Bars set to score with World Cup final

CAPE Town bars will be packed with patrons hot with World Cup final fever as the globe tunes in for the France v Croatia clash tomorrow at 5pm.

The City of Cape Town is stern when it comes to liquor trading on Sundays, and bars will have to apply for extended trading hours.

Springbok Pub Newlands manager Scott de Freitas will open specially so that the public can enjoy the event, which is expected to attract a record number of TV and online views globally.

“A lot of the regulars kept asking if we were going to open, and yes, we’re open to the public,” De Freitas said.

He added that the World Cup had driven tremendous traffic in all of the pub’s five bars. The tournament fever has captured the staff, who have started a game of score predictions.

While predominantly a rugby pub, the establishment has been filled with soccer excitement, especially when Brazil, France and England played.

Nick Feinberg, owner of The Blue Whistle bar, said they would be having a beer promotion on match day.

“We expect to be full, which is around 150 to 200 people,” he said. “Judging from Wednesday when England played Croatia, most of the people who came supported Croatia. The underdogs have definitely been getting the support in this tournament now.”

Feinberg said West Africans who watched at the Blue Whistle had been supporting France.

Harbour House spokesperson Tahlia Bester said Tiger’s Milk and La Parada would offer the two- for- one beer special of one of the main sponsors.

“We have a great platter menu suited to group bookings. For the World Cup period, we have also paired the platters with discounted (beer) buckets.

In all of six Tiger’s Milk pubs, France has been among the top three most-supported teams, she said.

“We expect even more for the final as bookings are streaming in to ensure the best view in the house for the games. But we have more than enough big screens and seats for supporters.

“We were quite surprised with the following base at Century City during the World Cup. Some of our busiest game nights have been at Tiger’s Milk Century City, followed closely by Kloof Street.”

La Parada will have a happy- hour two- for- one special on selected beer and wine at its stores on Bree Street and Constantia Nek from 5 to 7pm.

Western Cape Liquor Authority spokesperson Nwabisa Mpalala said they would be monitoring trading hours tomorrow.

She added that in the past three months about 25 Cape Town premises visited by the Liquor Authority inspectors, had transgressed the Liquor Act.

Track and Ball Betting spokesperson Stephen Marshall said France are firm favourites to win at 8/10 with Croatia at 38/10, with the draw on offer at 21/10.