FIFA World Cup 2018: 12 great places to watch tonight’s games

Bridgewater Tavern

Bridgewater Tavern have gone all out in celebration of the FIFA World Cup. The upbeat sports pub has set up three sections for the tournament – general, private viewing and a special fan zone, which promise to leave you front and center of all the action. Keeping you fueled while you watch as favourites like Neymar, Messi and Ronaldo battle it out on the field, is the venue’s moreish food menu and bucket deals. Score.
When: From 6pm onwards, until July 15
Deal: Kick off specials and bucket deals
Where: JW Marriott Marquis Dubai
Contact: +971 4 414 3000,

Moroc Lounge & Bar

Catch all the action at Moroc’s newly renovated bar or bare the heat and opt for a seat at the venue’s outdoor terrace – the views of the gate are quite impressive. Besides great views and excellent service, the venue is offering guests a daily half time happy hour and a special World Cup food menu. Daily prizes are on the cards too.
When: Daily until July 15
Deal: Daily half time happy hour, special World Cup Menu
Where: Movenpick Hotel Ibn Battuta Gate Dubai
Contact: +971 4 444 0000, website

World Cup Arena

If you’re looking for something different, Fairmont Ajman’s pop up arena is the place for you. No really, the fully ventilated space is offering guests shisha, street food and “pool-ball”. What is pool-ball, you may ask. Well, it’s only a fun game that sees players use their feet as cue sticks and kick a football ball into the pockets of a giant sizes pool table. The field is described as the largest pool table and smallest football pitch. Nice.
When: Daily until July 15, the venue opens one hour before kick off
Deal: Shisha, street food and a game of pool-ball
Where: Fairmont Ajman
Contact: +971 6 701 5757,

Areia Beach Bar & Grill

There’s no minimum spend or entry fee at this buzzing beachside venue located in DoubleTree by Hilton JBR. Footie fans will be treated to live entertainment, free valet parking and a selection of finger food. There’s an outdoor garden – don’t worry it’s cooled, a shisha corner and an after party.
When: Daily until July 15
Deal: Free entry, live entertainment, free valet parking and meal deals
Where: DoubleTree by Hilton JBR, The Walk, Dubai Marina
Contact: +971 55 166 8092 or +971 58 260 9761, booking is essential,

Fogo de Chão

If you’re a fan of football and travel, yes travel make your way down to Fogo de Chão. The Brazilian steakhouse is offering every guest the chance to win a travel voucher worth AED5,000 for every game you watch. Sweet. There’s also a special food and drinks offer to savour too. For AED238, you can fest on a Brazilian platter and five hops. If hops aren’t your thing, you can change it for traditional mixed blends.
When: Daily until July 15, competition winner will be announced on July 17
Deal: Special food and drinks package and travel competition
Where: Central Parks Tower, DIFC District
Contact: +971 4 343 8867,

Jumeirah Mina A’Salam

Taking place in the Jumeirah Mina A’Salam ballroom, guests can expect to watch the biggest sports tournament of the year with a fare that is just as impressive. The Hide, Zheng He’s, Khaymat Al Bahar and Tortuga will be setting up mini stations across the area that has been fitted with massive screens to ensure that you don’t miss a single goal, penalty or dive. Some of the food items on offer include The Hide’s moreish grilled beef hotdogs, Tortuga’s chicken quesadillas and Zheng He’s Peking duck slider.
When: Daily until July 15
Deal: Food items from AED60
Where: Jumeirah Mina A’Salam
Contact: +971 4 432 3232, website

Al Forsan

If you’d rather steer clear of bars and pool venues, head down to Bab Al Shams where Al Forsan will be putting on quite a show. Aside from airing the tournament, you can expect to find a number of delicious bites, live entertainment and stand the chance to win some great prizes with the venue’s scratch and win coupons.
When: Daily until July 15
Deal: Live entertainment, scratch and win coupons and moreish bites
Where: Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa
Contact: +971 4 809 6194, website

Qube

The sports bar is celebrating the World Cup by honouring the tournament’s host nation, Russia. Guests will be treated to dishes like cabbage salad, cluding salmon fingers and a number of traditional drinks. There’s foosball to help kill time in between games and free Wi-Fi for those looking to share their experience with their mates.
When: Daily until July 15
Deal: Food and drinks specials, free Wi-Fi and foosball
Where: Meydan Hotel
Contact: +971 4 381 3111,

Real Madrid Café

We’d be lying if we said that we weren’t impressed with RMC’s World Cup offering. Guests receive 20 percent off the venue’s newly crafted menu, a chance to win dining vouchers (anything for AED50 to AED200) is up for grabs and a chance to win an original jersey signed by Cristiano Ronaldo himself.
When: Daily until July 15
Deal: 20 percent on food and drinks, free entry until June 28, daily competitions and the chance to win a signed Cristiano Ronaldo jersey
Where: Real Madrid Café, The Beach
Contact: +971 4 277 5625,

Kickers

Footie fans will be treated to daily food and drinks offers – AED150 for six bottles of brew and a glorious seven hour long happy hour (12pm-7pm) that sees select beverages slashed to half price. There’ll be plenty to eat – nachos, hotdogs and more as well as not one but four large screens and 10 TV screens – talk about extensive coverage.
When: Daily until July 15
Deal: Daily happy hour from 12pm-7pm, Sundays to Wednesday and 1pm-7pm Thursday to Saturday
Where: Sports Village, Dubai Sports City
Contact: +971 4 448 1001,

Bidi Bondi

The Aussie bar and restaurant has set up a fully air conditioned fan zone tent in celebration of the FIFA World Cup. Footie fans can catch all the action live on three massive screens and 15 (yes, 15) smaller ones. There’s a neat food and drinks package on offer too. For AED155, you can get your hands on five select drinks or four drinks and a meal from the venue’s à la carte menu. What’s more is for “season” package purchased, you stand a chance to win travel vouchers worth AED10,000. The venue’s pre and post-match games along with its half-time competitions are well worth a try too.
When: Daily until July 15
Where: Clubhouse Al Manhal, Shoreline Apartments, Palm Jumeirah
Deal: Season ticket for AED155, half-time competitions and daily happy hours
Contact: +971 4 427 0515,