The best pubs in Abu Dhabi to watch football

Belgian Café Yas Island
The Yas Island branch of the popular chain is little more shiny and new than the others in the city, but it still retains plenty of European charm. Screens are dotted around the venue, with lots of vantage points. Happy hours on the Belgian hops run every day, there are more expensive varieties in bottles and the service is excellent.
Radisson Blu Abu Dhabi, Yas Island (02 656 2000).

Brauhaus
This one is a really rather good approximation of a German pub, but don’t think that means all the screens will be showing endless Bundesliga games or repeats of Andreas Möller strutting around the pitch after dumping England out of Euro 96. No, there’s a good atmosphere for games in this cosy pub, with some German hops you won’t find anywhere else in the city.
Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi, Al Zahiya (02 697 9011).

Cooper’s Bar & Restaurant
Big screens, small screens, and medium size screens, as well. You’re never far from a match in Cooper’s. Our tip is to try and get close to one of the TVs as the picture quality is far better than from the projectors. There’s always a deal on here, too. One of the very best pubs for sport in the city.
Park Rotana Abu Dhabi, Khalifa Park area (02 657 3333).

Fado Irish Pub & Restaurants
One for folk who either live, or find themselves, in the Khalidiya area. An unsung hero kind-of-place, with a low-key charm to it. Bargain drinks are aplenty in this pub, with tasty bar snacks to go alongside them. Things get a bit more lively than usual during match days, making it a good option in the area.
Oryx Hotel, Al Khalidiya (02 692 2219).

Harvester’s
In summer 2019 a Dhs18 happy hour was introduced from noon until 10pm every single day, making this a bargain spot if you want to watch a couple of matches on a weekend. The smoky underground bar has a veteran’s charm. Probably not one for date night, but, then again, if date night involves watching a game of footy, then maybe it is.
Holiday Inn Downtown Abu Dhabi, Zayed the First Street (02 615 6666).

Hemingway’s
Another veteran on the Abu Dhabi pub scene, this pub on the west end of the Corniche is one of the few places in the area to offer a casual atmosphere and a spot of sport. Like most places, there are deals to be had here and plenty of vantage points for watching matches. Named after Ernest, of course.
Radisson Blu Hotel & Resort Abu Dhabi Corniche, Corniche West (02 692 4247).

Heroes
One of our absolute favourite venues in the capital, Heroes does most things you’d expect of a pub very well indeed. Long (and good-value) happy hours, live music, pub grub and a smattering screens showing sport are all present and correct. Staff are great, too.
Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi, Hamdan Bin Mohammed Street (02 616 6132).

McGettigan’s
Perhaps the most popular bar for sport in Abu Dhabi and when the football’s on the venue is just as rowdy and good fun as the rest of the week. There’s always a good atmosphere in here, with crowds of people vying for the best spot to watch the match. If you’re a regular you might be invited into the bar’s Fantasy Football league, as well.
Al Raha Beach Hotel & Resort, Channel Street (02 652 4333).

PJ O’Reilly’s
The Time Out Abu Dhabi Pub of the Year 2019 wouldn’t have won such an accolade without ticking the box when it came to sports. It may not be the Irish pub’s main selling point, but it still has big screens showing games and plenty of people wanting to watch them. There are good drinks and good prices, too.
Le Royal Méridien Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa Street (02 674 2020).

Porter’s English Pub
When we talk about a venue absolutely nailing its theme, this could be the poster boy. Two levels of classic pub with countless screens. Yes, it can be smoky, and yes, there are some people in the bar that don’t seem that interested in the game, but if you want to watch a match, this place will deliver. There will probably be some top live music or karaoke on after, too.
Grand Millennium Al Wahda, Hazza Bin Zayed Street (02 443 9999).

Tavern Pub
Narrow, cramped and smoky. Tavern is all of those things, but it’s also ace. And it’s only cramped because so many people agree with us. We could do without the smoke to be honest, but that’s just a matter of life in the capital, so we’re prepared to overlook it. It can be difficult to see a screen if it’s busy if it you arrive late, but that would kind of be your fault to be honest, wouldn’t it?
Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort, Corniche East (02 677 3333).

Victor’s Bar & Restaurant
Now we’re talking. Whether you’re sitting at the bar, at a table on the outskirts of the venue or somewhere inbetween, this pub will have a screen for you. The huge screens that appear during big games have remarkable picture quality and sound, meaning you should be able to see them from wherever you’ve positioned yourself.
Hilton Capital Grand, Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Street (02 666 5508).