Best sports bars in Manchester

Top 10 best sports bars in Manchester

Searching for the perfect venue to catch the big game with friends?

Whether you’re looking for somewhere to cheer on your favourite football team (come on you Reds! Or is it Blues? Let’s not go there…) or catch the latest televised darts tournament, you won’t be short of choice in Manchester!

It’s no surprise that Manchester, home to not one but two world-famous football clubs, has a fierce sporting spirit.

It’s not just football that the city is passionate about; cricket, rugby, darts, cycling, basketball, and more are all widely embraced and celebrated in Manchester.

Known for its dynamic and eclectic vibe, Manchester’s city centre has a thriving nightlife and a bustling array of pubs and bars. Many of these venues come alive during sporting events, offering an energetic and inviting atmosphere where fans can unite in their shared love for the game.

No matter what vibe you’re looking for, there’s a sports bar in Manchester for you. So, grab a friend or two, and come on down to watch the big game and enjoy a couple of bevvies while soaking up the vibrant Manchester scene.

We’ve made finding the best sports bar Manchester a little easier for you by rounding up some of the city’s firm favourites.

There’s something for everyone on our list.

 

The Bierkeller

You can’t get much more central than Manchester’s iconic Printworks building, where you’ll find The Bierkeller nestled. The Bierkeller is Manchester’s favourite Bavarian bar, where the spirit of Oktoberfest lives on all year round. Its fun-filled, party vibe spills over into its Shooters sports bar,  which is decked out with massive projectors, LED screens, and TVs to ensure you catch every minute of the match in vivid detail. Keep those match-day cravings at bay with Shooters’ food and drinks menu, which serves up a taste of Bavaria. Choose from a selection of German beers, wines, bubbly and refreshing non-alcoholic drinks, perfectly complemented by mouth-watering bratwursts and wings. The fun doesn’t end when the game’s over either. Why not stay and play a round of pool, darts, or beer pong – the night is young!

 

Tib Street Tavern

The Tib Street Tavern is an independent bar offering a cosy and inviting atmosphere in the heart of Manchester’s hip Northern Quarter. Proud of the tavern’s heritage, the venue is decorated with photographs that pay homage to the rich legacy of Tib Street. While small, the Tib Street Tavern has become a firm favourite among sports fans looking for a relaxed, warm, and welcoming venue for catching the latest sporting events. The tavern shows top sporting events on its many HD screens, pulling in large crowds on game days. Guests can also enjoy a meticulously curated selection of beers, spirits and food options while watching the game and catching up with friends.

 

Box Bar

If you’re looking for a huge sports bar with a lively atmosphere, then Box Bar in Deansgate could be right for you. Spread across two levels, Box Bar offers American-style cuisine, a huge drinks menu, and plenty of massive HD screens for an unbeatable viewing experience. If you’re visiting at the weekend, why not indulge in a bottomless brunch – where indulgent American pancakes and endless fizz make for an entertaining afternoon of fun with friends. And when the final whistle blows, Box Bar still has more to enjoy. Alongside live sports, the venue also offers shuffleboards and dartboards for sparking your own spot of friendly competition. Or, for something a bit different, the bar is also equipped with karaoke machines for showcasing your vocal talents (or lack of!)

 

Turing Tap

The Turing Tap is one of those bustling city centre venues that draws in a delightfully diverse crowd. Refreshingly, the Turing Tap is a Manchester sports bar with a light and airy interior and contemporary vibe. It’s located on Oxford Road to the south of the city centre, close to the Manchester University campus. Perhaps because of its relative distance to the centre or proximity to the university campus, the Turing Tap offers food and drink at very reasonable prices. Premier League football, Premiership Rugby, and the Super Bowl are all firm favourites at Turing Tap, which shows all the big games in HD.

 

The English Lounge

If you’re looking for a traditional English pub atmosphere, then The English Lounge could be your venue. Conveniently located on the cusp of the vibrant Northern Quarter, opposite the Arndale shopping centre, The English Lounge has a varied clientele and is often celebrated for being particularly female-friendly and family-orientated. Inside, you’ll find casual seating, cosy sofas, and individual viewing booths, giving you and your party front-row seats for watching the game. The menu features all your pub favourites, plus classic roast dinners on Sundays.

 

Sixes Cricket

Sixes Cricket is more than a bar to sip a drink and watch the game. It’s an entertainment venue offering a unique experience: social cricket. You don’t need to be an experienced cricketer to give it a go; anyone can play. Step into the batter’s box to play, facing a virtual bowler in a high-tech arena. Your objective? To score points by striking numbered targets dotted around the nets. So, step up and test your batting skills. The Sixes experience doesn’t end at the game; the venue also serves up a tasty menu of burgers, pizzas, and more. So, once you’ve tired yourself out batting, it’s time to relax with a drink and watch live sports on-screen whilst reliving the highlights of your social cricket experience. Footage If it’s cheap and cheerful that you’re after and you don’t mind mingling with students, then Footage on Oxford Road offers affordable drinks and plenty of screens for catching the latest sporting action. The venue has gone all out with some of the biggest screens you’ll find in a Manchester sports bar so that you’ll never miss a goal no matter how busy it gets. Footage also offers free high-speed Wi-Fi and a fun virtual jukebox. There’s a wide array of drinks to choose from, but if it’s beer that you’re after, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Footage’s ever-evolving selection of beers features both local brews and international favourites.

Walkabout

Walkabout, a popular Australian-themed bar, is located within the Printworks building in the heart of Manchester. During the daytime, Walkabout serves up live sports on big screens, burgers, beers, and more, and by night, the DJ transforms the venue into a place to dance and party until the wee hours. With several 42″ plasma screens, two HD projectors, and a 3D TV, it’s easy to see why Walkabout has become renowned as one of the best bars to watch live sport in central Manchester.

 

Brotherhood of Pursuits and Pastimes

If you’re looking for a more refined venue for watching a big sporting event, away from sticky tables and rabble-rousers, then the Brotherhood of Pursuits and Pastimes promises a luxury experience. Located just behind Manchester Central Library, on the corner of Mount Street, the Brotherhood has a moody, industrial-style American interior reminiscent of a gentleman’s club, complete with Chesterfield sofas and old banker’s lamps. The upmarket venue shows all kinds of sports, from football to golf and rugby to roller derby. You’ll find a games area in the basement, kitted out with pool tables and football tables. Large parties can also book a private booth complete with a separate TV for free.

 

The Director’s Box

The Director’s Box is a high-end sports bar just five minutes from Picadilly Gardens. If you’re looking for a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere for watching sports in high definition, this could be the venue for you. The Director’s Box features an array of 4K and HD TV screens that bring every action-packed minute to life. With the ability to broadcast up to four different games simultaneously, whether you’re into golf, darts, Formula 1, football, cricket, tennis, or American football, there’s guaranteed to be something playing for everyone. If you’re seated in one of their booths, you won’t miss a play whilst waiting at the bar either, as each booth has a bell to ring for drinks service.

And there you have it! Our top ten best sports bars in Manchester – which venue will you choose?