It’s not every day that football fans from all over Europe - and beyond - pitch up to Leigh Sports Village. The town has already bore witness to the carnival atmosphere of the 2022 Women’s Euros tournament, with visitors from the Netherlands, Portugal and Switzerland all flooding the place with orange, red, green and white.
So as the Euros head into the quarter-finals, and you’re heading to the decisive Sweden vs Belgium match, here are a few great places you could seek out for a glass of something and bite to eat before the 8pm kick-off, and maybe even a quick drink at full-time too.
Twentyman’s
A fantastic neighbourhood bakery and pizzeria on Bradshawgate, chef and baker Andrew Twentyman uses the real gear for his artisan Neapolitan style pizzas, from the crucial San Marzano tomatoes and Caputo 00 flour from Naples to the proper fior de latte mozzarella and spicy nduja sausage. Proper pizza, done right.
117 Bradshawgate, Leigh WN7 4ND
Whistling Wren
As handy as it could possibly be for a quick pre-match pint, the Whistling Wren has a pizza shack out the front, huge sharing plates and solid pub grub indoors, plenty of outside space for an al fresco pint, and a play area for the kids. Throw in some Marston’s beers, and you’ll be all set.
Turner Way, Leigh WN7 4GX
All Hail The Burger
The standard football burger van? Or All Hail The Burger? Well, it’s the second one, obviously. These are proper business, the beef minced daily in-house to their own spec, and grilled over charcoal. If the full size beasts are too robust, they even do mini versions for those with eyes the same size as their stomach.
117 Chapel St, Leigh WN7 2AL
Perola Do Mar
A cosy, family-run Portuguese spot, Perola Do Mar (meaning ‘sea pearl’) is bountiful in the seafood department, with sardines and salt cod, and if you give them 24 hours notice, a traditional cataplana or paella too. But there’s also roasted chicken, peri-peri style, and flame-grilled chorizo that you can cook at your table.
98 Railway Rd, Leigh WN7 4AN
Green Lane Chippy
Good chippies are a thing to treasure, and the Green Lane Chippy is a cracker, winning Chippy of the Year two years on the trot. Plus, if you’re visiting from Europe, a classic example of the craft of fish and chips that the British will bore you to tears about if you let them. Brothers - and owners - Paul and Andy Georgiou have 40 years catering experience between them, so suffice to say, it shows.
507 - 509 Holden Rd, Leigh WN7 2JJ
Koi Japanese Cuisine
Functionally titled, perhaps, but this is a local favourite, with head chef Sueharu Hamaue bringing 35 years’ worth of experience to this bar and kitchen on Church Street, from years in five-star hotels in Japan. There’s sushi and teppanyaki dishes, as well as a fine range of sake.
2 Leigh Rd, Leigh WN7 1QL
Est 1899
If you’re looking for something after the game, there’s always Est 1899, which is open until all hours - a case in point, the happy hour lasts until 1am, so that tells you all you need to know. Pop in for a beer or a cocktail after the match, and see what time you end up getting home.
4 Railway Rd, Leigh WN7 4AB
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