England, pub and beer. These three are my favorite’s words when I think of a football match in Europe. I am devoted red devil and Old Trafford is like my home and could be my spiritual father. So every time I fly to U.K I cross my fingers to get at least two Manchester United tickets and get ready to sing: “Glory, glory, Man United, and the reds go marching on, on, on.”
But sometimes shit happens and the toast turns upside down. When all tickets are sold out, it is impossible to avoid Murphy, and I have desestimar getting Manchester City tickets, I apply my second strategy: my best beer plan in Manchester.
The Lost Dene: The best place to find the authentic English tradition. If you are a football lover like me, this is your destination. It is also known by fans of United and City as “the temple”. Football lovers from both teams gather to enjoy the matches and savor the victories. You’ll find it at Deans gate, next to the John Ryland’s Library.
Bar Rogue: A pub which stands completely on the opposite site of The Lost Dene. Even though it has nothing in common with traditional English pubs, it is my first choice when running after a good beer for a nice small pound. It is part of the Hotel Britannia, at the very center of Manchester. If you are out of cash and need a beer watching United, this is your pub.
The Footage: if you are coming from abroad, you feel homesick and need to find “your people”, The Footage is the right place for it. Next to the university at Oxford Rd, musts of its students gather for a beer after class, and it gets really crowded on when United plays. It is also most of Spaniard’s place to watch La Liga, especially on a Madrid vs. Barça match.
Hardy’s Welle: This is your option if you are running away from tourists. This pub keeps all the historical essence of what an English pub should be, and you will meet only British football fans. I recommend visiting it if you want to hang out with the real people of Manchester.
The City Arms: even if you wouldn’t like beer, pubs and football, you would enjoy entering The City Arms. Its smell of a mixture of old moisture wood and the warmth you feel inside, makes this pub the most beautiful pub to visit in Manchester. Do not expect to find crazy and loud fans on matches games, this is your best choice if you are planning to have a nice beer on a cold evening.
Yate’s: this is the pub to go when you are on “the good eating mood”. Right at 49 Portland Street, this pub from the Yate’s, is the best place to go at lunch time. It gets very crowded on weekends, especially on footballs evenings. So if your desire is to have a nice, traditional and quiet English meal, better go on from Tuesday to Thursday.
Sebas Dupont is a football fanatic who travels around Europe following the Champions League and writes articles for Ticket Bureau.
