While 62,000 people fill the Olympic stadium in London on July 27 for the 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremonies, not everyone will get to see the event in person. An estimated one billion people from around the world will be watching the Opening Ceremonies on television.
Although the Opening Ceremonies will begin at 9 p.m. GMT, or 4p.m. New York time, NBC will begin its tape-delayed coverage at 7:30 p.m for those around the country to watch.
The extravagant ceremony show called "Isles of Wonder" costs an estimated $42 million and it was created by the Oscar winning director Danny Boyle, who directed "Slumdog Millionaire."
"Our Isles of Wonder salutes and celebrates the exuberant creativity of the British genius in an opening ceremony that we hope will be as unpredictable and inventive as the British people," Boyle said.
While not everyone can be in England for the Games, there are some fun places where the Opening Ceremony can be watched in New York City.
Here are some locations to watch the Opening Ceremonies and the Olympic Games in New York City
Times Square
As Times Square is one of the busiest tourist spots in New York, people from all over the world come to this area during all times of the year. The melting pot of cultures and visitors from around the world echoes the competitors of the Olympics who represent different countries. Come together and check out some of the bars and restaurants around the area that will be showing the Opening Ceremonies on their televisions.
851 Sixth Ave, (at 30th St), 10001
The Big Screen Plaza, in the courtyard behind the Eventi hotel in midtown Manhattan will be projecting the opening ceremony on a 30-by-16-foot HD LED screen. During the ceremonies, comedians will be giving hilarious commentary. Visitors can also get in on a bit of their own Olympic Games action by playing tug-o-war, arm wrestling, ping-pong, badminton and other lawn games on an Astroturf deck. After the action, cool off with sprinklers in the area.
Grab some friends and take a picture in a photo booth which will have Olympic-themed backgrounds. There will also be some sexy models at the party who will be "wandering around in skimpy, world-flag themed swimsuits," according to the Eventi hotel's event page. Food will be provided from Hester Street food vendors. Olympic screenings will take place all throughout the Games. Find out more at bigscreenplaza.com
212 West 79th Street
This bar on the Upper West Side is giving customers an extra special Olympics viewing experience as they're the only public U.S. location that will be showing the Olympics in 3-D with a Stream TV Networks 42-inch Ultra-D prototype. Special 3-D glasses aren't needed and viewers will get to feel like they're really part of the games. Those who arrive for happy hour from 4 to 7 p.m. on the weekdays can take advantage of two-for-one drinks. Blondies will be showing all of the Olympic action on their 3-D screens, from the Opening Ceremonies, to the events, to the closing ceremonies on August 12.
45 East 28th Street
If you can't get to London, the next best thing is to head to an English pub. This English tavern in Kips Bay has eight HDTV's that will show the Opening Ceremony as well as the events as they go on during the Olympics. The bar also has special Olympic themed cocktails that will be served on Fridays from 4 to 7 p.m. during their London 2012 Happy Hour. One of these drinks is the $10 gin filled 'High Jump.' As The Churchill is an English bar, they'll be rooting for Team England, so they'll serve patrons a special treat every time the team gets a gold medal.
134 Kingsland Ave, (at Beadel St)
This Williamsburg bar and restaurant is hosting a special Opening Ceremonies party. As part of their Gold Medal contest, they're encouraging patrons to dress up like their favorite Olympic star. The winner gets a gold medal and a free Growler, but all guests will be able to enjoy giveaways, music, food, and of course, drinks. They're having Olympic specials like 2 for 1 Captain Lawrence's Liquid Gold & Brooklyn Brewery's Gold Standard Beer, discounts on draft beers until 8 pm, and they're offering their limited edition Cask Ale during the ceremony.
215 West 28th Street.
This bar is an ultimate viewing location as they have 21 HDTV's to catch all the Olympics action. Starting on opening day of the Olympics, the bar is open starting at 10:30 a.m. for sports fanatics to get their fill early on. The bar has top quality drinks from premium draught beers to a vast whiskey collection. They also offer classics like Pimm's Cups during sports games.
43 E 7th St (between Second and Third Aves)
This East Village bar brings in all kinds of sport fans. Part of the draw is their weekly free pizza pie special, which is offered on Fridays at 8pm, just in time for the Opening Ceremonies. The bar orders pizzas for their customers and allows them to help themselves while they watch the Games on one of eight HDTV's. Customers can also enjoy a 72-ounce picture of domestic microbrews for $20.
121 Fulton Street.
Head to this Financial District bar and help raise mioney for a good cause. During women's soccer matches, the bar is hosting a fundraiser. Between July 28 and July 31, all proveeds will go to the Claudio Reyna Foundation, which provides soccer programs for underprivileged kids in the city. For a $10 cover, which goes towards the foundation, customers can watch the games and enjoy specials like $6 well drinks and $4 Bud Lights and Yuenglings.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
