The 7 best Arsenal pubs in London to watch the Champions League semi-final tomorrow

It’s crunch time in the Champions League, and the eyes of north London will be on Paris tomorrow evening (Wednesday May 7), as Mikel Arteta’s plucky young Gunners travel to the Parc des Princes for the second leg of their semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain.

Arsenal will need to overcome a one goal deficit if they want to make it their first European final since 2009. An underwhelming first leg performance at the Emirates saw the north Londoners go 1-0 down early in the fixture to a goal from Ousmane Dembélé. 

Many local fans will be heading to the boozers and beer gardens of north London to watch Rice, Saka and Ødegaard battle it out for a place in the final, due to take place in Munich at the end of the month. Looking for a lively atmosphere in which to catch all the nail-biting action? Look no further than our roundup of London’s best Gooner pubs.

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The Drayton Park

A bar stool at the Drayton is basically as close as you can get to pitchside without a ticket. You can see the stadium from the window, and you’ll certainly hear the roar from inside if the home team score. This place has a pretty strict home crowd only policy, and predictably gets insanely busy before kick-off, before quieting down as the lucky ticket-holders head inside. 

66 Drayton Park, N5 1ND

The Tollington Arms

Another lively spot within shouting distance of the stadium itself, the Tolly also attracts a huge pre-match crowd that spills out into the fenced off porches outside the entrance, where the pre-match atmosphere is sometimes bolstered by a live band. Make sure you check out its impressive collection of stickers from Arsenal fan clubs around the world.

115 Hornsey Road, N7 6DN

The Gunners Pub

You’d struggle to find a pub that wears its allegiances more proudly than this Blackstock Road institution, which is decked out in all manner of Arsenal memorabilia. It also sports a covered beer garden, and stages live music before and after matches. 

204 Blackstock Road, N5 1EN

The Army & Navy

This 1930s-built boozer was crowned our favourite pub in London last year. Being in the overlapping area between hipster territory and the Gooner heartlands, it’s always rammed and rowdy on match days. Wear a JVC-era 90s kit if you want to fit in with the Héctor Bellerín wannabes that frequent its massive beer garden.

Formerly known as the Arsenal Tavern, this pub underwent extensive refurbishment when it was taken over by new owners in 2023, but its allegiances haven’t changed even if the name has. One of the roomier pubs near the stadium, it boasts two pool tables, some great matchday drinks offers and more screens than you can count. 

175 Blackstock Road, N4 2JS

The Bank of Friendship

A Yard Sale delivery partnership and a healthy smattering of fans rocking the Arsenal x Aries collection are just some of the ‘cool pub’ signifiers on display at in this Blackstock Road boozer, which sports a deceptively large beer garden out back. It’s also a good option for the discerning drinker; you’ll find a solid roster of craft beers and even a mezcal negroni on tap. 

226 Blackstock Road, N5 1EA

Clissold Park Tavern

With a massive beer garden overlooking Stoke Newington’s leafy park, and plenty of outdoor screens, Clissold Park Tavern is a great place to catch the action on sunny days. And it’s also a good option if you’re keen to line your stomach, serving up decent pizzas, sharing platters and classic pub snacks.

177 Green Lanes, N16 9DB

What time is kick-off for Arsenal v PSG?

The first leg kick-off is at 8pm BST on Wednesday May 7. Be sure to get down nice and early to secure a seat if you’re heading to one of the pub above pubs to watch.

What TV channel is Arsenal v PSG on?

The game will be broadcast on TNT Sports, with coverage starting at 7pm BST. You can also stream the game through discovery+. 

Who will the winner of Arsenal v PSG play in the final?

The team that comes out on top in this semi-final will play either Barcelona or Inter Milan in the final, who drew their first leg 3-3 and will play the second leg tonight (Tuesday May 6) at the San Siro. The Champions League Final will take place at Munich’s Allianz Arena on Saturday May 31.

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