Business at local restaurants, pubs and sports bars is booming — thanks to the World Cup.

And with the semi-finals and final still to come, the tills should continue to ring.

While football fans have been treated to every game on TV, and many have preferred to watch the matches at home, several have used the World Cup as an excuse to socialise.

Chris Garland, general manager of Flanagan’s Irish Pub on Front Street said: “It’s been a fantastic four weeks so far.

“Every time there’s a big sporting event we attract people that don’t normally come in.

“We feel that bringing more people in will always be great for business.

“While I don’t have exact numbers, I do know we have a seating capacity of 120 and the establishment’s been consistently full.”

The president of Island Restaurant Group Phillip Barnett said: “It’s certainly been an exciting World Cup so far.

“Restaurant owners have tracked the busiest days these past weeks and they’re generally the days when games are played.

“It’s been both a blessing and a curse at the same time.

“While Frog and Onion (in Dockyard) has done very well, other people have snuck away from the normal venues to attend others for the World Cup. Though I expect that people will revert to their normal places after the World Cup is over.”

Owners of businesses such as the Robin Hood Pub & Restaurant, the Bermuda Bistro at the Beach and the Swizzle Inn have also said they have enjoyed increased attendance since the beginning of the big event.

However, others haven’t seen the expected increase.

Thomas Steinoff, owner of Snorkel Park and Hammerheads Bar and Grill, said: “There are other bars that have done much better than us out of locals, which is a shame as we have a beautiful setting to watch the games.

“I think we have enjoyed some good, diverse crowds, often getting the South American and European staff off the ships to cheer on their teams. It has been fun, but not huge financial impact for us.

“On Sunday we will have a live band playing and a football available for anyone looking to kick a little beach football . . . it’s going to be the closest you can get to feeling like your on the beach in Brazil.”

The World Cup which began on June 12 will end this Sunday.