Well, it’s here at last!!! The World Cup kicks off tonight and Glasgow is full of great pubs where you can watch the action. Here’s my pick of 10 of the best places to enjoy the games ... with a few pints, of course.

1 The Maltman, 59-61 Renfield Street

Handy city centre location means it’s a good place to meet your pals after work and enjoy  the early evening games. One massive screen and plenty of TVs mean you won’t miss a kick. The Maltman holds some sore memories for me though. I watched Scotland getting gubbed 6-0 by Holland in this very bar in 2003. Brutal!

2 Tennent’s Bar, 191 Byres Road

Forget your fancy,  all-seater arenas and head to this West End institution where it will be standing room only come kick-off time. Lots of screens and decent prices make it a sound bet to take in the action.  Plenty of bar staff too so you shouldn’t have to wait too long to get served.

3 Rhoderick Dhu, 21-23 Waterloo Street

Perfect if you or your pals smoke. There’s an smoking enclosure INSIDE the pub which means you won’t miss a minute of the action if you’re having a ciggie. They serve a beautiful pint of Tennents Lager too, which obviously helps. Especially if the game you’re watching is mince.

4 Maggie Mays, 60 Trongate

This trendy Trongate venue is open late every night so this is a good shout for the 11pm  kick-offs. It’s a busy music venue too so you could easily watch a match and take in a band on the same night. Sounds like a plan.

5 Campus, 322 Sauchiehall Street

Site of the former Sports Cafe is aimed at students but don’t let that put you off.  It’s feels almost as massive as the Maracana and should provide a decent atmosphere as the tournament moves into the knockout stages.

6 Coopers, 499 Great Western Road

This pub is backing Spain in the World Cup so don’t be surprised if you see the very efficient staff wearing their Espana tops, and cheering on Iniesta, Diego Costa and the rest of the reigning World Champions. Lots of screens and a mezzanine area make Coopers an enjoyable place to watch the action.

7 O’Neill’s, 71-73 Albion Street

An old favourite for watching football in the pub. I used to take in games in here when the Evening Times was based in Albion Street - the 2000 Champions League Final between Real Madrid and Valencia is still etched in my memory. Big pub with lots of screens and a big atmosphere to match.

8 26 Hope Street

This pub just round the corner from Central Station will be packed to the rafters when there’s a game on. It’s a big karaoke favourite too  if you fancy a sing-song.  Worth a visit.

9 The Granary, 10 Kilmarnock Road

A South Side institution with friendly staff and two bars so there should be plenty room to enjoy the action. There’s a Blue Lagoon chip shop over the road if you fancy a fish supper when the final whistle sounds.

10 Auctioneers, 6 North Court

Popular with football fans, this city centre hostelry has a traditional looking dining area which has good-sized screens so you can enjoy your dinner and the match at the same time. Good value with a bustling atmosphere, Auctioneers is just around the corner from Queen Street Station and Buchanan Street Subway Station, so getting home shouldn’t be too hard.

 

Let me know where you will be watching the World Cup. Email me at craig.gibson@eveningtimes.co.uk. I’m also on Twitter @ThePubPunter and Facebook  at  Glasgow Pub Punter