Lebanese people are eagerly awaiting the start of the World Cup matches in Qatar, with many planning to visit restaurants and cafes to watch the games with friends or family. What are restaurants preparing for the Lebanese during this year’s World Cup month? Are there any surprises? And what will the prices be like?
Tony Rami, head of the Syndicate of Restaurant, Cafe, Night Club, and Patisserie Owners in Lebanon, reveals that major cafes are preparing exciting decorations and atmospheres, indicating that they will not be in a regular setup but will be filled with flags, artificial grass, and balls.
He adds in an interview with MTV: "There will be entertainment offerings during the matches," noting that "the World Cup atmosphere in cafes this year will be wonderful."
Rami explains the pricing mechanisms that restaurants and cafes will adopt for attending the matches, which will be as follows:
- À la carte, meaning the customer pays according to what they order from the menu of food and drinks.
- Minimum Charge, such as a minimum fee of 500,000, which includes food and drink.
- Football Charge, where a charge of 100,000 is applied to the customer, excluding food and drink.
It is mentioned that no specific prices have been set yet for the Minimum Charge and Football Charge, pending a meeting among cafe and restaurant owners to finalize this matter.
Rami states that "the cost of restaurants subscribing to broadcast the World Cup matches is very high, ranging between 10,000 and 15,000 dollars," adding: "We have held three meetings with the Minister of Tourism regarding restaurant subscriptions to broadcast the matches," revealing an upcoming tripartite meeting of the Syndicate of Restaurants, Cafes, and Nightclubs with the Minister of Tourism and the Minister of Information to press the ‘Sama’ company for the best possible price for broadcasting the matches.
Rami concludes: "We hope the restaurants offer the best prices and the most wonderful atmosphere, to provide at least a glimmer of hope for the Lebanese during the World Cup period."
