The best bars in Abu Dhabi to watch football

Back Yard Bistro
If you’ve got OCD, this might not be the place for you. There’s a cluttered indoor area, with tables and chairs made from the likes of motorcycles, oil drums and decommissioned robots from the year 2525. Okay, not all of those are strictly true, but it is filled with loads of interesting bits and pieces. And most importantly, screens to watch sport on. There’s also an outdoor terrace area that has a totally different vibe and more big screens.
The Hub, The Mall at World Trade Center Abu Dhabi, Al Markaziyah (050 114 3666).

Blu Sky Bar & Grill
When a bar is affiliated with Manchester City, the Abu Dhabi-owned conquerors of last season’s Premier League, you can be sure it knows how to screen the matches. A cool, contemporary venue, and another one with super deals throughout the week and good snacks. If you want to watch a big game in a futuristic space, this is the place for you.
Southern Sun Abu Dhabi, Mina Street, Al Zahiya (02 818 4888).

Goodfellas
Upstairs in the Sheraton Khalidiya, this good-natured and welcoming bar has all kinds of things to keep you entertained. Live bands, loads of pool tables and, yes, TVs to watch football on. Expect bargain drinks, genial hosts and loads of fun.
Sheraton Khalidiya Hotel, Zayed the First Street (055 600 5439).

Hamilton’s Gastropub
A classy joint on Saadiyat Island, this bar is probably not the place for a rowdy night out with the lads (or lasses), but if it’s date night and either of you (or both of you) wants to have one eye on the game, this is a good option. Not overflowing with huge screens, it still has plenty to go around.
Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas, Saadiyat Island (02 697 0000).

Loca
Much like Hamilton’s, not a spot we routinely go to primarily for sports, but there are screens dotted around the place and it does show all the games. If your idea of a match-time beverage is Mexican and made from agave rather than a pint of hops, then why not?
The Galleria, Al Maryah Island (02 582 3639).

NRG Sports Cafe
We recently named this our Best Sports Bar in the city, so it really has to be in this round-up. A fun space with loads of pub games to play, as well as dozens of screens showing all kind of sport, we rewarded it for the top service and dedication to making its guests happy (that’s you, by the way). So why not head here and see what we mean?
Le Méridien Abu Dhabi, Al Zahiya (02 697 4382).

Sorso
Much like Appaloosa, not a venue you might immediately associate with being a sports bar, but this plush, velvet-curtained, leather sofa-bedecked venue is indeed just that. Grab a bowl of olives and a mixed drink, slide back into the soft furnishings and try to keep focused on the game.
The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal, Khor Al Maqta (02 818 8888).

Stars ’N’ Bars
A quintessential US-style sports bar with stripped-back, industrial-style décor and chairs made out of racing car seats. You literally can’t miss sport in this place, wherever you sit inside. There’s a row of old-school arcade games, too, for when your team starts losing and you want to pretend you’ve lost interest.
Yas Marina, Yas Island (02 565 0101).

Stills Restaurant & Bar
One of our favourite places over the last five years or so, Stills seemed to suffer from a bit of a crisis of confidence last year – is it a gastropub or sports bar? Perhaps it can do both. Anyway, we’re looking forward to a return to form this season.
Crowne Plaza Yas Island (02 656 3066).

Sports Café
Another modern, bright sports bar, with plenty of natural light coming in from the lovely outside area at Fairmont Bab Al Bahr. Staff are great here, the choice of hops is a little different, and more interesting, than most places and the TVs are aplenty. Gets a little smoky inside and the food can be hit and miss, but these are minor niggles.
Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Khor Al Maqta (02 654 3238).

Stock Burger Co.
This place has taken the US-sports bar theme and ran with it. It also has a slight ’50s diner feel, but instead of a jukebox playing Buddy Holly there are big screens showing sports. Try checking ahead when it comes to Premier League games, as there are times we’ve been in and games aren’t showing. Still, there’s always the craft hops and big burgers to fall back on.
Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi, Dhafeer Street (800 78625).

The Sportsman’s Arms
A firm favourite among the Time Out team, this huge bar has loads going for it. Cheap drinks, excellent food, loads of space, a pool table and two outdoor terraces (with a kids’ play area and barbecue). We totally recommend watching a few games here this season.
International Tennis Centre, Zayed Sports City (02 447 1066).

Velocity
A former Best Sports Bar winner, this sleek sports bar has around 70 screens, so you’d be hard pressed to miss a minute of the action. There are top deals on during the week and weekend, too, with drinks often coming in at Dhs24 or less. Need any more reasons? Well there’s always the chicken wings.
Marriott Hotel Downtown Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Street (02 304 7777).

Viewz
You might be more used to taking part in quizzes, trying your karaoke or hanging onto a bucking bronco rather than watching a game at this bar, but supporters (particularly those from the red half of Merseyside) should definitely pay it a visit for its top atmosphere and budget drinks.
Cristal Hotel, Zayed the First Street (02 652 0132).

The Warehouse
Perhaps not the first place that springs to mind when you think of heading out to watch a game, but our current Bar of the Year is a versatile beast. There are a few screens showing games here, so for a more refined football experience (you probably won’t get the commentary) head to The Warehouse.
Pearl Rotana Capital Centre, Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street (02 307 5591).