A lot of the prematch bars are to be found near the old ground – just 4 metro stops away from the new Veltins Arena. As such, the area is heaving with blue shirts – all excited for the match.The most popular places are pretty different. Vereinslokal S04 is a very traditional place – built for the older fans, with black and white pictures that tell a tale of Schalke's history – this is a bar for the purists.Auf Schalke is just as well decorated but the resident DJ gives the place a much more upbeat feel – certainly pumping you up for the match!Closer to the ground you will find Fliegenpils, a classic sports bar and Café Del Sol – which is the closest bar to the ground – the atmosphere isn't football crazy but the food's good!In the ground – the main place for Schalke fans is Charly´s Bummelzug. Owned by a former manager – this is the place to really feel the atmosphere building,

It doesn't really matter to which place you go around the stadium. If there is Schalke04 playing the entire city is covered in blue and fans are to find everywhere. If you want to meet local fans near the stadium and have some beers at the same time, check out the place "Charly's Schalker” which is next to the training ground and, thus, close to the stadium, too. Other options to have a drink or two are "Cafe del Sol”, "Paradiso” or "Bistro auf Schalke”. If you want to experience local pubs after the game, you should head towards the city center, just follow the local fans.

The stadium is surrounded by Veltins-branded beer stands that will sell you a drink before the match, but aside from them the stadium is a little dry as far as pubs go. That said, the centre of Gelsenkirchen has more than enough pubs, and as befitting a football mad city, a lot of them are noted for their sporting outlook. Try Oisin Kelly Gallery, an Irish pub that shows the Premier League as well as all the German games.