The biggest cricket matches call for a special fan experience. If you are the outgoing sort, there are some fantastic ways to take in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup other than simply slouching on your couch. Ahead of the India-Pakistan clash on Saturday, where Rohit Sharma and Co. will be looking to make it 8-0 versus Pakistan in the most important ODI competition of them all, My Kolkata lists five pubs in the city where you can have a fantastic viewing experience, complete with food, drinks and the World Cup vibe.
The Irish House, Quest Mall
The Game Bites menu is one of the highlights at the Irish House Amit Pramanik
With 60 per cent of customers coming either to watch sports or drink beer or both, the Irish House is all decked up with flags and jerseys for the World Cup. Irish House’s new Game Bites menu features Pitch Chips and Dips, which is in-house nachos accompanied with Edamame beans and avocado hummus at Rs 345. The Century Sliders, for which you can choose between chicken, lamb or pork, are also a must-try, starting at Rs 345. These easy to eat delights are a perfect pairing with Irish’s chilled Bira Beer bucket offers, where you get four Bira Blondes at Rs 1,125 and six at Rs 1,675, while Bira White buckets come at Rs 1,225 for four and Rs 1,845 for six. Beer Bucket offers are only valid before or after the happy hours period (4pm to 7pm). Pair these with any of the starters in the Game Bites menu while enjoying the view of the game on their massive wall projector.
one8 Commune, Ho Chi Minh Sarani
one8 Commune has some of Virat Kohli’s favourite dishes, including the Mushroom Googly Dim Sum Krishnungshu Gangopadhyay
If you are going with friends to watch the match, consider one8 Commune, where you can get a one8 Frog LIIT pitcher served in a silver gauntlet with silver cups hanging on the sides for six people at Rs 3,675. Exuding a great ambience and Instagrammable spots, one8 serves up some of Virat Kohli’s (its founder) favourite dishes like the Mushroom Googly Dim Sum at Rs 525, which are packed with exquisite flavours and go well with a cocktail of your choice. The Smoke Marmalade Shower is a must-try for whiskey lovers at Rs 725. Other impressive items include the Prawn Tempura Sushi at Rs 625, the Signature Black Chicken and the Bamboo Cashew Nut Chicken, both at Rs 495.
Five Mad Men (5MM), Sector 5, Salt Lake
Five Mad Men has attractive discounts on beer as part World Cup season Amit Pramanik
You enter 5MM and you know you are at the right place simply by looking at the jerseys and memorabilia on display. Boasting arguably the biggest screen on this list, 5MM makes you feel close to the action because of how the projector is placed on the walls. 5MM is serving up some attractive discounts on beer bottles and for draught beer lovers — you get a third pitcher for free after your first two. The Pita Pocket Chicken Shawarma at Rs 445 goes well with draught beer and you could also try the 5MM Classic Chicken Burger at Rs 395, which comes with some delightful potato wedges. Their Mushroom Ravioli is another must-try at Rs 525. 5MM has tickets on sale via Paytm insider for India versus Pakistan (here), with several having been sold already.
Warehouse Cafe, South City Mall
Warehouse Cafe is the ideal place to be for cricket lovers who also love their whiskey Amit Pramanik
A big screen with an electric atmosphere, Warehouse is serving some great cocktails, which you can have while sitting at the bar and watching the match. With offers on Jameson, whiskey lovers would be happy to know that there is a game you can play to win a free drink. Jameson Ginger is an impressive in-house cocktail that you can have at Rs 545. Or you could try the Jameson Old Smoke for a smoky citrusy effect at the same price. You could pair these cocktails with Cheese Fritters at Rs 375 or the flavourful Messy Chicken Wings at Rs 445.
Scrapyard, South City Mall
Scrapyard’s cocktails are one of its USPs Amit Pramanik
Scrapyard provides a dual viewing experience — you can either sit inside in the AC or outside on the terrace while watching the game on any of the big screens. Scrapyard has lined up some lovely cocktails that are made with style and finesse for those looking to capture such moments for Instagram. We tried the Clarified New York Shower, which comes infused with red wine at Rs 651 and the Smokey Whiskey Shower at Rs 551, which comes infused with cinnamon smoke. You could pair your cocktails with their Butter Garlic Chicken Tikka at Rs 451.
