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Don’t let your business trip get in the way of catching your favourite game – here are the sports bars to head to in six cities around the world

The countdown for the T20 World Cup has well and truly begun. Australia will not only be hosting the T20 World Cup this month, but will also be the defending champions a er having beaten New Zealand in the nals last year. e 2022 edition of the tournament will see 16 teams go head-to-head from October 16 to November 13. Even if you can’t travel to Australia to watch the matches live, and nd yourself booked on a business trip in another city, here are some of the sports bars where you can catch all the action. Expect solid food options, great viewing arrangements and an atmosphere to match the calibre of the tournament.

DUBAI

Ernst Biergarten, 25hours Hotel Dubai One Central A gem of a sports bar, it’s a great place to catch the T20 action. Ernst is a Bavarian bar. It helps that the tournament coincides with Oktoberfest and is the only excuse you need to pair some hops with baked pretzels. ere are multiple screens and a seating capacity of over 420 indoors and outdoors. +971 42 102511; 25hours-hotels.com High Note Pool and Sky Lounge, Aloft Al Mina Dubai Summer is behind us by now, and a tting way to celebrate is by being seated outdoors. Best then head to High Note Pool and Sky Lounge. ere are screens as large as 192 inches at the venue which provides an immersive experience to watch all the cricket action unfold live on the screen. +971 58 591 8153; marriott.com WORDS HAYLEY ALEXANDER

LONDON

Sixes Social Cricket, Fitzrovia London Sixes boasts colourful cricket nets. Instead of screaming into the TV screens, pick up a bat and show your friends just how to execute that square cut. e menu features burgers, each one focused on the cuisine of a cricket-playing nation, with the space also paying tribute to all-rounder Ian Botham. +44 20 4531 2000; sixescricket.com Famous Three Kings, Fulham London e award-winning Famous ree Kings in Fulham London has consistently made it to the top of the list of the best sports pubs in the UK. Following a comprehensive refurbishment, it has now reopened. Located close to a tube station, it makes getting to it and back to your hotel very convenient. +44 20 7603 6071; cra ed-social.co.uk

PARIS

Café Oz, Paris Founded by Australian expats, there are four outposts in the city including in Chatelet, Grand Boulevards, the Denfert area, and a roo op café overlooking the Seine on Quai d’Austerlitz. Café Oz shows several sports on its giant screens from football and rugby to basketball and tennis. But being Australian, cricket is always on the cards. +331 40 39 0018 café-oz.com Bal Rock, Paris ere’ll be no looking over shoulders or struggling to nd a spot to watch the match here – this spacious venue has 32 screens spread across several oors and is located near the Grand Boulevards metro. If you’re with a group of friends or entertaining a set of clients, you can pre-book VIP packages and even reserve an entire oor for a gathering. +33 1 49 29 5050; balrock.

NEW YORK CITY

Stout, New York City ere are four Stout locations spread across Manhattan, but the Grand Central (the others are located at Bryant Park, Financial District and Penn Station) branch seems to be the most popular among locals. Apart from a great selection of hops, Stout is also famous for its Wisconsin-style thin crust pizzas and Bavarian pretzels. +1 212 922 9009; stoutnyc.com All Stars Sports Bar and Grill, New York Famous for its lively ambience during games, All Stars Sports Bar and Grill serves typical pub grub – sh and chips, chicken wings and sliders. All Stars regularly celebrates several special events, as it will Halloween on October 31 – come dressed the part if you are visiting on that day. +1 212 956 1606; allstarsportsbarandgrill.com

BARCELONA

The Wild Rover, Barcelona Close to Las Ramblas, this Irish pub is all about the numbers – 17 draught beers, 20 bottled beers, three giant screens and six large TVs. e wood-panelled interiors and black-and-white photographs of sportsmen as well as musicians hint at what this place aims to be. Stick around a er the game – live music kicks in every night at 11pm. +34 935 34 27 62; wildroverbarcelona.com Sports Bar Italian Food If you’d fancy some Italian food while in Barcelona, head to Sports Bar Italian Food which is located within walking distance of Las Ramblas. While you watch the game, order the cured meats and cheese platter or the quintessentially Italian burrata and carpaccio. Did anyone say that sports bars don’t have great menus? +34 933 106858; sportsbaritalianfood.it

DOHA

Champions, Doha e licensed venue boasts a total of 47 screens. Located in the Marriott Marquis City Centre Doha, it’s an added advantage if you happen to be staying at the property itself for a business trip. Occasionally, Champions hosts a quiz night – dare to put your well-honed sporting knowledge to the ultimate test. +974 4419 5510; marriott.com Mulberry Tavern, Doha Located in the Hilton Doha e Pearl Hotel and Residences, this gastropub has a pool table to keep you occupied during the commercial breaks. A er the game, head to the fourth oor of the Hilton to dine at Lebanese restaurnat Levantine, or indulge in theatrical table-side o erings at e Kitchen restaurant. +974 4492 4630; mulberrytaverndoha.com