After a thrilling weekend of rugby league, we now have our World Cup Finalists – the Kiwis, who narrowly pipped England to the post 20–18 courtesy of a last gasp Shaun Johnson try and conversion; and the Kangaroos, who ran in 11 tries to win 64–0 against an outclassed Fiji.
The final, kicking off at Old Trafford on Saturday, November 30, is already a confirmed sell-out. However, if you plan on following the party up to Manchester anyway, here are five of the best sporting pubs in the city in which to watch the game.
Meanwhile, for those looking for a decent pint but a rugby-free Saturday afternoon, below is also a list of five decidedly un-sporty bars about town…
The best places to catch all the sporting action:
1. The Lass O’Gowrie, Charles St, M1: Not only one of the best pubs in Manchester to watch sport in, The Lass is – or at least was until very recently – the best pub in the whole country (it won Great British Pub of the Year in 2012, as voted for by the trade press). Its idiosyncratic mish-mash of traditional pub ideals with old-school arcade machines, Dr Who memorabilia, comedy nights, and fringe theatre sounds like it shouldn’t work, but it absolutely does. Really, the Lass is a must visit pub whether you’re looking to watch sport or not.
2. Joshua Brooks, Charles St, M1 Across the trickle of the “River” Medlock, only 10 feet away from the Lass, stands Joshua Brooks, another award winning pub – in this instance, the Manchester Evening News’ venue of the year for both 2010 and 2011. It may be better known for its vast array of club nights, but by day, especially over the weekend, Joshua Brooks is a haven for sports fans, and even gives its neighbour a run for its money in the food and drink stakes, with a selection above and beyond your average pub offering.
3. The Courtyard, Chester St, M1: A short walk down Oxford Road from the Lass and Joshua Brooks, The Courtyard (formerly Scu2) will be teeming with students during term time, though this emphasis on those in academia has its perks, namely dirt cheap beer and food (of surprisingly good quality, considering how little you pay for either). Not only that, it has the option to screen up to five different sporting events simultaneously – including in the sizeable eponymous beer garden – meaning that even the lesser-followed sports often get a look in.
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4. The Pub, Grosvenor St, M1: Not exactly the most original name for a watering hole, The Pub, much like the Courtyard, is still in student-ville and is likewise great for three things – cheap beer, cheap food and good sports coverage. Multiple screens ensure wider coverage of sporting events and that no matter where you are around the bar, you should get a good view of the action. Just remember to be a bit more specific when directing your friends as to where to meet you…
5. Dog & Partridge, Wilmslow Rd, M20: OK, so not in the city centre but only a short trip down Wilmslow Rd away in East Didsbury, an article about sporting pubs in Manchester wouldn’t be complete without a mention of the Dog & Partridge. It can get a little cosy at times due to limited floorspace so aim to get there ahead of time to guarantee a spot; however, it’s definitely worth the trip. It’s particularly good for watching rugby in (the landlord is a big fan), so don’t be surprised to find it taking precedence over football – a rare find in Manchester.
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…and the best places for those that would rather not… 1. Port Street Beer House, Port St, M1One for the aficionados, the taps on top and the fridges behind Port Street Beer House’s bar can really only be described as ‘beer porn’ to the ale enthusiast. It’s admittedly on the expensive side – a handful of beers on offer are £40-plus – though you can still get a standard-priced pint if you like, and the whole point of Port Street is to try things that are out of the ordinary, and quality and discovery costs money. You’ll be hard-pushed to find a better curated choice of beers, not just in Manchester but arguably in the whole of the UK.2. 57 Thomas St, Thomas St, M4One of three bars in the city owned and operated by local brewers Marble, 57 Thomas Street is about as simple a watering hole as you’ll find in Manchester – one room; one big long table, a handful of smaller ones and a load of chairs; kegs of Marble’s own locally brewed beer perched directly on the bar; and two big chalk boards telling you what’s on offer. The simplicity extends to the food menu as well ¬– cold meats, cheese, bread, and not a lot else. If that doesn’t sound like the ideal place to spend a Saturday afternoon, then I don’t know what does.3. The Knott, Deansgate, M3Hewn into the railway arches next to Deansgate railway station, The Knott serves as a welcome antidote to the neon-lit chain bars that sit diagonally opposite, along Deansgate Locks. The tattered Ramones posters, mismatched furniture, exposed brickwork and vault-like ceiling all lend The Knott a rather higgledy-piggledy feel that only adds to its charm, bringing in an extremely diverse clientele. Add to that a great drink selection and some of the tastiest pub food this side of the Pennines, and you’ve got honestly one of the best pubs in Manchester. 4. Sandbar, Grosvenor Street, M1Neighbour to the aforementioned The Pub and nestled among the university buildings just off Oxford Road, Sandbar still gets its fair share of student visitors but its location belies its more upmarket positioning. Its warehouse-like feel lends it an effortless air of cool, the food is both extremely tasty and affordable, and the drink selection – with a particular focus on cask and bottled ales, and weissbier – is broader than most and a welcome change from the more commercial stuff on offer nearby (The Pub next door may be cheap, but that does comes at the expense of range. And the less said about The Footage the better). 5. BrewDog, Peter St, M2The BrewDog Empire continues to grow unabated, with more bars popping up around the country (and even overseas) seemingly every month. The Manchester Peter St location opened in May 2012 opposite the former Free Trade Hall, with the brewery extending its no-nonsense approach to beer to bar ownership – the venue’s stripped down interior is bereft of any unnecessary frills, the menu is kept to a minimum and only BrewDog and a handful of carefully selected guest drinks are available. While this does limit one in terms of choice, it’s helped by the fact that BrewDog’s beers are all so damn drinkable.
…and if you’d rather avoid the rugby, here are the best places to be:
1. Port Street Beer House, Port St, M1: One for the aficionados, the taps on top and the fridges behind Port Street Beer House’s bar can really only be described as ‘beer porn’ to the ale enthusiast. It’s admittedly on the expensive side – a handful of beers on offer are £40-plus – though you can still get a standard-priced pint if you like, and the whole point of Port Street is to try things that are out of the ordinary, and quality and discovery costs money. You’ll be hard-pushed to find a better curated choice of beers, not just in Manchester but arguably in the whole of the UK.
2. 57 Thomas St, Thomas St, M4: One of three bars in the city owned and operated by local brewers Marble, 57 Thomas Street is about as simple a watering hole as you’ll find in Manchester – one room; one big long table, a handful of smaller ones and a load of chairs; kegs of Marble’s own locally brewed beer perched directly on the bar; and two big chalk boards telling you what’s on offer. The simplicity extends to the food menu as well ¬– cold meats, cheese, bread, and not a lot else. If that doesn’t sound like the ideal place to spend a Saturday afternoon, then I don’t know what does.
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3. The Knott, Deansgate, M3: Hewn into the railway arches next to Deansgate railway station, The Knott serves as a welcome antidote to the neon-lit chain bars that sit diagonally opposite, along Deansgate Locks. The tattered Ramones posters, mismatched furniture, exposed brickwork and vault-like ceiling all lend The Knott a rather higgledy-piggledy feel that only adds to its charm, bringing in an extremely diverse clientele. Add to that a great drink selection and some of the tastiest pub food this side of the Pennines, and you’ve got honestly one of the best pubs in Manchester.
4. Sandbar, Grosvenor Street, M1: Neighbour to the aforementioned The Pub and nestled among the university buildings just off Oxford Road, Sandbar still gets its fair share of student visitors but its location belies its more upmarket positioning. Its warehouse-like feel lends it an effortless air of cool, the food is both extremely tasty and affordable, and the drink selection – with a particular focus on cask and bottled ales, and weissbier – is broader than most and a welcome change from the more commercial stuff on offer nearby (The Pub next door may be cheap, but that does comes at the expense of range. And the less said about The Footage the better).
5. BrewDog, Peter St, M2: The BrewDog Empire continues to grow unabated, with more bars popping up around the country (and even overseas) seemingly every month. The Manchester Peter St location opened in May 2012 opposite the former Free Trade Hall, with the brewery extending its no-nonsense approach to beer to bar ownership – the venue’s stripped down interior is bereft of any unnecessary frills, the menu is kept to a minimum and only BrewDog and a handful of carefully selected guest drinks are available. While this does limit one in terms of choice, it’s helped by the fact that BrewDog’s beers are all so damn drinkable.
Images via Getty
