Champions

You’ve done the sightseeing for the day, and now the big game is on. Somewhere to watch it in comfort with a beer and a bite is needed. Actually, if you’re in Warsaw, the first choice has to be Champions at the Marriott Hotel, a huge and very popular purpose-built air-conditioned sports bar.

Right slap bang in the centre of town, near to the main railway station, the Marriott is in one of the skyscrapers that dominate downtown Warsaw. Inside Champions, however, is a one hundred per cent slice of sports-themed Americana – sports pictures and memorabilia adorn the walls and you can even eat inside a mock boxing ring. With seating for around three hundred, 35 TV plasma screens and two enormous projector screens, the place can pretty much offer any sporting event that’s broadcast (and can usually accommodate requests for specific events).

For eats there’s a full menu of popular American classics such as philly cheese steaks, burgers and grilled beef tenderloin as well as Polish fare, all characterised by large portions and high quality. If you’re a sucker for a hot fudge brownie sundae for dessert, then this is the place. The international bar serves beers from around the world, along with wine and cocktails. Service is cheerful and efficient.

Champions is hard to beat for sports on TV but, despite its huge capacity, its popularity means that it is well worthwhile booking in advance, especially for major sporting events. It can also be booked for business conferences, and note that it boasts the longest Happy Hour in Warsaw – from 11 a.m. Sunday until midnight Monday!