The Best Sports Bars and Places to Drink During FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

The question (after can you drink?) I’m being asked the most is what are the best sports bars and places to drink during FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. So to make it easy for visitors and those of us living here, I’ve put together this list with some recommendations.

I’ve tried to group it best in zones – West Bay, The Pearl, Southern areas – where people are staying and hanging out and also proximity to stadiums. And it’s but no means exhaustive. Please know there are some variables.

Things to know:

• Happy hours and offers may be amended or suspended during the tournament and of course, everything is subject to change;

• It’s clear many bars and outlets are now doing set prices/entry fee/minimum spends of between QR150 and QR500 plus. This entry fee is usually fully redeemable for food and beverage purchases.

• We’re also seeing requests for booking ahead and in some cases, full pre-payment or a deposit, so be prepared to to this and plan ahead,

• Most places have a dress code – no shorts or flip flops;

• Yes, alcohol is expensive in Qatar, many places will be offering happy hour or special deals so keep up to date;
• Yes, “house beverages” and “international beverages” means alcohol. I’ve now included some popular restaurants showing the games and offering special packages;

• Also check the venue is showing the games if that’s what you are in search of rather than a quiet drink.

• At the time of writing a majority of the below spots require a Qatar ID or your passport for entry. And visitors should also ensure you have your Hayya card.

• Be patient – Qatar has never hosted an event this big so wait times may be longer than expected.

West Bay

Close to the Corniche and populated with many hotels and serviced apartments, this will be a real hub during the tournament. Nearby stadiums: Lusail, 974

The Score: A newly opened spot at the Pullman. Smoke free and with a great menu of burgers and more, it has a rugby theme and friendly staff. The food and service both excellent. No entrance fee but bookings are required.

Hive Aussie: I’m biased, but this fun spot with an Aussie theme (yeah there are boomerangs) at Intercontinental Doha the City is sure to draw the fans not just from Down Under. Their there hour match package is QR199 for five beers, truffle fries (bougie) and onion rings. Pay an additional QR159 to top up another five beers. Bookings essential this may be fan central for the Aussies. Go Socceroos!

Aqua Lounge: With views of Qatar’s iconic towers, this is a chilled outdoor spot perfect for a fan zone experience. Entry is: QR200 (for matches in the group stage, with three drinks), QR500 (for the quarter finals, food and drinks), QR750 (for the semi finals, food and drinks), QR1000 (for the final, food and drinks).

Ipanema: Brazilian vibes in this favorite restaurant which will also show the games. Have a Brazilian BBQ while catching the action, and this is one of those places that hasn’t amped up prices. Lunch is priced at QR245 for food only, and dinner is QR325, with a two hour alcohol package for an extra QR150.

The Curry House: a sports bar/curry house with a cracking menu. The paneer tikka naanza (like a pizza) is perfect for watching a game with a beer. Friendly and fun vibe. For the WC they are offering a great Game Day Menu including three hours of drinks for QR299 soft drinks; QR399 house beverages and QR599 for premium beverages. Watch out for Wales fans.

Wahm: The W’s signature bar. With a funky interior and spacious poolside with cabanas, this iconic spot is always happening. They will be showing the games on huge screens and offering an a la carte menu of bar bites and more substantial fare. Bookings essential.

Four Seasons: Their beachside garden and surround areas have been turned into a very luxe viewing spot. Regular package (six soft drinks and unlimited food) for QR900 for the full day or QR550 for one match (three soft drinks and unlimited food); enhanced or alcohol package (six alcoholic drinks and unlimited food) is QR1300 for the whole day or QR750 for one match (three drinks and unlimited food).

Champions: A favorite West Bay spot at the Marriott Marquis, that bills itself as the best sports bar in town, well located and with a menu of crowd pleasers like tacos and burgers. Their set prices are: QR200 (group stage, with three house beverages), QR500 (quarter finals, food and house beverages), QR750 (semi finals, food and house beverages), QR1,000 (final, food and house beverages).

Shamrock Tavern: Fun, unpretentious Irish themed bar in the Magnum Hotel and Suites in the heart of West Bay. Live music and pub grub, they have one of the longest happy hours from 12pm to 8pm. on game days Shamrock will offer a drinks and bites package for QR200.

Brewskis and Grub: You can pour your own beer at this laid back and fun venue at the Crowne Plaza West Bay. Some of the best pub food in the city as well – try the buffalo chicken dip. Trust me. During the group stages, there will be a three-hour maximum seating time, with a minimum spend of QR250.

Bostons: A firm favorite for many at the Rotana City Centre, with a “cheers” style vibe, alas without Ted Danson. Foot long sausages and nachos are on the food menu. For World Cup time they are offering QR150 entry redeemable on food and beverage purchases.

Sama Lounge: Still in the City Centre Rotana, the Sama lounge Terrace will screen the games and have food kiosks, beer and more. Entry will be QR200 again full redeemable.

Irish Harp: The first Irish bar in Doha is housed at the iconic Sheraton Grand. Live music as well as TVs to watch the games. Enter around the back of the hotel.

Shots: This low key spot at the Hilton Doha is a classic sports bar with a great happy hour from 12pm to 8pm and screens on their terrace.

The House: A lively bar tucked away at the Dusit Doha, there are screens to watch the game as well as comfy sofas.

La Vista 55: Cuban themes sky high bar with incredible views of Doha. Two hour beverages packages for QR150, or unlimited house beverages with food bites from QR380 per person.

Waka Shisha Terrace: Brand spanking new terrace at the Aleph Hotel with South American inspired bites an shisha. In the same hotel is IKA, which has fantastic Peruvian/South American food and will have a DJ at half time and after the games. Order the tacos – sooo good.

The Pearl and West Bay Lagoon

A human made island with restaurants, cafes and a growing number of hotels and bars. Nearby stadiums: Lusail

Hamiltons: One of the newest spots in town, this gastropub has a creative food menu, excellent location and a lovely outdoor area. Try the burgers and the hotdog. Their WC offers include happy hour for one hour before each match. Also open for breakfast from 630am to 11am daily. fun fact: their team speaks English, Arabic, Belarusian, French, Swahili, Hindi, Malayalam, Sinhala, Shonas, Tamil, Ukranian, Spanish and Luganda!

The Kitchen: Lovely spot at the Hilton the Pearl with outdoor pool terrace.  Offering WC fans big sCreens and a three course set menu and five house beverages for QR450 up until the quarter finals and QR700 during the semi-finals and final.

The Public House: An instant classic when it opened at the Marsa Malaz earlier this year, a family friendly fun spot with an outdoor beer garden and great food. Nachos are a must order.

Mulberry Tavern: A lovely, cosy gastropub at Hilton The Pearl, two levels of seating plus an outdoor terrace. A very good food menu as well including a charcuterie platter. For the games reservations are required. During match days up until the quarter finals, you get a food platter and six house beverages for QR500, or six house beverages for QR400. For the semi-finals and finals it’s QR700 with the food platter or QR600 without. Tip – get the food platter!

Hudson Tavern: Another gastropub at the stylish Mondrian Doha between The Pearl and Lusail. Craft burgers and cold brews on the menu and lots of screens to catch the action. The burgers are the star here. QR275 (three hour package, bites, main course and soft drinks), QR475 (three hour package, bites and house beverages), QR550 (three hour package, bites, main course and house beverages).

Dunes: Blessed with a huge outdoor terrace with a view of the lagoon, this spot at the Grand Hyatt Doha is the perfect chill spot.

Belgian Cafe: A popular location with a spacious interior as well as terrace overlooking the beach. Go for the sports and beer, stay for the mussel pots. No entry fees and all a la carte.

Paloma: A laid back bar wit Tex Mex food – the nachos are legendary and the margaritas are strong (speaking from experience). No entry. Booking essential

Novecento: A very glamorous outdoor terrace at the Intercontinental Doha. Shisha, an a la carte menu of light bites (try the tarte flambee) and a big scree. Perfect. Quieter than the Belgian.

Toro Toro: Love the food at this South American restaurant. Has a lovely waterside terrace and is the spot where my love affair with chachapa began. They will have four screens showing the games. A two hour house beverage package for QR550 per person and QR650 for their two-hour premium beverage package. They will also have a set menu.

Lusail

A new city has emerged to the north of Doha and its changing every day! Nearby stadiums: Lusail

The G.O.A.T: Love the name and the concept, this is perhaps the first sports bar in Lusail at Le Royal Meridien. With 19 screens and a private room, there is also an outdoor terrace.

Senoritas: A rollicking Tex Mex themed bar and restaurant with margaritas, beer on tap and an in-house band. Located in the Cielo Hotel, special offers for the WC include a selected a la carte menu for QR500 including food and drinks. Pay on arrival and first come first served.

Doha Golf Club: Open to non-members (they do have a dress code), a great spot for and meal and a sundowner.

Doha Sports Park part of the Golf Club, has a sports bar great for catching games as well as their regular BBQ. Family friendly and pet friendly (believe me, a rarity in Doha)

Central Doha

As it says, this is the older, established area of Doha and home to some great spots. Nearby stadiums: Khalifa, 974

Mix Bar: The Westin Doha is a fantastic well-located hotel with some great food options. Their Mix Bar has a huge terrace and a menu of finger food as well beer, wine and cocktails. During the WC it’s transformed into Inca, with in-house DJs, huge screens on the terrace and snacks. Entry is QR220 including two drinks. Bookings essential and open daily from 12pm to 2am.

Shehrazad: One of the OG sports bars in Doha, an old school spacious and lively venue with friendly staff. They also offer happy hours and pub grub. Offers include a bucket with five bottled beer for QR155, or a beer bucket with your choice of chicken wings or a beef burger with fries for QR200.

The Cabana Hop Garden: This poolside beer garden popup at the RadissonBlu is a fab place to catch the games. Their WC offer is five cans of beer for QR185, or add on a hotdog and fries for QR229, or hamburger and fries for QR239.

Qube: The Radisson’s nightclub (I saw Grandmaster Flash there back in the daaaay) is showing the games as well. Like the other venues, five cans of beer for QR185, or add on a hotdog and fries for QR229, or hamburger and fries for QR239.

StEAT Culture: Offering street style food from around the world as well as a lively bar atmosphere, this Al Sadd spot is laid back and has a daily happy hour from 5pm.

Swiss Bell Inn Sports Bar and Lounge: Located in the heart of Al Sadd, they also have live music as well as a menu of comfort food like burgers and fish and chips. Regular offers and as happy hour complete the package.

Sky View at La Cigale: As the name suggests…the views are stunning and this is a very cool place to enjoy the games. For QR199 during the WC get one tasty bite and two house beverages.

Vertigo: Speaking of views, this bar has them for days. At the lush Banyan Tree Hotel, you can order from their a la carte menu and watch the games in style.

Il Galante: In the same hotel as Vertigo, this Italian spot, their packages include all food and drink during the matches (two hours on non-match days) and is a slightly more luxe way to see the games.
Prices are QR450 (soft drinks), QR675 (house beverages), QR900 (premium beverages). No jokes about Italy not qualifying.

The Corniche and Msheireb

Doha’s iconic Corniche will be closed to traffic for the tournament but it’s worth finding these gems. Nearest stadiums: 974

Mandarin Oriental: Of course they have come up with something as stylish as the hotel itself. Their fan zone is on the Baharat Msheireb and is QR425 per person with a a choice of tables or sofas. This includes soft drinks and all food. The menu is a corker too with lobster rolls, artisan cheese board and Korean fried chicken. Those wanting a drink can check out their excellent bar called Ambar inside the hotel. Book through their online store.

The Irish Pub: Located in Old Salata, this gem of a pub has a happy hour and a very lively crowd.

Jazz up Bar and Sports Lounge: In the “old” Movenpick, a very laid back and unpretentious bar with TV screens snd a daily happy hour.

Claw BBQ: Located inside the Doubletree Old Town, you are promised a rollicking good time at this American themed bar. Great food (yes you must try the crab) and a centerpiece bar, best with your besties.

O’Glacee: This lovely poolside bar at the Alwadi Hotel MGallery in Msheireb has unique setting s well s a chill vibe. Great place to relax and catch some games

Al Wakra and Southern Doha

A vibrant part of Doha stretching from Old Airport to Al Wakra, with vast number of eateries and some great pubs popping up. Close to HIA Arrivals and Departures and some spots also a quick hop from the Passenger Overflow Area. Nearby stadiums: 974; Thumama, Al Janoub

Stock Burger: Another family friendly spot, this one at the Holiday Inn on Airport Road. They offer, of course, burgers but also a private viewing room and an outside terrace. During the tournament they are offering entry for QR200 redeemable against food and beverage purchases plus daily happy hour form 3pm; this increases to QR300 for the quarter finals and QR500 for finals.

Misturado and Liquidity: Located in neighboring Crowne Plaza the Business Park, both bars are offering screens and specials to entice football lovers. Liquidity is located poolside on the rooftop and Misturado on ground floor. During the tournament Misturado is offering entry for QR200 redeemable against food and beverage purchases plus daily happy hour form 3pm; this increases to QR300 for the finals. Liquidity will offer live screenings daily with an entry fee of QR50. Both have live screenings.

Arguelina: A hidden gem shisha place and restaurant in the Crowne Plaza, they will be showing the games daily from 1pm to 12am. Set menus from QR90 plus an additional QR35 for shisha.

El Cedro: This is a stunning spot at the Sharq Village and Spa with some seriously good food. South American vibes are the go and packages are for two hour slots. QR475 (soft drinks), QR775 (house bevvies), QR1,075 (sparkling wine). Open daily noon to 4pm, 6pm to 2am.

Tiki Taka Beach: The beach and pool area at Sharq Village and Spa has been transformed into the Tiki Taka Beach experience. Daily packages start at 7am and are all inclusive of food, beverages and football watching. There are seven popup restaurants and bars for QR1600 per person.

Krossroads Al Wakra: Still the only bar in Al Wakra, very unpretentious with a lovely terrace, eclectic menu and a long happy hour.

The Red Lion: Housed in Al Mansour Suites on Rawdat Al Khail, a fun pub with lots of promotions like a mixed grill platter every Tuesday with a bottle of wine of QR195 and for the World Cup, four shots for QR99. Friday brunch is Q250 including house drinks and a daily WC offer of three drinks for QR99 or six for QR175 is very good value.

Street 22: This spot in Najma has live music and DJs and a bar snacks/comfort food menu.

Oryx Hyatt Regency: This unpretentious spot is offering a few options for thirsty fans. Choices Outdoor Football Garden is QR300 per person in the group stages redeemable for F&B. They will have an outdoor BBQ. Their tapas spot The Cellar has a la carte options and sangria. Booking essential.

Further Afield….

Hilton Salwa Beach Resort: They have a sports bar on site but during the tournament they will operate a family fun zone with a huge screen and food stalls. They will also host a Trader Vics Pop Up throughout the period. It may be close to the Saudi border, but the folks have thought of that and offer a bus from Al Messila Metro station. Call 4423 6666 for bookings.

While you are here…

There it is, the best sports bars and places to drink during FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. Some happenings around town and things to watch out for:

• Are you getting my weekly Life on the Wedge newsletter? Sign up here.
• Direct from London Sri Lankan sensation Hoppers will open in Msheireb in November.
• Thank you to ITP Live for naming me on the essential influencers to follow in Qatar for the World Cup.
• Al Maha Island is promising to deliver some big name international brands to Doha. Including zuma, Beef Bar and Carbonne. These are popups but will add another level to the dining scene here.
• Aura Group, who are behind the above brands, plan to bring a whopping 36 new venues to Doha.
• This one has me excited. Rixos Gulf is on the beach spot of the old Gulf hotel and has some serious F&B presence on board.