World Cup winners
Where will you be watching the greatest show on turf? Aaron Collins looks at eight of the region’s best bars with big screens where you can cheer England to victory – or sob into your pint
ON Thursday, June 14, the 2018 World Cup will kick off in Russia, with 32 countries looking to win football’s biggest prize. Brazil, France, Argentina and Spain are just some of the nations looking to take the football crown away from defending champions Germany.
England are joint favourites to qualify from Group G with Belgium, with the challenge against a difficult Tunisia side and the relatively unknown Panama.
If you plan to watch the games you might want to take a look at this guide to eight sports bars where you can watch the 2018 FIFA World Cup:
SHOOTERS SPORTS BAR, NOTTINGHAM Shooters sets a high standard for what such an experience should include, with leather seats and large LED TVs. You can pre-book a VIP seating with packages ranging from £10-20 per head. The food menu is by far the biggest of the lot, ranging from brioche rolls, to burgers and steaks, numerous sides and Man Vs Food style eating challenges.
■Address: 15-17 Friar Lane, Nottingham, NG1 6DA. Website: shootersportsbar.co.uk/ nottingham. Phone: 0844 5333 000
RILEYS POOL & SNOOKER CLUB, NOTTINGHAM To say there is a lot to do at the Rileys Pool & Snooker Club in Nottingham is an understatement, with a range of snooker, American pool and English pool tables, dedicated darts zone and seating area for the World Cup games.
Rileys has a diverse food menu, with nachos, chicken wings, burgers and tortilla wraps, and vegetarian options on offer.
There are also discounts for those who book a pool table, with further details on their website. For those travelling by car, Rileys offer a discount card for those using the car park at St James Street so you are charged no more than £5.60.
■Address: 17A St. James Street, Nottingham, NG1 6FH. Website: www.rileys.co.uk/venues/ nottingham. Phone: 0115 9470 620
RAGLAN ROAD IRISH BAR, NOTTINGHAM For those who are superstitious about their country’s team in this year’s World Cup, then maybe a trip to Raglan Road could well send the luck of the Irish their way.
With 10 HD TV screens and a projector screen, this venue is perfect for watching multiple games simultaneously, which will be ideal for the final round of games in the group stages.
As you might expect, the food at Raglan Road has an Irish theme, with their all-day Irish breakfast costing £5.95. They also have an offer of two mains for £10.95, as well as specials, baguettes and sides, in addition to live music on selected dates.
■Address: 69-73 Derby Road, Canning Circus, Nottingham, NG1 5BA. Website: raglanroadbar.co.uk
■Email/Phone: info@raglanroadbar.co.uk; 0115 9583 359
BAR SPORT DERBY Located in Derby city centre, the ambiance at the Bar Sport Derby Sports Bar & Grill makes it a great place to watch this year’s FIFA World Cup. With dozens of high-definition TVs on show at every turn, you’ll never miss the action; whether you’re waiting to order at the bar or having a friendly game at the pool table.
Bar Sport Derby also haa a wide variety of food and drink available, with discounted drinks during their happy hour every weekday and mouth-watering deals on offer for selected food between Tuesday and Thursday.
On top of this, you can reserve a booth in advance to ensure that your friends and family can enjoy the game of your choice.
Address: 1 Queens Street, Derby, DE1 3DL. Website: barsportderby.co.uk. Email/Phone: info@ barsportderby.co.uk; 0133 2341 718
CORN EXCHANGE SPORTS BAR, DERBY With 14 pool tables and half a dozen snooker tables and darts board, the Corn Exchange Sports Bar is the place to go with your closest mates. The Corn Exchange also has an in-pool academy, where you can receive coaching from former world champion Jack Whelan.
The various lesiure options are
surrounded by many TV screens so you won’t miss a single kick of the ball in the World Cup. The food is reasonably priced too, with burger and chicken meals available for less than a fiver, as well as a small selection of toasties and cobs.
■Address: Albert Street, Derby, DE1 2DS. Website: cornexchangesportsbar.co.uk. Email/Phone: info@ cornexchangesportsbar.co.uk; 0133 2385 077
THE BANK, SPONDON Having been recently refurbished, The Bank pub makes a wonderful destination to watch the FIFA World Cup. With a respectable number of TV screens showcasing the tournament, the stylish seating arrangement is accompanied by an array of signed merchandise from Derby
County players past and present, which makes for a welcoming atmosphere for the family.
There is also a pool table and darts to keep you entertained in the build up to games, with the pool being free on Mondays.
Furthermore, The Bank has a refreshed menu with two mains and burgers on offer for £10 until 9pm on Weekdays, as well as having a separate kids’ menu.
■Address: Aspen Drive, DE21 7SG Website: thebankpubderby.co.uk. Email/Phone: info@ thebankpubderby.co.uk; 0133 2678 192
THE LOCKER ROOM, LEICESTER Inspired by the sports bars of the United States, Leicester’s The Locker Room is a great place to watch the best footballers in the world go face to face.
With 21 TVs submerged within a mass of sporting memorabilia, your eyes won’t know where to look.
The Locker Room’s food menu is also considered to be one of the best around, with a country breakfast in the mornings, alongside burgers, salads, pizzas and
entrees, not to mention their famous Sunday brunch.
As expected, pool tables and darts are available as well as the option to reserve a table.
■Address: 5 Belvoir Street, Leicester, LE1 6SL. Website: thelockerroomfc.com. Phone: 0116 2556 736.
THE SPORTS BAR ANSTEY If you are looking for a more simplistic setting to watch the World Cup games, then the Sports Bar Anstey may be the place for you.
With four TVs at the main bar, two in their lounge area in addition to a further TV in the function room, you won’t have an excuse to miss out.
Although Sports Bar Anstey doesn’t sell food, they have some great offers on drinks, such as five bottles of selected beers and lagers for a tenner and three shots for £5.
Moreover, they have their own pool, darts and skittles teams to keep you occupied in between matches.
■Address: 11 Stadon Road, Anstey, Leicester, LE7 7AY. Phone: 0116 2363 544.