Bars in Guangzhou will still be forced to close at 2am despite the late start times for World Cup soccer matches, police said yesterday.
Police may be busy enforcing the rule. Forty of 64 World Cup games will start after 2am.

    Nonetheless, many bars said they will violate the law and show the games.

    "We cannot refuse customers who want to watch games," said a barkeeper. "We can stop playing drums and music after 3am, but the telecast will not stop."

    It was unclear if bars would also stop serving alcohol after 2am.

    Police insisted they will not relax the ban and will do inspections during the World Cup.

    Bar owners are keen on using the global tournament to boost business, a Guangzhou newspaper reported yesterday.

    A bar on Tiyu Road posted a World Cup schedule on its door. The national flags of the 32 participants line the bar's corridor. Pictures of soccer stars were plastered everywhere.

    A bartender said they will use 10 30-inch color television sets during the tournament.

    A bar on Huanshi Road said they will invite foreign friends from Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal and South Korea to watch the games.