The Big Battle is just a few hours away. You know it isn’t just a match when India and Pakistan play. No wonder then that match tickets originally priced at 250 rupees (about $6) are selling in black online for 30,000 rupees ($667). News reports also suggest that traveling to the town of Mohali, where the match takes place on Wednesday, is going to be as expensive as a trip to Thailand.
For those who haven’t been successful in the mad scramble for tickets, here is a selection of pubs, bars, restaurants and malls in different cities where you can catch the action along with some World Cup special deals. If you’re stuck in office—or overseas—please follow along on India Real Time, which will be live-blogging the match starting 2 p.m. IST onwards.
BANGALORE
Zero G: This pub has installed big screens for the matches and is promising a 50% discount on the bill if India wins. There is a cover charge of 500 rupees ($11) per person; an executive at the bar said that many have pre-booked their places.
2.30 p.m.-midnight, 99-100, Residency Road, 10th Floor, Prestige Tower, Phone: +91-80-41236674
Legends of Rock: The bar will have a special discount of 25% on all alcoholic drinks and no cover charge for folks who want to come and watch the match on their two plasma screens.
10.30 a.m.-11.30 p.m., 3rd Cross, 6th Block, 80 Foot Road, Koramangala, Phone: +91-80-41303232
CHANDIGARH
S LOUNGE: Big screens were already in place for the World Cup, but they will put up extra ones for the big semi-final. With a cover charge of 2,000 rupees ($44) per couple, the resto-bar will offer a special selection of drinks.
1 pm -11 p.m., Swagath, Sector 26, Chandigarh. Phone: +91-172-5000444
NEW DELHI
Tabula Rasa: Along with drummers and face painters, this bar, popular with Delhi’s elite, has deals on unlimited Indian and imported liquor priced for from 1,300 rupees ($29) onwards. They will also have five big screens and eight plasma screens for cricket fans.
1.30 p.m.-11 p.m., C-2, Square One Mall, Saket. Phone: +91-11-29562666
Jaypee Siddharth Hotel: There will be special offers for groups of over 20 people as well as a fixed menu for 2,100 rupees ($47) per person that includes unlimited drinks and a choice of three snacks plus taxes. They also have a beer bucket priced at 999 rupees ($22) plus taxes with one complimentary snack. In addition to having five LCD screens up for the match, they will hold a cricket trivia competition for guests, with prizes.
2.30 p.m.-11 p.m., 3, Rajendra Place, New Delhi. Phone: +91-11-43662500
DLF Emporio and Promenade Malls: The two malls have a common outdoor area between them called “The Hub” that has a 20 by 20 foot screen installed to air the match.
11 a.m.-midnight, Nelson Mandela Marg, Vasant Kunj. Phone: +91-11-46116666
MUMBAI
TGI Friday’s: The American casual dining chain has a “get bowled over by Tequila” offer where you can get five Sauza Tequila shots priced at 750 rupees ($17), served on a cricket-bat tray. They also have an “all-rounder” menu where you can pick four appetizers. During happy hour between 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. it’s buy one, get one free on drinks.
Noon-11.45 p.m., Infiniti Mall, New Link Road, Oshiwara, Andheri (West), Phone: +91-22-67032063
Blue Frog: If you don’t mind standing you can watch the match on big screens at this bar with a huge outdoor space. They’ve removed seating to make more space for what they expect to be a full house. The place will serve appetizers priced at 400 rupees (around $9) till 6.30 p.m., after which they will have their regular a la carte menu.
2.30 p.m.-1 a.m., Mathuradas Mills Compound, NM Joshi Marg, Lower Parel, Opposite Kamala Mills Compound. Phone: +91-22-40332300
