(City Weekend)
Updated: 2006-05-31 10:02

The World Cup is the focus of soccer fans throughout the world, and Beijing is no exception. Part of the fun is watching the game with friends, usually over a few pints of beer. To help fans' satisfy their thirst for action and brew, we've compiled a list of World Cup hotspots around Beijing.

* Red Ball: for the watchers and the players

This is the place for WC action, with two giant outdoor projection screens viewable from everywhere in the bar, a comfortable terrace to watch all the matches from, and two pitches right there at the bar, so you can get that annoying friend to lace up or shut up when he keeps bashing your team. ￥10 draft and a free pint if you show up wearing team colors from the match being played. All games shown live and rerun at 5pm, 7pm, and continually throughout each day.

* Bar Blu: when the match itself isn't enough

Besides offering every WC match live on a huge outdoor screen and several TVs inside, Bar Blu will also offer tons of entertainment: WC sweepstakes, BBQ all night, ￥15 Hoegaarden from 30 minutes before kickoff until the first goal is scored and music and DJs on the dance floor, so you can celebrate your team's victory in style.

* Frank's Place at Trio:if you can't make the live match (you're not a real fan)

With projection screens and TVs inside and out, showing all matches live, plus reruns at 3, 5, and 7pm everyday, this is a good place for people who can't make those live matches because of something silly like sleep or work. There will be an outdoor BBQ, and free snacks after 12am.

* Nanjie: rowdy and cheap

Two projection screens, one inside, one out, will be showing all game action live. Nanjie always sports cheap drinks (RMB 10 shooters, baby) so if it looks grim for your team at halftime you can always drown your sorrows without worrying about burning a whole in your wallet. They will also be slinging up a BBQ all night. Expect the usual rowdy atmosphere.

* The Pavillion: enjoy the fresh (cough) Beijing air

By far the swankiest spot in town to enjoy WC action, The Pavillion provides plush leather seating inside and a huge garden to enjoy the matches and June weather outside. With 3 large projection screens in the bar and garden plus 9 big screen TVs all over the bar, you are sure to not miss any of the action.