Boxpark Croydon is probably the next best thing after actually being at the match. With its massive dining area, enormous screens, and plenty of food vendors, you can happily eat and drink here all day while getting into the rugby spirit.
The Fifa World Cup may be over, but there's another massive tournament involving players, a pitch and a ball right around the corner. Sports fans rejoice, because the Rugby World Cup kicks off this September!
Being hosted by France this year, it's set to be an exciting tournament filled with tries, scrums, and hopefully no concussions. To avoid having to get into a scrum just to get a pint, we've rounded up the best places below you can go to watch the action. From big screens at the lad mecca Boxpark, to local boozers, we've got you covered. Get stuck in.
RECOMMENDED: The best rugby pubs in London
Boxpark Croydon is probably the next best thing after actually being at the match. With its massive dining area, enormous screens, and plenty of food vendors, you can happily eat and drink here all day while getting into the rugby spirit.
Why squeeze into a crowded pub, when you can catch the game in London's newest event space, the Dockside Vaults? Its modern exterior juxtaposes its 160 years of history, decked out with ten large TVs to watch the action on and food available to order to your table. And to top it all off, you’ll be served a pint of beer on arrival.
Get £5 tickets to watch the games here.
This Finsbury Park stalwart is famous for its beaut beer garden, beer hall with multiple screens for sports and lively atmosphere. England may be faltering in this tournament, but you're guaranteed to have a good time here whatever the match's outcome.
Another great supersized venue with a massive screen, serving up close-to-stadium vibes. There's a great selection of local brews too, and you can show down
Tickets available here.
This bar in Wapping will be showing the action on their huge indoor screens on floor nine. Grab a big table, order some nachos and get stuck in. Plus with £4.99 pints all day, what's not to like?
Tickets available online.
Camden Town Brewery will take over Flat Iron Square transforming it into the ‘Camden Clubhouse’ for the Rugby World Cup. With a capacity of 450 and multiple screens, you're ensured a great view of the action while you sip on your Camden Hells.
Young's has over 200 pubs across London, and pretty much all of them will be showing the Rugby World Cup. From The Ship in Wandsworth to the Betjeman Arms at St Pancras and beyond, the pubs will pulling out all the stops with big screens and special rugby food and drink packages. Plus, at select pubs, fans can book a VIP rugby locker room experience for their own private screening of the games, complete with rugby-merch and a welcome message from one of the game’s legends on the big screen.
If you can't face the chanting and beer throwing of the bigger venues, this cosy neighbourhood pub is a slightly more sophisticated option for watching the games. They'll serve up their signature scotch eggs and sausage rolls, plus for drinks, there will be special serves dedicated to the home nations – think a jug of Welsh Butty Bach Beer (£25) and a quintessentially English jug of the Reverend Hubert Summer Cup (£45), served with strawberries and mint.
The Albany is a great choice for catching the action in central London. Right by Regent's Park, you and your mates can blow off steam by having a kickabout on the grass after watching England get thrashed.
Known for its excellent selection of cider and chic interiors, this is another great central London spot for watching the Rugby World Cup. Its friendly staff and cosy back area make it an ideal spot for an afternoon rugby lock-in.
This Islington backstreet boozer is a notch above most of its N1 competitors, which is why it's good news that it will be showing the Rugby World Cup this year. For the tournament, guests can watch it in the main pub or hire out The Parlour, a private room with a pour-your-own beer bar.
This Barnes boozer, which also happens to have a very big, very scenic beer garden, will be showing all the action from France 2023. With outdoor screens, heaters and a dedicated outdoor bar, this spot is a shoe-in for a good time whatever the weather.
Book online here.
This 600-capacity venue under the Peckham railway arches will be showing all the Rugby World Cup matches. It'll be setting up big screens around its laid-back bench seating. With wood-fired pizza, two cocktail bars and free entry, you can't go wrong with this one.
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