There’s something oddly appealing about watching sport played in glorious sunshine while it’s pitch black outside – like you’re privy to something in another reality, not just a different timezone. The US Masters is a great example, but I’m most particularly thinking about the 1986 and 1994 World Cups – great memories, and so much more preferable to the 2002 version when I had to watch England lose at 9am and then go to an office I shared with a Scot.
So pity the poor North Americans who rarely enjoy this privilege. The closest they get is watching a late finish in the Australian Open tennis, so it’s no wonder so few of them like non-American sports – following them is a life sentence of early starts. You might as well become a postman.
What it means, however, is that watching the Super Bowl over here, in starry, not so stripey Copenhagen, becomes a novelty. The game pretty much kicks off at midnight and, like a bad night at the Oscars, takes you to the crack of dawn. So what better way to enjoy it than making it an all-night bender? Particularly as Super Bowl XLVII marks the first time in the competition’s history that the rival coaches are brothers!
So enlist some buddies, sink some Buds and devour some ribs at one of the venues showing John Harbaugh’s Baltimore Ravens take on Jim Harbaugh’s San Francisco 49ers. Make it a night to remember!
Super Bowl XLVII – Various venues across Greater Cph; Sun evening
If the Irish Rover played gridiron it would be a wide receiver, waiting in acres of space for you, the quarterback, to find it with ease, smack in the middle of Strøget. This Sunday, it will be going large on the Super Bowl merchandise, selling a whole variety of special food from10pm until the midnight kick-off. Special offers include two Buds and a burger for just 140 kroner and two Buds and a bowl of Nachos for 100. And don’t forget the Budweiser girls, who will be out in force again this year. Ask them nicely and they might even give you a chant.
Irish Rover
Vimmelskaftet 46, Cph K; from 21:00, free adm
The Globe’s event would be the intercepting defensive back – because for free admission, this event is a steal. Special deals include four bottles of Budweiser for 100 kroner and hotdogs all night for 20kr, all presented by the lovely Budweiser ladies.
The Globe
Nørregade 43-45, Cph K; from 21:00, free adm
On the pitch, the quarterback is the king, so where would he choose to host his party? The Crowne Plaza of course, where AmCham Denmark, in co-operation with the Danish American Football Federation, is once again laying on a great spread and entertainment. Entry grants you a free Bud and access to their famous all-you-can-eat buffet, and among the prizes up for grabs are two return tickets to the US courtesy of Iceland Air, a Platinum Priority Club Card for hotel stays at IHG branded hotels worldwide courtesy of Crowne Plaza Copenhagen Towers, and dinner for four at the Hard Rock Café. And if you don’t fancy returning home in the early hours, why not book a night at the hotel at a discounted rate (895 kroner for a double room with breakfast).
Crowne Plaza Copenhagen Towers
Ørestads Boulevard 114-118, Cph S; 22:00-04:00; 375kr, 3,500kr for a table of ten, reserve at www.amcham.dk
The Hard Rock Café would be the ‘kid too cool for ball’ – think John Travolta in Grease, and he plays in a band – but he would know the difference between college football and the Super Bowl. Entry grants you a free Budweiser and once there, you’ll be able to choose from a specially put together snack menu – after all, who does US food better? – and participate in some Super Bowl fun and games. Expect specials on food and drinks throughout the evening and plenty of surprises – last year the café gave away 50 Budweiser football jerseys. Don’t forget that it’s possible to book a table as a group, and given its city centre location, right next to Tivoli, it’s ideally situated should you fancy carrying on until sunrise.
Hard Rock Cafe
Vesterbrogade 3, Cph K; 100kr, 3312 4333
Given its choice of film this year, Palads would be the most intimidating defensive lineman since The Fridge himself. From 21:00, the cinema will be showing the latest Arnold Schwarzeggner action movie, The Last Stand, on its big screen before the big match. The movie isn’t out nationwide until March 7 so don’t miss this chance if you want a sneak preview of Big Arnie’s first film in over a decade. The ticket price also includes a Budweiser – not bad for a night promising cool one-liners, although they didn’t specify by whom. Likewise, when they said ‘action’, they didn’t confirm whether they meant court action or action with the nanny?
Palads Theatre
Axeltorv 9, Cph V; starts 20:00; tickets: 150kr; 7013 1211; www.paladsbio.dk
Given its location, Brøndby Stadium would have to be the coach, because in its Michael Laudrup Lounge, the setting for an unforgettable night has been set, graced by the presence of TV commentator Jimmy Bøjgaard. A quiz (in Danish) with excellent prizes, prizes for best dressed fan, pole-dancing, gaming and a massive buffet including spareribs, hotwings, coleslaw, onion rings and banana cream pie. And for an extra 20kr, you can get a shuttle bus back to the city centre after the game. Be warned though, the evening doesn’t really cater for non-Danish speakers, and the price doesn’t even include a free bar – you’ll need to upgrade for that.
Brøndby Stadion
Michael Laudrup VIP Lounge, Brøndby Stadion 30, Brøndby; from 19:30; tickets: 595kr, 4363 1964; www.brondby.com
Given its close association to the Copenhagen Towers American football team, this event at Lions and Barrels would have to be the former pro, turned expat star. Once again they’ll be welcoming the home team to lend their credence, this time poaching the Elming Brothers from Brøndby Stadium’s line-up to orchestrate the entertainment. The Bud girls will be out in force – you get two free ones with entry – and a splendid buffet will include Brooklyn burgers, chilli fries, coleslaw and wings.
Lions and Barrels at Parken
Øster Alle 50, Cph Ø; from 19:00, entertainment from 20:00; tickets 599kr, 6996 0040
