The world’s most prestigious tennis tournament comes to a close this weekend, but not before some of the very best take to centre court to battle it out to become Wimbledon champions. In 2021, 25.8 million people watched the competition on the BBC, and a record number of streams made it the most streamed Wimbledon ever.
While this year’s men’s and women’s singles finalists are currently still being decided, you might want to start thinking about how and where you’re going to tune in. Many will surely be glued to their TV screens, but with good weather expected across Greater Manchester this weekend, you might want to take the opportunity to make the most of the sunshine and watch the matches outdoors or on the terraces of your favourite Manchester bars and restaurants.
Here, we round up some of the best places to watch the finals this weekend. It might not courtside, but the big screens across Manchester are perhaps the next best thing.
Ménagerie Bar & Restaurant Garden
This Sunday, guests can indulge in Wimbledon-inspired food and drink, whilst enjoying a spot of tennis from the comfort of the Ménagerie terrace. The restaurant on New Bailey St is screening the Wimbledon Finals live on an 11sqm outdoor TV screen in the garden area between 12-5pm.
There’ll be strawberries & cream, afternoon tea-style sandwiches and Pimm's, so all the quintessential British tennis food and drink staples accounted for. They’ll also be putting on a Bottomless Sunday Brunch encompassing prosecco, beer, house wine for two hours with your choice of Sunday Roast.
MediaCity
As part of MediaCity's summer series of pop-up events on its waterside piazza, the media hub will be hosting a series of Wimbledon viewings across the finals' weekend. On Saturday 9 and Sunday 10, Box on the Dox presents Wimbledon Picnics, which gives family and friends the chance to watch the matches on the MediaCity big screen.
Tennis fans of all ages are welcome to head down to the piazza, which is offering free admittance. You can grab a deckchair or picnic blanket and enjoy a Picnic box from Beigel.
First Street
Summer at First Street kicked off a few weeks back with the Jubilee celebrations and this weekend will see Wimbledon take its turn on the big screen. The screen sponsored by Starling Bank and surrounded by a number of garden games, deckchairs as well as pop-up food and beverage stalls including Bunny Jackson’s Wing Wagon, is ready and waiting for sports fans to come on down.
The screen will remain in situ throughout the summer period with details on other showings being released every Thursday throughout the Summer. Already events including T20 Cricket, Live PGA Tour Golf, Live Cricket ODI England v Netherlands, and Glastonbury have been shown, and The Commonwealth Games and the UEFA Women's EURO 2022 will also be broadcast over the course of the summer.
Brotherhood
The sports bar just over from the Town Hall and Central Library is proud to be supporting an action-packed calendar of sporting events this summer, especially women's sporting events, from the UEFA Women's Euros to Wimbledon, with a number of major events screened across their Manchester and Leeds bars.
Kicking off in style with the iconic Wimbledon tournament, this past two weeks, guests have been be able to witness the likes of Simona Halep, Karolina Pliskova and Ash Barty working their magic on the court, and even more as the coverage continues this weekend. A selection of suitably summery limited-edition Wimbledon cocktails will be available to sip throughout the tournament, including the refreshing Strawberries and Cream.
Native Manchester and Ducie Street Warehouse
To mark a summer of massive sporting events including Wimbledon and the Women's Euros, Ducie Street Warehouse in the Northern Quarter will be presenting a summer of sport from its cosy, 36-seat Mini Cini with 4K projector and 7.1 surround sound. Screenings on the outdoor terrace will also be available, and its the perfect spot to enjoy the newly launched BBQ menu, which features Herdwick lamb burgers, spiced miso chicken and Tuscan roasted pepper and courgette skewers.
It's worth noting that booking for the cinema must be made in advance by emailing info@duciestreet.com or calling 0161 503 9460. Walk-ins and free seating are also available for screenings on the terrace or in the jungle area at Ducie Street Warehouse.
Trafford Palazzo
The Retail and leisure destination will be welcoming guests for a screening of the Wimbledon finals this weekend, with food and drink stalls and garden games included in the fan zone area.
This will be followed by an event to celebrate the Women’s Euros on July 23 and 24. Local sports brand Miss Kick will be setting up a ‘Euros Zone’ with football activities across the weekend.
Wimbledon-inspired food events
The Midland Afternoon Tea
E mbracing the spirit of Wimbledon, The Midland’s Tea Room will be serving up a knockout tennis-themed afternoon tea in the Tea Room until July 10. From strawberries and cream to an apple-flavoured macaron with Bergamot butter icing and strawberry & Champagne jelly, this selection of Wimbledon-themed treats sits alongside a selection of sandwiches and cakes, loose leaf tea and a glass of Champagne. Afternoon Tea can be booked here.
In addition to the Tea Room, The hotel's Champagne Lounge will be serving up two limited edition cocktails; Wimbledon Deuce, which is a refreshing blend of English sparkling wine and Pimms for £14, and Wimbledon Love - a glass full of sweetness featuring cranberry juice, strawberry purée, and sugar syrup for £7.
20 Stories - Taste of Wimbledon
This summer, Manchester’s highest restaurant, 20 Stories, is inviting guests to join them for a taste of Wimbledon between from June 27 to July 10. Guests can enjoy delicious strawberries and cream platter along with two glasses of Nyetimber or a bottle while gazing over the impressive Manchester skyline from the 19th floor of No.1 Spinningfields.
The platter consists of strawberries and cream, sweet woodruff, mascarpone, and basil sauce and serves two people. Tables can be booked via the link.
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