Fed up of cramming yourself into a pub to watch the big game and queuing endlessly for the bar during the match? Fear not, Jetlag is here to offer a completely different experience and it’s one that leaves you very impressed.

The Venue
Jetlag is found in the ambiguous area that is Fitzrovia. Nestled between Great Portland Street and Warren Street tube stations is a sports bar like no other. Walking towards it, the turquoise, triangular-shaped building, which looks like a ship, is the first thing to catch your eye, as are the multitude of international flags hanging outside. From the outset, you don’t really know what to expect from this venue and this intrigue makes you want to peer inside and see what it’s all about.

Initially you think that it is just a small bar creatively decorated with pop art and kitsch designs like the flying ducks with sunglasses painted on the wall, but it is a whole lot more. It is divided into two parts: the bar upstairs and the lounge downstairs. Upstairs it is petite and dainty with a small wooden bar and many chairs and tables packed in to provide for as many people as possible. It also has one TV where customers can watch sport.

Downstairs, however, is where the luxury is contained. Going down the stairs and opening the glass doors, you feel as if you are in a private members’ club. The ceilings are low and the furniture is plush. Large leather sofas and booths fill the space, as well as the huge HD projector screen. On the walls there’s a pink and peach bubble-effect water feature backed onto blue plastic, which looks like a new age aquarium. It adds softness and a chilled vibe to the place. There is also a very sleek bar with a soothing pink glow lighting it up, which sets the tone for the whole area.

The Atmosphere
Due to its location, the majority of people who come here are office workers or people coming to support their team. The upstairs bar is more for having a bite to eat and being social with friends, whereas downstairs is where the serious sport-watching happens. When a match is on, it doesn’t feel like you are in a bar, it feels like you are at someone’s house enjoying the game in the utmost opulence. The bar manager downstairs is an asset to Jetlag. He goes around all tables making sure that everyone has a drink in their hand, so that they don’t have to wait at the bar. Having someone take care of you whilst important matches are on will make this venue a success when big competitions are on.

The Food
The menu offers international street food from around the world and these dishes are great to snack on whilst watching the big screen. The Coxinhas (£5.50 a small and £11 a large portion), from Brazil may look a bit peculiar when presented to you, as they are big breaded balls, but once you try one, you’ll be gobbling them all up in one go. Filled with spiced chicken and cream cheese, the contents spills out into your mouth and because it is just so delicious, you have to pop another one in. The El Burrito (chicken, £8.50 and vegetarian, £7.50) is a mild version of a Mexican classic. With a tangy tomato salsa and a stodgy guacamole sauce, this is one of the more filling dishes. When it comes to scoping out Japan, there is Yakitori (£5.50) and veggie or pork Gyozas (£5). The latter are handmade and very soft with touches of ginger. A perfect snack to share, they even come with chopsticks. Unfortunately there is one dish which is a bit of a let down, the Bhindi Chapatti (£5.50). A huge plate of them arrives and you’re excited by the sight but, once you take a bite into the battered okra, you are sorely disappointed. They are flavourless and lack any depth so the only sensation you get is the crispy batter, which is a shame.

The Drink
This is a place that prides itself on being able to show sport in sumptuous surroundings, so you would think that the menu would consist of beer and not much else, however Jetlag caters for everyone and the menu is very impressive. Next to all the beers is a flag of where it comes from and on draught are interesting beers like Oranjeboom (£3.60 a pint), Honeydew (£3.90) and Asahi (£3.70). The bottles include Windhoek (£3.80) from South Africa, James Boag (£3.80) from Australia and Cusquena (£3.80) from Peru.

Now for the cocktails, which are plentiful and mighty good. You can buy an Around the World Ticket for £25, meaning you can have 5 excellently constructed drinks and experience different countries in the process. All the Around the World cocktails are £7.50 and include Samurai Jack from Japan, which is a beautiful drink made with sake, elderflower, vodka and raspberries. The drink is smooth and tastes predominantly of elderflower with a hint of sake. It is a sophisticated and refreshing drink which is well balanced. The Scottish Big Yin tastes like a watermelon cooler even though there is only cucumber, raspberries and gin in it. A further range billed as The Classics (ranging from £7-£8) has all your favourites and during happy hours selected ones are £4, which is an absolute steal. All the cocktails are skilfully made.

The wine list is small but has some decent bottles on there. House being a Catarratto Sicilian white and a Merlot Veneto red (£3.95/£5.75/£14).

The Last Word
You can enjoy fantastic drinks and good company at Jetlag, but you can also enjoy luxury, comfort and a buzzing atmosphere for the big match. A different sort of sports bar to the stereotype, one which has the power to get even the most reluctant person loving sports by the end of the evening.

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