7 places to watch the World Cup in Northern Ireland
For the next month, football is going to be everywhere! ⚽🏆🇷🇺
Last updated 15th Jun 2018
The 2018 FIFA World Cup is finally here. Billions of people worldwide will be tuning in for the month long tournament as 32 countries compete for a chance to declare themselves the best on the planet.
Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland may have missed out on a place in Russia, but these pubs are hoping to keep the party alive.
The tournament opened Thursday morning with the hosts thrashing Saudi Arabia 5-0, but Friday brings the first full slate of games.
Whether you’re in the mood for a chilled out atmosphere or 8 big screens and surround sound, there’s somewhere to suit your sporting needs!
7. The Garrick Bar
Established in 1870 The Garrick is one of the oldest pubs in Belfast, showing all Football live in HD in both bars.
The Garrick offers a range of locally sourced freshly prepared dishes from 12–8 Monday to Saturday and 12.30–7 on Sunday’s.
6. Lavery's
Lavery’s Bar in Belfast is Northern Irelands biggest sports bar. Lavery’s has 28 HD TV’s spread through the venue and bring down a large projector screen in their Pool room on big game days.
5. Rocking Chair Bar
Great beer, music, sport and craic on tap. The Rocking Chair Bar, or 'Rocker' to the locals, is an institution in Derry~Londonderry. Located on the edge of both the famous Derry Walls and the fabled Bogside, it has the atmosphere of a local with the energy of a pub in the heart of the city centre. Serves an excellent pint of Guinness
4. The Berliner
Belfast’s newest bar, The Berliner, situated on Lower Garfield Street.
If you're looking for somewhere to watch sport, enjoy lunch and party into the wee hours all under one roof, look no further.
The bar is showing all the 2018 World Cup games, televised Premier League games, as well as a full programme of rubgy, GAA, golf and more.
3. The Hudson
Named as the best pub in Northern Ireland to watch Euro 2016 last summer, The Hudson Bar offers more than just football on it's big screens with everything from rugby to NFL. Their legendary chicken wings make the perfect half-time snack too with 11 different varieties to choose from, including Buckfast BBQ flavour.
2. The Empire
A converted church on Belfast’s Botanic Avenue, at The Empire you can be sure of an unrivalled atmosphere during 6 Nations games. With a massive cinema style main screen, additional big screens in the bar and large flat screen in the beer garden, you can be sure you won’t miss a single tackle. Enjoy plenty of drinks offers and promotions running during the game.
1. Bar 15
Lisburn's home for sport Bar, It has a relaxed atmosphere where you can enjoy all live sporting events and sit in comfort, the perfect venue in the heart of the historic quarter. It’s one of the best wee bars in Lisburn.
World Cup fixtures: This weekend's fixtures for Russia 2018
The tournament takes place from Thursday, June 14 to Sunday, July 15 - here are the groups.
Fri June 15: Egypt v Uruguay (Group A) - Ekaterinburg, 1pm
Fri June 15: Morocco v Iran (Group B) - St Petersburg, 4pm
Fri June 15: Portugal v Spain (Group B) - Sochi, 7pm
Sat June 16: France v Australia (Group C) - Kazan, 11am
Sat June 16: Argentina v Iceland (Group D) - Moscow (Spartak), 2pm
Sat June 16: Peru v Denmark (Group C) - Saransk, 5pm
Sat June 16: Croatia v Nigeria (Group D) - Kaliningrad, 8pm
Sun June 17: Costa Rica v Serbia (Group E) - Samara, 1pm
Sun June 17: Germany v Mexico (Group F) - Moscow (Luzhniki), 4pm
Sun June 17: Brazil v Switzerland (Group E) - Rostov-on-Don, 7pm
Dressed in a red leopard skin suit, Robbie Williams sang Let Me Entertain You as he opened the Russia World Cup.
The British star dueted his big hits - Angels - alongside Russian operatic soprano Aida Garifullina.
Accompanied by dancers in sparkly outfits - was over, Russian president Vladimir Putin addressed the 80,000-strong crowd at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium.