Nice places to watch the Euros in Manchester

Turns out you don't have to be football crazy and/or football mad to want to pitch up in a pub for a bit of live sporting action on the big screen these days.

You don't have to be angry, or arsed, even. 

When it comes to big footy tournaments, you even get people who actually don't give a shit about the beautiful game rocking up to join the party. Wait, WTF are the Euros?

Let's face it, we're all just here for an(other) excuse to head to the pub – might as well make it a good boozer then, eh?

Here's our guide to where to watch the Euros in Manchester. 

[Artwork from Common's poster. Illustration: Lucy Sherston]

Common

Believe it or not, Common is getting in on the big-screen action, with 'Football’s Common Home' (we like). Apparently it'll be a strictly tops-on affair, so step awaaay from the lager and grab a Finnish rye gin to show 'em you're a classy football #lad. Port Street Beer House and suburban sister venue The Beagle in Chorlton are also on it, too.

@common_bar | @portstreetbeer | @BeaglesAbout

Texture

Another slightly unexpected one here, but as the Texture folks have established a rep for some great audio-visual nights it seems only natural they use their state of the art facilities come Euros season. Along with a five-metre screen, Martin Audio Sound System, projectors, multiplayer FIFA and table football, you'll also be able to enjoy pizza from Slice 'round the corner. Now that's an achingly good setup.

@Texturemcr

Electrik

If you're out in Chorlton, make a beeline for one of our favourite bars, Electrik, where the booze is good, the roasts even better, and there's good outside seating when you're hankering for a ciggie or some fresh air. Get the cocktails in, kids! 

@Electrikbar

Dive NQ

It didn't take long after Dive opened its doors for it to become one of the city centre's favourite spots for live sports, thanks to its nice big screen and easy, grazeable bar food like sliders, nachos and tacos.

@DiveNQ

The Pen and Pencil

The Pen and Pencil lot are pulling their punters in by dishing out free snacks during home nation games, along with the chance to book tables or private areas to avoid those "It's fine, we didn't want to sit down anyway" moments.

@penandpencilnq

(more below) 

The Club House

Pop-up sports bar The Club House will help you enjoy the Euros under a comforting blanket of cocktails, friendly service and Spinningfields' relative civility. And if you get bored you can always nip outside for a game of mini golf.

@TheClubHouseMCR

Gorilla

The good people of Gorilla will also have the games playing in the live/club space, played through the venue's PA system. You'll be able to enjoy the view from sociable beer hall-style seating, along with chicken wings, burgers and £20 buckets of beer.

@thisisgorilla

Albert's Schloss

Gorilla's newer sister venue Albert's Schloss are also up to their old tricks, not only screening the games, but also putting on a vertiable spread of performances from cabaret dancers kitted out in costumes inspired by the nations on-screen, along with live music and DJs at half time and all of the usual Bavarian beer hall debauchery that Schloss has become known for.

@AlbertSchloss

Montpellier's

Set on the Northern Quarter back streets, poor old Montpellier's often gets a little overshadowed by its nearby neighbour – and now parent company – Solita. But it's actually a pretty decent place to watch sports (yep, including this year's Euros), never getting too rowdy for said sport-watching to incorporate a relaxed drink and a beef and IPA pie. 

@MontpelliersNQ

The Dancehouse

While everyone's harping on about their 'big screens', The Dancehouse is quietly blowing them all out of the water with its really, really big screen. Entry's free, but you can reserve a seat for a quid.

@TheDancehouse

Black Dog Ballroom

The Black Dog Ballroom venues (Northern Quarter and New Wakefield Street) and their bowling alley counterpart, Dog Bowl, will all be screening the Euros throughout the tournament, after launching with a pre-Euros party on Wednesday 8 June on the rooftop terrace bar at New Wakefield Street. If you get peckish there are Soccer Sharer platters to chow down on, as well as a specially created pizza, which sees a 14" base topped with McCoy's flame-grilled crisps, rump steak, mustard and crispy onions. Because me man. Me like football. Me like football and McCoys. 

@BlackDogNQ | @BlackDogNWS | @BlackDogBowl

MacDonald Manchester Hotel

Might seem a bit *random* but by heading to MacDonald Hotel's lounge for their series of Euros screenings you should be in for a fairly civilised time, complete with a £12.50 beer and burger deal or a curious ‘Euro Platter’ for £12.95. And a bucket of eight Heinekens for £30, if you're so inclined.

@MacManchester

Tib Street Tavern

You'll have to be a little bigger-balled to go in here, tbh. But Tib Street Tavern is one of Manchester's classic sports pubs and can be a lot of fun when spirits are high. And if it does all kick off, you can be assured there'll be numerous tactical aid unit vans, police horses and policemen stood in a calm semi-circle outside the front door. True story.

@TibStreetTavern

Café Football

S'in the name, isn't it? Perfect – if you're happy for your hard-earned cash to go into the pockets of Gary Neville and Giggsy, that is. Still, should prove a little less uncouth than a pro-Brexit pub.

@cafefootballuk

How to look interested when the Euros are on:

• Paint a little flag on your cheek to show everyone who you're rooting for; if you're not sure who you're rooting for, you've got two cheeks, so represent a couple of teams and pretend you're not one for exclusivity in sports. Or just a non-committal fence-sitter.

• Angle your head at the screen for at least most of the game's duration – other things might seem more interesting (calluses on your hand, the little tiny bubbles in your beer, the floor), but you'll give your game away if you don't actually watch the match. Top tip: if you really can't look at the game, focus on things that are close to the screen. Great cornicing, for example. No one will know.

• Wear sunglasses indoors so you can take a nap. Instead of thinking you're disinterested, everyone will assume you're just a knobhead.

• Have a few pints and you might soon forget that you don't care and actually start caring? Disclaimer: this tactic has varying success levels.

Enjoy! 

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