Kalvin Ng found nothing ‘off-side’ with Shehrazad Lounge Bar & Terrace as it prepares to welcome World Cup fans from around the globe.

With the FIFA Football World Cup Qatar 2022 taking place this month, excitement is hitting fever pitch. The Shehrazad Lounge Bar & Terrace at the Radisson Blu Hotel Doha is hoping to score a few winning goals as the premier sports eatery during the world’s biggest sporting event.

The exhilaration grew as we made our way towards the lounge on the first floor of the hotel. Like a captain leading his team into a packed stadium, we walked in anticipation, down a corridor lined with black-and-white photos and quotes of sporting champions from the past. Once inside, signed shirts by England football legends Paul Scholes and Paul Gascoigne adorned the walls, along with 10 – yes 10 – large TVs showing a variety of live sports. I have no doubt the screens will exclusively show ‘the beautiful game’ once the World Cup begins in earnest on November 20.

The venue had a friendly feel, was well-lit, spacious and had plenty of tables and seats inside. There was also a large outdoor area with four television screens – perfect for those who want to take advantage of the cooler weather during this time of the year.

The affable bar manager Armando and server Karla took us to a table by the window, which was quiet but still in full view of all the action on the TVs. We visited on ‘Combo Wednesday’, where diners can choose from a selection of four dishes with a speciality beverage included. We decided to go for the Bangers and Mash. Delicious sausages were paired with a thick, flavourful gravy and fluffy yet creamy mashed potatoes. It’s hard to go wrong with the bar food equivalent of comfort food.

Next came the Combo Sharing Platter with a generous selection of chicken sliders, fried seafood, onion rings and chicken wings. The pieces were bite-sized; perfect to pick up and devour while you turn your attention to the sports action. The fried fish and calamari pieces were perfectly crispy on the outside while soft on the inside, as were the lightly-battered onion rings. The golden, deep-fried prawns had a nice crunch from the breadcrumbs. The chicken sliders were tender and succulent. However, the fried chicken wings were, for me, the most valuable players on the platter. Wonderfully seasoned with light and crispy skins, I could understand why the other tables nearby had made the same choice! The platter paired perfectly with two refreshing mocktails Armando selected for us: a Ginger Peach, with just the right amount of zing from the ginger, and a deliciously fruity Cranberry Punch. Both were beautifully presented with mint and fresh fruit. With just minutes to go to the final whistle, the Classic Quesadilla arrived with diced tomatoes, green onions and creamy cheese sandwiched between lightly grilled tortillas, served with freshlymade guacamole and salsa. The combination was divine without being too greasy.

Shehrazad’s manager Armando explained that the lounge and terrace will introduce a focused menu made especially for the World Cup. He couldn’t give away too many details but promised a small selection of new dishes along with favourites such as pizza, steaks and burgers at reasonable prices. The idea, he said, was to provide easy, unpretentious and wholesome food. In fact, many of the food and beverage outlets at the Radisson Blu Hotel Doha have spent the past year creating dedicated menus to showcase their variety during the World Cup.

If you weren’t lucky enough to score tickets to watch a football match in person at a stadium, Shehrazad Lounge Bar & Terrace could well become the next best place to be. With a lively, fun and friendly atmosphere, it welcomes patrons from all over the world, whether you’re fanatic about sports or just want a relaxing place for a casual catch-up with friends. ✤

GO: CALL 4428 1555 OR FURTHER INFORMATION OR TO MAKE A RESERVATION.