The World Cup is the focus of soccer fans throughout the world, and Beijing is no exception. Here are six more downtown World Cup hot spots.

*Browns
Two large projection screens above the bar will ensure a point of focus for spectators. Meanwhile, in keeping with the corporate side of the game, executives will munch their prawn sandwiches in private boxes on the third tier like elevated gods. The management is looking to make full use of the ample space at its disposal: each section will be decorated according to a national theme and additional screens around the venue will ensure you can keep half an eye on the match wherever you wander. The tipple of choice will be the promotional Carlsberg, so at least the Danes can contribute something to this World Cup. There will also be a chance to guess the first goal scorer and final score, to win-wait for it-a free beer.

*ClubFootball
Beijing's football nerve center will always draw the crowds-especially as the set price for Tsingtao is already RMB 10 and the decor is, well, distinctly football orientated. However, the good folks at ClubFootball realize the football-hungry masses will be especially thirsty for beer at this time of the year, and have thus arranged a number of competitions and prize draws to ensure that even the losing side has cause to celebrate. As far as viewing facilities are concerned, ClubFootball boasts a big screen and seven small screens located in the bar's various nooks and crannies, which will provide welcome solitude for shame-faced fans when their team gets a walloping.

*Goose and Duck
The phrase "choice anxiety"comes to mind (in a good way) when you consider the viewing options at Goose and Duck: two three-meter projection screens and eleven TVs, upstairs, downstairs and outside. Beer specials and happy hours correspond to the countries that are playing on the day, which is perhaps the only reason to egg on the Germans. Bizarrely enough, fans will also have the option to dress like Guns'n' Roses front man Axl Rose, courtesy of the free team-bandanas that will be handed out on match days.

*The John Bull Pub
The quintessential English football experience ... or perhaps not: Located in the heart of the embassy district, owner Frank hopes to lure Beijing's Brazilian contingent from across the road (and perhaps a few Mexicans) with the promise of frozen margaritas at RMB 20 a glass. For traditionalists who believe beer and football are synonymous, draft Tsingtao will be flowing for RMB 10 a pint. It'll keep the Englanders happy at least. The John Bull Pub already boasts a large projection screen and hopes to add another at the beginning of June, in addition to four other reasonably sized screens scattered around the premises.

*The Pomegranate
World Cup fever spreads to Shunyi, where residents will be treated to The Pomegranate's dual satellite system, which will provide live coverage of every game throughout the World Cup on multiple screens. English commentary is assured, which means that patrons won't have to put up with the musings of CCTV's pundits-cum-football philosophers. For those who don't want to get fired on account of staying up late every week night, watching football and taking advantage of the beer specials-recorded games will be shown at a more convenient time the following day. And as the weather hots up, so will The Pomegranate barbeque, offering tasty treats at equally mouth-watering prices.

*World Cup in Wudaokou by Lucas Lee
You'd be a mug to think that you have to be in the center of town to watch the football-you'll be able to catch all the action in any place open late with the good sense to turn on the TV. Take International Beer Town (on the west side of Wudaokou train station), for instance, which is providing all the essential ingredients for a winning World Cup: large projection screen, open-air beer garden and beer for RMB 4. Back of the net.

Meanwhile, Bugs (inside Daxue Lu, 50m east of Wudaokou train station, just north of the 24-hour congee restaurant) boasts a large projection screen-purportedly the biggest indoor screen in Wudaokou, no less-and three additional TVs will provide Korean coverage of the games. Touch 9, another bar popular with Korean students, promises a lively atmosphere complimented by soju, good Korean food, and a variety of games and prize draws. And if the Korean team can emulate its success in the last World Cup, expect things to get wild.

Never one to miss out on the action, Wudaokou stalwart Zub is showing every single game live on its sizeable projection screen and will serve food into the small hours, ensuring fans remain fueled for the occasion.