12 spots to watch the 2022 FIFA World Cup finals in KL

If there’s a sports bar that’s really going all out for the World Cup, it’s Souled Out. The establishment, which opened in 1996 as a cafe, has been screening FIFA matches at its multiple outlets for nearly two decades now and the World Cup trophy even made a pitstop there in 2002. During the 2010 World Cup, it even held a huge carnival-themed party for 1,500 guests and engaged fire breathers and stilt walkers to perform.

This year is no exception. Souled Out has pulled out all the stops for the 2022 edition with an ongoing event called Soccerfest, which lasts until December 18 and sees its premises decked out in colourful flags of the 32 participating nations. No expense has been spared in guaranteeing the ultimate viewing experience — the Sri Hartamas branch features a massive 32-feet 2K LED screen. The bar even hosts lucky draws and betting activities, where patrons can submit their predictions on the match outcomes.

It offers a wide variety of F&B options too. Feast on dishes like chicken chop, lamb shank and baked rice, and wash these down with cocktails, wines, shooters, beers and spirits.

Opening hours:
Monday – Sunday, 12pm – 12am

Here’s a swanky spot to catch the FIFA World Cup finals in style. Crystal, a dual-level rooftop bar at The St Regis Kuala Lumpur, is throwing a Football Fever Party on December 17 and 18, where the third place play-off and final match will be broadcasted on a giant LED screen by the swimming pool. The event takes place from 8pm onwards and also features live DJ performances, football gaming activities and prizes to be won — so you can be assured of a good time while knocking back cocktails and bar bites. Reserve your front row tickets now by calling +603 2727 6696, via Whatsapp at +6012 280 1303 or emailing dining.kualalumpur@stregis.com.

Opening hours (may differ during World Cup matches):
Monday – Friday, 11am -10:30pm
Saturday – Sunday, 10am -10:30pm

This newly opened food court and bistro has been live-streaming all the matches of the FIFA World Cup in HD on a massive screen, so you can bask in all the adrenaline-pumping sporting action when you turn up to catch the final match. To amp up the mood even more, Sky Garden offers all-day happy hour promotions and games, where participants stand to win prizes. Enjoy all these alongside the eatery’s repertoire of Western and local dishes, which include nasi lemak and roti canai, as well as a range of beers, wines, spirits and sakes.

Opening hours:
Monday – Sunday, 11am to 12am (Hours may differ during World Cup period)

Can’t decide between hitting up a bar or watching the finals in a bigger space? Parkroyal Collection Kuala Lumpur, which is screening both the third-place playoff on December 17 and final match on December 18, offers two options for you. At The Botanist Lounge & Bar (pictured), grab a show ticket for RM50, which includes one Budweiser or a glass of house white or red wine, or spend at least RM38 on food and drinks. If you’d prefer a more spacious venue with unobstructed views of the on-field action, the hotel has opened up its Collection Ballroom, which features a huge 12m X 3m LED screen so you’ll feel like you’re sitting in an actual stadium. Show tickets are priced at RM98 and include a Budweiser or one glass of house white or red wine, along with one snack plate. You can also spend RM38 on a selection of food and drinks.

For die-hard football fans with deep pockets, there’s also the possibility of booking out an entire hotel ballroom with a big LED screen for you to hold your own private viewing party. Call the hotel at +603 2782 8375 or email to sales.prckul@parkroyalcollection.com if you’re keen.

The Botanist Lounge & Bar opening hours (Hours will differ during World Cup matches, which start at 11pm)
Monday – Sunday, 9am – 12am

Want to watch the FIFA World Cup finals for free, while surrounded by other like-minded fans? Here’s a spot where you can get a fantastic view without paying a cent — right outside Pavilion KL. The shopping mall will livestream the match on its Pavilion Elite LED Screen (pictured with its 2022 Chinese New Year display of a 3D charging bull), aka the prominent giant screen on its facade above its entrance. So convenient, especially if you’re planning to squeeze in some last minute Christmas shopping before the big game.

Over at Gridiron Sports Cafe & Lounge, a stalwart in the sports bar scene, chow down on tasty snacks such as fried chicken, cheese fries and nachos while tuning in to the game. The place also serves substantial fare the likes of fried rice, chimichurri ribeye steak, grilled lamb chops and pasta, if you’re intending to have your dinner there before the main highlight. It boasts an extensive drink menu of beers and cocktails like strawberry margarita and sangria. The bar has been screening all the World Cup matches and is equipped with more than 25 screens, so you don’t have to jostle with others to get a good view.

Opening hours:
Sunday – Thursday, 4pm – 1am
Friday – Saturday, 4pm – 2am

Devour wood-fired pizzas, pastas and grilled delights like satay and ribeye steak while watching the World Cup finals  at Aqua Restaurant & Bar. The restaurant is located at Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur and also boasts views of KLCC Park and the city skyline — though we don’t blame you if your eyes will be glued to the screen instead on December 18.

Opening hours (Hours may differ during World Cup matches)
Monday – Sunday, 8am – 10pm

If a laid-back mamak joint is more your style, head over to Original Penang Kayu Nasi Kandar, which operates 10 branches in KL, Selangor and Penang. Tuck into its signature nasi kandar, curries and roti while supporting your favourite team. In preparation of the World Cup, the restaurant’s owner told The Star that he specially installed big screens in the outlets that have Astro subscriptions, and has teamed up with a soft drinks company for promotions.

Multiple locations, opening hours vary. More details here.

Rockafellers Changkat has been holding live viewing parties since the first FIFA opening match on November 20, and will continue to do so for the big final match between France and Argentina. The restaurant has also launched a World Cup promotion where you can get a complimentary, limited edition football beer mug with every purchase of two buckets of Budweiser. Food-wise, you’re spoilt for choice as the eatery has a mouthwatering range of European and fusion fare spanning wood-fired pizzas, burgers, shepherd’s pie, devilled pork curry, pastas and more. There are also bar bites like potato wedges, calamari and onion rings, if you’re jonesing for some crispy finger food to pair with a few pints.

Opening hours:
Monday – Sunday, 11.30am – 11.30pm

This sports bar is popular for its rambunctious vibe, beer pong tournaments and funky neon signs, and has been screening all the World Cup matches at its outlets in Cheras and Sri Petaling. It has rolled out a Tiger Crystal promotion, where you can snag two buckets for RM 149++ while tuning in to the finals. Enjoy your beer with food options like bak kut teh, seafood tom yam hotpot, pizzas and pork belly rice.

Opening hours:
Monday – Sunday, 11am – 2am

Sometimes nothing hits the spot better than a hearty supper of nasi kandar, maggi goreng or roti canai. Bestari at Publika serves all of these and more, along with a side of FIFA World Cup excitement via its televisions. We can’t wait to witness every goal and penalty kick in the finals while scarfing down the mamak eatery’s Indomee with Ramly burger, an ingenious (though not exactly healthy) concoction of fried noodles mixed with smashed up meat patties. Talk about a feast for our eyes and bellies.

(Image: Christian Blessing/ Google Maps)

So you’re scheduled for a slew of back-to-back business trips throughout World Cup season, and your flight timing clashes with the final match between France and Argentina — what a bummer, we know. If you’re flying on Qatar Airways’ Boeing 777, Boeing 787-9 and Airbus A350 aircraft though, you won’t have to miss a second of the action. The official airline of the tournament has been providing complimentary live telecasts of the FIFA matches directly to passengers’ screens and personal devices, so you can catch every goal, assist and free kick in their full glory on your own smartphone, tablet or laptop. The planes’ inflight entertainment systems also carry over 180 football-related titles for you to stream if your favourite team is losing and you can’t bear to continue watching, but are still in the mood for other sporting content.