There’s nothing quite like cheering on your favourite team with a cold beer in one hand and friends shouting near your ear.
I still remember last year’s Champions League finals at a packed London bar. We got our faces painted, nachos loaded, and spirits high. The crowd roared like a stadium audience every time someone neared the goal.
Ever since then, I’ve been on the hunt for places that can recreate that same crazy atmosphere. Luckily for me, London has plenty of them.
I’ve rounded up the best sports bars where you can catch the action live. Check them out!
1. Bat & Ball – Covent Garden
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Website: https://www.thebatandball.com/locations/covent-garden
Address: 50 Earlham St
Contact Details: +44 20 7100 2500
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 12 PM to 11 PM
- Friday – 12 PM to 12 AM
- Saturday – 11 AM to 12 AM
- Sunday – 11 AM to 10:30 PM
Pricing: £
Bat & Ball’s staff know how to set their guests in a good mood starting from entering the door. Shereen, the lady guard at the door, always greets guests with a wide smile.
The live sports viewing here is wild, especially during a big football game. The bar is crowded, and the street in front of it is also full of people screaming every time a big moment happens.
It would be impossible not to hold something cold here while watching a game with their seven-page drink menu. I recommend trying one of their creative cocktails, particularly the Zombie cocktail that features two kinds of rum.
Pro Tip:
Don’t forget to play ping pong, mini golf, and more. You may also sing at the karaoke with your crew.
2. Goldwood
Media credit: goldwoodldn
Website: https://www.sportlondon.com/goldwood
Address: 30 Old Jewry
Contact Details: +44 20 3918 6028 and [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Wednesday – 11 AM to 12 AM
- Thursday and Friday – 11 AM to 1 AM
- Saturday – 11 AM to 12 AM
- Sunday – 11 AM to 11 PM
Pricing: £
Goldwood got crystal clear, widescreen TVs in every corner of the bar, so it’s guaranteed that you’ll have a great view of the game here.
If you and your kid love the same sport, it would be a good idea to bring him here because they’re a kid-friendly pub. They have a kids’ menu to ensure that even little ones can enjoy their stay. There’s juice, pizza, and even ice cream for dessert.
For adults, there are so many foods to feast on while watching a game. Who doesn’t love tacos? You can have that here in four different flavours.
Pro Tip:
Avail one of their food and drink packages to save money if you visit with a large crew.
3. SOUND Sports Bar
Media credit: sound.london
Website: https://sound.london/
Address: Great Cumberland Pl
Contact Details: +44 20 7479 5078 and [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 5 PM to 11 PM
- Friday – 5 PM to 11:30 PM
- Saturday – 11 AM to 11:30 PM
- Sunday – 11 AM to 10:30 PM
Pricing: £
True to their name, SOUND Sports Bar brings sound to their guests every day through live music. They invite both upcoming and established artists onto their stage to make their guests’ evening more entertaining.
If you visit early, you can enjoy their bottomless brunch menu. They offer a two-course meal with unlimited wine or beer, more than enough to keep your eyes and belly satisfied during your stay.
When it comes to sports, you can watch F1 racing, golf, and many more. You can even watch big UFC matches here!
Pro Tip:
Arrive as early as you can if you’re watching a major game to secure a good viewing spot.
4. Sixes Social Cricket
Media credit: socialsixescricket
Website: https://sixescricket.com/location/fitzrovia
Address: 170 Great Portland St
Contact Details: +44 20 4531 2000 and [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday and Tuesday – 4 PM to 11 PM
- Wednesday – 3 PM to 11 PM
- Thursday – 12 PM to 11 PM
- Friday – 12 PM to 12 AM
- Saturday – 11 AM to 12 AM
- Sunday – 11 AM to 8 PM
Pricing: £
If watching a cricket game isn’t enough for you, Sixes Social Cricket is the bar to visit. After the live game, you can play cricket for half an hour to almost two hours, perfect if you’re amped up after watching a live game and want to do some moves you saw.
Of course, drinking while playing sounds great. I recommend sipping on one of their all-time favourites, the girl next door cocktail. It has grapefruit-flavoured Absolut vodka, vanilla, and raspberry that will set the mood right for a game with your friends.
Pro Tip:
For cricket addicts, you can bring your own bat!
5. Philomena’s Irish Sport Bar and Kitchen
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Website: https://www.philomenasbar.co.uk/
Address: 40 Great Queen St
Contact Details: +44 20 7242 5560 and [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Wednesday – 10 AM to 12 AM
- Thursday to Saturday – 10 AM to 1 AM
Pricing: £
Philomena’s has exceptional table service. The staff is attentive, and someone always checks in to see if I want another drink, so there’s no need to wave or wait around.
For sports, it’s a great venue for watching either football or rugby games. Most of the guests here are avid fans of those games, so the bar turns into a lively spot when a major event of either game is on the TV screen.
What’s great is that they have a decent range of small plate options. If you visit alone, you won’t have to worry about overspending on food you won’t finish.
Pro Tip:
Philomena’s burgers are discounted every Monday and Tuesday until 3 PM. Make sure to drop by to enjoy one of them!
6. O’Neill’s
Media credit: oneillspubs
Website: https://www.oneills.co.uk/national-search/london/oneillswardourstreet
Address: 33-37 Wardour St
Contact Details: +44 20 7494 9284
Operating Hours:
- Monday and Tuesday – 11 AM to 2 AM
- Wednesday to Friday – 11 AM to 3 AM
- Saturday – 10 AM to 3 AM
- Sunday – 11 AM to 12:30 AM
Pricing: £
O’Neill’s is mainly popular for the cover bands that perform here. You can enjoy amazing covers of the new school songs or even classic ones, such as the iconic songs from the 90s.
But beyond music, the bar also airs numerous live sports. With a total of seven sports (including tennis, cricket, and motor sports), you will not have a boring stay at this bar.
For drinks, you can choose from more than 10 cocktails they serve every day. Their four-leaf clover is a great company to watch a game. It has a fruity twist on the original mix and the signature smoothness of Jameson’s whiskey.
Pro Tip:
Book a table in advance if you plan to visit during weekends to avoid disappointment, especially if you’re with a large group.
7. The Three Lanterns
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Website: https://www.socialpubandkitchen.co.uk/three-lanterns-leicester-square
Address: 5 Lisle St
Contact Details: +44 20 7437 3335 and [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Wednesday – 12 PM to 10:30 PM
- Thursday and Friday – 12 PM to 11 PM
- Saturday – 10 AM to 11 PM
- Sunday – 12 PM to 10 PM
Pricing: £
Many guests love the burgers that The Three Lanterns offers. One of the staff members recommended MVB, and I didn’t regret going for it because it was extremely large and delicious.
The bar has a crowded, lively atmosphere, especially during major games of the live sport that’s airing. The night will not end without at least one stranger talking to you, which is nice if you love socialising.
The best thing about watching a game here is the all-day two-for-one cocktail deal. You get to watch the game you love with a wild crowd and save money on drinks at the same time.
Pro Tip:
Download the MiXR app for fast and convenient transactions, especially if you’re with your crew.
8. Nordic Bar
Media credit: thenordicbar
Website: https://nordicbar.com/
Address: 25 Newman St
Contact Details: +44 20 7631 3174 and [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Wednesday – 4 PM to 12 AM
- Thursday and Friday – 4 PM to 2 AM
- Saturday – 12 PM to 2 AM
- Sunday – 12 PM to 10:30 PM
Pricing: £
Nordic Bar offers a variety of live sports viewing that can bring fun to your crew. They air nine sports, including darts, boxing, and football. With a range of sports to enjoy, you might discover your new favourite one at this bar.
If you want to play the old-school games you once loved in your childhood days, this is the place to be. They have a retro arcade filled with classic arcade games.
What’s great is that they have a happy hour promo from Monday to Thursday (from afternoon to evening) and weekends (from noon to evening). You’ll get to enjoy two-for-one cocktails, discounted pints, and more.
Pro Tip:
Don’t miss the chance to try their signature shot wheel. It’s a fun game where you’ll spin a wheel full of beverage names and drink the one the arrow points to.
9. Sports Bar and Grill – Marylebone
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Website: https://www.sportsbarandgrill.co.uk/marylebone
Address: Melcombe Pl
Contact Details: +44 20 7723 8890 and [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 10 PM to 11 PM
- Sunday – 10 AM to 10:30 PM
Pricing: £
Sports Bar and Grill is a bar where guests are usually football lovers. Here, you’ll experience the stadium-like energy while watching big games, as the football crowd is always energetic.
The crowd’s favourite drink while watching a game is Guinness. Their shot of baby Guinness, a coffee liquor, can be ordered at a discounted price for every two or six shots.
When I’m no longer watching games, I prefer to hang out in the bar’s basement, as there are games to play there. You can either play pool or darts with friends while sipping on your preferred drink.
Pro Tip:
For large groups, contact the bar in advance so they can arrange a dedicated area for your crew.
10. Belushi’s – London Bridge
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Website: https://belushis.com/london-bridge
Address: 161 Borough High St
Contact Details: +44 20 7939 9700 and [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday – 11 AM to 2 AM
- Friday and Saturday – 11 AM to 3 AM
Pricing: £
For pizza lovers, Belushi’s is the sports bar you should visit, as they offer two-for-one pizzas on their happy hour deals. They have four kinds of pizzas you and your crew can feast on over an intense game.
Speaking of, you will surely enjoy the rowdy crowd here on big games of any sport. Whether it’s cricket, football, or even boxing, fans make their presence felt here by screaming and jumping around.
For students, they offer discounts on select food and drinks. This is great for young ones who want to unwind after a stressful week of studying all day and all night.
Pro Tip:
Be aware that depending on the time and day, they might charge a fee when entering the bar’s downstairs area.
