By Chesney Hearst, Senior Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Mab’s Restaurant and Bar, located in Copacabana with beachfront views and directly across from the FIFA Fan Fest area, is broadcasting all sixty-four games of the 2014 World Cup live and drawing a large and energetic crowd of national and international viewers. As the tournament continues, the location is likely to be come a hotter and hotter destination for football (soccer) fans.
During the World Cup the large indoor and outdoor spaces are home to a total of seven TV Screens raging from sizes 32” to 42” to 50”. Four of the screens are located in the outside, with the additional three located inside.
“We have been showing all the games on the TV’s inside and out and have the games announcer on speaker so everyone can hear,” Mab’s owner Bob Fetterman told The Rio Times, who also owns the popular Lapa Irish Pub located beside Rio’s famous Arcos da Lapa (Lapa Arches).
“The business [at Mab’s] so far per day during the World Cup has been much better then during Carnival. […] Mab’s has been very busy since the World Cup started and after the Fan Fest closes we are packed with people.”
As far as which fans have been representing the best, “the World Cup customers from all countries have been great, no matter if their team wins or loses,” describes Fetterman. “After the games Mab’s has a great party atmosphere with a DJ playing music until 2PM to 3AM.”
The DJ responsible for keeping the party going with popular music at Mab’s after matches is the well liked Zona Sul (South Zone) singer and DJ, Tony Boka. As customers celebrate at the venue, they also have a chance to take in the beautiful beachfront views and get plenty to eat from traditional Brazilian to international fair.
“Mab’s has a full menu with great selections including pizza and light snacks and a bar with a full selection to offer everyone what they want,” explained Fetterman, adding that during the World Cup, “We have been serving food from our normal menu and we have a good selection of pizzas. FIFA also had us do one special meal for the World Cup.”
Mab’s began as a restaurant on that corner over forty years ago and became a well known and loved restaurant in Rio. The establishment eventually changed its name to Barbeiri and fell on hard times, going up for sale in 2012.
A team of expatriates; Niels Nielsen from Denmark and Bob Fetterman, an American living in Brazil for over four years at that time, seeing the potential in the property, jumped at the opportunity to purchase the restaurant.
They officially re-opened the establishment on October 1st, 2012. They returned the restaurant to its former name and together they also carefully crafted new diversified offerings that blend both international and traditional Brazilian dishes. Additionally all of the items on their menus are printed in English, Spanish and Portuguese.
Mab’s Restaurant and Bar
Av. Atlântica, 1140, Copacabana
Tel: (21) 2275-7299
Hours: 9AM – 3AM
Lapa Irish Pub is also showing all the matches.
Rua Evaristo da Veiga, 147 – Lapa
Tel: (21) 2221-7236
Tue – Thu: 5PM – 12AM
Fri – Sat: 5PM – 3AM
* This is an Advertorial for Mab’s Restaurant and Bar.