Watching Live Sports in Barcelona
You've just touched down in Barcelona, and whilst you know you should be taking advantage of the nice weather and go and see some Gaudi, or at least take a token stroll around the Barri Gotic, the fact is the big game is on - and there's no way in hell you're going to miss it! If only you can find it...
That's where your sports-loving amigos at Barcelona Life come in handy, because whether its Euro 2012, the next World Cup, the Champions League, El Clasico, a crunch fixture in the Premiership, or the FA Cup final we're desperate to see it too. And that's just the football! As for Formula 1, the Six Nations rugby or the Cricket World Cup, suffice to say we'd rather be in the pub catching all the action than on the beach getting burnt.
Naturally a city of Barcelona's size has plenty of great bars and pubs for catching live sports on TV, and indeed every kebab house and neighbourhood joint will be screening Barca games. But if you're an American feeling lost without their DirecTV, or an Englishman missing Wimbledon tennis, or any other international sport, then a good bet is to drop by one of the city's many Irish bars, or one of the specialist sports bars dotted around town. We've compiled a shortlist of our favourites, so check below for some of the best places to catch the big match live...
Barcelona Sports Bars & Pubs
Sports Bar Rambles
A classic case of does what it says on the tin, Barcelona's Sports Bar is centrally located on Las Ramblas and has 16 big high definition screens (plus one giant one!), so you needn't miss a moment of the English Premiership, La Liga, Bundesliga, Champions League Finals, Superbowl, NBA, NFL, NHL or whatever other sweaty pursuit you can't get enough of. Grrrr! During the big tournaments, like the World Cup or European Football Championships, Sports Bar Rambles screen every single match, and - by the miracles of modern technology - they will also have both English and Spanish commentary segregated by area. Tasty tucker and beer deals add to the fun, and the atmosphere is always great for the big game!
La Rambla dels Caputxins 31
Tel: +34 (93) 3017507
www.bcnsportsbar.com
P. Flaherty's Irish Bar
You'll be hard pressed to find a pub more committed to sport than Paddy Flaherty's, which on top of screening every English Premiership game of the season also shows the Rugby Six Nations, Golf Ryder Cup, Formula 1 Racing, major boxing contests and much more on their six TVs (including two king-size projectors). Got a special request? Well call ahead and they'll do their best to show it! Friendly staff, lip-smacking pub grub and a range of ales, beers and stouts on tap make Flaherty's a close second to being in the stadium.
Placa Joaquim Xirau
+34 (93) 4126263
www.paddyflaherty.com
7 Sins
This glamorous and friendly international bar just off Plac Universitat is right in the centre of town and, whilst you won't find Women's Kickboxing or the Kabbadi World Cup being screened, you'll find every Champion's League and La Liga Football match televised on a huge projector downstairs. A great option if you fancy watching the big match in a bit more comfort, as the venue has an abundance of sofas, not to mention attentive staff serving cocktails and tasty international dishes. Call ahead to grab a premier spot.
C/Muntaner 7
Tel: +34 (93) 4536445
www.7sinsbar.com
Sonora Sports Tavern
A big studenty beer hall with huge screens, Sonora is a great place to watch Barca in action and other La Liga matches and will be a certainty for all Spain games during Euro 2012 and World Cup 2014. However call ahead to check what other games and sports events they screen as Sonora mostly caters for locals - and how England are doing in the cricket may not be of much concern to them! (Scandal!). Located near Marina metro station in Poblenou.
C/Pamplona 96
Tel: +34 (93) 3003369
The George Payne
This Irish pub is located just by Urquinaona metro station and is a decent place in town for watching live sports on TV. A large projector screen in the back room relays the action (albeit not in high definition) as the crowds lay into the pints and bar snacks. Get there well ahead of kick off if you don't want to be left outside, as it can get crowded, especially for Barca matches.
Placa Urquinaona 5
If you prefer to watch live sports at the stadium, court or trackside than in the pub, then you can read more about various events in our article on sports in Barcelona, click here to find out how to buy tickets to Barcelona FC matches at Camp Nou, or check our page about attending the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona.