Bringing together a wealth of international spirit (Brexit, who?) colleague camaraderie and collective tears of joy (or sorrow dependant on the performance of your national team), the World Cup is more than just an excuse to go to the pub. Footballs coming home and these are the best sports bars in London, where the fans will be cheering, gloating and crying into their pints across the capital.
Flat Iron Square, London Bridge
Catch all of this year’s action live on a huge outdoor screen. Nine big screens feature throughout seven railway arches meaning not a single foul, goal or red card will be missed. Tuck in to a hearty portion of fried chicken from Motherclucker (one of many on-site food trucks), then demolish a stack of buttery pancakes from Where the Pancakes Are for dessert.
Nearest tube station: London Bridge
Tropicana Beach Club, Covent Garden
Nothing screams ‘Come on England’ more than drunken limbo and an inflatable banana. Head on down to this easy-breezy beach bar in Convent Garden to catch all of England’s victories (we’re staying optimistic!) Grab a bucket of beers or keep it classy with a passion fruit vodka cocktail as you watch Gareth and the boys bring it home.
Nearest tube station: Convent Garden
Zlatans at Infernos, Clapham
Usually we’d only recommend heading to Infernos if you fancied belting out One Directions ‘What Makes You Beautiful’ or watching a heavy-set rugby lad strawpedo a VK, but for the World Cup we’re making an exception. Paying homage to the legend that is Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the pop-up will feature a massive screen, trumpets to occupy the chanting and arrogance on tap.
Nearest tube station: Clapham Common
Pitch, Stratford
Blighty is in for a bit of sunshine over the next coming weeks, so roll up those sleeves, grab a couple of Beavertown beers and head on up to roof. Most of the games are free, but the most popular ones are ticket only. Grab a guaranteed front row seat and a beer for a 5er.
Nearest tube station: Stratford
Fat Ronaldo’s at Egg, Camden
With world-class surround sound and every ticket including a pint or a Pimms, Fat Ronaldo’s was created for the fans. House and latino music will get you out of your seats at the half time fiesta, or if you don’t feel like putting on your dancing shoes, the homemade pizzas are pretty good too.
Nearest tube station: Kings Cross
Bar Kick, Shoreditch
We won’t tell anyone if you pull a sickie to nab your spot at London’s craziest sports bar. A well-known haunt for international football fans (and a few sporting pros) rally up your mates for a pre-game kick about on the football tables before stocking up on bottles of Sagres (a delicious Portuguese beer). Happy hour runs from 4-7pm FYI.
Nearest tube station: Liverpool Street or Shoreditch High Street
Boxpark, Croydon and Shoreditch
You probably saw England fans going nuts at Boxpark Croydon after the win against Tunisia, right? The atmosphere at both the Croydon and Shoreditch outpost guarantees to be electric, just make sure you’re not wearing your Sunday best as a few pints are bound to go airborne in all the excitement. Tickets are free, but you will need to register to guarantee entry.
Skylight, Tobacco Dock
90 minutes is the prime amount of time needed to gorge your way through their global pop-up food offering. Go Greek with thick cut halloumi, binge on a double bacon and cheeseburger from Flip Side and then wash it all down with chilled Sicilian fizz from the Sanpellegrino’s pop-up fruit cart.
Nearest tube station: Aldgate East
Bad Sports at The London Edition, Fitzrovia
There’s definitely nothing bad about this World Cup collaboration. A classier alternative, hunker down in the plush basement for tasty tacos, frozen margaritas and an exclusive fans-only viewing lounge.
Nearest tube station: Tottenham Court Road
The Enchanted Garden at The Last Days of Shoreditch, Shoreditch
Cute enough that girly girls will want selfies beneath the fairy lights, but loud enough to have people belting out ‘God Save the Queen’ next to you. Hang out in the hammocks, get balls deep in the ball pit and hide out in the treehouse.
Nearest tube station: Liverpool Street or Shoreditch High Street
Faltering Fallback, Finsbury Park
A proper pub that shows the Prem, Championship League and all the international friendlies on gigantic screens. Consistently gracing the top ten of London pubs, when the footies not on we go for the gooey scotch eggs and when it is, we go wearing three lions on our shirt.
Nearest tube station: Finsbury Park
The Bud Boat, Southbank
Blame that knot in your stomach on seasickness as you jump aboard the Bud Boat. 5 hours of cruising down the Thames includes match viewing on the top deck, MC’s down on the entertainment deck and DJ sets from Jag Skills and Kideko spinning out from the lower deck. The highlight? The limited editing light-up Bud Cup, of course.
Nearest tube station: Temple or Embankment
Waxy O’connors, Soho
If England ever needed the luck of the Irish it’s now. Sink into the well-worn armchairs as you watch the three lions take Russia with a roar. Failing that, you can drown your sorrows in the epic beer selection.
Nearest tube station: Piccadilly Circus
Lucky Voice, Angel
Reckon you can out sing Ant and Dec with your rendition of ‘On the Ball’? Lucky Voice is giving you and your pals the chance to rent out a private karaoke booth filled with epic football chants and buckets of beer.
Nearest tube station: Angel Station
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