We are full to the brim with football fanatics here in the UAE. Whether you are from Australia and call it soccer or a hardcore fan hailing from, well, Europe, we have no doubt that you’ll already be gearing up for the excitement of the Euro 2012 tournament. And what’s the next best thing to being at the stadium? Watching it here in the city with your mates. To celebrate the Euro 2012 we’ve picked some great venues that will be showing the tournament (which begins Friday June 8). So get ready, with the weather outside so hot over the next month, what could be better than being indoors, watching the footie and sipping a cold brew. Hate football? We’ve also scrounged up a few football-free activities to keep you happy and entertained. Back of the net.
The Tavern: Grab your friends and watch the European Football Cup 2012 live on screen at The Tavern. They will be laying on a special menu with dishes representing the different countries of the Euro Cup – show your loyalty by ordering German chicken schnitzel, or how about an Irish cheese cake? Be sure to find the right meal for your match from June 8 onwards. A daily raffle draw (except for during the finals) will award a guest that guesses the right score with a complimentary beverage and a snack selection for the next game. Get in!
Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort (02 677 3333).
NRG: Sport, sport and more sport. That’s what you’ll get at Le Méridien’s dedicated sports bar. As well as TV screens on every available surface, there is a darts board and some pool tables, should the competitive spirit rub off on you, you need a break from all the excitement or you manage to jump in over half time. NRG will most likely be packed during the Euro 2012 so head there early to secure your spot and enjoy the atmosphere.
Le Méridien (02 674 2020).
Belgian Café: One of the capital’s most elegant pubs, the Belgian Café is a great place to chill out and watch the beautiful game in an informal but more sophisticated atmosphere. If you like mussels, waffles and expensive but unusual Belgian tipples, this place is a great choice to follow all the football action, with some quality food as well.
InterContinental Abu Dhabi (02 666 6888).
PJ O’Reilly’s: Always a lively and fun place to hang out, PJ O’Reilly’s will be pumping with celebrations for the football. There will be a DJ and live music before and after matches, as well as a pool party.
Le Royal Méridien (02 674 2020).
Etihad Towers: Want to watch the Euro 2012 in style? Discover a new way to watch the football (the girls will like this one) at The Pool Lounge at Etihad Towers where, for the month of June, you can watch all the games live from the beautiful pool or from the deck. Celebrate your team’s win or commiserate a loss after the match with the resident DJ and enjoy a great selection of food and beverages.
Jumeriah at Etihad Towers (02 811 5666).
Heroes: This fun watering hole is a rough and ready kind of place, where swarms of sports fans spend their weekends propping up the bar and catching a succession of big games. There’s no pretension at Heroes, so why not head there to enjoy the football. It’s stuffy and crowded but that’s how the patrons seem to like it. And if you get peckish at half time, order a burger.
Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi (02 616 6132).
Hemingway’s: This cheery, Latino-style bar has plenty of TVs to keep you right up to date with every goal, foul and free kick. Hemingways also does some mean Tex-Mex grub, should you need filling up during the excitement. They will be showing every game, so you won’t miss any of the footballing action.
Hilton Abu Dhabi Hotel (02 681 1900).
Shangri-La Hotel: Cheer on your favourite team in style at the dedicated Euro 2012 tent in the Plaza Bar. Snacks, beverages, shisha, a live DJ between matches and more for a cover charge of Dhs75 per person. Group packages and advance group booking are available, otherwise it’s first come, first served.
Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri (02 509 8555).
Three football-free options
Hit a ladies’ night
Every Wednesday night at The Yacht Club the ladies can sip bubbly from 7pm-1am, enabling you and your girlfriends to catch up on the gossip when the boys are out to play. Every Wednesday 7pm-1am. InterContinental Abu Dhabi, Al Bateen (02 666 6888).
Have grape and cheese
Every Monday at Spaccanapoli they put on a fabulous grape and cheese evening with 12 different types of Italian cheese and bread baked in their own pizza ovens. Why would you want to watch the football when you can eat that instead?
Crowne Plaza (02 616 6132).
Join a sports team
Sick of football but want to get sporty? Join a sports team. There are loads of indoor leagues starting in June, such as golf coaching (Tuesday June 5) and Super 8s cricket (Wednesday June 13). See the website for the full list.
www.duplays.com.
