On Sept. 30, Almaty will come alive with football as Kairat hosts Real Madrid. Not everyone has tickets to the stadium, so many fans are looking for places to soak up the atmosphere outside the stands (“unofficial fan zones”).
Bars, restaurants and terraces with large screens are among the most popular options. Kursiv LifeStyle breaks down the cost of an evening filled with big-match emotions for Almaty residents and visitors.
Special conditions and no refunds
Almost all bars and restaurants in Almaty have introduced a deposit system for the match. Some venues are already fully booked, while others require advance payment — often a non-refundable one. Here are a few of the city’s offers:
- Myata Vyshka bar: 5,000 tenge (about $9) deposit per person. Hookah costs extra.
- Teplica restaurant: 10,000 tenge per person, with a 50% deposit required.
- U-Afanasicha restaurant: 15,000 tenge per person.
- Len restaurant: 25,000 tenge per person, with the match shown on a huge LED screen (2 x 3 meters).
- Sunset restaurant: 20,000 tenge per person, featuring fresh beer, signature steaks and a choice between the main dining room or summer terrace.
- Irwin bar on Panfilov: 10,000 tenge per person. At the time of publication, only two tables remained.
- Laureat Grand Cafe: 10,000 tenge per person.
- Café Leto: currently the most expensive option, with a deposit of 150,000 tenge ($275) per table and a 50,000-tenge advance payment.
- Esperanza restaurant: 10,000 tenge per person for access to two large LED screens in its 300-seat hall.
- Bar Munchen: 80,000 tenge deposit per table for six people.
Branches of the popular Café Leffe and Harat’s Pub chains are already sold out. The Queen Almaty restaurant, meanwhile, is promoting a late-night after-party following the match.
Where to watch football without deposits
There are also free options. The PlatformA food market will show the game on big screens with no reservations or deposits required. Food and drinks will be available for purchase at the food court — a potential last-minute solution for fans.
How bars and restaurants lure customers
To attract patrons, Almaty establishments are adding extras to the viewing experience: some offer free snacks, others a complimentary beer, and a few even promise live music.
Notably, even venues that normally don’t broadcast football have brought in TVs and screens. For example, Herosjorney fitness center will host free viewing sessions inside its studio. As fans note, the biggest draw is the large screens — and those seats fill up the fastest.
