A world pub crawl
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Shanghai locals should be satisfied with the music selection: Malta's Caf Jubilee pumps out 1920s and 1930s jazz during the day and is packed with authentic antiques that speak of the Mediterranean. It holds a party every Tuesday night from 10 pm, with discounted drinks for Expo staff.
Meanwhile, Ukraine is hoping that former Inter Milan and Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko will make a guest appearance in August at its open-terrace bar at the back of its pavilion.
"Every second person who comes here asks about Shevchenko. They say, 'Is he coming? Can he sign my Expo Passport?'" said a spokesperson for the pavilion. "We hope we can get him here for our National Pavilion Day (on Aug 24) because he is our national hero."
A Ukrainian folk music band performs from 4 pm at the bar, where guests can sample the country's famous borsch soup with garlic donuts (59 yuan) under the cover of shaded wooden latticework. The menu includes 12 wines and liquors like Baileys and Kahlua, but no local beers due to China's stiff import duties.
"Our Ukrainian vodka and borsch is so popular even staff from the China and Russia pavilions come here for it," said waitress Uliana Govoruha.
Alternatively, head over to the Angola Pavilion with its sound stage, mock palm trees, dancing area and "the cheapest beer in the Expo", according to executive chef Rui Sa, who likes to cook up new shots using Angolan fruit. Angola throws a party every Thursday from 9 pm to late. "Everybody from the Expo comes here," said Sa.
Despite all the competition, it is Ireland that perhaps offers the best start, or end, to a pub crawl along both sides of the Expo Garden, with its strong beer and "top of the league cuisine" at the soccer-mad Porterhouse.
"If you're wearing your team's colors you'll get a free shot when your team scores," said Aisling Smith, the bar's events coordinator. Live World Cup matches will be shown on big screens in the bar, with South Africa kicking off against Mexico at 10 pm on Friday (China time).
The next match is Uruguay v France at 2:30 am - long after the Expo Garden has closed to the public. Due to the time difference with South Africa, an average of three matches a day will be screened in China from 7:30 pm, meaning that only the first two can be viewed inside the Expo site. The final will be played on July 11.
The Porterhouse, located in Area C separate from the Ireland Pavilion, is decorated in a traditional European style with rosewood furniture and comfortable couches surrounding the bar. Its two top tipples are the Plain Porter, which wins for its rich, dry aromatic character, and its Irish Red Ale, fruity with a malt-infused caramel flavor.
The only problem is they both tend to sell out. The bar's World Cup flier recommends booking tables in advance.
The Chocolate Stout, a smooth-tasting creamy beer with a chocolate aroma, was designed for ladies with a sweet tooth. "The chocolate and vanilla were a bit too overpowering for me," said one female Chinese customer.
Meanwhile, the Germany Pavilion is planning a special party for the first game of the World Cup, said press officer Marion Conrady.
Its most popular brews are the King Ludwig wheat beer, brewed at a lower temperature for a smoother taste, and the Hofbrauhaus Mnchen, a dark lager traditionally served with Munich sausage.
"For me, the German dark lager here is a little light," said Li Lianjian, a tourist who visited the Expo just to sample the beer. "I prefer the Irish dark lager to the Malaysian or German ones."
There is a Belgium Beer Bar for takeaway next to the exit of Belgium EU Pavilion, while the Belgium Beer Cafe on the second floor of the pavilion offers up to 24 kinds of beers produced by different Belgian brewers. Both bars serve Hoegaarden, a white beer spiced with coriander and orange peel, and it is proving a hit.
Alternatively, head to the Urban Best Practices Area in Puxi for some 10-yuan beers and games of football at the Madrid Pavilion against staff dressed in the team colors of Real Madrid. Spain, Brazil and Argentina are among the favorites to win the World Cup this year.
This is a good launch pad to the Asahi Beer Garden. The two-storey beer garden with a huge terrace on its second floor offers two beers that are not available in the China: Asahi Black, which smells of roasted malt with a slight coffee aroma, and the stronger Asahi Master.
Organizers have been screening hour-long compilations of previous World Cups from 8 pm at the Green Expo Square to get visitors in the mood.
"I really enjoyed watching the goal highlights from past tournaments and listening to the rousing World Cup anthems while being surrounded by all these neon lights and wonderful structures," said visitor Wang Jia.
"I didn't want it to end."
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| Visitors inside the Brazil Pavilion, where a roof was decorated with footballs. |
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| Plenty of wine and beer will be on hand for Expo visitors watching World Cup matches. |
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