Best Sports Bars in London for Game Night Enthusiasts

In London, game night isn’t just about watching a match-it’s a full-blown ritual. From the roar of a last-minute Premier League goal at a Camden pub to the hushed tension of a Champions League penalty shootout in a South Bank basement, London’s sports bars turn ordinary evenings into unforgettable experiences. If you’re looking for the real deal-where the beer’s cold, the screens are big, and the crowd knows every player’s name-you don’t need to search far. The city’s got dozens of places that do this right, but only a handful truly get the culture.

The Crown and Anchor, Islington

Ask any local who’s been to a Premier League match night in North London, and chances are they’ll mention The Crown and Anchor. This isn’t a chain. It’s a 19th-century brick-and-beam pub tucked just off Upper Street, where the walls are plastered with signed shirts from Arsenal, Tottenham, and even a few from the old days of West Ham. The TV setup? Six screens, all tuned to different games on matchday, with no one complaining about the noise. They even have a dedicated ‘Away Team Corner’-a small booth with a separate bar-so visiting fans don’t get mobbed. Their pints of Camden Hells are poured thick, and the fish and chips? Crisp, buttery, and served with mushy peas that taste like your Nan made them. It’s not fancy. It’s not trendy. It’s exactly what you want when your team’s playing at 7:45 PM on a Tuesday.

The White Hart, Brixton

Down in Brixton, The White Hart is the unofficial HQ for Tottenham fans who live south of the river. But don’t let that fool you-this place welcomes everyone. The owner, a former matchday steward at White Hart Lane, still wears his old scarf on game days. The bar has a wall of framed match tickets from the 1980s, and the jukebox plays nothing but classic English football chants. On match nights, they turn the back room into a ‘Chant Zone’ with microphones and a drum. You don’t need to know the lyrics-you’ll learn them by the 15th minute. Their burger is legendary: a thick beef patty with British cheddar, caramelised onions, and a side of chunky chips dusted with sea salt. They don’t take reservations. You just show up, grab a stool, and hope you’re not standing behind a 6’5” man in a Luka Modrić jersey.

The Eagle, Clerkenwell

For those who want their football with a side of history, The Eagle in Clerkenwell is the place. Open since 1840, it’s one of London’s oldest pubs and still has the original wooden beams and stained-glass windows. But don’t let the heritage fool you-it’s packed on Champions League nights. The staff know every player’s stats by heart. They’ll tell you why Jude Bellingham’s run rate in the 85th minute is worse than his first half without you asking. They serve real ales from London microbreweries like Beavertown and Fourpure, and their selection of British cheeses-Cheddar, Wensleydale, Stilton-is curated by a local cheesemonger. The TV setup? Two 85-inch 4K screens, angled so no one’s stuck with a view of the ceiling. And yes, they still have the old dartboard in the corner. If you lose a game, you buy the next round. No exceptions.

The Queen’s Head, Brixton

Not to be confused with the one in Brixton Hill, The Queen’s Head on Brixton Road is where expats and locals come together for rugby and boxing nights. The walls are covered in vintage posters from the 1990s Six Nations tournaments, and the bar staff can tell you who won the 1991 Grand Slam without checking a database. On match days, they serve ‘Rugby Pie’-a slow-cooked beef and ale pie with a flaky pastry crust-alongside pints of Guinness that taste like they were pulled from a barrel in Dublin. The crowd here is mixed: young professionals in suits, retired ex-pats from Cardiff, and a few rugby coaches from local academies. It’s the only place in London where you’ll hear a full chorus of ‘Calcutta Cup’ chants after a last-minute try. And if you’re watching a boxing match? They dim the lights, turn up the speakers, and the whole room goes silent until the bell rings.

The Coach & Horses, Soho

Soho is known for its nightlife, but The Coach & Horses is the only pub there that treats football like a religion. Located just off Old Compton Street, it’s been a fixture since the 1970s. The owner, a former Chelsea season ticket holder, still keeps the original 1972 FA Cup final programme behind the bar. On match nights, the staff wear team scarves, and the bar is divided into sections: Blues, Reds, Gunners, and a neutral zone for those who just want a pint. They’ve got a dedicated ‘Commentary Booth’-a glass-walled room with a speaker system that pipes in Sky Sports audio for those who want analysis without the crowd noise. Their nachos? Loaded with British cheese, jalapeños, and a drizzle of red wine reduction. And yes, they still play the old BBC Match of the Day theme on loop during halftime. If you’re in Soho and your team’s playing, this is where you’ll end up.

The Red Lion, Hackney

For the under-the-radar gem, head to The Red Lion in Hackney. It’s not on any tourist map, but it’s the go-to spot for East London locals watching Leyton Orient or Dagenham & Redbridge. The bar is small, the stools are worn, and the screens are older than most of the patrons-but the atmosphere? Perfect. They don’t have a fancy sound system, but they do have a guy named Dave who stands in the corner and shouts commentary like he’s commentating for BBC Radio 5 Live. He’s been doing it for 30 years. On match nights, they serve homemade pies with a side of pickled onions, and the pints are poured with a thick, creamy head. The crowd here is tight-knit. You’ll be asked your name after the first goal. And if your team loses? Someone will buy you a drink anyway. That’s London football culture.

What to Expect on Game Night in London

London’s sports bars don’t just show games-they recreate the stadium experience. Most places open at least two hours before kickoff. You’ll find queues forming by 5 PM for a 7:30 PM match. Some pubs offer pre-match menus: sausage rolls, Scotch eggs, and pint-sized portions of bangers and mash. Others have live music or quiz nights to fill the time. Don’t expect to walk in at 7:15 and find a seat. If you’re serious about watching the game, show up early. Bring cash. Many of these places still don’t take card payments for food or drinks on matchdays-they say it slows things down.

And don’t forget the weather. If it’s raining, the streets around these pubs turn into rivers of umbrellas and soaked scarves. The best spots are near tube stations-Camden Town, Brixton, or Farringdon-but even then, expect a 15-minute walk from the platform. London’s public transport shuts down early on weekends, so plan ahead. Uber’s expensive, and the last Tube is usually gone by 12:30 AM.

What Not to Do

Don’t wear an away team jersey to a home team pub unless you’re ready for a friendly ribbing-or worse. It’s not hostile, but it’s not welcoming either. Most places have a code: if you’re wearing a Liverpool shirt at The Crown and Anchor, you’ll get a free pint if you admit you’re a fan. If you’re wearing one at The White Hart? You’ll be asked to leave. It’s not about hate. It’s about respect.

Don’t expect Wi-Fi. Most of these pubs disable it on matchdays. The last thing they want is someone scrolling through Twitter instead of watching the game. And don’t ask for a quiet table. If you want silence, go home. This isn’t a café. This is a living room with a hundred strangers who all care about the same thing.

Final Tip: Know Your Team’s Rivalry

London’s got more than just Premier League clubs. There’s Millwall, Charlton, AFC Wimbledon, and even non-league teams like Dulwich Hamlet. Each has its own fan culture. If you’re watching a North London derby, expect the crowd to be split down the middle. If it’s a London vs. Manchester game, the whole pub becomes one side. Know your team’s rivals. Walk into The Eagle on a Chelsea vs. Arsenal night and you’ll hear chants that haven’t changed since 1998. It’s not just football. It’s history.