Tonight is the opening game of the 2010 FIFA World Cup with South Africa and Mexico facing each other in Johannesburg at 10pm China time. To help you celebrate the competition the entire world is watching, Shanghaiist compiled places around town that are sure to be high on World Cup fever. Take your pick.
You're welcome:
For football, food and drinks...
Zapata's and Sasha's
The Sasha's-Zapata's garden will become home to three big screens featuring the football action and 150 kuai all-you-can-eat South African barbecue. Food from all other participating nations is also available. That's 32 countries, so head over to see if Zapata's is up to the challenge, or for the 35 kuai Margaritas and 3 liter Carlsberg towers. No cover charge. 5 Hengshan Lu near Dongping Lu 衡山路5号， 近东平路
Boxing Cat Brewery
Boxing Cat also features outdoor World Cup excitement with a 120" projector in their new garden. You'll also find three big screens inside, so there's no way to miss a single shot, unless you're busy taking advantage of their buy-one-get-one-free drink special starting at 10pm, and their half-off wings. 82 Fuxing Lu, near Yongfu Lu 复兴路82号， 近永福路
Blue Frog
Head to any of Blue Frog's locations for live game broadcasts and their Tiger drink specials (that's 180 RMB for a bucket of six Tiger Crystal beers and any of Blue Frog's appetizers -- or 140 for just the drinks). Wear one of the playing teams' colors and get rewarded with a free beer with any purchase.
For the experience only a sports bar can offer...
Windows Scoreboard
Now in its new location, Scoreboard features a huge bar area and nine TVs (with more to come) that let you keep track of the opening game. In honor of the World Cup, they're also roping off a VIP section with free-flow drinks. (Prices aren't set yet, but call ahead 5382 7757). 11/F, 527 Huaihai Zhong Lu, near Chengdu Lu 淮海中路527号11楼. 近成都路
The Camel
This sports bar requires an entry fee for certain games, but makes up for it with three free drinks. Also, what is probably a record, 16 TVs (there's one in the bathroom) and two big-screen projectors will be playing the live broadcast. You have to really be trying hard to miss a minute of the opening game here. (We also hear they've added two bars for the occasion. That's four bars in one bar.) 1 Yueyang Lu, near Dongping Lu 岳阳路1号, 近东平路
O'Malley's
No surprise here, O'Malley's is showing the World Cup. But with a capacity of up to 2,000 people, a 5.5 meter screen set up in their huge garden, a special 150-seat stadium, a VIP terrace and their bar, O'Malley's is going all out to make your World Cup experience pretty unforgettable. Access to the stadium is 200 rmb and includes two liters of Carlsberg, and the VIP terrace is yours for three hours with free flow for 350 rmb. Yeah, that sounds okay. 42 Taojiang Lu, near Wulumuqi Lu 桃江路42号, 近乌鲁木齐路
For something completely different...
Obama Club
An unlikely World Cup pick, yes, but starting at 10, the official DJ of the South Africa pavilion, DJ Vers@illes, will be spinning tunes while you enjoy five drinks for 100 rmb and watch the opening game on one of their screens. 2088 Yan'an Xi Lu, near Xianxia Lu 延安西路2088号, 近仙霞路
Lotus
With an outdoor screen, 100 rmb open bar and drink specials like 150 rmb for six beers, Lotus will be showing the first two games of the World Cup. No cover charge. Lane 66, Danshui Lu, near Jinling Xi Lu 淡水路66弄， 近金陵西路
Other sites around town have also posted their picks, check them out: CNN Go, City Weekend
