Where to watch football in Doha

A new season of football has kicked off across Europe. Just as clubs have been scouring the transfer market looking for new star players Time Out has had a busy off season too.

We’ve been talking to scouts and crunching the numbers to bring you the guide to the best spots to watch sports in Doha. Not just football either, with many of the island’s pubs, bars and lounges happily broadcasting everything from athletics to wrestling.
Whoever you support and no matter what your hopes for the season ahead check out the list of top spots for watching sports. Back of the net!

Champion’s Sports Bar: This dedicated sports bar has an epic number of screens for showing sport. Not that it could ever happen but it has enough screens, 47 by our count, to theoretically show every single league match in all four main English divisions simultaneously. Wherever you stand in the bar there is a good view of a screen and with dartboard, pool and table football facilities as well as a reopening Bounce Arena nightlife area there is no need to ever suffer through a bore draw here.

Screens: Two large screens and 45 TVs.
Other sports: Rugby World Cup and all other sports screened on BeIn and OSN Sports.
Champion’s Sports Bar. Marriott Marquis City Center West Bay, www.marriottmarquisdining.com. (4419 6100).

Hive Lounge: Some sport fans while find these Intercontinental lounge too stylish to watch games in. True, it doesn’t have the singalong cheer of a pub or the memorabilia-adorned walls of a sports bar but to watch games in chic comfort you can’t go far wrong. More like watching a game with players’ WAGs in the corporate boxes than on the terraces and to some people that is a considerable upgrade.

Screens: One projector and two flat screen TVs.
Other sports: Rugby World Cup.
Hive Lounge. Intercontinental Doha, West Bay, www.intercontinental.com/dohathecity. (4015 8888).

Admiral’s Club: About as far removed from a no-frills pub as you will ever find this marina spot is a high-end place to watch games. You may struggle to keep eyes on the four V screens as you look out at the luxury yachts and ocean views. Inside a table football table and good food options are the only accompaniment you need to matches at a bar that still feels like a special occasion every time we visit.
Screens: Four TVs
Other sports: Rugby World Cup, athletics, tennis and more.
Admiral’s Club. Ritz-Carlton Doha, West Bay Lagoon, www.ritzcarlton.com. (4484 8000).

Irish Harp: The Sheraton Doha’s Irish pub attempts to serve up an authentic atmosphere with décor and fittings designed and built in the Emerald isle and shipped to Qatar. If there is a qualm it is that this is an upscale interpretation of the Irish pub but you wouldn’t hear us complaining about that. Wednesday night matches come after a lively salsa night and there is a table football table if that is more your speed.
Screens: 12 flat screen TVs.
Other sports: Rugby World Cup, basketball, cricket, F1, Moto GP and other major sporting events.
Irish Harp. Sheraton Doha, West Bay, www.irishharpdoha.com. (4485 3000).

Spikes Lounge: As an alternative to a hotel bar this pleasant golf club bar is a good place to watch live football on TV in Doha. It won’t get overrun like some pubs and clubs but still has a good atmosphere and a crowd of regulars. There are views out across the 18th and 9th holes and even some al fresco screens for viewing games outside (we suggest you leave this to cooler months). To kick start the season (weekends in August) a Soccer Saturdays and Soccer Sundays promotion lets you play nine holes of golf on the Academy Course, get peas, pie and chips plus a selected beverage from QR175.
Screens: Seven flat screen TVs including two on the outdoor terrace.

Other sports: Rugby World Cup and golf.
Spikes Lounge. Doha Golf Club, West Bay Lagoon, www.dohagolfclub.com. (4496 0777).

Rose & Thistle: Despite being new this British-themed pub is already one of the very best spots to watch football in Doha. Concentrating on the simple things helps. Like dishing out free pies at half time of Saturday matches is always going to come across well with regulars. Or a pre-Monday night match quiz. Rose & Thistle achieves its goal of being a ‘local’ style pub with good entertainment, grub and entertainment. The Man Utd supporters’ club of Qatar watch games here.

Screens: Two projectors and 12 flat screen TVs.
Other sports: Rugby World Cup and other major sporting events.
Rose & Thistle. Horizon Manor Hotel, Mirqab, www.horizonmanor.com. (4445 5444).

Paloma: There’s lots going on at this West Bay hangout. Firstly it is one of the city’s best places to grab Tex-Mex food of a high quality. Plus it is a popular bar with intriguing offers and promotions every night of the week with Monday’s karaoke and Saturday’s all-day Happy Hour being particular favourites. Among all the offerings it is also a very serviceable spot to watch sports on the smattering of screens dotted strategically around the venue. Football from leagues all around the word are shown and if you’re looking for lively rather than lazy then this is a good option.

Screens: Two projectors and two large TVs.
Other sports: Rugby, boxing, F1, basketball, tennis and other major sports on request.
Paloma. Intercontinental Doha, West Bay, www.ihg.com. (4484 4919).

Fabric Lounge: Formerly known as the Chill Out Pub, this Grand Regal nightspot has recently undergone a change in style and name. Call it a team rebranding, if you will. We’ve not watched a match at the newly named Fabric Lounge yet but have high expectations from the versatile nightspot that offers vibrant club nights with African, Bollywood, underground and reggae theme nights. For footy in a clubbing environment we reckon it is worth a try.

Screens: Three flat screens.
Other sports: Rugby.
Fabric Lounge. Grand Regal Hotel, Ras Abu Abboud Street, www.grandregal.com. (04 4409 4600).