Most sports fans will tell you that nothing quite compares to being at a live cricket match. The excitement of the game, the crunch of the ball on the wicket, the crack of the batsman’s leather gloves – it’s all just a thrill. But for those who love a drink, perhaps the best experience can be had at a horse racing or greyhound racing meeting. The tradition of these sports is rich, with crowds spilling out of pubs and clubs to follow the action on the big screens. The atmosphere at a sporting event is unmatched, and it’s not hard to see why these sports have been around for so long – they’re just so exciting to watch!
But while watching sports at the local pub is great, the big question is: What do you drink at a speedway meeting? You might be drinking beer, but the organizers didn’t arrange for it to be served at the match, did they? You might feel more comfortable with a cocktail in the afternoon, but is that really suitable for a sports arena? And what about those huge glasses of red wine that some of the fans drink during the course of the game? Is that really acceptable when you’re trying to watch a cricket match?
What does a speedway drinks menu look like? How about a pint of lager, a wine, a mixed drink, or a soft drink? Or perhaps nothing at all – it’s up to you!
To find out, we set off to discover what drinks are available at UK speedway meetings. This is no easy task, as not all venues will be advertising their food and drink services, and some venues will even prevent fans from bringing in outside food and drink. But thanks to some diligent research from our side, and using our best judgement to interpret frequently ambiguous rules, we’ve managed to put together a full list of what drinks are on offer at UK speedway meetings.
The Full List Of Drinks
Arguably the most important question is: Is beer available to buy? The short answer is yes – almost every venue will have a bar or two, and you’ll often be able to buy a drink to take away with you. However, if you’re looking for a specific style of beer, you might struggle to find it – many venues will only have one or two beers on offer, and they often won’t be cask-conditioned. But it’s always possible to request a specific beer, or ask the bartender for an advice on what to try.
Worse comes to worse, and you don’t like the beer they have on offer, you can always grab a bottle of wine from the bar. It’s easy enough to find, and much cheaper, too – the average cost per drink will be around £1, which makes it a much more affordable option. Plus, you can bring your own bottle, in case there are any restrictions on bringing in wine from outside the venue.
If you’re in a mood to splurge a little, you can always order a double-size burger and some fries to go with it – the burger will set you back £3.95+, and the fries will be something like £1.50+. If you want to save some money, go for the burger and fries combo, and you’ll pay only £2.45 for both. So, on the plus side, you’ll have a filling meal that won’t break the bank. On the downside, you’ll have to suffer through a lengthy and boring wait while the food is prepared.
What About Spirits And Cocktails?
So far, we’ve discussed food and drink offerings, but what about the drinks that are being served at these venues? Are they available to buy? And are they suitable to drink at a sports arena? The short answers are yes and yes. You won’t find anything blatantly alcoholic being served at a speedway venue, but you will find plenty of spirits and cocktails that are perfectly acceptable to drink at a sports event. Some of the cocktails will even be quite sophisticated – think gin and lime, or vodka and orange – and knowing what ingredients are in them will help you understand what they are.
One thing to keep in mind is that many of these drinks will be served in very large glasses, so make sure you’re not filling up on a large-sized drink – go for the smaller one so that you can maintain a proper watching posture!
The Final Word
What we’ve covered so far is the general view from an aficionado’s perspective. From the outside looking in, it seems that beer might be the only option. But whether you’re a hardcore fan or simply there to support your favorite team, you might find that there are alternatives to your preferred drink. And if you’re looking for something a little different, you might want to consider other options as well – like the ones we discussed above. Who knows? Maybe there’s something out there that will make you feel like a cricket star for once – and we’ve helped you find out what it is!