Ready, set … go Brazil!

[Photo by Wei Xiaohao/China Daily]

The Brazilian embassy in Beijing rented Migas overnight June 12-13 for a party that was clearly the hot ticket in town, as friends of the embassy swarmed the restaurant and bar for the 4 am kick-off of the World Cup.

With four hours to eat, drink, and be merry in Portuguese until the 4 am game time, the crowd kept bartenders hopping with shouts of "Caipirinha!".

That starts with cachaca, which is what you get when you ferment and distill sugarcane juice. Mix it with sugar and lime, and you’ve got Brazil’s national drink.

The crowd in Migas' sleek industrial space screamed themselves hoarse as the "home team" ultimately swatted Croatia 3-1.

A lively Latin band inspired plenty of pre-game dancing, and there was a performance by Capoeira Mandinga Beijing, which practices the smooth combination of martial arts and dance that originated with African slaves in Brazil.

Soccer fans snacked on some yummy tapas as the staff rushed to accommodate the overflow crowd, but there wasn’t really a chance to explore the contemporary Spanish cuisine of executive chef Aitor Olabegoya of Barcelona, which has earned local food awards for three years running.

If you didn’t get to that World Cup party, don’t despair: It’s a long tournament, and restaurants and bars across China have food and drink specials going for the World Cup. Check online entertainment listings for a party with the flavors of your favorite team.