The best sports bars in Manchester

Situated slap bang in the middle of student-ville, and fashioned out of an old church, Fallowfield’s legendary 256 has been a part of the undergraduate furniture for as long as anyone can remember. It has a sprawling outside area too for the summer months, and all major sports are televised, from the Six Nations to Saturday afternoon Premier League action. If you like your sports viewing with a good measure of rowdiness and all the sharing platters of pubby food you could wish for, get yourself down to this old church, en masse.

Found at the edge of Chorlton Ees, The Bowling Green is a great boozer to head to after a morning mooching round the shops or the woodland that meets up with the River Mersey. If the football’s on, so much the better. Whether you’re out in the covered garden watching the screens, or tucked away in their cosy dining area with some tasty pub grub, you’re sure to have an incredibly enjoyable afternoon.

Taking its name from the Italian for ‘kick’ (and slang for ‘football’), Calcio! offers plenty of opportunities to both witness and show off some silky skills. Opening its doors on Dale Street in 2023, this is way more than a bar – although it also does a good job at that. This corner spot is about as Northern Quarter-looking as they come, in all ways. Open brickwork on the walls, hardwood flooring, and industrial-edges all add to the ambience. As well as watching all the major tournaments on the abundant TV screens, you can also play retro arcade games and enjoy drinks from the normalest of lagers to the craftiest of ales.

Leaning into being a sports pub that feels like an actual pub, Director’s Box is located on Booth Street in and among the maze of bars and restaurants between St Peter’s Square and King Street. Inside, there’s a rustic feel – all wood panelling and leather booths. You can play pool, snack on wraps, burgers and pizzas and watch loads of sport. When it comes to being a sports pub with personality, they’ve fully understood the brief.

If you know one thing about Freight Island, it’s that it’s vast. Vast enough to contain its own dedicated fan zone, alongside an array of independent bars and kitchens. This space is filled with rows of benches and an incredibly well-stocked bar, and they show all of the major tournaments such as the premiere league, the world cup, the Euros, the Six Nations, Wimbledon, F1 and even that most beloved of sporting events – Eurovision. If you’re looking for a spot to get all of your mates together, this one is a no-brainer.

Very much a great bar that also happens to show sport, Green Arches is part of the strip of arch-based businesses on Red Bank. Regular programming includes DJs and live music happenings, screenings of major events, themed quizzes and community-led parties. They also have a little oasis of a beer garden out the back, often hosting a street food offering too. 

Once known as The Footage – a budget pub on Oxford Road renowned for messy food and messier nights – The Grosvenor is still unapologetically student-y, but it’s added a few new features to their offering. They call themselves an ‘adult playground’, which essentially means it’s an ideal spot for viewing pay-per-view events as well as Sky Sports and Champions League, as well as live music, DJs, games and – yes – a ball pool. Silly, but great.

They really don’t make them like this anymore. As a venue The Klondyke dates back more than a century. Formally known as the Levenshulme Bowling & Social Club, it was run with a focus on bowls and the green outside until 2004, when the sprawling address was passed to the grandson of the previous owners. It takes a little bit of seeking out, but once you do, you’ll realise why it’s so treasured by the community. Four pool tables and two snooker tables are available to use, alongside darts for those who prefer. During big football tournaments, they turn the vast beer garden into one of the best football watching areas around, well away from the city centre’s rowdy fan zones.

Describing themselves as a ‘100% independent sports bar’, Libero is a living room-sized gem within Altrincham’s hidden Kings Court. Initially starting as a pop-up, they’ve been a resident of the courtyard for over six years. If you like your sports viewing enjoyed with a pint from one of Manchester’s many independent breweries, or a glass of wine selected by Reserve, this is the spot for you. If that sounds pretentious, don’t worry, it isn’t. They’re fiercely inclusive too, keen on creating a welcoming space for people who might not always feel included in sports culture. They eloquently sum it up as a ‘no knobheads’ policy.

Recently crowned Manchester’s best pub, Mulligan’s is the platonic ideal of an Irish bar. There’s live music, impeccable pints of Guinness, and just infectiously good craic. It’s also especially good for watching Manchester United games, the Six Nations and Cheltenham, either downstairs in the original pub, or upstairs in the recently converted bar space. You won’t get a seat, but you’ll enjoy yourself so much it won’t matter.

Oh the stories this pub has seen. Built in the 19th century, this pub was a pub at the time of the Peterloo massacre. Now it’s a hidden-away boozer in and amongst the restaurants, bars and ever-multiplying skyscrapers of Deansgate. Not yet pushed out by property developers, it’s a great spot to watch football in the middle of town.

Another pretty, traditional boozer, this one is in the Northern Quarter, and you can usually find it super busy whenever there’s a big sporting event on. It still has its own distinct vibe though, and as an independent tavern you can enjoy loads of different beers from large and independent breweries alike. There’s also some really decent grub, and once the match is over, you’re in exactly the right place to hit the NQ.

Situated on the prized border between the Northern Quarter and Ancoats, The Wayfarer is a modern neighbourhood watering hole. While the place itself is a 21st Century addition, it takes a lead from century-spanning traditions and heritage that define the neighbourhood pub experience. Grab whichever tipple takes your fancy and pull up a bar stool. There are so many screens for watching sports, it’s hard to find a seat with a bad view.