All eyes on World Cup action in Abu Dhabi
The capital does World Cup season in its own style – waterfront venues, island sports bars and a handful of neighbourhood favourites that have been filling up for big matches for years.
From Yas Island to the Corniche, here’s your guide to watching the World Cup in Abu Dhabi
Coca-Cola Fanzone
The Coca-Cola Fanzone by McGettigan’s at Reem Mall is going to be the place to catch the World Cup in the capital. Expect giant screens, delicious food and drinks, and of course, an electrifying vibe.
Where: Coca-Cola Fanzone, Reem Mall, Najmat Abu Dhabi
Contact: @mcgettigansabudhabi
Stars ‘N’ Bars Abu Dhabi
One of the city’s original sports bars and still one of the liveliest. Giant screens, loaded burgers, wings and a crowd that gets properly invested once the match starts. Yas Marina is the setting; atmosphere is the product.
Where: Yas Marina, Yas Island
Contact: 02 565 0101, @starsnbarsad
Tiki Taka Abu Dhabi
Football is the whole mood here. Screens cover nearly every angle and the atmosphere builds as the night goes on. Good for groups, good for big game nights.
Where: Novotel Abu Dhabi Gate
Contact: 02 508 0555, @tikitaka_auh
Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri
Football with a waterfront backdrop. The screens are big, the setting is polished and there’s enough space to settle in properly for a long match night without feeling crowded.
Where: Khor Al Maqta
Contact: 02 509 8888, @shangrilaabudhabi
Lock, Stock & Barrel Yas Bay
Big screens, loud music, buckets of drinks and packed match nights. LSB turns football into a full evening out, especially once the knockout rounds arrive.
Where: Yas Bay Waterfront
Contact: 056 404 9988, @lockstockabudhabi
McCafferty’s Yas Island
An Irish pub always works for football season, and McCafferty’s on Yas Island keeps things reliably casual – comfort food, plenty of screens and a crowd that stays until the final whistle.
Where: Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island
Contact: 02 208 6900, @mccaffertysyas
Bridges Bar
For a slightly more relaxed match night, Bridges Bar at Fairmont Bab Al Bahr gets it right. Indoor screens, outdoor seating and views over the water – football as the soundtrack to a good evening.
Where: Fairmont Bab Al Bahr
Contact: 02 654 3333, @bridgesabudhabi
Brauhaus
A Beach Rotana favourite that does hearty food, cold drinks and football nights very well. The oversized pretzels and sausages make a strong case for staying considerably longer than planned.
Where: Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi
Contact: 02 697 9011, @brauhausabudhabi
Appaloosa Sports Bar
An American-style sports bar built for long game nights. Booths, oversized screens and generous portions that technically serve sharing, though in practice that rarely happens.
Where: Marriott Hotel Al Forsan
Contact: 02 201 4131, @marriottalforsan
*Game on: Your guide to watching the World Cup in Dubai*
Belgian Café
Football and Belgian hops are a very good combination. The terrace stays busy during tournaments and the menu works whether you’re there for one match or settled in for three.
Where: InterContinental Abu Dhabi
Contact: 02 666 6888, @belgiancafead
Crafty Fox
A more laidback feel but sport is still taken seriously. The golf course views, solid food and comfortable setup at Yas Links make it easy to spend the whole evening here without realising quite how long you’ve been watching.
Where: Yas Links Abu Dhabi
Contact: 02 404 3077, @craftyfox.yaslinks
Hemingway’s Abu Dhabi
A long-time Abu Dhabi favourite for live sport, with the kind of pub-style interiors, comfort food and loyal regular crowd that makes it feel like a neighbourhood spot even when it’s packed.
Where: Radisson Blu Hotel & Resort Abu Dhabi Corniche
Contact: 02 681 1900
Stock Burger Co. Abu Dhabi
Big burgers, giant screens and one of the louder football crowds in the city. If you like your match nights lively and your portions unreasonable, book here.
Where: Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi
Contact: 02 657 4888, @stockburgercoad
Snooty Fox
A gastropub with a personality to match its name. The Snooty Fox at Dusit Thani does live sport without sacrificing the food or the fit-out – screens are well-placed, the menu runs to proper comfort classics, and the drinks list holds up. Happy hour runs daily until 8pm, which is useful when kick-offs are early. Thursday bingo and Friday quiz nights give it more going on than most sports bars.
Where: Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi
Contact: 02 698 8137, @snootyfoxpub.abudhabi
Images: Supplied and Instagram
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