The 7 best Arsenal pubs in London to watch the Carabao Cup Final this weekend

It’s crunch time in the 2025/26 football season, with the first domestic competition of the year concluding this weekend when Arsenal and Manchester City meet at Wembley in the Carabao Cup final. 

Mikel Arteta’s league-leading Gunners will be attempting to secure their first piece of silverware in almost six years, having reached their first final since they won the FA Cup in 2020. Meanwhile Pep Guardiola’s City side will be attempting to turn their season around after being held to a draw against West Ham in the league over the weekend to give their title rivals a nine-point lead at the top. 

Not got a ticket to Wembley but keen to catch the nail-biting action somewhere with a bit more atmosphere than your living room? Many local fans will be heading to the boozers and beer gardens of north London to watch Rice, Saka and Eze battling it out against Haaland and co. So if you fancy joining them, 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, which means you can hear the roar from inside the stadium when Arsenal score at home. This place has a pretty strict home crowd only policy, and you’ll want to get down early to secure a good spot in front of its one screen. 

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 Man City?

The first leg kick-off is at 4.30pm on Sunday 22 March. Be sure to get down nice and early to secure a seat if you’re heading to one of the above pubs to watch.

What TV channel is Arsenal v Man City on?

The game will be broadcast on Sky Sports, with coverage starting at 3.30pm. You can also stream the game through Discovery+. 

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