The best spots to watch sports in London

Keep up with all the latest live action with a seat at the bar at SOUND Sports Bar. Credit: SOUND Sports Bar
Patrons sit at the bar and watch cricket and football on the screens behind the bar at SOUND Sports Bar, one of the best sports bars in London.

From the national team to local clubs, there’s nothing quite like gathering in a pub with fellow fans to watch your team play. Root for your favourite tennis players, watch nail-biting matches in the biggest international football competitions and cheer on Team GB as they go for gold. You can catch all the upcoming action at the best sports bars and pubs in London.

Head to Belgravia or Notting Hill for elevated pub grub and both public and private screenings from the Cubitt House hospitality group. A buzzing sports bar and live music venue come together in Marble Arch, while a range of street food is on offer at a casual market in Peckham. Soho boasts a pub serving seasonal British produce with a side of tennis, and a Highgate pub welcomes punters and their dogs. Dine under a botanic living wall in Victoria, or visit Earl’s Court for a laid-back rooftop beer garden. Finally, rugby union takes centre stage at a pub in Twickenham and a spacious pub in Moorgate screens the latest football action. Whatever you’re in the mood for, there’s no shortage of places to get your sporting fix in the capital.

These pubs fill up quickly on big game days – book on OpenTable today to secure your spot

Read on for the 10 best sports bars and pubs in London

For elevated pub dining and all the latest matches – visit The Thomas Cubitt Pub Belgravia in Belgravia

the-thomas-cubitt-pub-belgravia1
The Thomas Cubitt Pub’s meats are sourced from renowned butchers in Wiltshire, North Yorkshire and County Down. Credit: The Thomas Cubitt Pub Belgravia
the-thomas-cubitt-pub-belgravia2
The Thomas Cubitt Pub’s elegant furnishings make it the perfect spot for a special celebration. Credit: The Thomas Cubitt Pub Belgravia
the-thomas-cubitt-pub-belgravia3
Pair your meal with a pint of Guinness or a bottle of Californian chardonnay at The Thomas Cubitt Pub Belgravia. Credit: The Thomas Cubitt Pub Belgravia

Whatever sporting events you’re planning to watch this summer, The Thomas Cubitt Pub Belgravia has it all. Housed in a picturesque blue and white Georgian building, this restaurant serves up elevated pub food using ingredients sourced from across the UK and Ireland. From the tennis courts to the football field, this pub is ready to bring you all the action in a lively atmosphere. Start with a round of seasonal oysters before dipping into a smooth chicken liver parfait with crispy crostini. From there, try the flaky battered haddock with chips and mushy peas or the tender slow-roasted lamb shoulder. The Sunday roast gives diners a choice between chicken, beef, pork and lamb (each with its own complementary side). If you’re planning a special event for a group of sports fans, the private dining rooms often offer private screenings.

Discover more restaurants in London

For one of the best sports bars in London – check out SOUND Cafe and SOUND Sports Bar in Marble Arch

sounds-sports-bar1
Book a seat at the bar and catch all the action at SOUND Sports Bar. Credit: SOUND Sports Bar
sounds-sports-bar2
Flavour-packed burgers filled with crispy fried chicken or juicy beef patties are always a popular option at SOUND. Credit: SOUND Sports Bar
sounds-sports-bar3
SOUND Sports Bar’s platters are perfect for sharing. Credit: SOUND Sports Bar

For one of the best sports bars in London , head to SOUND Cafe and SOUND Sports Bar, a double act serving up endless entertainment. Enjoy live music performances in the cafe, or head over to the bar and watch football, cricket and more across multiple screens. Both offer American-inspired menus featuring juicy burgers and tender steaks. Share a smokehouse platter of BBQ-glazed beef and pulled pork, paired with mezzaluna bread and creamy mashed potatoes. The buttermilk chicken burger is doused in spicy Buffalo hot sauce and mellowed out with a smooth blue cheese sauce. Meanwhile, bowls of crispy chicken tenders or classic nachos are the perfect finger food to enjoy while you sip on pints, cocktails or, classic milkshakes. With a warm golden glow and sleek, modern design, SOUND creates an inviting atmosphere where you can immerse yourself in good food, great drinks and the next big game.

📍 SOUND Cafe — Check availability

📍 SOUND Sports Bar — Check availability

Discover more restaurants in London

For street eats at one of the best sports bars and pubs in London – visit Market Place Peckham in Peckham

market-place-peckham1
Enjoy a range of different street food flavours at Market Place Peckham. Credit: Market Place Peckham
market-place-peckham2
The relaxed community vibe at Market Place Peckham makes it the perfect place to chill out with your mates. Credit: Market Place Peckham
market-place-peckham3
 Market Place Peckham invites you to kick back with great food and excellent company. Credit: Market Place Peckham

Head to southeast London for tasty street food at Market Place Peckham. With multiple screens throughout the dining area, including a huge large-screen TV near the back, this is also a great place to settle in and catch all the live action. Market Place hosts a range of vendors serving up street food favourites from around the world. Bite into a flavour-packed halloumi wrap from Mr Shawarma, or try halal-certified sweet chilli chicken noodles from Noodle Corner. Los Tacos prepares spicy soft-shell tacos filled with juicy prawns or cilantro beef, and you can enjoy fluffy xiao long bao filled with crab meat and pork from Tianjin Dumpling. Order drinks from the bar, or visit Bola Bola Boba for all your favourite boba flavours. Alongside the TVs, Market Place also has several pool tables, where you can challenge your friends to a game, and a photo booth to capture memories. Plus, it’s dog-friendly, so everyone can join in on the fun here.

Discover more restaurants in London

For watching tennis in an elegant courtyard – book at Ham Yard Bar and Restaurant in Soho

ham-yard-bar-and-restaurant1
Soak up the sunshine at Ham Yard’s semi-sheltered outdoor dining area. Credit: Ham Yard Bar and Restaurant
ham-yard-bar-and-restaurant2
Enjoy a hearty feast with your friends at Ham Yard Bar and Restaurant. Credit: Ham Yard Bar and Restaurant
ham-yard-bar-and-restaurant3
 The chefs at Ham Yard Bar and Restaurant serve up seasonal British dishes. Credit: Ham Yard Bar and Restaurant

You don’t need to visit Wimbledon to catch the tennis – instead, head to the colourful Ham Yard Bar and Restaurant in Soho. There you’ll find a spacious, fairy-lit courtyard with a big screen showing the latest on-court action. With a menu of modern European dishes on offer, you can relax in the elegant indoor dining space or head outdoors to dine by the oak trees in the courtyard. The ever-changing menu showcases the best of seasonal British produce. Share a bowl of ancient grain loaf with Netherend Farm butter before digging into melt-in-your-mouth aged rump of beef tartare. The Long Lunch Sunday roast set menu is the perfect way to enjoy a relaxed Sunday with family and friends. Meanwhile, afternoon tea is served in the leafy Orangery and includes delicate sandwiches and sweet treats like lavender and apricot macarons and fluffy scones with lemon curd.

Discover more restaurants in London

For a lively beer garden screening the biggest football matches – book at The Bull in Highgate

the-bull1
Cheer on your favourite team in the buzzing atmosphere at The Bull in Highgate. Credit: The Bull
the-bull2
Dine out in the sunshine at The Bull. Credit: The Bull
the-bull3
The Bull’s seasonal menu serves up tasty classic British dishes. Credit: The Bull

The Bull is a charming, rustic pub in Highgate serving up a menu of classic British dishes. With a beer garden out back, a kids’ menu and a dog-friendly policy, this is the perfect spot for families. Throughout the summer, The Bull will be hosting all the biggest football events and a dedicated screening area means you can ensure you book a table with a great view. The screens will be showing matches from every nation, and you can book ahead of time on OpenTable. While you watch, enjoy bar snacks like flaky sausage rolls or juicy chicken skewers. For a heartier main, go for a tender scotch flat iron steak or a vegan cheeseburger with smoky pickles on a soft potato bun. To finish off, you can’t go wrong with a decadent dark chocolate brownie.

Discover more restaurants in London

For one of the best sports bars in London for great cocktails – try Bbar and Restaurant in Victoria

b-bar-and-restaurant1
A juicy buttermilk burger pairs perfectly with the excitement of a thrilling final. Credit: Bbar and Restaurant
b-bar-and-restaurant2
Kick back and relax with one of Bbar’s signature cocktails. Credit: Bbar and Restaurant
b-bar-and-restaurant3
Tucked away under Victoria’s living wall, Bbar and Restaurant is the perfect leafy getaway. Credit: Bbar and Restaurant

Victoria is home to London’s largest living wall, with over 6,000 plants, and, just beneath it, you’ll find Bbar and Restaurant, a buzzing cocktail bar and restaurant. This summer, catch all the latest football action on the bar’s big screens between 14 June and 14 July. On OpenTable, you can pre-order special offers for the event, including a bucket of 16 beers for £64 and any burger with two pints of beer for £25 per person. Try the juicy buttermilk fried chicken burger with bread and butter pickle or the Beyond patty vegan burger with caramelised onion. Traditional fish and chips with mushy peas are perfect if you want a classic pub meal, while fried chicken wings with your choice of dipping sauce add an American twist. Pair your meal with signature cocktails like the gin-based jellybean clover club or the honey-sweet Mexican truffle old fashioned.

Discover more restaurants in London

For historic vibes in a chic pub – book at The Princess Royal Pub & Boutique Hotel Notting Hill in Bayswater

the-princess-royal-pub1
The Mediterranean menu at The Princess Royal Pub has something for everyone. Credit: The Princess Royal Pub
the-princess-royal-pub2
 The pub and bar area of The Princess Royal Pub are also happy to welcome canine companions. Credit: The Princess Royal Pub
the-princess-royal-pub3
Dine in the conservatory for a leafy, sun-soaked experience. Credit: The Princess Royal Pub

The Princess Royal Pub & Boutique Hotel Notting Hill is one of the many excellent London pubs operated by Cubitt House. Look out for the forest green exterior in leafy Notting Hill and head inside. A horseshoe bar and leather stools bring an elevated atmosphere to the bar area, while soft couches and potted plants add a boho-chic touch. With live matches from the summer’s biggest sporting events shown in the pub areas and some private dining rooms, it’s the perfect spot to watch your favourite teams and players. The Mediterranean-inspired menu uses seasonal British produce to create dishes like courgette and mint gnocchi and flaky roast monkfish. Smoky grilled corn ribs and grilled hispi cabbage make great starters, while a harissa-spiced Cotswold chicken from the grill is perfect for a hearty main. Pair it with a pint of Guinness or a fruity cocktail and you’ll have everything you need to cheer on your team.

Discover more restaurants in London

For one of the best sports pubs in London – check out The Pembroke in Earl’s Court

the-pembroke1
The Pembroke’s warmly lit beer garden is the perfect spot to enjoy an evening meal in London. Credit: The Pembroke

With a rooftop beer garden, golden chandeliers and a laid-back vibe, a meal at The Pembroke is always a good time. Screening everything from cricket to horse racing, rugby union to rugby league, there’s always something exciting to watch here. If you’d like to engage in your own competition, The Pembroke also hosts frequent pub quizzes. Sip on Prosecco cocktails, a glass of Pimm’s or pints of the best beers from around the world. Pair your drinks with a classic roast, loaded burgers or some flavour-packed wings. The Pembroke frequently offers bonus deals on holidays, so whether it’s Easter Sunday or Mother’s Day, you can book your next big celebration here.

Discover more restaurants in London

For all the latest rugby union action at one of the best dog-friendly pubs in London – head to The Crane Tap in Twickenham

the-crane-tap1
The Crane Tap’s lush interior invites you to relax with a decadent cocktail or an indulgent meal. Credit: The Crane Tap
the-crane-tap2
Head to The Crane Tap for tasty bites in Twickenham. Credit: The Crane Tap
the-crane-tap3
Just 15 minutes from Twickenham Stadium, The Crane Tap is the perfect match-day restaurant. Credit: The Crane Tap

If you’re a fan of rugby union, The Crane Tap is the place to be. Just a 15 minute walk from Twickenham Stadium, this bar takes match-day hospitality to the next level, with special packages and post-match events held during select major tournaments. Enjoy a smoked salmon starter and follow it up with a Guinness-infused steak and kidney pie. Alternatively, try the crunchy nachos loaded with guac, sour cream and pickled chillies, followed by a Crane club sandwich made with sweet maple bacon. Sticky toffee pudding and soft vanilla cheesecake are popular dessert options. Dogs are not only welcome at The Crane Tap, they even get their own menus. The dog afternoon tea is available on Saturdays, while the doggie roast is offered on Sundays. They include treats like a gourmet doggie bowl and a grand peony pupcake, both loaded with protein, veggies and fruit.

Discover more restaurants in London

For one of the best sports bars in London for groups – book a table at The Anthologist in Moorgate

the-anthologist1
The Anthologist’s warm, inviting dining area is the perfect spot to enjoy a relaxed meal. Credit: The Anthologist
the-anthologist2
Share hearty pies and glasses of beer with friends at The Anthologist. Credit: The Anthologist
the-anthologist3
Settle in at The Anthologist and cheer on your favourite team. Credit: The Anthologist

Hosting screenings of major football events on big screens, The Anthologist is one of the best pubs in London for any football fan. Expect England matches to be broadcast loud and clear – if you want to watch any of the other matches with the sound on, you can book one of the private dining spaces. Share nibbles of spicy padron peppers or small plates of smoky BBQ pork bites. Peel off strips of soft Napoli flatbread topped with sundried tomatoes or enjoy a charcuterie board of British meats and cheeses. Seasonal specials like wagyu beef sausages and breaded sea bass fillet bring you the freshest flavours. The sleek, colourful dining area offers comfort and style, with plush orange couches and patterned cushions. Meanwhile, the bar is packed with plenty of wine, beer and spirits, to keep you going all match long.

Discover more restaurants in London

London boasts a number of excellent venues to watch the biggest matches, across a wide range of different sports. From relaxed pubs to stylish bars, it’s easy to find an atmosphere to suit you. With plenty of wine and beer behind the bar and seasonal British dishes being cooked up in the kitchen, you can treat yourself to an unforgettable viewing experience. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual follower, the best sports bars and pubs in London have something for everyone.

Book your spot at the best sports bars and pubs in London on OpenTable today.

If you’re looking for more great eats and entertainment throughout the city, check out more London guides below:

Find your table for any occasion