Over the last decade or so, the demand for tickets and hospitality at the Etihad has grown and grown. This is down to the relentless success of the Manchester City team and the worldwide brand they have managed to build up in such a short space of time. Large influxes of demand have sent swaths of thirsty traveling football fans into the city, searching for a place to have a few drinks, soak up the atmosphere, and celebrate with their fellow Citizens.
In this article, I will be giving my best drinking spot recommendations around the Etihad and the city itself. Having made the trip up to the Etihad a number of times in my life, I have been blessed to be able to test out these locations and will provide reasons why some of them may be better than others, depending on your match day intentions.
Which nearby pubs are the best for traveling to the Etihad Stadium?
The Townley
From my research prior to visiting the Etihad, I kept seeing The Townley pub raising its hand in the search results, so there was no way I was going to overlook it. The Townley is one of those places that divides opinion, and I can see why. On the one hand, you have an affordable, humble, and classic local pub, loved by many regulars, that sits close to the stadium. On the other hand, with the humble appearance comes a rough-and-ready nature which may not sit well with fans who have traveled from afar to visit one of the state-of-the-art grounds in the Premier League.
Admittedly, I wasn’t blown away by the retro decor, but the classic selection of beers from John Smiths to Guinness was warmly welcomed by myself and the City faithful around me. The demographic is very heavily geared toward season-ticket holders and rowdy groups of Citizens. With this comes its defining selling point, an atmosphere that is rocking before and after the game. Some of the inspiring stories that I heard that day from those who had followed City for decades have stuck with me. With The Townley, what you sacrifice with luxury, you get back twofold in energy and memories.
Location
31 Albert St, Beswick, Manchester M11 3QW
Store Street Craft Bar
If you are more of a beer connoisseur, a craft king, or a pale ale lover, the Store Street Craft Bar should be at the top of your list. The name doesn’t lie; their selection of unique beers is spectacular, as is the variety of gins and other spirits. If you are like me and enjoy the ‘what do we have here?’ element of randomness in the craft beer industry, this modern bar will intrigue you for sure.
Veering away slightly from the grassroots image of some others on the list, this wide-open and spacious bar is a perfect balance for those wanting a more luxurious pregame warm-up, surrounded by plenty of screens showing all the coverage you could ever need. I must admit, I was sad to leave after settling into the friendly atmosphere and the noticeably quick service that maybe had me drinking a little more than I should have.
We have to address some drawbacks of this spot, though, as in order to come here, you may need to make some prior edits to your plans. A daunting 35-minute trek to the stadium is ahead of you if you decide to stretch your legs or a 10-minute taxi ride to get there, which could be costly. But not all is lost just yet.
The stand-out option that I chose to take last year was the straightforward 15-minute train ride from Manchester Piccadilly to the Etihad Campus station. From here, you just step out of the train, and the stadium is there in all its glory.
Location
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Manchester-Piccadilly, 1 Auburn Street, Manchester M1 3DG
The Bradford Inn
Now, we head back a bit closer to the Etihad with The Bradford Inn. Visiting this spot is another opportunity to ingratiate yourself with the Manchester City faithful and get a truly authentic experience.
Trying out this Joseph Holt-owned spot, it didn’t take long to feel the buzz around the place. Albeit a rather uniform layout with the traditional English pub furnishings that you might expect from a locally focused public house, the welcoming nature of the staff was visible, they were quick to serve, there was a selection of outdoor seating, and the prices were very wallet-friendly. For this fact alone, I could recommend it to any football fan.
After speaking to the locals about past events, like the classic Aguero goal that won them the title in 2012, they informed me that the pub would also serve thousands of people a year attending non-football events, such as Liam Gallagher concerts. It began to make sense as to why there was such a palpable sense of experience that came from the staff there, and despite the buzz, I never once felt like the rowdy mood was ever at risk of tipping over.
Normally, for safety reasons, I would strongly recommend that fans who are unaware of the areas a bit further out from the stadium should stick to nearer, more modern, and established places. However, The Bradford Inn, despite being an 18-minute walk away, does offer the authentic City experience with a tempered vibe that could even be suitable for away fans.
Location
112/114 Bradford Rd, Manchester M40 7AS
The Pen and Pencil
Okay, so with this option we are looking at somewhat of a wildcard choice. The Pen and Pencil sits in the same category as the Store Street Craft Bar in that it is located outside the immediate area of the Etihad, at a significant 34-minute walk. Again, the train is by far the most efficient option for the majority of fans, jumping on at Piccadilly Gardens station and taking the 18-minute train to the Etihad Campus.
What stood out to me about The Pen and Pencil was the interesting mix between a bar, a cafe, and a nightclub. With that wild combination, you may be confused as to which type of fan would be suited to spending a few pre-match hours there. Well, where I think it comes into its own is in what it offers post-match.
Depending on the result of the match, there are plenty of fans who want to keep the party going to celebrate moving up the table. With a DJ on weekends until late (well past my bedtime), The Pen and Pencil is a trendy place to enjoy the spoils, with plenty of food and drink options to replace any lost energy during the game.
Fans traveling from around the world are most likely going to situate themselves in hotels in and around the buzzy city center, thus making this a great option for those jumping back on the train.
Here’s a little tip for you! If you happen to get tickets for a midweek Champions League or Domestic Cup fixture and fancy some good deals, they host a generous Happy Hour from 17:00-19:00, which is perfect for that pre-match build-up.
Location
57 Hilton Street, Manchester, M1 2EJ
Mary D’s
Lastly, we have a spot that is endorsed by the club itself and has gained legendary status within the Citizen community. When visiting such a modern stadium such as the Etihad, you expect great hospitality. The combination of a classic football boozer, welcoming fans and staff, alongside a Fish ‘N Chip shop next door pushes the authenticity through the roof. When I was doing my research before a trip to the Etihad a few years back, Mary D’s was one of the recommendations that kept on appearing on social media and within my circle of Manchester City contacts.
I must say that my expectations were certainly met when it came to a bustling atmosphere, and my vocal cords took quite a beating when the pre-match chanting began to ramp up as we got closer to kick-off. The open space layout, along with easy service, made the beers flow quicker than expected, but it was hard not to get drawn into the palpable buzz. In my positive mood, I ended up perusing the merchandise that was on offer, securing an iconic baby-blue scarf, allowing me to fit in as an outsider.
Accessibility is another string to its bow, being a stone’s throw away from the stadium. Only a bend in the road separates it from the Etihad, so this is a perfect spot for before and after the game. Is it a little bit obvious which of the options is my favourite?
Location
13 Grey Mare Lane, Manchester M11 3DQ England
What are the best pre-match pubs around the Etihad?
The criteria for a pre-match drinking spot can vary drastically depending on what atmosphere you may be looking for. The proximity of the establishment also ranks as one of the defining factors, along with the quality of refreshments.
You may have guessed it, but my stand-out choice for pregame is Mary D’s. The endorsement from the club is not missing substance, as the mood generated within the four walls is something special and should be experienced by any dedicated City fan. This is even the case for tourists traveling to the Etihad from afar. Safety was never a concern; there was always space to do your own thing, and you could grab your merchandise without having to head to the club shop or risk getting overcharged by a street vendor. Besides, the Fish ‘N Chips were to die for.
This is not to say that the other options don’t provide value for people. For example, the Store Street Craft Bar offers more of a hip, luxurious experience, but at the cost of proximity and atmosphere. In my opinion, The Townley, although close to the ground, doesn’t quite hit the spot like Mary D’s.
What are the best post-match pubs around the Etihad?
After the match is slightly different, again, if you want to head back towards the city area and find a base from which to start your night, The Pen and Pencil is a great shout. With live music, a cool and modern vibe, and some delicious food, you can’t really go wrong with it.
However, if you are still on a high from a resounding Manchester City win and want to revel in the atmosphere with fellow fans, Mary D’s is great again. You don’t have to worry about jumping on the train immediately, and you won’t be short on people to connect with and either moan about the referee, or discuss some of the skills pulled off by Kevin De Bruyne.
The Gem (Our Pick)
Whether you’re traveling to the Etihad to watch Manchester City from afar, or are one of the diehard regulars, there are plenty of options to suit your needs. With our personal favourite, Mary D’s, you get a great nearby spot for that pre game beer and an excellent choice for post-match celebrations.
With spots such as The Pen and Pencil, you can work your way into proceedings at your own pace while being only a few train stops away. In any case, traveling to the Etihad is a fairly straightforward affair and you’ll be in the stands doing the Poznan in no time! Use our guide to send you in the right direction, but be sure to conduct your own research before making a choice.
