Jumeirah. jumeirah.com/madinatjumeirah

TV COUNT: More than 20