Kevon successfully mixes an Ultimate June Bug, one of the TGIFriday's signature drinks. - photos by Tesi Johnson

Tesi Johnson, Gleaner Writer

ICC Cricket World Cup is for all intents and purposes, now a reality. On February 20, we started our series on bars in the city that will be perfect for fans and team members to cool down or get hot as they observe the month-long event. Today, we journey to TGIFriday's where there will be lots of fun and excitement for all.

For many sports fan, the ultimate way to enjoy a sporting event, be it cricket, football orboxing, is with like minds. They get with other fans of the same ilk, have ready a selection of 'munches' and beverages - beers in the mix of course - and bellow at the television in attempts to laud, denounce or coerce the activities of their preferred team. Silly rabbits!

The ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 is an opportunity for cricket fans to 'get on bad' for their team, and also for the 'bandwagoners' to cheer on the Windies, as they bid for the Cup.

TGIFriday's, the American restaurant chain that has found a home at the corner of Hope Road and Lady Musgrave Road, is all set to entertain the cricket fans who will inevitably flock the location to enjoy the matches on their strategically-positioned television screens. Two words will delight them - live streaming.

Do not disturb

Recently, I observed two young men at the location, seated around the bar with their eyes focused on an ensuing boxing match, twitching each time their preferred boxer received a well-landed punch. I momentarily considered asking them if they planned to return to TGIFriday's to watch the CWC matches, but I remember once being told by my brother that if I disturb him while he's watching football, he'd pummel me in the same way the boxers on the screen were going at each other. So I refrained.

Instead, I directed my questions to one member of a rowdy group of older men - his accent sounded American. He takes a puff of his Marlboro Slim, then cordially informs me: "I'm a baseball fan." I could have surmised that. Americans aren't usually into cricket. But for those who are, General Manager Narda Green promises that TGIFriday's will show their customers and fans of cricket a 'bowling' good time. In addition to the live streaming, there will be specials on Red Stripe and Red Stripe Light, give-aways of CWC and Red Stripe-branded memorabilia, Saturday night promotions with pretty girls, and more. All the fun and games will be happening starting Tuesday March 13 and continue throughout the season until Saturday, April 28, and will add to the already energetic aura of the restaurant and bar, which is always buzzing with activity.

For me, most entertaining will be the autograph-signings at TGIFriday's by members of the West Indies Cricket Team. Shivnarine Chanderpaul can be the curry in my roti anytime. But until then, I have my eyes seton Kevon the bartender, who flips a bottle over his head and makes the catch, while mixing me an Ultimate June Bug, one of the TGIFriday's signature drinks. The Windies fielders could learn a thing or two from him.