2010 World Cup watching hot spots

Despite a time difference that's going to push more than a few games well into the early hours, Asian nations will be glued to TV screens both big and small for World Cup 2010. Whether you live here in Asia or you're just passing through, here are a list of spots where you can enjoy the games among the local fans.

Tokyo

National Stadium, Yoyogi
Japanese fans will be gathering at National Yoyogi Stadium in the hope that their team will will score as many goals as they did in the England match last week, only this time all in the opposing goal. Near Harajuku and Meiji-jingu mae stations, this is sure to be the best football party Tokyo has to offer for the Japan vs Holland match on the 19th. Price is ¥3,000 at the door, ¥2,500 in advance.

Address: 2-1-1 Jinnan, Shibuya-ku | Map

Bar Quest, Roppongi
With four large screens showing all the action, this well-known Australian bar, Bar Quest, will be holding some promotions in conjunction with the World Cup matches. Pints of Guinness will be ¥700 during games, and if you can successfully guess the winner and score you'll earn yourself a free pint of beer.

Address: Rene Building, 3rd Floor, 5-3-1 Roppongi, Minato-Ku | Map

Sakura Cafe, Ikeburo
Located in Ikebukuro, Sakura Cafe is cleverly featuring beers originating from an assortment of participating World Cup countries as a part of their celebrations. Taste some Castle Lager from South Africa, or beer from South Korea or Argentina. Sakura will be showing a mix of live and taped broadcasts, so please consult their schedule to see what's on tap. Don't forget to wear your country's colors, because the first five customers from a country playing in the live broadcast get a free beer. 

Address: 2-39-10 Ikebukuro Toshima-ku, Sakura Hotel Ikebukuro 1F | Map

For more information on where to check Football in Tokyo check out our previous article here on CNNGo. If you can read Japanese, there are more listed here, not just for Tokyo but for all of Japan.

Osaka

Like Tokyo, Osaka offers lots of places to go for football fans. Supporter's Field is one obvious venue to root for the Samurai Blue. If you hope to get in, you'd better book your spot quickly however, because the games versus Cameroon and Holland are sold out, but Japan-Denmark on the 24th still has some spots (at the time of writing). You might also try the Scuderia Cafe & Bar where matches will be shown from the beginning of the tournament on through to the end, with door charge, food and one drink for ¥1,500 for game broadcasts.

Supporter's Field, Shibata 2-2-8, Kita-ku, 202 Koufuku Building | Map

Scuderia Cafe & Bar, Takatsuki, Akutagawa-cho 2-14-5, Eight Building 2F | Map

Beijing

In China CCTV owns the rights to broadcast all 64 World Cup matches, and you can bet that a sizable chunk of its 1.3 billion strong population will be tuned in at home. But nobody does public sports viewing like China, so expect to see football plastered across big screens in every public square that has one. While it was previously announced that games would be shown in cinemas in 3D, sadly SARFT has pulled the plug last minute (Chinese) citing security concerns and technical problems thus ensuring a most 'harmonious' World Cup in China. Luckily there are other places in China where fans can tune in.

Paddy O'Shea's 
Widely known as 'the' Irish bar in Beijing, Paddy's will be showing World Cup matches on two floors over six screens no matter what time they start, according to their website. A full calendar of games is available on their website. It's located in Sanlitun which is sure to be a football hotspot throughout the World Cup, with a wide selection of venues to pick and choose from.

Address: 8 Dongzhimenwai Dajie, Sanlitun, Beijing | Map 

All-Star Sports Bar & Grill
All-Star has 65 plasma screens scattered all over the bar, and you'll be sure to catch all the football action on at least one of them. Like many American restaurants in Beijing, All-Star is a little pricier than most other establishments, but a wide assortment of American food makes this a good choice for a more comfortable World Cup Experience.

Address: Chaoyang District, 6 Chaoyang Park Road, Solano Mall | Map

For an even more extensive Beijing list, check out this brilliant post by Beijing Boyce.

Shanghai

While the Shanghai Expo is still the biggest show in town, there's more than a little overlap with the growing World Cup fever. Be sure to swing by the South African Pavilion to check some matches in 3D (no word on whether they'll show games live or not). In the meantime, here are a few other venues in Shanghai where you can follow the fortunes of your favorite team: 

The Camel Sports Bar
A rookie in the Shanghai bar scene, the Camel Sports Bar opened early this year. They tell us that they'll be showing all World Cup matches live, with happy hour running from 4pm to 8pm giving you plenty of opportunity for pre-match commentary and predictions with your friends.

Address: 1 Yueyang Rd, Xuhui, not far from Dong Ping Road | Map

O'Malley's Shanghai
We're not trying to be biased towards Irish bars here, it just that they really throw a good party. With English-speaking staff, a big screen display, and plenty of Guinness and Kilkenny on tap, O'Malley's is sure to be a good time during the tournament.

Address: 42 Tao Jiang Road | Map

Dalian

Flying under the radar on this list, the Northeastern city of Dalian is China's self-proclaimed 'soccer city', despite their local Chinese Super League team stinking it up in the past five years. But Dalian's enthusiasm for football has blossomed, despite a lack of homegrown success.

If you're in Dalian, keep an eye on the big displays at Zhongshan and Xinghai Square. For a more international experience check out Brooklyn Bar, a local expat joint with awesome pizza and a big screen upstairs.

Address: Brooklyn Bar, 184 Bulao Jie | Map

Hong Kong

Amid police concerns of potential gambling problems during the tournament, pay-TV service iCable has the exclusive rights to broadcast the World Cup in Hong Kong, and they're selling subscriptions fast. Unfortunately, only the opening match, semis and final will be available on free channels in Hong Kong. To check out the action head over to Globe in Soho where you can catch a variety of 7:30pm and 10pm games. 

They're featuring South Castle Lager and Graham Beck Sparkling from South Africa for the entire month as a part of their World Cup promotions.

Address: Globe, Garley Building, 45-53 Graham Street, Central, | Map

Check out the CNNGo list of where to watch the World Cup in Hong Kong where you can find out about where -- and when -- to watch the World Cup in 3D. 

Bangkok

Thanks to RS Promotions, who holds the Thai broadcast rights for the 2010 World Cup, there will be four venues showing matches on big screens: Siam Paragon’s Parc Paragon (map), National Stadium (map), Future Park Rangsit (map), and Central Rattanathibet (Nonthaburi). Even for those who might not be hardcore football fans, there will be a number of performances by local artists to keep things exciting. If larger venues are not your thing, you could check out the action at Roadhouse Barbecue Smokehouse and Grill or at the Crossbar. 

Roadhouse Barbecue, 942 Rama IV Road, Surawongse | Map

The Crossbar, Soi 23, Sukhumvit Road | Map

Check out this CNNGo list for even more places to watch the World Cup in Bangkok.

Seoul

South Korea will be screening live broadcasts of games in both 2D and 3D at theaters nationwide. CGV, Lotte Cinema, and MegaBox will be showing at a number of locations in Seoul and across the country, so be sure to check their website for a location near you. If you're looking for an outdoor experience, Seoul Plaza should also be a fine place to cheer on the Red Devils as well, provided you can find a decent spot.

Taipei

The Azie Cafe at the Grand Formosa Regent has a unique celebration scheduled, offering pizzas flavored for each of the competing teams (Mmm, I'll have a slice of Algeria please!) and two-for-one Budweiser to chase it down. Eleven high-def screens in the second floor gallery ensure that you won't miss any of the match while you munch. Carnegies will be showing games throughout the tournament as well, with a special opening party planned for Friday, June 11. For fans looking for a larger football party, go see the opening broadcasts in Xinyi District on Friday. Viewers can also catch the quarter-finals in the open air at Mitsukoshi Plaza on July 2nd and 3rd.

Azie Cafe, 41 Chung Shan North Road, Section 2 | Map 

Carnegies, 1F 100 An Ho Road Section 2 | Map

Singapore

There are a number of places to catch the World Cup in Singapore, most notably Singapore World Cup Festival 2010. Mixing live screenings and all-night beach parties at Silosa Beach Reseort, the event will also play host to a beach football tournament. For a change of pace, you can also visit Beerfest Asia where a World Cup Screening Zone houses two big screens for match broadcasts. World Cup merchandise will be on sale, and there will be contests as well to see who can predict match scores.

Siloso Beach Resort, Sentosa | Map

Beerfest, Marina Promenade, F1 Tracks, behind the Singapore Flyer | Map

For even more venues to watch football in Singapore, check out our previous post Where to watch the World Cup in Singapore.

Jakarta

Fans in Jakarta have at least a few places to tune in to the tourney, despite some concerns about unauthorized screening fines. The Edge is a convenient spot where you can see the broadcast from South Africa along with scenic rooftop views from the bar. If that's not your scene, try Mambo Bistro where all games will be shown on their 2.5m x 2.5m projection display, as well as on a 52" flat screen.

The Edge at Kemang Icon by Alila, Jl. Kemang Raya 1 | Map

Mambo Bistro, Lt. Ug Jl . Lingkar Mega Kuningan | Map

For more places to catch the World Cup in Jakarta, see the What's New Jakarta Newsletter.

Kuala Lumpur

Fans in Kuala Lumpur can look forward to a double feature as the Dumpling/Dragon Boat Festival also take place during the opening days. A street carnival will take place at Berjaya Times Square, where there will also be a giant 5.5m x 4.3m screen for live football broadcasts. According to Time Out Kuala Lumpur, another great place to be in Malaysia is Resorts World Genting. With all 64 matches shown in 1,200-seat auditoriums and the final reserved for a 5,000-seat arena with 60-foot screens, there isn't any place that will top the excitement found here.

Berjaya Times Square, Kuala Lumpur | Map

Resorts World Genting, Genting Highlands | Map

Bonus goodies

Scroll to the bottom for Google World Cup madness: Google World Cup madness!

Google is also showing stadiums in 3D (right click for 3D mode): 3D Mobile World Cup Stadiums.

Places to stream according to Mashable.com: Where to stream the games.

If you're lucky enough to make it to South Africa, be sure to check in on 4square to get your CNN badges.