It's all about to kick off: the best Abu Dhabi venues to watch Euro 2012

The UEFA European Football Championship starts on Friday and runs until July 1. We highlight 11 Abu Dhabi venues vying to score fans eager to watch the spectacle.

Football fever is rising with the approach of the Euro 2012 tournament which starts on Friday.
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1. Team: Y-Bar

Formation: eight television screens ranging from 42 to 50 inches, plus a 1.2-metre projector.

Vibe: a modern and chic setting, with an array of lounges and stools and spruced up with football merchandise, with the staff wearing football shirts.

Venue: Yas Island Rotana at Yas Island. 12pm-1.30am. Free entry. 02 656 4000.

2. Team: NRG

Formation: seven projector screens of various sizes, indoor and at the outdoor garden.

Vibe: fun, loud - patrons can square off on the Fifa Championship PlayStation competition with funds going to charity

Venue: Le Meridien, Abu Dhabi Tourist Club. Open according to match times. Free entry until the quarter-finals, then Dh75 fee applies. 02 644 6666.

3. Team: Cristal Bar

Formation: 45-inch screens.

Vibe: the anti-sports bar - for those wanting to view the matches in elegant, intimate surroundings. An in-house jazz pianist will be there to soundtrack the joys and sorrows of the matches.

Venue: Millennium Hotel, Al Markaziyah. 5pm-2am. Free entry. 02 614 6000.

4. Team: Plaza Bar

Formation: over a dozen 42-inch screens and two projectors in a fully air-conditioned tent.

Vibe: the tent can hold over 400 people. Shisha will be available, as well as live DJ performances and a daily raffle.

Venue: Shangri-La Hotel Qaryat Al Beri, Bain Al Jessrain. 6pm-3am. Entry fee Dh75, with group packages from Dh1,000. 02 509 8888.

5. Team: Brahaus

Formation: 32-inch and 47-inch screens, plus a 16ft projector, indoors, at the courtyard and on the terrace.

Vibe: "It's a lively crowd," says the manager Carl Peters. "People come in wearing different jerseys. It's a lot of fun." As well as the rich Bavarian cuisine on offer, specials includes burgers and hot dogs for Dh40.

Venue: Beach Rotana, Tourist Club. Free entry. 4pm-1am. 02 697 9000.

6. Team: Stars 'n' Bars

Formation: 40-inch screens.

Vibe: the most down to earth option in Yas Island, where one can go in his jersey, jeans and team hat. "We have a multicultural crowd," says the manager Ahmed El Saeed. "It's friendly, a good place if you're a sports fan."

Venue: Yas Island. 11.30-2.30am. Free entry. 02 565 0101.

7. Team: The Clubhouse

Formation: 46-inch screens.

Vibe: "It's a very sporty atmosphere," says The Clubhouse's Maria Gedeon. "We will screen all the games so nothing will be missed."

Venue: Zayed Sports City. Doors open half an hour before kick off. Free entry. 02 403 4200.

8. Team: Gardenia

Formation: 42-inch screens.

Vibe: lively - a great place to hang out with football-crazy youngsters. PlayStation consoles can be hired to play in private booths.

Venue: 12th Street, Khalidiyah, close to the Etisalat Tower and behind Lebanese Flower. Free entry. 02 632 3255.

9. Team: Crazy Horse

Formation: two large screens.

Vibe: a charming ramshackle of a venue, where old-timers catch up for a game of cards, with 1950s Egyptian ballads playing from a scratchy radio.

Venue: Tourist Club, 3rd Street. Behind the Russian Embassy. Open till late.

10. Team: The Village Club

Formation: two 5ft projectors in an outdoor air-conditioned tent.

Vibe: "Because it's outdoors, it has its own natural ambience," says The Village Club's Julia Jachowicz. "It's very laid back." A meal deal is offered, including a drink, shisha and finger food for Dh85.

Venue: One to One Hotel, Al Nahyan. 5pm till late. Entry fee Dh25-50. 02 495 2000.

11. Team: InterContinental Abu Dhabi

Formation: three large screens in both the Belgian Cafe and the Aquarius Pool Bar on the 3rd floor.

Vibe: the Belgian Cafe is always a popular option for football matches, with monitors inside and outside the restaurant. Those wanting more tranquil surroundings can check out the action by the pool deck at Aquarius.

Venue: InterContinental Abu Dhabi, Al Khubeirah. Free entry. 02 666 6888.