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1 year ago
The capital's top spots for watching sport
Whether you’re a die-hard rugby fan or simply love an excuse to go to the pub, we’ve rounded up the best places in London to watch the Six Nations 2024. The tournament is entering its final weekend, with the final matches set to take place on Saturday 16 March: Ireland vs Scotland at 4.45pm, followed by France v England at 8pm. From cosy pubs to lively food markets and pizza restaurants, these spots feature big screens showing the games, plus that all-important buzzing atmosphere – and of course drinks aplenty.
This Kentish Town hotspot is known for its lively atmosphere, with a large beer garden complete with a big screen. It tends to show all the Six Nations games, and serves food inspired by Kansas City, Missouri, which means BBQ favourites like hot dogs and burgers. Watch out for the Happy Hour deals too.
124 Kentish Town Rd, London NW1 9QB, abbey-tavern.com
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Earlsfield pub The Leather Bottle is home to one of the city’s largest beer gardens, kitted out with HD screens, tented covers and private huts. Watch the game with craft beers and food from The Burger Shack.
538 Garratt Lane, London SW17 0NY, leatherbottlepub.co.uk
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For a stadium-style atmosphere, Flat Iron Square is your best bet. The London Bridge market will be showing the games on three large screens alongside a number of smaller ones, plus hosting post-match DJs and rugby-themed events. There’s always space for standing walk-ins, but if you want to secure a table it’s best to book.
45 Southwark St, London SE1 9HP, flatironsquare.co.uk
Barbecue restaurant and sports bar Brigadiers is inspired by the army mess bars of India, where military regiments gather to eat, drink and socialise. This means the restaurant has a lively, sociable atmosphere which bodes well for watching live sport. You can either set up camp in the Blighters bar area or go all out and book one of the three private dining rooms, each of which come with their own TV screens.
1-5 Bloomberg Arcade, London EC4N 8AR, brigadierslondon.com
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A huge garden sat beneath a floral pergola, The Prince in Fulham is always buzzing. Home to a number of street food stalls and four bars, it’s a great spot for weekend afternoons – particularly when the rugby is on. All Six Nations games will be screened here, alongside Guinness food specials, and there’s capacity for 800 guests. It’s hugely popular, so booking ahead is recommended, with sharing tables ensuring a fun match-day atmosphere.
14 Lillie Rd, London SW6 1TT, theprincelondon.com
Clapham’s oldest drinking establishment, the Rose & Crown has been serving locals since 1870. A cosy spot with walnut panelled interiors and plush booth seating, it’s the perfect place to sit back and enjoy the rugby. Fuel up pre-game with traditional pub dishes: the menu offers dishes like BBQ rib croquettes and burgers and chips, plus an excellent Sunday roast.
2 The Polygon, London SW4 0JG, roseandcrownclapham.com
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London Bridge’s buzzing eating and drinking space Vinegar Yard is always a popular spot for watching sports. It’s home to one of the biggest screens in London, with plenty of tables which can be reserved for up to 29 guests. You’ll also be spoilt for choice food wise, with residencies with street food favourites like Baba G’s and Nanny Bill’s.
72-82 St Thomas St, London SE1 3QX, vinegaryard.london
Across all of London’s BOXPARK sites (Croydon, Wembley and Shoreditch) a lively atmosphere is guaranteed. The venue has plenty of practice in hosting sports screenings, having hosted over 20,000 England fans during the 2022 World Cup, with plenty of pre-match entertainment and an array of street food traders serving everything from pizza to burgers and steaks.
Locations in Croydon, Wembley and Shoreditch, boxpark.co.uk
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Walthamstow’s Big Penny Social is enormous, and was designed with sports viewing in mind. There’s capacity for over 1,400 people, meaning ample space for big groups, plus two massive HD screens to ensure you can see the action from wherever you’re sitting. Plenty of food is on offer here too, whether you’re in the market for brunch or pizza, alongside a wide selection of beers on tap and wine and spirits from local distilleries.
1 Priestley Way, London E17 6AL, bigpennysocial.co.uk
King’s Road hotspot The Cadogan Arms is one of London’s cosiest pubs, complete with fireplaces and velvet bucket chairs to sink into. Head here if you’re after a more civilised rugby viewing experience, plus some great British food.
298 King’s Rd, London SW3 5UG, thecadoganarms.london
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The ever-buzzing food and drink space on the sixth floor of creative hub Peckham Levels will be screening all Six Nations games, with some special table drinks packages on offer. There are a wealth of street food traders to choose from too, including Korean street food brand Green Choy, Indian favourite Boxwallah and West African curry specialists Plantain Kitchen.
Centre Carpark, F1-F6, 95A Rye Ln, London SE15 4ST, peckhamlevels.org
Fulham’s Lillie Langtry pub is a neighbourhood favourite, with stylish interiors (think dark wood pannelling and chandeliers) and an impressive menu of British dishes. It will be showing all the games during the Six Nations, with a special food offering.
19 Lillie Rd, London SW6 1UE, thelillielangtry.co.uk
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Looking for somewhere you can have a sit-down meal while you watch? Beloved pizza spot Homeslice will be screening the Six Nations across its three London restaurants. If you’re with a big group, opt for one of the enormous sharer pizzas, which feed two to three people, with toppings like salami, rocket and parmesan; and chorizo, corn and coriander.
Locations in Neal’s Yard, the City and Marylebone, homeslicepizza.co.uk
This is the London outpost of renowned Irish pub Gibney’s, tucked away beneath Richard Corrigan’s Daffodil Mulligan in Old Street. Its Irish roots mean a lively atmosphere is guaranteed, and while you watch the games you can tuck into bar snacks from upstairs – think salt chilli pork nuggets, and deep-fried durrus (a type of Irish cheese), paired with a pint of Gibney’s Stout.
70 City Rd, London EC1Y 2BJ, gibneyslondon.com
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Undoubtedly one of the coolest spots to catch the games is Double Standard, the ground floor bar and restaurant of US import The Standard. Enjoy beers, cocktails and hearty American-inspired fare while you watch the games amid the stylish 70s-style space.
Ground Floor, The Standard, 10 Argyle St, London WC1H 8EG, standardhotels.com
Centre Point’s food emporium Arcade Food Hall features nine open kitchens offering everything from Thai curry to Middle Eastern shawarma. It will be showing all matches throughout the Six Nations across six giant HD screens, and a special drinks menu includes tipples like Black Velvet and Baby Guinness – plus sharing beer towers.
103-105 New Oxford St, London WC1A 1DB, arcadefoodhall.com
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Main image: Rose & Crown
