When David Beckham turned 50 in May, he didn’t go on just any old bender – he flew his family to Bordeaux for a private tasting at Château Pétrus, followed by dinner in Paris washed down with a £6,000-plus bottle of Pétrus 1961.
It’s a far cry from the beer-soused heroics that used to characterise football (though George Best preferred white wine spritzers, by all accounts). And while lager may still be first choice for most fans, it’s no longer the only option in the UK’s Premier League clubs.
An Espresso Martini served at Fulham’s new Riverside stand © Backdrop
Fulham’s new Riverside stand
Fulham recently unveiled a £100mn Riverside Stand at its Thames-side Craven Cottage ground, billed as “the most luxurious experience in English football”. The 2,303-seat complex has menus by two-Michelin-starred chef Alex Dilling and a wine list that – while not quite on a par with Pétrus – is full of crowd-pleasing luxury brands including Cloudy Bay and Whispering Angel (both owned by LVMH). There’s also a cocktail list that changes four times a year – think Mimosas and Margaritas – on the panoramic Sky Deck. On non-match days the Riverside Stand doubles as a private members’ club complete with swimming pool. Sky Deck seasonal memberships – which include all food and drink – start at £7,750 plus VAT.
