Drinking from the Cup

Serving up an Irish favorite. Yong kai / China daily

Where to go outside Expo Garden to watch the World Cup, Xu Junqian reports.

Shanghai has a large number of watering holes to lure fans away from their television sets at home and join the cheering crowds.

At both Jinqiao International Plaza in the Pudong New Area and Daning Life Hub in Zhabei district, a one-month football carnival will kick off on the opening day of the World Cup.

During the carnival, you can watch football games on several large LED screens, and be entertained by cheer squads, and rock bands and singers performing FIFA-themed songs.

At Jinqiao Plaza, some local football stars have been invited as commentators.

For those looking for some more action, the two plazas offer three-on-three football matches between World Cup fans on mini-fields and board games for those less athletically inclined.

In the downtown area, most bars and pubs have extended their opening hours to meet match schedules and are well prepared to attract more customers.

Each has its selling points - large screens, loads of TVs, specials on drinks and sports frenzied atmosphere.

O'Malley's Irish Pub

One of the most famous Irish pubs in Shanghai provides an authentic Irish atmosphere with its Guinness, steak pies, televisions and dart games.

But to make it more appealing for sports fans, the pub has also installed a large-size screen in its beer garden.

The screen is so large that it had to be custom made.

Address: 42 Taojiang Road

Tel: 021-6474-4533

Blue Frog

This well-known chain of bars is running a World Cup special on beers at its seven locations. A bucket of six Tiger beers costs 140 yuan and, for an additional 40 yuan, patrons can have an appetizer.

Those who wear the colors of the teams playing that day will receive a free beer with any purchase.

Tel: 021-5109-9322

Boxing Cat Brewery

Boasting beer from the south of the United States, the bar offers a buy-one-get-one-free promotion for the opening party of the World Cup.

It has installed a huge screen in its beer garden, along with three smaller screens inside.

Address: 82 Fuxing Road

Tel: 021-6431-2091

The Camel Sports Bar

The newest bar on this bustling bar street in the former French Concession is one of the best sports bars in the area. It is spacious, has a wide selections of food and drinks and, most important of all, a lot of TVs.

There's even one in the toilet, so no one will miss a second of the action.

Address: 1 Yueyang Road

Tel: 021-6437-9446

The Spot

A popular sports bar and restaurant catering to a diverse group of expats looking for food, drinks, board games and international sports broadcast on TV. With Southeast Asian inspired dcor and a terrace, the bar offers a more high-end atmosphere.

During the World Cup, The Spot will also have a happy hour deal, where patrons can get half-priced beer and other drinks. Occasionally, bets on the winning team will be held and those who get the right answer will receive a gift.

Address: 331 Tongren Road

Tel: 021-6247 3579

A cheer squad inside the Camel Sports Bar. provided to china daily

A man takes a rich dark German brew. Yong kai / China daily

(China Daily 06/11/2010 page43)