Shanghai's sports bars gearing up for World Cup

The FIFA World Cup is one of the largest and most highly televised sports events in the world. It is growing in popularity in Shanghai and sports bars around the city are beginning to tune in to draw more crowds to their establishments.

The monthlong event will start today, when Brazil's largest city, Sao Paulo, hosts the game opener.

For fans, each establishment will give them a unique view of the game. So choose your venue wisely and get ready to cheer on your favorite team at the 2014 World Cup.

Here is a well-selected venue list for fans to plan.

Shanghai Beer Factory

Whether you're a serious soccer fan or just a casual watcher, you will do backflips over the World Cup-themed promotions at Shanghai Beer Factory (SBF) during the event.

Fans can watch the matches live at the home-brew sports bar that can hold 140 people, plus six TVs and a 120-inch projection screen.

A "Forecast and Win!" contest will be held for fans to earn free beers.

Western and teppanyaki meals at reasonable prices will be served throughout the game nights. Patrons can enjoy home-brewed craft beer from 25 yuan (US$4.10), together with one of the most extensive beer collections. Special deals include beer and a meal for 200 yuan and up.

All is available from today to the finale on July 14.

SBF features a great variety of imported beers, from pale to dark, from 4-percent to 12-percent alcohol content, from fruit-flavored to hop-filled.

Each beer is served in an original glass. All of these guarantee fans will enjoy the same taste as those in Europe.

SBF Beer No. 9 was its star product. Its taste is well-balanced with a tinge of sweetness hidden in its bitter surroundings and fragrance. For the ladies, No. 11 is highly recommended. The freshness of Elderflower is the reason for its distinct fragrance. This beer was first invented by a Belgium noble lady.

SBF self-brewed beer were allowed to ferment naturally for four to six weeks, leaving residues of the yeast in the body, naturally forming a thick layer of foam.

The foam may gradually disappear, but a good beer will leave its traces. A good beer leaves behind a ring of foam on the glass. This is known as the "Brussels Ring" or "Belgium Ring."

Date: June 12-July 14

Price: 25 yuan for one beer; 200 yuan and up including beer and meal

Address: Shanghai Indoor Stadium, 1111 Caoxi Rd N.

Tel: 3356-5005

O'Malley's

O'Malley's is back for one month only with a massive pop-up for the World Cup in Sasha's garden.

The iconic Irish Pub was open for over a decade before closing its doors in 2013 and will now return with stadium seating in Sasha's vibrant outdoor patio, showing every game on the city's biggest outdoor projection screen.

Entry for all live games is 100 yuan that includes one liter beer. Game-of-the-day replays will be shown on every live game day at 7:30pm, and family viewings will be held on June 14, 22, 26 and July 5 from 4pm to 7pm.

During family days, O'Malley's also offers 50-yuan entry for children under 16 years old including one meal and a juice or soft drink; entry for parents is 150 yuan; for 200 yuan, you can move onto the Grand Stand for all live games and have 2 liters of beer.

O'Malley's "Pop-Up World Cup" will be closed on World Cup off days. VIP tables and corporate bookings are available at 400 yuan for free-flow beer and a wide selection of heavy appetizers.

Date: June 12-July 14

Price: 100 yuan (including one liter beer)

Address: 11 Dongping Rd

Tel: 152-2164-3903 (English), 150-0196-3019 (Chinese)

LaoWaiJie

During the World Cup, LaoWaiJie on Hongmei Road will feature on-site interactive games, band performances, Brazilian dancing and lucky draws.

Big tents and benches have been set up for fans to watch the games via LED screens. It will be an outdoor experience mixing audio and light effects.

An opening ceremony will be held tonight. During the event, the entry fee will vary from 30 yuan to 50 yuan, including a beer.

Snacks are offered by the bars and restaurants at LaoWaiJie as well, which will be lower in price than usual.

Date: June 12-July 14

Price: 30-50 yuan (including one beer)

Address: 3338 Hongmei Rd

Tel: 3358-1999