Whether you want to support your country alongside your compatriots, or give your support to a different team, we bring you the low-down on Bogotá’s World Cup venues
Where different nationalities will be cheering for their teams…
Belgium: Join Belgian fans at the Big Screens in Parque 93 on match days.
Chile: The Chilean Embassy are holding official viewings at Hotel Royal (calle 99 #8-55). They are showing Chile vs Spain on June 18 and Chile vs Holland on June 23. Entrance for each match is $10,000 pesos and you can reserve a space by emailing consultadobogota@minrel.gov.cl
Croatia: For any of the Croatia matches you can head to Bukara, Calle 93 #8-31. They have a big screen, good beer and you can even buy Croatian t-shirts.
England: Check out any of the British style bars in Bogota for that all important pub atmosphere. Plus, an official British Embassy planned event will be held in London Calling Pub (Calle 93A #11-50) on June 19 at 2pm for the England vs Uruguay match.
France: According to the French Embassy, a lot of French people will gather for the matches at the Big Screens in Parque 93. Alliance Francaise will be showing matches in the cafeterias at two of their headquarters in Chicó (Calle 93 #11-40) and Cerditos (Calle 134 #19A-81). They are showing Colombia vs Ivory Coast on June 19, Switzerland vs France on June 20 , Japan vs Colombia on June 2, and Ecuador vs France on June 25.
Germany: Restaurant Aleman Harald (Calle 116 #70C-68) will be showing every German and Colombian match. They have German beers such as Bitburger, Paulaner, Warsteiner, and König Pilsener.
Mexico: The Mexican Embassy has confirmed that at least two Mexico matches can be shown at the restaurant and bar Orale Guey (Calle 85 #12-13, Zone T, 256-5462), against Brazil on June 17 at 2pm, and against Croatia on June 23 at 1pm.
Netherlands: The Una Travel Bar (Calle 11 # 2-98) will be showing all Dutch matches.
Spain: We have it on good authority (a group of drunken Spaniards at the Spain-Holland match) that a good place to watch Spanish matches is at the BBC in the Galerias neighbourhood of the city (Calle 53 #24-66). The group said expats will be gathering at BBC’s across the city.
Switzerland: Find the Swiss contingent at chef Simon Karl Buhler’s restaurant Simon Bistro Latino (Carrera 14 #97-09). He is showing all the matches and offering a World Cup menu featuring dishes from the competing countries for $24,000 pesos including a drink and dessert. Happy Hour from 3pm-7pm every day.
And Bogota bars where you can watch the matches over a pint or a cocktail…
Britannia Pub (Calle 26 # 69B-45/53) – This venue will be offering 15 percent off selected beers for one hour before all Colombia games, Quarter and Semi Finals and the Final and will open outside normal hours for the matches. Check their facebook page for details: facebook.com/britannia26
El Inglés (Calle 69 #11-40, 255-5524) – This English pub in Zona G will be showing every England match, and, of course, every Colombia match. The sell a range of national beers, as well as Fuller’s London Pride and Guinness ales.
The Monkey House (Calle 70 # 8-55) – Pre-sale seat reservations available for Colombia games via their website www.themonkeyhouse.co. The reservation includes the house speciality Beef Wellington and there is a happy hour every evening where you can order Fish and Chips and get a free beer.
La Cerveceria (Calle 83 #12A-37) – This pub will be giving out souvenirs from 9am onwards on match days. They have 18 screens and Happy Hour every day. There will be a $20,000 peso entrance fee for Colombian matches.
Colombian Pub (Calle 82 #13-43/41) – This establishment offers four giant projector screens with special offers including buy one bottle of rum and get another half price. They are open from 12pm to 11pm on match days. They will open from 11:30am for Colombia matches, and there will be an entry fee.
London Calling (Calle 93a #11-50 and various other areas around the city) – Here you will find projector screens in all of their pubs. They are offering a food and beer world cup promotion and are also running a competition: everyone writes down their chosen team on a sheet and pays an entrance fee, the entrance fee is then put into a pot and given to the winners.
Locos Por el Fútbol (Carrera 12 No.83-41) – Here you will be offered a discount if you are a Visa World Cup card holder of 20 percent off all purchases during games. They have big screens and are showing all the matches.
La Villa (Cra. 14 # 83-56) – This bar and club popular with Colombians and expats alike will be showing the big matches on projectors and big screens. They will have 2×1 on Heineken beer and Smirnoff Ice for all matches shown. All matches on June 13, 14, 17, 19 and 24 will be shown. The bar will also show the all round of 16, quarter and semifinal matches, and the final.
Restaurant Aleman Harald (Calle 116 #70C-68) – This venue will be showing every German and Colombian match. They have German beers such as Bitburger, Paulaner, Warsteiner, and König Pilsener.
All Cine Colombia Movie Theatre Locations across the county.