London is packed with venues competing for football fans’ attention during the World Cup, and the choices go well beyond the usual pub crawl options.
Brigadiers in the City makes a strong case for those early evening kick-offs, with its Indian grill menu running throughout the tournament and private rooms available for groups.
Its Match Day Feast is the standout option, featuring Butter Chicken Royale, Afghani Lamb Ribeye and Achari Beef Short Rib for fans who want serious food alongside their football.
Box, Soho’s multi-floor mega sports bar, has built a reputation as one of central London’s most popular destinations for live sport and major tournament viewing.
The venue raised the bar ahead of the tournament’s opening, with an orchestra performing World Cup classics before England’s final warm-up match, setting the tone for weeks ahead.
Kerb Sports Bar in Shoreditch blends a traditional food and drink menu with pub games, making it a likely draw for younger groups who want more than just a screen.
Bloodsports in Covent Garden has quietly become a firm favourite, with its Turbo Lagerita cocktail and Meat Liquor food pairing proving to be a surprisingly lethal combination.
The Ardent Pub Group’s Hound and Co, George, and Cadogan Arms have partnered with the David de Rothschild-founded Lost Explorer to bring craft cocktails into the tournament viewing experience.
Flat Iron Square in Borough has positioned itself as one of the capital’s most desirable live football destinations, with tickets for England games starting from £20 and selling quickly.
The Side Hustle, which recently opened in St Paul’s, is a new entry to the scene, with a spokesperson saying: “We wanted to create a sports bar for a new generation of fans, one that feels as much about the atmosphere, the people and the night out as it does about the game itself.”
For fans looking beyond England fixtures, De Hems in central London offers a compelling case as the place to watch the Netherlands, with its European beers and bratwurst completing the experience.
The capital’s Redwood, Goldwood, Greenwood and wider ‘woods chain rounds out the list, offering no-nonsense sports bar coverage with dedicated activations planned across the full duration of the tournament.