It seems beer is the only tonic for FIFA fever.

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Not just the fans, but even restaurants and bars are all gearing up to live the football mania. One of the most awaited events of the year - the FIFA World Cup -has kicked off with splashes of offers.

After Indian Premier League (IPL), restaurants have opened their doors with shiny offers to attract more people for Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) this year. They are now cashing in on the rising interest of people in the international sport events.

“For those who want a larger than life experience - a gastropub or bar is a great space to step out with friends,” says Chetan Rampal, partner, Monkey Bar (Olive Group).  

Creating fun environment with good food and drinks for both regular and new customers is what brings the crowd in. Great ambience also ensures that people, especially larger groups, stay longer at one place.

This time around, for FIFA, the bid is also to attract more foreign tourists and thus the menus are often modified to cater to everyone’s tastebuds.

At One Too Many at The Regenza By Tunga in Vashi, foreign nationals are frequent. These expats usually spend a lot during the football matches and also prefer to pre-book their tables, says Wesley Fernandez, deputy general manager of The Regenza By Tunga.

The numbers obviously rise when the favourite teams are playing. For instance, Fernandez says that Europeans often step-in to support their teams.  

The spike in the number of football enthusiasts visiting a restaurant is more visible on the day their favourite teams are playing, even if it is a weekday, agrees Rampal. Public holidays, of course, works in favour of the bars.

“If there is a public holiday or the weekend approaching - people are more likely to stay out longer than if confronted with gruelling work schedules, the following day,” Rampal adds.

Further, Rampal says that a definite 15-20% hike in sales is seen during these days. “The consumption of both food and drinks, the presence of larger groups of people, enables this revenue increase.”

The restaurants also have to cater to the different customers walking in. While some come for food and drinks, others come in to enjoy the ambience and hang out with their buddies. On weekends, usually the younger, party crowd is seen while on weekdays, it is the office crowd or the post-office crowd.

People also appreciate the special menu, deals and offers during the event. The places go big on providing special offers for beer lovers.

However, an edgy menu, which is not included in offers, also tend to do well. Roshan Shetty, director at the Tunga Paradise in Andheri, says that their coffee cocktails are specially crafted for the events.

This time around Irish House has launched a season ticket, which can easily be purchased at any outlet or online. The tickets give customers access to 50 beers and 25 appetizers as well as 15% off on some dishes for the whole month.

Besides food and drinks, bars also have contests and fun activities to attract the customers. For instance, Irish House will have prediction cards that can win you free beers!

As the season begins, the competition too heats up for the restaurants. While some are going big on happy hours, others have introduced FIFA special dishes to decorate the table and of course, bars.

The end aim is to please the customers and ensure they come back even after the event is over.

When

From  June 14  to July 15, 2018

Monkey BarWallet Factor: Small plates starting Rs 220 per plate onwards + taxes/ Drinks Rs 220 and onwards

Pickle & Pint  Live screening and offersGet one beer and one starter for Rs 400!

Irish HouseEarly bird pricing: Rs 2,500 (all inclusive)Tickets: insider.in and at all the outlets

One Too ManyLive screening and offersTiming : 12pm-7pm three plus one on SangriaTiming: 4pm-9mUnlimited beers 999 onwardsJager Bombs (Price Rs 495 onwards)Tequilla Shots (Rs 220 onwards)