AREA PUBS WILL SERVE UP WORLD CUP FARE.

Byline: Fred J. Robledo Staff Writer

Southern California soccer fans hoping to watch World Cup telecasts live from Korea and Japan on ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC are faced with a formidable challenge.

There's a 16-hour time difference between California and the host nations. This means many of the games will begin anywhere from 11:30 p.m. to 5 a.m. PDT during the month-long tournament, which begins Friday and runs through June 30.

Worried about staying awake? Don't be.

Several area restaurants and pubs known for catering to soccer fans will extend their hours to allow fans to watch the games live in their facilities. Alcohol won't be served after 2 a.m., but fans will have the chance to cheer their favorite teams on in the company of others who share their passion for soccer.

Nora's Place in North Hollywood will show all the games live. Owner Juan Lopez, a native of Mexico, already has reserved a section of the pub for a group of Japanese fans during every game Japan plays.

If Mexico is your favorite team, this is certainly a place to plan a party as well.

``We want everyone to come,'' said Lopez. ``We won't shut down; we're showing everything. For some of us, the World Cup is something you can't miss and you have to watch live, otherwise it's not the same. But we will show replays during the day for those who can't make the games live.''

Lucky Baldwin's Pub in Pasadena will offer fans live telecasts of all World Cup matches involving England, the United States, Ireland and Mexico as well as selected other matches throughout the tournament, according to owner David Farnworth.

This is nothing new for Farnworth, a native of England. He entertains large groups of soccer fans at his establishment during the English Premiership season, with matches starting as early as 4 a.m. on a regular basis.

``People don't want to sit at home and watch it alone,'' said Farnworth. ``They want the atmosphere. They want to enjoy it with their friends and other people from their country.

``We will stop serving alcohol at 1:30, because that's the law. But we'll have coffee throughout the morning to keep fans alive.''

Dave McNally, manager of the Cock and Bull in Santa Monica, said his establishment will show 75 percent of the games live, especially those involving England, Germany, Ireland, Mexico and the United States.

``We're the best known soccer bar on the West Coast,'' McNally said. ``We'll show replays throughout the day, so if it's soccer that you want to see, this is the place to be.''

At the British Dominion Social Club in Garden Grove, all of England's matches will be shown live, in addition to selected other matches. Coffee will be served throughout the morning with an English-style breakfast.

Several other pubs will show only 11:30 p.m. matches and replays throughout the morning and afternoon.

SOCCER HANGOUTS

A partial list of pubs and restaurants in Greater Los Angeles that will stay open late for soccer fans wishing to watch World Cup games live on TV:

NORA'S PLACE: 5667 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. [phone]. Owner Juan Lopez will show all the matches available live, as well as replays in the morning and afternoon. Lopez is a huge fan of Mexico and he said there will be standing-room only crowds in his restaurant when Mexico plays. Nora's Place is a favorite among Latino soccer fans during the Mexican League season.

LUCKY BALDWIN'S PUB: 17 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena. [phone]. Games starting at 11:30 p.m., 2 a.m., 5 a.m.? No problem, says owner David Farnworth, who regularly shows English Premiership games live and will have his establishment open virtually every morning throughout the World Cup. Locally, this is the place to be for soccer parties or just to enjoy a game with a large group of fans.

THE COCK AND BULL: 2947 Lincoln Blvd., Santa Monica. [phone]. Manager Dave McNally calls his pub the best-known soccer bar on the West Coast. He said he will show 75 percent of the games live on eight televisions and a big screen. Come early, he says, particularly for games involving England, Scotland, Ireland and the United States.

DOMENICO'S: 82 N. Fair Oaks, Pasadena. [phone]. Bar opens at 10 a.m. and will show replays throughout the day. Domenico's will also show all games that begin at 11:30 p.m.

CAMPERS CORNER: 720 E. Seventh St., Los Angeles. [phone]. According to management, all 11:30 p.m. matches will be shown live, then the bar will close and re-open at 9:30 a.m. for the replays. This is a hot spot for fans throughout the Mexican league season.

ALMA'S CAFE: 2738 Whittier Blvd., East Los Angeles. [phone]. Will show Mexican national team games live and all others on tape delay throughout the day. During the 1998 World Cup, Alma's Cafe was shown regularly on television newscasts because of its soccer following, particularly of Mexico.

CAPTION(S):

box

Box:

SOCCER HANGOUTS (see text)