We give you a guide to where to watch it and how to avoid it

Love it or hate it - the world cup seems impossible to avoid - or is it? With Chiswick's vibrant restaurant, bar and social scene in full swing, the next few weeks really have something to suit everyone.

Beginning with the tournament itself (which let's face it girls has enough football talent on display to warrant calling it the beautiful game!) a number of Chiswick's finest venues are providing large screen football coverage in the bar area and a footy free dining area for those less enamoured.

Pacific Bar & Grill will be showing all the games in the bar which will leave the restaurant and the outside deck for diners who want to eat out, football free.

Over at Sam's Bar & Brasserie, Sam has the tournament all planned.  He said "With the World Cup approaching (England's first game is on 10th June), we will all want to keep an eye on England’s progress - I know that I will! Therefore we will be having a plasma screen at the end of the bar, so you can keep up to date on the scores and make sure you don't miss a minute. We will be showing all of the England games and most of the other key matches. Why not come and join us for great drinks and food in the bar and watch the games in a relaxed and fun environment?. Because of the size of the bar, it will also not effect those dining in the Brasserie who are trying to escape the World Cup!"

For those already consumed with ‘World Cup Fever’ , The Devonshire House are installing a discreet screen and extra seating in the small bar for people to enjoy those all important matches in a style and comfort they are accustomed to there. Also on offer from Devonshire House is a Tapas menu with dishes from Spanish charcuterie to delicious classic Serrano ham croquettes washed down with a smooth Rioja or a chilled Fino.

George IV is showing all the matches in the Comedy Club.  £1 tickets are being issued with all funds raised going to charity.  Other establishments planning on showing matches are The Duke of York (corner of Fraser Street and Devonshire Road), Pickwicks Wine Bar (Devonshire Road), and The City Barge (Strand on the Green).  Also check out your health club as both The Hogarth Health Club and The Park Club are both getting into the spirit of the occasion. Annie's down on the river has come up with the novel idea of offering small table top televisions to diners with a £5 'hire' fee being donated to the local Strand on The Green School.

For football widows and non fans who wish avoid football entirely, Chiswick offers numerous enticements over the coming weeks. Fancy a pint in relative peace? Then All Bar One is to remain completely footy free as will The Bulls Head who reportedly have no screens.

The 32nd year of Artists At Home 2006 runs from 16th - 18th June and crosses borough boundaries to include over 50 artists and for green fingered enthusiasts The Chiswick Horticultural Society will be holding their summer show on Saturday 17th June. 

Also on the 17th June is the Hogarth Singers "Come and Sing" at St Peter's Church, Black Lion Lane W6. (10.00 a.m. rehearsals for 7.30 p.m. concert ) and groveSTOCK 2006 featuring X-factor singing coach this is the new Chiswick musical extravaganza.

The Chiswick Family Fun Day and Party on the Pier will fill father's day on Sunday 18th nicely or perhaps try something cheesy on the 19th and 26th June with the Jeroboams Cheese evenings at Sam's Bar & Brasserie where traditional french cheeses will be presented by the experts.

St. Peter's Summer Festival begins on 22nd June for a week of music, crafts, dogs and art in Black Lion Lane and on 23rd June The Grove Park Music Festival begins.

And if the football fever continues, there is always the Our Lady of Grace & St Edwards Parish Fair to look forward to on the 8th July (day before the final match).

For those are looking forward to it all being over, my brother Richard (who reads this site from his home in Italy) sent me these words of comfort (or concern whichever way you choose to look at it) "Several newspapers have published a very interesting list of supplies the England squad are taking with them to Germany. It includes, besides toothpaste etc., enough custard to make 900 portions and personally, I find this worrying. Even if you assume that all the England players go without custard at breakfast, then this is still only enough for 39 meals. I estimate that this will only see them through to the second round matches. Is this evidence of the true level of ambition in the camp?"

A case of "They think it's all over"?

Emma Brophy

June 15, 2006