Premier pints: the best sports bars in Manchester

Food hall meets music festival is how we’d describe Freight Island to anyone confused about what they’ll find at this regenerated rail depot beyond Piccadilly Station. 

If dancing on tables with two-pint steins is what you’re after, head to Bierkeller in The Printworks. This Bavarian-themed bar is best known for its live oompah bands which play at weekends. It’s a raucous night out complete with lederhosen and copious amounts of German beer.

BOX is all about big-screen sports, booze (including two-for-one cocktails) and blokes singing – ‘bandeoke’ is a thing and it exists here. The Manchester outpost of a popular Yorkshire concept, head here if you want a front-row seat at every match, game, fixture and fight on a high-definition wide screen. Whatever sports are being shown by Sky, BT and Box Office, you will find them on one of the 25 screens.

Brickhouse Social is a casual place that’s all about pizza, beer and good times. Situated just off Oxford Road, in general it attracts a younger demographic perhaps enticed by the prices. It’s relatively good value for such a prime spot.

The Brotherhood of Pursuits and Pastimes has a more grown-up look than most sports bars, all muted greens rather than shouty neon. However, when it comes to atmosphere, it’s a great place to watch live events.

Calcio! is a sports and retro gaming bar on Dale Street in the Northern Quarter. As anyone who remembers watching Italia 90 will know, football is the focus here, but old-school consoles provide the drama when there’s not a match on.

The Crafty Pig is a sociable bar on the edge of Manchester’s Northern Quarter with a busy beer garden and a sports bar vibe.

The Deansgate is a bit of a landmark pub in Manchester, having been in this spot for 200 years.

Manchester classic the Lass O’Gowrie won Best Pub in Britain in 2012 but suffered a loss in income (and a change of landlord) when the BBC building opposite closed. It’s now very much a Greene King pub but it still retains much of its character and charm.

If you’re a fan of cosy pubs with good beer and great craic, Mulligans will be right up your alley. Located just off Deansgate, it’s full of character and is Manchester’s oldest authentic Irish pub.

O’Neill’s in the Printworks is a lively bar (some would say too lively) that’s known as a decent place to watch the football, or to go for pre-Arena drinks.