Excitement is building as the World Cup in Qatar gets ever closer to the final whistle. If you’re looking to watch Argentina take on France on Sunday in Abu Dhabi, there's plenty of venues screening will screen the game live, alongside dishing out themed menus, entertainment, contests and activities for children.
Here’s where you can catch the action on December 18.
Emirates Palace fan zone
The grand hotel has a dedicated World Cup fan zone with open-air viewing spots at Oriental Cafe. The match is being screened live on a supersized LED screen, and there's four food chalets and two bars keeping guests satiated. Large groups have the option to customise sharing menus, while those with children can scope out the play zones and face-painting corners.
F&B is served at the fan zone from one hour before kick-off.
1pm-1am; from Dh180; Emirates Palace, West Corniche Road; 02 690 8888
Shangri-La football village
Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri's beachfront football fan zone will also show the World Cup final. The open-air venue promises a stadium-like setting with giant screens, pub grub, beachside barbecues and Sunday brunch, as well as match-break quizzes, themed competitions, DJs and stand-up comedy acts. A day pass can be redeemed against two drinks and offers complimentary beach access. There's also happy hour from 1pm to 5pm, with 50 per cent off all beverages.
Match days 1pm-1am; day pass for Dh100, brunch for Dh268; Khor Al Maqta, Qaryat Al Beri; 02 509 8555; restaurantreservations.slad@shangri-la.com
Cooper’s
The quintessential sports bar and pub, Cooper’s at Park Rotana has nearly a dozen screens peppered across its vibrant venue. Catch all the live football action, and in between head to the selfie booth, or participate in games and contests, including a spin-the-wheel challenge and raffle draws.
Cooper’s offers a moreish menu, with options ranging from sausages by the metre and a decadent truffle macaroni cheese to vegan falafel sliders and miso salmon.
Saturday to Wednesday noon-2am, Thursday and Friday noon-3am; a la carte menu; Khalifa Park; 02 657 3325
Glo
The lounge at Rosewood Abu Dhabi has set up a giant inflatable screen next to the swimming pool on its palm-fringed open-air terrace where you can see the match. Glo is offering a light-bites menu with battered fish and chips, chilli nachos, pulled BBQ beef sliders, and sweet and spicy chicken wings. There is a minimum spend of Dh200.
Noon-2am; from Dh200; 02 813 5550
Loca
The vibrant Mexican restaurant and bar promises fiesta vibes for the final with two “mega-large” screens. Loca has put together a football-themed menu, and is still serving its signature guacamole and tacos, which can be enjoyed with a minimum spend of Dh150.
Noon-2am; from Dh150; The Galleria Al Maryah Island; 02 582 3639
Stock Burger Co
The burger joint at Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi has put together some delicious deals for the World Cup, as well as a special menu. Sample the Mexican burger and receive eight soft drinks or juices; or order the Team World Cup sharing platter (with sweet potato fries, roasted parsnips, falafel, crab cakes and a trio of dips) and receive six bottles of hops, all for Dh150. Other dishes include the Argentinian Jawbreaker burger and Brazilian stack nachos.
The match can be viewed on eight screens inside or on one giant outdoor projector. Children under 12 eat free and can enjoy activity booklets, while adults can participate in games and contests to win free drinks, dishes and stays at the hotel.
Daily noon-midnight; a la carte menu; Embassies District; 02 657 4864
Vox Cinemas
Vox Cinemas across Abu Dhabi is another places to see the final. Offering a cinematic viewing experience with a state-of-the-art sound system, the cinema will show all the action until the final whistle blows.
Enjoy popcorn as well as a menu of tasty treats, including gourmet burgers, Parmesan truffle fries, hot dogs and Indian street-food options such as onion bhaji, dal vada and samosa.
From Dh59; 600 599 905; uae.voxcinemas.com
Zaatar w Zeit
Late-night revellers can head to Zaatar w Zeit to watch the World Cup live at this popular Lebanese joint.
The chain has erected a massive LED screen at its Abu Dhabi Salam branch (as well as its Barsha Heights, Motor City and Sheikh Zayed Road outposts in Dubai) for football season. Enjoy your fill of halloumi sticks, mighty kafta and the popular Famous Chicken wrap as you catch all the action. A minimum entry of Dh89 is not redeemable on food and beverage.
From Dh89; open 24/7; 600 522 231
Zsa Zsa at Four Seasons
The lounge at Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi will show the game live on multiple large screens and has various packages on offer such as happy hour and 30 per cent discount on select cocktails.
Those staying over at the hotel can watch the game from the comfort of their room, with room rates discounted by 20 per cent for the World Cup season.
4pm-1am; a la carte menu; Al Maryah Island; 02 333 2444; www.fourseasons.com
Yas Island
Yas Island's largest outdoor screen at Abu Dhabi fan zone at Yas Links has sold out for the World Cup final. The sprawling arena has made a name for itself in the capital with concerts, an e-gaming zone and food trucks, but it's too late to head there for Sunday's match.
However, a number of other locations across Yas Island will screen the match including Bushra by Buddha-Bar, Siddharta by Buddha-Bar, Cafe del Mar, La Carnita and The Lighthouse, all at Yas Bay Waterfront; Amici Terrace at W Abu Dhabi — Yas Island; The Overlook at The WB Abu Dhabi; and Boroughs, Stars n Bars and Iris, all on Yas Marina.
A massive screen and outdoor seating are also open to the public at Pier71, the 3km boardwalk at Yas Bay.
Various times and prices; www.yasisland.com
Scroll through the gallery below to check out dedicated football fan zones in Dubai
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Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion
The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.
Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".
The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.
He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.
"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.
As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.
If you go
Flight connections to Ulaanbaatar are available through a variety of hubs, including Seoul and Beijing, with airlines including Mongolian Airlines and Korean Air. While some nationalities, such as Americans, don’t need a tourist visa for Mongolia, others, including UAE citizens, can obtain a visa on arrival, while others including UK citizens, need to obtain a visa in advance. Contact the Mongolian Embassy in the UAE for more information.
Nomadic Road offers expedition-style trips to Mongolia in January and August, and other destinations during most other months. Its nine-day August 2020 Mongolia trip will cost from $5,250 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, two nights’ hotel accommodation in Ulaanbaatar, vehicle rental, fuel, third party vehicle liability insurance, the services of a guide and support team, accommodation, food and entrance fees; nomadicroad.com
A fully guided three-day, two-night itinerary at Three Camel Lodge costs from $2,420 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, accommodation, meals and excursions including the Yol Valley and Flaming Cliffs. A return internal flight from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad costs $300 per person and the flight takes 90 minutes each way; threecamellodge.com
The years Ramadan fell in May
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Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
