There will be millions of people in the UAE crowding around screens over the next six weeks as fans of New Zealand, Australia, Ireland, South Africa, England, Wales and many more watch their countries in action in the Rugby World Cup.
With numerous places to witness the drama unfold, Sport360 has selected our pick of where to watch the Rugby World Cup.
– RWC: Sport 360 E-Magazine Rugby World Cup guide
– #360podcast: Can anyone stop NZ from winning another RWC title?
DUBAI
GARDEN ON 8, MEDIA ONE HOTEL, MEDIA CITY
Garden on 8 is based in a great location in Media City, and will be showing all the games live on a large projector screen. Throughout the tournament they will be hosting 'Garden Fest' – a celebration of food, beverages and live sport. Brilliant atmosphere guaranteed.
FACEBOOK: Media One Hotel
PHONE: 044271000
BARASTI, LE MERIDIEN MINA SEYAHI
One of the best venues in Dubai to watch the most prestigious tournament in rugby unfold. The beach bar will be showing all the matches on its giant screen, and there will be eight new TVs positioned around the front bar area. Food and beverages are served daily, with house beverages served from midday.
WEBSITE: barastibeach.com
FACEBOOK: Barasti Beach
PHONE: 043993333
BIDI BONDI, THE PALM SHORELINE
An Australian sports bar located on Palm Jumeirah, Bodi Bondi has a superb outdoor area and several flat screen TVs with projectors to allow for a more cinematic view of the games. The nachos, chicken wings and ribs are highly recommended for hungry fans. A lively atmosphere is guaranteed, particularly if any of the Southern Hemisphere teams advance to the final stages of the competition.
FACEBOOK: Bidi Bondi
PHONE: 044270515
GIRDERS, JA OCEAN VIEW HOTEL, JBR
Girders offers a fantastic setting that unsurprisingly draws big crowds. With the largest screen in JBR, Girders is the self-proclaimed ‘home of the Rugby World Cup’. The steak and ale pie is a must.
FACEBOOK: Girders The Walk
PHONE: 048145590
VELOCITY, JW MARQUIS, DUBAI
Rub shoulders with legends like Ronan O’Gara, Jake White, Donncha O’Callaghan, Tom Shanklin and a host of other world class stars at the venue in Downtown Dubai. Large attendances should be a regular feature during the competition, with different packages available depending on your budget.
FACEBOOK: JW Marriot Marquis
PHONE: 044140000
KICKERS, DUBAI SPORTS CITY
The fun will continue as Kickers Sports Bar shifts indoors for the Rugby World Cup. It’s a great chance to unwind at the end of a working week, while at the same time, enjoying the live rugby and some highly quality entertained. Kickers, the location for Friday Night Bar Live, is open from 12 noon to midnight every day and offers something for everyone.
FACEBOOK: Kickers Sports Bar
PHONE: 044535200
NEZESAUSSI GRILL, DOWNTOWN DUBAI
Ultimate sports bar to watch the Rugby World Cup in Downtown Dubai, Nezesaussi is the perfect habitat for Southern Hemisphere fans. Its giant screens surrounding the bar make it a perfect venue to chill out and enjoy an après work drink.
FACEBOOK: Nezesaussi
PHONE: 044285888
GARDEN ON 8, MEDIA ONE HOTEL, MEDIA CITY
Garden on 8 is based in a great location in Media City, and will be showing all the games live on a large projector screen. A great atmosphere is guaranteed and their brunch on Friday is the perfect treatment at the end of a busy working week.
FACEBOOK: Media One Hotel
PHONE: 044271000
IRISH VILLAGE, GARHOUD
A lively atmosphere for all the games and certainly if your an Irish fan, it’s one of the best venues to go. The traditional feel in the Irish Village makes for an enjoyable experience.
FACEBOOK: Irish Village
PHONE: 042824750
AQUAVIVA TERRACE, MONTGOMERIE GOLF CLUB, EMIRATES HILLS
Get down to Montgomerie Golf Club and catch one of the 32 live matches being screened on their five large and six small TV’s. There will be be live Q&A’s with rugby legends and live music on selected days.
FACEBOOK: Aquaviva Terrace
PHONE: 043905600
ABU DHABI
MCGETTIGANS, DUBAI AND ABU DHABI
McGettigans has three bars in the UAE: two in Dubai and one in Abu Dhabi. With Ireland among the favourites for the Webb-Ellis Cup, this is by far the best place to go and show your support for the boys in green. With reasonably priced food, the chicken wings are a winner and never fail to disappoint.
FACEBOOK: McGettigans
PHONE: 043780800
COOPER'S BAR, PARK ROTANA, ABU DHABI
One of the capital’s top sports bars, Cooper’s offers superb service and great choice of food and drink. With four plasma screens, you’ll have a great view of all the live action from England and Wales. ‘Cooper’s Nachos’ and ‘Fried Calamari’ are among the best dishes on offer.
FACEBOOK: Park Rotana Abu Dhabi
PHONE: 026573333
PORTERS PUB, GRAND MILLENIUM, AL WAHDA, ABU DHABI
Located in the heart of Abu Dhabi, supporters from all countries are expected to follow the action at this venue in the hope that their beloved country can lift the World Cup. There is an impressive choice of drinks available, while on the food front, the ‘Lasagna’ and ‘Porters Club Sandwich’ are up there with the best around.
FACEBOOK: Grand Millennium Al Wahda
PHONE: 024439999
SPORTSMANS ARMS, ZAYED SPORTS CITY
Located in the International Tennis Stadium of Zayed Sports City, Sportsmans Arms is another great venue to watch the drama unfold in the capital. The American/Irish concept restaurant is the perfect place to enjoy food after taking in the thrilling action from England and Wales.
FACEBOOK: Sportsmans Arms
PHONE: 024034235
HOW TO WATCH ON TV
OSN will screen all 48 matches live. OSN Sports 1 HD has now become OSN Sports Rugby World Cup HD until the competition finishes on October 31.