Arsenal FC to open a themed sports bar in Beijing
Wenger out, themed bars in
Ever wanted to eat and drink in a bar dedicated to the club who finished sixth in the Premier League? Perhaps not, but it looks like now's your chance, as an unexpected taste of North London seems to be coming to China in the form of a chain of official Arsenal FC-themed sports bars.
According to SportsPro, Arsenal Club Shanghai will open in June (exact date not yet confirmed) after Super Halo Sports Culture Development acquired an exclusive license with the football club that covers the Greater China Region, also including Taiwan, Macau and Hong Kong. A Beijing outlet is also planned for later in the summer – though no firm details yet – which if it is to correctly fit the Arsenal theme, should infuriate visitors due to a shortage of cups and silverware...
It's arguably a bit of a strange opening, seeing as Arsenal has no Chinese players and isn't as popular in China as other European clubs such as Real Madrid and Manchester United but, still, the venue will give fans 'an authentic Arsenal experience away from Emirates Stadium', according to a statement from chief commercial officer Vinai Venkatesham on the team's official website. We assume this does not include steep ticket prices, feelings of both love and contempt for the manager and having to listen to those guys from ArsenalFanTV.
While the details are still a little vague, it's said the venue will show live games as well as exclusive Arsenal content and will include signed memorabilia and even life-sized player holograms. Because who doesn't want to eat their dinner in the presence of a six-foot-five flickering projection of Petr Čech?
Hit 'Read more' for Beijing's best sports bars.
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