With the FIFA World Cup in full swing in Qatar, those "sweet old days" memories of football and its players are coming back to many people whose youth was spent with this quadrennial tournament. It's a reminder of those summer days, staying up all night to support favorite teams, or a night with your friends rooting for home team and celebrating after a thrilling victory.
Members of Blaugrana China watch a game in Changning District on Tuesday.
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The Qatar World Cup, also known as Ragnarok (Twilight of The Gods), has brought those memories back, with dozens of post-1980s football stars closing off their careers: Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric, Angel Di Maria and Luis Suarez, among others, may be playing their last World Cup. Born after 1995, I started watching football young. In the summer of 2006, I had a crush on the team in blue and white, Argentina, called the Pampas eagles from South America. Such a love was then developed into belief, which I have held for 16 years and five World Cups. It was also then when Messi rooted in my mind. That was the game between Argentina and Serbia Montenegro, when the commentator shouted "19-year-old Messi is coming to the field. This is his debut World Cup." Maradona, one of football's greatests, cheered loudly for his successor. I was 9 years old then, and that was my first memory of football.
Messi at FIFA World Cup Germany 2006 & Qatar 2022
Since then, Messi and Argentina have been an important part of my youth. I would never miss any important game from Argentina.
Argentina Football Fans Club gathered to watch the 2021 Copa America finals in a pub in Jing'an District.
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Watching matches in the bar seems to be an important part of partying for the World Cup, and the bar culture is also an important part of football culture. Toasting with friends and cheering for their favorite team has become the best way to celebrate the football extravaganza. That lively and cheerful atmosphere adds to the appeal of the World Cup frenzy. For me, for the 2016 UEFA European Championship, 2018 FIFA World Cup, the UEFA European Championship 2020 and the Copa America 2021, I became a regular visitor to pubs, collecting many precious memories of celebrating with friends. During my master's year in Cardiff in the UK, I also experienced first-hand how Welsh fans in pubs fell into ecstasy and chanted "Bale, Bale" when the Welsh football team made a return to the World Cup again after 58 years.
But the most memorable moment is my first appearance in pub in 2014. It was on the bustling Hengshan Road bar street in Shanghai. I was watching a semifinal of the FIFA World Cup in Brazil, between Argentina and the Netherlands. Argentina's thrilling victory over the Netherlands, and my screams and shouts in the pub during the penalty shootout still echo in my mind.
This winter, whether you're an experienced football fan or a rookie, call some friends together to a pub and enjoy the joy of football with beers and cheers.
1
Cages
Photo by @埃琳娜
This is one of the most popular sports bars for large gathering and parties in Shanghai. Regardless of where you sit, you'll have a great view of one of the many big screens showing matches. In addition to football, major sporting events are also live broadcast here.You can also play basketball, baseball, rugby, table tennis and enjoy a number of other facilities. Don't forget to make reservations one week in advance.
Address
3/F, Jing'an Sports Center, 428 Jiangning Rd | 江宁路428号静安运动中心3楼
Opening hours
11am-2am
2
The Camel Sports Bar
Photo by @winnnnnnnn
Boasting four huge 70-inch screens, Camel is considered the No. 1 bar for watching sports in Shanghai. It's equipped with first-class audio-visual effects, which create a lively vibe for football fans. During the World Cup, the bar requires an admission fees of 150 yuan per person, which includes three bottles of imported beer.
Address
97 Xiangyang Rd N. | 襄阳北路97号
Opening hours
10am-2am
3
Big Bamboo
Photo by @I AM ____LOCKED
Big Bamboo is one of Shanghai's most popular sports-themed bars, favored for its relaxed American style. It is located on the famous Laowaijie, or Foreigners Street, and the detached two-story small bungalow is particularly eye-catching. Dark brown wooden tables and chairs, open bar counters and open-air tables bring a relaxing atmosphere to customers. There are also a variety of entertainment options in the store, with a children's play area, billiards, foosball, darts and more.
Address
No. 20, Laowaijie, Lane 3338, Hongmei Rd | 虹梅路3338弄老外街20号
If you like cave style, cocktails, Spanish food, and love to watch sports, then this Spanish-style bar is the place to go. The whole space has no edges or corners, and red curves run through every corner of the bar. If you like to take pictures, the indoor lighting is very ambient. Every corner is great for taking pictures, and the sense of space is very strong, The bar counter is also great for framing. There are plenty of outdoor locations, and the big TV in each store will broadcast all kinds of major sporting events.
There are private rooms on both floors of the room.
Boxing Cat is a hallmark of Shanghai beer bars, once on CNN's "Top 10 Beer Bars in Asia" list, not only because of its own beer, but also due to its patented burgers. Boxing Cat is also a popular spot for watching football, where large high-definition displays are installed around the square store space, and the atmosphere is extremely lively. The Sinan Mansions, with its single three-story mini brewery, is a must-visit for beer brewing lovers and a favorite spot for sports fans. The ground floor is more like a lively bar, with large screens for watching sporting events. The second floor is dominated by dining, and the atmosphere is quiet and comfortable. It's said that every homemade sake here has a story.
Address
82 Fuxing Rd W. | 复兴西路82号
Opening hours
11pm-1am
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Editor: Su Yanxian Designer: Fiona LiWriter: Melo Zhang