A Stadium Away from Home

Our picks for watching the World Cup around the country

Compiled by Kaylan Geiger

The 2014 FIFA World Cup kicks off tonight, ushering in a month of football madness from June 12 to July 13. Although Egypt did not qualify for the tournament, restaurants, bars and lounges across the country are ready for pitch fever, as fans converge to cheer on the host country Brazil, defending champion Spain, Germany, Portugal and the African favorite Ghana. Brazil is five to six hours behind Egypt, depending on where the matches are being played, so most games will start at 10pm and run until nearly dawn – prime viewing when the tournament runs into Ramadan. Many venues are broadcasting live and some will also rerun earlier matches; check with your preferred venue for schedules. One thing is for sure: no matter where you are, there's a place to catch the action. Our picks:   GREATER CAIRO Zamalek Wel3a: If you're looking for a low-key setting and good sheesha, Wel3a's branches in Zamalek and Maadi are screening World Cup matches throughout the month-long football championship. Along with an extensive menu of sheesha flavors, Wel3a offers a wide variety of juices, fruit cocktails, smoothies, coffee and dessert. Wel3a Cafe • 177, 26th of July Street, Zamalek • 33 Abu El Feda St., Zamalek • 90 Street 9, Maadi • Tel: (02) 2737-2058 Sequoia: With a panoramic view of the Nile, traditional Egyptian food and extensive sheesha menu, this restaurant at the tip of the island is a long-time favorite of World Cup watchers. Reservations are highly encouraged and there is a LE 100 minimum charge for all patrons. 53 Abu El Feda St., Zamalek • Tel: (02) 2735-0014 Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino: The former khedival palace offers two options for football fans. On the roof, Almaz has transformed into an all-around World Cup experience with giant screens and a Nile view. In the palace gardens, Egyptian Nights provides LCD screens throughout the cafe for football fans. Both locations offer food and sheesha. 16 Saray El Gezira, Zamalek • Tel: (02) 2728-3000 Downtown Conrad Cairo: The Conrad Cairo is live-streaming World Cup matches both Jayda Lounge and Bar and the hotel's newly opened club El Mojito. Both venues offer cocktails, drinks, food and a special Ramadan menu accompanied by live streams of the World Cup matches. 1191 Corniche El Nil, Downtown Cairo • Jayda Tel: (02) 2580-8000 (Ext 8017) • El Mojito Tel: (010) 0111-7275 Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza: The hotel's World Cup Lounge features 85'' wide-screen TVs for that front-row viewing experience. The pool area hosts the Copa Del Mundo, an outdoor venue for watching the matches in the cool night air. 1089 Corniche El Nil, Garden City, Cairo • Tel: (02) 2791-7000 Kempinski Nile Hotel: With flat screen TVs and a surround sound system, the Jazz Bar complements the match broadcasts with Latin American-inspired food and cocktails and a view of the Nile River. 12 Ahmed Ragheb Street, Garden City, Cairo • Tel: (02) 2798-0000 Semiramis InterContinental: With its grand opening on June 17, the Capoeira World Cup Lounge at the Semiramis InterContinental is dedicated solely to broadcasting the matches and other football themed activities. Prior to each live game, the lounge hosts PlayStation 4 football matches to prep fans for the night's match-ups. The lounge, running the duration of the World Cup, also features a children's area, free WiFi and a special sohour menu. Corniche El Nil, Downtown Cairo • Tel: (02) 2797-1818 Heliopolis The Garden: This recently opened bar and grill offers an outdoor patio surrounded by green hedges as well as a well-stocked indoor bar. The venue is screening the matches throughout the duration of the World Cup. 25 Al Ahram Street. Heliopolis • Tel: (010) 0826-3000 Radisson Blu Hotel Cairo Heliopolis: The hotel's 1122 Cafe is transformed into the 1122 World Cup Cafe for the FIFA games and is showcasing the games on LED screens. The cafe also offers food, cocktails and sheesha. Abdel Hamid Badawy Street, 114 Rawda Al Sheraton Heliopolis • Tel: (02) 2696-5656 Le Meridien Cairo Airport: The newly opened airport hotel's sports bar Live is broadcasting the games throughout the FIFA competition. The bar has indoor and outdoor seating by the pool, snacks and sheesha. Across from Cairo International Airport Terminal 3, Heliopolis • Tel: (02) 2265-9600 Fairmont Heliopolis & Towers: This hotel offers guests and visitors three options for watching the World Cup. Enjoy light meals, cocktails and sheesha at Si Omar and Pizza Bar, or visit the English pub Darts for drinks and daily themed dishes. Uruba Street, Heliopolis, Cairo • Tel: (02) 2267-7730 Giza Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at the First Residence: The Giza hotel has three venues broadcasting matches. At the poolside Aura, you can book a private cabana with flatscreen TV, while the Italian restaurant Strada has private dining areas with TVs for groups of eight or more. La Gourmandise is also showing the games the First Mall itself. 35 Giza Street, Giza, Cairo • Tel: (02) 3567-1600 SIXTH OF OCTOBER CITY Arkan Plaza: Arkan's complex of restaurants and cafes offers several indoor and outdoor venues for watching the World Cup. Check out Carlo's Restaurant & Cafe with coffee, fresh juices, light meals and sheesha, or for a more upscale experience, stop by Le Pacha 1091 West. El-Bostan •Tel: (02) 3852-2650 • www.arkanplaza.com ALEXANDRIA Hilton Alexandria Corniche: The Hilton Alexandria Corniche's La Gourmandise restaurant and cafe is screening World Cup matches, with a special menu for Ramadan viewing. 544 El Geish Avenue Sidi Bishr, Alexandria • Tel: 20 3549-0935 SHARM EL-SHEIKH Savoy Hotel Sharm El-Sheikh: Le Balcony Bar is showing World Cup matches for hotel guests only, while other visitors can catch the matches in the nearby Soho Square for free.Soho Square, Sharm El-Sheikh • Tel: (010) 0010-9109 Hilton Sharm Waterfalls Resort: The aptly named Latinos Bar is the spot to see live broadcasts of the World Cup. Special menus during Ramadan, reservations recommended. Ras Um El-Sid Cliff, Sharm El-Sheikh • Tel: (069) 366-3232 Hilton Sharm Dreams Resort: Grab a burger to go with the game live at The Nook, the hotel's newest restaurant. Special menus during Ramadan, reservations recommended. 210 Naama Bay South Sinai, Sharm El-Sheikh • Tel: (069) 360-3040 Hilton Sharm El-Sheikh Fayrouz Resort: Catch the live matches at the marine-themed Pirate's Bar. Special menus during Ramadan, reservations recommended. Peace Road, Naama Bay, Sharm El-Sheikh • Tel: (069) 366-3232 TABA / NUWEIBA Hilton Taba: The Shish Bar is live-streaming the games, with special menus during Ramadan. Reservations recommended. Taba Beach, Taba • (069) 353-0140 Hilton Nuweiba Coral Resort: Kick back at the Pool Bar for the World Cup, with special menus during Ramadan. Reservations recommended. South Sinai, Nuweiba, Tel: (069) 352-0320 HURGHADA / EL GOUNA Hilton Hurghada Long Beach: Games are showing at the Aqua Bar, with special menus during Ramadan. Reservations recommended. Sahl Hashish Road, Hurghada • Tel: (065) 346-1500 Hilton Hurghada Resort: The Lebanese 3al Saj Cafe adds an Oriental atmosphere to the Brazilian action. Reservations recommended. Safaga Road, Hurghada • Tel: (065) 346-5036 Dawar El Omda Boutique Hotel: You'll find free screenings of the matches at the indoor Blue Bar and outside by the pool. Football fans get free popcorn and Egyptian mint tea with every sheesha ordered, and special team-themed meals are available for LE 28. Kafr El Gouna, El Gouna • Tel: (065) 358-0064 Moevenpick Resort & Spa El Gouna: Guests and visitors alike can watch the matches for free on the hotel's big screen. Main Street, El Gouna • Tel: (065) 354-4501