Where to watch the World Cup

Where will you be?

As the country descends into footie madness, we sought out the best pubs to watch the World Cup. If you're not going to be at a stadium, these watering holes will be packed with enough vuvuzelas and screaming fans to get you in the spirit.

 

CAPE TOWN

& UNION BEER HALL
110 Bree Street, St Stephen's Church
Tel: 021 422 2770

If there's a single joint that might encourage you to forsake fermented grapes for grain, this is it. Situated in an old church on Heritage Square, & Union is somewhere between a bar and a restaurant, serving portions of charcuterie to complement a unique beer list.

We're talking a range of five artisanal beers and two Champagne-packaged Tripels, custom brewed and imported from Belgium and Germany under the Brewers & Union label. Proprietors Brad and Rui are celebrated as the guys who started and then sold Vida, so it's no surprise that their ‘bar' is cutting edge.

For the World Cup they've brewed a special, spicy, crisp lager called African Unity and in addition to the plasma screen in the bar, they're setting up an outside marquee to show the games.

Caveau at the Mill
13 Boundary Road, Newlands
Tel: 021 685 5140

If face-painted crowds make you nervous, but you still want to be close to a sporting heartbeat, Caveau Wine Bar in Newlands right next to the famous rugby ground is a good place to settle in for 90 minutes of World Cup action.

It's nestled in a charming old landmark called Josephine Mill, on the banks of the Liesbeek River.

In keeping with its older sister establishment on Heritage Square in the City Centre, this is a suburban watering hole for the wellheeled who enjoy having a wine route on their doorsteps - and a ridiculously extensive ‘by the glass' listing. We're talking everything from easy-quaffers to unusual boutique wines and budgetbusting Bordeaux-style blends.

The cuisine on offer is satisfyingly upmarket with a lunchtime menu that tends towards traditional ‘main meals' and morphs into something distinctly more ‘tapas' come sunset. All of this happens downstairs in the rather clinical, modern restaurant that sits alongside the river.

But it was only when they opened up the upstairs balcony a year or two ago, complete with big screen, that the chino and button-down collar brigade who live within walking distance started frequenting Caveau to watch sport, knock back gourmet steak-rolls and chips - and wash them down with a bottle or three of their favourite tipple.

Good people, relaxed vibe and great wine just 15 minutes drive from the madness - sounds perfect.

Paulaner Bräuhaus
V&A Waterfront, Clock Tower Precinct
Tel: 021 418 9999

When the World Cup explodes on the city, the V&A Waterfront is going to be ground zero. It's not just its proximity to the stadium that makes it a perfect target - it's the plethora of bars and restaurants spread over the quaysides that will ensure a steady stream of footie fanatics.

And while there are any number of restaurants that will deliver world-class wine lists, when it comes to watching sport, there are a handful of established bars that will allow you to be as close to the action as you can without having to walk up the road.

But for a great vibe, superb German-style local pints and a traditional Münchenstyle, ‘frankfurter, sauerkraut and eisbein' menu, nothing beats the microbrewery and restaurant at Paulaner Bräuhaus.

There are few better places to while away an afternoon, watching people walk on by while you knock back flagons of icecold Lager or Weissbier and scream for your team.

For the duration of the Cup, they will be erecting a huge screen under an awning in the beer garden, but watching indoors is equally festive.

As for the wines on offer, it's a pretty limited selection, spearheaded by Blauwklippen with a smattering of Groote Post. Then again, for the refined palate, who needs wine when you've got Paulaner Weiss!

Fireman's Arms
Corner of Buitengracht and Mechau Streets, Cape Town
Tel: 021 4191513

Although actual details are sketchy, this gritty inner-city pub has been satisfying local thirst for over 100 years, making it one of the oldest pubs in Cape Town.

Being walking distance of the docks, it has a profoundly nautical history, as evidenced by much of the memorabilia, but in recent decades, it's the addition of soccer scarves and jerseys dangling from the ceiling that give the game away.

Rowdy townies and locals flock to Fireman's for sporting events and, as a result, there are more television screens than draught heads in the place, so getting a good view is never a problem.

While the area around it has been knocked down and rebuilt, Fireman's has dug in its heels and stands out as a shining beacon of days gone by in an overdeveloped landscape. And since it is located effectively in the middle of the stadium walkway route, it's guaranteed to be pumping for the duration of the Cup.

Beer on tap is the name of the game here (12 at last count) but if you're looking for grape, it's a Distell-supplied pub, so you will find marquee labels floating on the shelves above the optics and lurking in the fridges: think Nederburg, Two Oceans, Château Libertas, et al.

The grub is decidedly and deliciously ‘pub' - bangers and mash and hake and chips are regulars on the menu to satisfy your soccer-watching hunger.

GAUTENG

Giles Restaurant
9 Grafton Avenue, Craighall Park
Tel: 011 442 4056

One of central Johannesburg's best and most convivial watering holes, Giles Restaurant is more pub than restaurant and is a must-stop destination to watch the World Cup on the big screen.

Situated in the leafy suburb of Craighall Park, Giles is built on the premises of the former Rosebank Horsemeat Supply Building. Regalia relating to the fine animals adorns the bar area with horseshoes on chairs a salute to the premises' past.

But fear not, the link between horsemeat and food is purely coincidental as Giles serves up wholesome pub fair, hearty steaks and decent curries.

The walls are adorned with Giles cartoons - hence the name - although the name is also a play on founder and late owner Ian Gillies' name.

Although originally an upmarket restaurant, Giles has evolved into a sports bar that serves above-average food with a decent wine list and a wide range of cold beer. On ground level the restaurant is separated from the bar with an upstairs section used for the overflow of sports fans.

Two giant flat-screen televisions dominate either end of the warm mahogany bar, ensuring optimum viewing for thirsty fans. On big-match Saturdays the chefs stoke up a braai outside where traditional boerewors rolls are grilled to greasy perfection while the matches unfold.

If you can't make it to the stadium and you fancy something different in the suburbs, then Giles is the perfect way to watch the soccer.

Grand Slam Sports Diner
Corner of Elm and Sycamore Streets, Dowerglen, Edenvale
Tel: 011 454 3700

The Edenvale version of the Grand Slam Sports Diner (there is another in Bedfordview) is the original sports bar and has been serving up steaks, burgers and Manny's famous Trinchado since 1995.

This 330-seater restaurant is geared towards watching sport first and eating second. That's not to say the food is bad, just that you wouldn't take a non-sports lover here for the food alone.

One giant screen (and we mean giant) dominates the central seating area while 37 plasma screens showing sport are spread around the restaurant ensuring that it's impossible to miss a moment of action.

The menu is stacked with steaks, ribs, burgers and spicy starters such as periperi gizzards and chicken livers. The food comes in mountainous portions and the wide range of beer flows freely from tap.

A more-than-acceptable wine list offers varieties for all budgets, from a 2006 Thelema Cabernet Sauvignon (R330) to a Beaumont Chenin Blanc (R85).

For the World Cup, the lads at Grand Slam are erecting a temporary tent in the garden to accommodate more fans. On big match days it's vital to book a table.

Eastwoods Tavern
Corner of Eastwoods & Park Street, Arcadia, Pretoria
Tel: 012 344 0243

This famous Pretoria establishment isn't named after Hollywood legend Clint Eastwood although it could be likened to something out of a movie.

Eastwoods is synonymous with rugby matches at Loftus Versfeld due to its close proximity to the stadium and is a regular haunt of rugby fans without a ticket to the big game.

But in June and July the light blue of the Bulls will give way to the colours of the world as Eastwoods puts on a special World Cup menu and broadcasts all the games live on its multitude of flat-screens.

If you can't be in the stadium this is the next best thing as the roars from Loftus can easily be heard from the terrace.

Like most sports bars the menu consists of burgers, steaks and ribs. But being in Pretoria the steaks are just that little bit bigger and there are also some unique dishes such as the biltong and goat's cheese salad.

Beer and brandy and Coke are the main staples here, but there is a decent wine list for those of you who need something to complement your 500g rump.

DURBAN
Waxy O'Connors
124 Ian Hofmeyer Rd, Westville
Tel: 031 266 2565

This Irish-themed pub has been going for almost a decade in the western suburb of Westville about 20km from the city centre.

The atmosphere is what you'd expect from an Irish-styled pub - warm and filled with friendly banter - while the Guinness on tap completes the picture.

Sport naturally forms a big part of social gatherings at the pub, and during the World Cup it will be a great place to catch the action if you want to escape from the madness of downtown Durban.

But do expect to find a few Irish ex-pats crying into the their Guinness and cursing the name of French striker Thierry Henry, whose infamous handball eliminated Ireland from the 2010 showpiece.

Seating 200 people in the restaurant and with capacity for another 100 people in the bar and on the two patios, the atmosphere for big sports events is superb.

The menu is as you'd expect from a pub, although there are some Irish variations such as the Paddy Go Easy, a delicious ground beef and onion pie served on mashed potato and topped with peas and brown-onion gravy.

Naturally, Guinness is the drink of choice for the regulars, but Waxy's offers a limited wine list.

Billy the B.U.M.S
504 Lillian Ngoya (formerly Windermere) Road, Morningside
Tel: 031 303 1988

Billy's in Morningside is a legendary cocktail bar and meeting place only one kilometre away from the Moses Mabida Stadium. It's been going for 13 years and the parties here are legendary - especially after big match days.

The brash neon-lit interior and barmen who resemble Tom Cruise in Cocktail add to the party atmosphere, which is what Billy's is all about. Its close proximity to Kingspark - home of the Sharks rugby team - ensures that pre- and post-match celebrations go on into the early hours of the morning.

And during the World Cup the action will be even livelier as visitors from all corners of the world infiltrate the usual crowd. If you go to Durban to watch a game, it won't be a complete experience unless you visit Billy's.

The venue prides itself on the art of ‘mixology' - basically making great cocktails - but beer and wine are also available. As you'd expect, the wine list is limited, but acceptable, consisting almost exclusively of Distell labels.

If you're hungry, fear not, because Billy's speciality, a 200g burger with a choice of 15 different toppings, is a highlight. There are also regular promotions and specials, and during the World Cup Billy's will ensure that match days are a wild celebration of football and fun.

Joe Cools
137 Marine Parade, North Beach
Tel: 031 332 9697

For over 20 years Joe Cools has been rocking the Durban beachfront and there is no end in sight as this restaurant/club continues to pack in patrons by the hundreds.

The recipe is simple. Good food, wellpriced drinks, a great location on Durban's North Beach and partying until the early hours of the morning. Any establishment with seven bars (two upstairs and five downstairs) as well as two decks overlooking the ocean is a sure winner.

In 2007 a popular radio station voted Joe's the best place to watch sport if you couldn't be at the stadium. Five plasma screens inside the various bars and the addition of a giant screen on the top deck for the duration of the World Cup will enhance that viewing experience. Add to that views of the Indian Ocean and that must equal one of the best World Cup viewing options around.

Normally Joe's runs as a restaurant and bar from Tuesday to Thursday with the kitchen closing at 21:00. From Friday to Sunday the kitchen stays open later and it morphs into a trendy club with the last revellers usually leave as the sun rises over the Indian Ocean.

The menu is vast as they're open for breakfast, while some Durban favourites such as Bunny Chow can be ordered. The wine list is small and basic, but at Joe's you're not there for the wine... A cover charge on weekend applies after 18:00.