Where to watch the Rugby World Cup in Dubai

The Rugby World Cup kicks off on September 18 in England. Here are some of best places to watch it live in Dubai.

1. Nezesaussi Grill

Given that its name is a mix of New Zealand, South Africa and Australia, Nezesaussi will be packed during the Rugby World Cup. Happy hour is from 5pm to 7pm and 11pm to 2am. You could win dinner for ten during the finals.

Manzil Downtown Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Dubai, Sun to Wed 5pm to 2am, Thur and Sat noon to 2am, Fri 9am to 2am. Tel: (04) 4285888. Metro: Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall. vida-hotels.com

2. Casa de Tapas

This Spanish bar offers specials on tapas and pitchers of sangria during each game, as well as various competitions. Visit five times and spend Dhs500 on your fifth visit and you’ll get a free T-shirt.

Dubai Creek Golf And Yacht Club, Dubai, daily 6pm to 2am. Tel: (04) 4161800. Taxi: Boardwalk, Park Hyatt. More on Facebook.

3. Frevo 

For rugby fans with a big appetite, this Brazilian restaurant will offer games screens and hearty international cuisine: think buffalo wings, Jalapeño poppers, beef sliders and more. Talk about scrum-cious.

Fairmont The Palm, Dubai, Sat to Wed 7pm to 11.30pm, Thur and Fri 7pm to midnight. Tel: (04) 4573388. Taxi: Fairmont The Palm. fairmont.com

4. Bidi Bondi

For weekend games, take advantage of The Palm Weekend deal: Dhs135 gets you five drinks or four drinks and a meal, on Fridays and Saturdays from noon until 7pm.

Shoreline Apartments (between Buildings 3 and 4), The Palm, Dubai, daily, 10am to midnight. Tel: (04) 4270515. Taxi: Bidi Bondi. More on Facebook. 

5. Girders

This buzzing sports bar has nine big TVs and two large screens to ensure you don’t miss the action. Along with drinks deals, there’ll be prizes up for grabs including tickets to the World Cup final in London.

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

6. Barasti

Chock-full of TV screens, outdoor seating and one giant TV screen to boot – Barasti is a great location to cheer on your national team for the RWC.

Barasti, Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, Al Sufouh Road, JBR, Sun to Thur 11am to 1:30am. Tel: (04) 3181313. barastibeach.com.

7. McGettigan’s

By far the best place in town to watch an Ireland game. Expect great atmosphere and great food and drink in McGettigan’s new live music and comedy venue transformaed into ‘The Baggot Stadium’. The air-conditioned garden will come complete with fanzones, extra bars, multiple TVs and a giant screen.

McGettigan’s, Bonnington Hotel, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Cluster J, daily noon to 3am. Tel: (04) 3780800. mcgettigans.com.

8. Rugby Central World Cup Theatre

A fantastic array of brunch buffet and table packages will ensure you’re adequately fed and watered during the World Cup games. Not only that, but there will also be a number of rugby themed events and gamed offering up some great prizes. With two large-scale screens, 21 HD TVs, and no minimum age limit – this venue is an ideal spot for the whole family to enjoy the games.

Rugby Central World Cup Theatre, Emirates Golf Club, Emirates Hills 2, Dubai. Tel: (04) 4179999. dubaigolf.com.

9. CLAW BBQ

CLAW’s newest private gaming den The Barn will be opening their doors exclusively for the world cup with plenty of TVs and food and drinks promotions to keep you happy. For added fun, those who don their country’s colours get a free shot every time their team scores a try.

CLAW BBQ, Souk Al Bahar Bridge, Dubai, daily 6pm to 2am. Tel: (04) 4322300. clawbbq.com.

10. Blends

With a complete new look to enjoy sports games, Blends opens its door to the Rugby World Cup with 18 large screens surrounding the venue, an extensive selection of beverages and a tasty range of bites and burgers. All for you to cheer your favourites to the victory while enjoying a variety of daily offers and exciting competitions.

The Address Dubai Marina, Dubai, September 18 to October 31, daily 2pm onwards. Tel: (04) 4367777. theaddress.com

11. Calabar

Head to Calabar for a nail-biting evening of top-class live rugby with special beverage buckets and a scrumptious tapas menu to complete a great night out with friends and colleagues.

The Address Downtown Dubai, September 18 to October 31, daily 6pm to 2.30am. Tel: (04) 4368888. theaddress.com

12. Reform Social & Grill

A true British Gastropub with pub grub style food and beer promotions running all throughout the Rugby World Cup. There will be two large screens inside and outside including commentary so you won’t miss on any of the action.

The Lakes, Dubai. Tel: (04) 4542638. reformsocialgrill.ae

13. Kickers Sports Bar and Chill

Kickers Sports Bar and Chill features indoor and outdoor TV screens that broadcast live sports from all over the world. Filled with sporting memorabilia, Kickers offers gourmet cuisine prepared by international chefs and a large selection of house beverages. Kickers is located on the first floor of Dubai Sports City’s Football Academy at Sports village.

First Floor, Sports Village, Dubai Sports City, Sun to Fr 12pm to 12am. Tel: (04) 4535200. kickerssportsbar.ae

14. Original Wings & Rings 

The popular American sports bar brings a certain spice to Dubai, with their mouth-watering Buffalo wings and beer buckets, a perfect chill out spot for casuals. Original Wings & Rings offer three huge HD projectors, and 17 TV screens all over the restaurant. There will be beer bucket deals for Dhs119 and appetiser platters for Dhs79.

Level C, Liberty House, DIFC, Dubai, noon to 2am. Tel: (04) 359690. buffalowingsandrings.ae

15. Dubliner’s

When it comes to sporting events, there are few places more prepared than Irish sports bar Dubliner’s. With multiple screens around the venue ensuring you’ll never be far from the action, customers will also be given the chance to win a trip to Dublin with every Dhs50 spent on food and drink. With a spacious new extension covered by a retractable glass roof, Dubliner’s are hoping to have the knockout games played under the stars.

The Dubliner’s, Le Meridien Dubai Hotel and Conference Centre, Near Sukhothai, daily 12pm – 2am. Tel: (04) 7022455. lemeridien-dubai.com.

16. Perry & Blackwelder’s 

Feast on the delicious smokehouse menu (it’s seriously authentic and very good) while watching a match. Plus, as an extra bonus, visit the outlet before September 20 and be in to win tickets and flights to either the England vs Wales or New Zealand vs Argentina games live in London. Huge! Simply purchase Dutch brews to collect stamps, four stamps and you’re in it to win it. The competition is also running at Dhow & Anchor (which is also a good spot to catch some rugger).

Perry & Blackwelder’s, Souk Madinat Jumeirah, 12pm-2am, daily. Tel: (04) 366 5866.