/THE BEST OF MANCHESTER

THE 2018 FIFA World Cup is here, as Russia hosts the biggest football tournament on earth. The tournament kicked off last night - so strap in all the way until the final in Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium on July 15.

England fans can look forward to watching their team crash out on penalties in the quarter finals as Gareth Southgate’s men gear up for their first group game on Monday June 18.

They go head to head with Belgium, Tunisia and Panama - but as we know, there are no easy games in the World Cup. Except the game against Panama, which they should win 38-0.

There are loads of places to watch the games in Manchester. Most bars host themed nights and offer drinks promotions during games too, so you can celebrate/drown your sorrows when Jordan Henderson spoons one over from three yards.

So strap on your boots, and get down to one of these venues to watch the beautiful game. SecondCity Bar, Ancoats An American themes sports bar, which is all about the match day experience. The reinvented sports bar is styled on an old-school gymnasium - the bar itself is made from a gymnasium floor - and decorated with baseball, basketball and boxing murals by street artist Russell Meehan, AKA Mural Life. Sports games including late licence events are shown on four TVs, including a giant 136-inch screen. An American-style food menu featuring burgers, corn dogs and fried chicken accompanies a range of craft beers and cocktails behind the bar.

37 Blossom St, Manchester M4 6AJ Tib Street Tavern, Northern Quarter A safe bet for football watching in the Northern Quarter - the Tib Street Tavern has been showing matches for ages and have got it pretty much sussed. Big screen upstairs and more downstairs, as well as private booths available to hire.

74 Tib St, Manchester M4 1LG Pen and Pencil Don’t miss a thing and catch all of the England games on our big screens this World Cup. With every England match, they’ll be offering a burger and a pint deal for just £13. Fancy booking a private room to watch the game on the big screen? Reservations and food/drinks packages are available.

Fourways House, 57 Hilton St, Manchester M1 2EJ Manchester235, Great Northern Carlsberg pop-up bar A Carlsberg Pop-Up Sports Bar has popped up inside Manchester235 for the summer. With its unrivalled exposure of all main sporting events, the Carlsberg Pop-Up Sports Bar promises the best buzz in town, it says here. Boasting multiple screens including a huge 70 square foot wall of sporting action you won’t miss a thing. With grass covered walls, Carlsberg football tables, beers on tap and a menu to keep you satisfied all day and night. Offering an array of firm favourites including burgers, nachos and chicken wings. The Carlsberg Pop-Up Sports Bar offers free entry and will show all major sporting events throughout summer 2018, including the much-anticipated World Cup, the Premier League, Wimbledon and much more...

For more information or to reserve a table, visit: www.manchester235.com/ events/carlsberg-pop-up Cafe Football, Hotel Football, Old Trafford What better place to watch football than a venue DEDICATED to the beautiful game? There are 13 huge plasma screen to watch the matches on and a themed menu with dishes. Football-themes cocktails have also been designed, including the gin-based Euro Coupe (£8) and Pitch Perfect (£8).

99 Sir Matt Busby Way, Stretford, Manchester M16 0SZ Hard Rock Cafe, The Printworks This place tends to be transformed for major tournaments and big games. The famous restaurant was decked out in all things football, Astroturf, flags and bunting for the Euro 2016 Championships - and you can expect the same again for the World Cup. Large groups of fans can experience the fan zone on the private mezzanine (60 or more) and smaller parties can make the most of the book-a-bench scheme, to have the best view in the house.

Exchange Square, Manchester M4 2BS Walkabout, The Printworks If you head to Walkabout in the Printworks from June 14 to July 15, you can watch every minute live on their big 60” HD Screens and surround sound - with plenty of food and drink offers during the games. And if you’re keen for something a bit more luxurious, their VIP areas are ideal for parties with friends and are available to pre book, guaranteeing you the best seats in the house. To book a booth and nab the best seats in the venue - contact 0161 672 4000 for more information.

The Printworks, 27 Withy Grove, Manchester M4 2BS The Green, Ducie Street A dedicated sports bar, close to Piccadilly Station, this place is great for any football fan keen to watch the game in a bar with atmosphere. It also boasts one of the best canal-side beer gardens in the city, but since this is Manchester and it could be raining, it may be best to stay comfy inside on the sofas. There are also floor-toceiling screens and a full pub-style menu on offer.

Bridge House, 26 Ducie St, Manchester M1 2DQ Black Dog Ballroom, New Wakefield Street If the sun’s out, the top floor roof terrace at Black Dog Ballroom on New Wakefield Street could be the hot ticket. You can watch all of the World Cup 2018 games in Black Dog and sister venue Dog Bowl on Whitworth Street West. For a real premier experience, hire a private room with your own HD screen and enjoy special drinks offers, plus free pizza! You can book a table or booth for free using the form below or by calling 0161 233 4031.

11-13 New Wakefield St, Manchester M1 5NP Dive, Oldham Street, Northern Quarter Sit back on one of the inviting leather chairs with your mates and enjoy the game on the big screen. It was recently named the number one venue in Manchester to watch sport by Sky Sports and Carling which is why we will be holding lots of offers throughout the World Cup timeline. Dive has created a sports menu, perfect to enjoy with a group of friends on a table or booth. If you want to book, we’d suggest doing it in advance so you don’t miss out. Book here or enquiry here. Dive also has The Snug - which is a sectioned off private area with a massive screen for you and your party to enjoy. It’s absolutely perfect during mega matches if you have a birthday, celebration or a corporate event. Sit back on our huge leather chairs and relax at the private bar, too.

Oldham St, Northern Quarter, Manchester M4 1SH Shooters Sports Bar, The Printworks Head to the Printworks for a good old fashioned sports bar experience. Designed with sports fans in mind, you’ll find drinks offers and if you book ahead, a big group should be able to be catered for. There’s so many big screens in the bar within a bar (Bierkeller), there’s no chance you’ll miss a corner, penalty shout or dodgy tackle.

The Printworks, 27 Withy Grove, Manchester M4 2BS Common/Port Street Beer House, Northern Quarter Two of our favourite NQ places and sister venues Port Street Beer House and Common will be showing all the World Cup games this summer. At Common, they’ll be installing Flensburger Towers - two foot high table-top lager dispensers. Be still my beating heart.

Port Street Beer House, 39-41 Port St, Manchester M1 2EQ. Common, 39-41 Edge St, Manchester M4 1HW