Warsaw Tortilla Factory
Warsaw must be the only European capital that can’t sustain an Irish-run Irish pub. What it does have, is the next best thing: an Irish-run Mexican restaurant! Not that you’d guess it’s either Mexican or a restaurant – come kick-off time, WTF draws in the ex-pat football fans in droves and they’ve been known to get loud, lively and really quite wobbly. Even non-smokers admit that the atmosphere in the boxy smoking room is red hot and second-to-none. But the appeal extends beyond the obvious Premiership action, with the full Sky Sports program on offer, not to mention all the big rubgy internationals, Sunday gridiron and much more besides. That they serve Poland’s best Guinness is the ultimate feather in the cap.
ul. Wilcza 46
Legends
While the atmosphere is more sensible in Legends than it is in WTF, nights can get raucous, not least when there’s a big European fixture or a top-of-the-table league match. Owner Graham is an Everton nut, and his hospitality has created a comfortable enclave of Englishness. Even so, the crowd is a fluid and inlcusive cross-cultural mix of ex-pats and Poles, while the sports includes English action, Spanish La Liga, F1 and rugby. Immerse yourself in the atmosphere by drowning in Weston’s cider and Abbott’s Ale.
ul. Emilii Plater 25
Champions
A veteran heavyweight in every sense of the word, Champions have been doing business since 1996. Finding a sports fan who hasn’t been here is harder than finding one who has. While the concept and style look dated, there’s no faulting the attention to detail – wherever you look (aside from under the table), there’s a TV. The heavy décor brings to mind the trans-Atlantic sports bars of the 90s, with glinting trophies, whirring machines, clacking pool tables and a cacophony of commentaries. Hell, there’s even a boxing ring. But you can’t fault their consistency: the food is always on-point, the staff are pro, while the generous floor plan makes it suitable for unwieldy groups of large and loud lads. The Marriott location does add a few zlots to the bill, with a large Heineken weighing in at zł. 19. While the focus is English and Polish football, F1, speedway and other noisy sports also get a look-in. Check their website for schedules.
Al. Jerozolimskie 65/79