We might not be going to the big party, but we're going to enjoy ourselves anyway. Pubs and restaurants all over Ireland are preparing to throw their support behind many of the 32 teams who will take part in the World Cup in South Africa, which kicks off on Friday. Big screens have been dusted down and themed menus have been prepared to bring in the fans. Despite the recession, it could still be a busy summer.

Eileen Dunne of Dunne & Crescenzi restaurant in Dublin said no self-respecting Italian fan would dream of watching a crucial match on an empty stomach. And we're not talking beer and crisps. "In Italy, watching big matches is always food-related. We will have big-screen televisions in the restaurants with special gourmet 'football' meals, and special children's menus."

Her Roman husband Stefano is a huge football fan, and the couple are off to the Italian capital for the next few weeks – where it seems the temperature really soars when the home side are losing. "I've been there when the team has lost a match and seen people feck televisions out their window in rage," she said. "On one occasion, one landed on my parked car."

Determined not to be partisan, the 18 bars within the Louis Fitzgerald pub chain are each backing a different team. An Poitín Stil on the Naas Road will be cheering on Portugal; the Arlington Hotel on Dublin's quays has picked their Spanish neighbours.

With a huge Spanish contingent among their staff, the Knightsman Bar and restaurant in Dublin is also backing Spain, with cheap tequila shots, cheap bottles of Corona and plenty of tapas during Spanish matches. "They're a terrific side," said manager Ciaran Kelvin, "and we think they have a great chance of winning."

More of a Messi woman than a Torres fan is Trish in Madigan's of Talbot Street, which is running a World Cup promotion with its own brand of suspense.

"Everyone gets an envelope at the start of the match, and at the end everyone opens them. Some are filled with cash. Personally I am rooting for Argentina – my son loves the Argentinean team – but also I think Spain could pull the cat out of the bag. But in general we'll be rooting for any team wearing a bit of green. I think the USA could be sneaky little devils and rob England".

There's no mistaking who Yamamori Noodles on Ormond Quay is supporting (and no surprise either). "We usually play Japanese or Asian movies," said manager Martin Wang. "But during the tournament, we will screen matches live. And in the bamboo garden, there will be an outdoor telly." While there are some Japanese staff at the restaurant, there are also Chinese, Irish, Spanish, Argentinian and Korean. "Mainly we will cheer Japan, but you might hear a lot of other cheering too."

There was no big banner outside Wagamama on the other side of the city, but duty manager Brian Smyth said the restaurant was certainly getting its chopsticks out and discussing options. "We're considering getting a big screen. We don't have any Japanese staff at all, but a lot of Malaysian and Chinese and Korean, so will be cheering on the Asian countries, and South Korea especially."

Meanwhile, in Temple Bar, the Bad Ass Cafe may turn into a centre for England fans. "I feel a lot of people who usually support Man United or Arsenal will be supporting England now that we are out of the World Cup," said staff member Alex. "I personally feel England have a very strong side with a terrific manager. I have backed England from the start. I didn't have much faith in the Republic of Ireland team. We expect to attract a lot of customers who are going out to dinner before going to the pub."

With its international staff and family-friendly food, the nearby Thunder Road Cafe clearly appeals to a different customer. It will have special Spanish nights for the favourites, but staff member Evan Laurie joked that it was "thinking of doing Thierry Henry jerseys as our uniforms during the time of France's matches. What do you think customers would make of that?"