THE World Cup's finally here and if you can't stand the frenzy of packed bars and daft queues or the stress of staying at home and you live in south Manchester, I would check out Pleasure Bar in Withington for a slightly more dignified tournament experience.

Open two years now, this little, funky haven in the heart of the village is going all out to make the most nail-biting month of matches as calm as possible for customers.

"The matches are stressful enough," says owner Dave Payne, "so we thought why not offer reserved seating, table service and a big party barbecue before the big showdowns."

Sounds like a great idea, especially if you don't fancy the joy of being packed tight in a bar, armpit to armpit with fellow fans. All England matches will be screened along with many of the other group games on the big Pleasure projector.

Be quick and book your seat for the best views in the house as this bar is small and sweet!

But there is more to Pleasure than World Cup fever, although looking through the specially decorated England windows it is hard to think about anything else.

Easy atmosphere

The bar now has an easy atmosphere to it that comes about from relaxed success. The fixtures and fittings now look shabby chic, with the inside still resembling a seventies lava lamp, but the heart is burning stronger than ever.

There are excellent theme nights with open jam sessions on Monday, free comedy on Wednesday, an open DJ night on Thursday, great DJs on Friday and Saturday.

Dave has always been keen on developing local talent and the success of the nights at Pleasure are testament to that, and something he is keen to emphasis.

Manager Matt used to be a regular lounge lizard in the bar before his appointment, though he still spins a few tunes for the customers on a Friday night.

Terrace

Pleasure is one of the few bars in Withington with an outside terrace. Although very urban - it's on Wilmslow Road - you may find it a cooling bolt-hole when the fever pitch of the footie all gets a bit much.

Later this summer there's talk of extending the bar upwards, for a more exclusive flag waving position.

Pleasure Bar, 489, Wilmslow Road, Withington. 0161 434 4300 ( www.pleasurelounge.co.uk). Monday-Thursday noon-midnight. Friday noon-1am. Saturday 11am-1am. Sunday 11am-midnight. Tweet