See the World Cup in world-class style
FEVER PITCH, FULHAM
You won’t miss a second of build-up if it’s up to World Cup pop-up bar Fever Pitch in Fulham. Open since May and closed after the final, this is the place to enjoy the action on nine screens spanning 360 degrees while sipping a pretty decent selection of beer. The 400-capacity venue will serve hotdogs, patriotic breville toasties with ham and mustard and even foie gras and chilli jam. Large French doors and outside space mean you can take a breather when the going gets tough. Party atmosphere guaranteed. 474-476 Fulham Broadway, SW6 1BY, tel: 020 7610 3137.
PROUD CAMDEN, CAMDEN STABLES
The super-cool Camden stables bar will cater to your wildest World Cup fantasies (bar England winning, perhaps), with a SKY 3D complex and fifty-inch HD TVs. Cold buckets of beer can be pre-ordered; for afternoon kick-offs, take-away can be ordered and delivered to the stable at no extra charge from the bar. Or indulge in a bit of Proud’s finest BBQ. Tickets from £2 for Friday games and £1 for Wednesday fixtures. Sky 3D stables including hostess and guest-list passes: £200/£300, 12pm-6pm/7pm onwards. The Stables Market, NW1 8AH. Contact: [email protected].
BROWN’S HOTEL, MAYFAIR
Watch the footie in the heart of civilisation and luxury at the Donovan Bar at the plush Brown’s hotel, where all England games will be screened along with a football menu and beers from around the world. You can also book a private dining room (fits between 12-60 people sitting, 100 standing) – food will be burgers and bookmaker’s sandwiches, the screens will be huge and numerous, and there will be plenty of flags to go around. Check the website for other World Cup packages. Albemarle Street, W1S 4BP. Tel: 020 7518 4162, www.brownshotel.com/world-cup.
THE DECK AT THE NATIONAL, SOUTH BANK
Turn this elevated terrace at the National Theatre into your own private stadium. Party throwers can cover the space with artificial turf and change the colour of The Deck’s walls to match their team’s strip, courtesy of a sophisticated lighting system. A suspended 65” plasma screen will show the game and with specially installed speakers, even in the toilets, so none of the action need be missed. Street food with a South African twist will be washed down with bottles of beer. National Theatre, South Bank, SE1 9PX. Tel: 020 7452 3796, www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/thedeck.
MAY FAIR HOTEL, MAYFAIR
One of Mayfair’s classiest establishments, the May Fair Hotel, will provide a super-swish alternative to the hustle and bustle of the local pub screening. Its Amba Salon will be turned into a screening room serving everything from champagne and wines to brandy and cognac, and fine South African beers – Castle and Windhoek. The hotel is also available for groups of 10-200, screening the games in private suites or in the 201-seat private theatre. Other packages are available. 70 Stratton Street, W1J 8LT. Tel: 0207 915 3892 ,www.themayfairhotel.co.uk/world-cup.
BOISDALE OF BISHOPSGATE, CITY
This warm and cosy tartan restaurant full of blokes drinking whisky and eating Scottish beef will fling itself open to the gods of football come World Cup time, with a 72” screen in the champagne and oyster bar, and air conditioning (quite a big deal for somewhere that can get as close as Boisdale). The famous Boisdale burger will be on offer at halftime throughout the tournament, bar Saturdays and Sundays when it’s closed. There will also be large screens at Boisdale Belgravia. Swedeland Court, 202 Bishopsgate, EC2M 4NR, tel: 020 7283 1763, www.boisdale.co.uk.