The best pubs to watch football in London and cheer with the locals

Pubs are the top spot for socializing over a pint of beer across the United Kingdom. London alone has over 3,500 pubs, each with its own specialties, traditions, and identity. Yet most cater to an all-British passion: watching football together.

Britain is the birthplace of football after all—the most popular sport in the country for over 150 years has since made the rounds throughout the world. Unsurprisingly, British teams like Chelsea and Arsenal (both from London) remain two of the most successful clubs with massive fan bases.

If you want to join the locals and let loose as you watch your favorite team play, check out these top pubs in London for lively crowds, comfort food, and quality beer. Even if you’re not a fan of the sport, you’re guaranteed a good time thanks to the contagiously cheerful atmosphere.

Bar Kick is a sprawling pub that, besides screening live sports, is known as a stand-up comedy and table football (foosball) hub (you can play for free on Mondays after 4 p.m.). Its two floors boast 12 huge screens for fans to cheer on their favorite teams. Spanish and Portuguese beers like Estrella Damm, Super Bock, and Sagres are the highlights of the menu.

Broadleaf is a modern pub that features a sports lounge that’s mostly dedicated to football—they screen matches between British teams and major tournaments like the UEFA Champions League. Thanks to its floor-to-ceiling windows, natural light abounds here, which is quite rare for a London pub. Broadleaf’s menu includes classic appetizers like chicken wings, salads and rib-eye cuts.

“The Cross Keys” is a common name for pubs located close to a church—there are in fact a few of them across London; this one is in Hammersmith (West London). As a traditional hangout spot for locals, it serves all-time British favorites like Sunday roast and fish and chips. The Cross Keys boasts several screens, including one out in the garden, that are religiously tuned to a sports channel.

A stone’s throw away from Covent Garden on one side and Seven Dials on the other, Crown and Anchor offers a well-curated selection of craft beer and cask ales that’s constantly changing. While it doesn’t screen sports 24/7, you’ll get to watch all the big football, rugby, and tennis matches (as well as horse races) here.

The Durell Arms is busiest during Fulham matches: it’s located in the namesake district, where the team was founded in 1879. This is the place to go for ultimate London vibes. The pub screens international and local matches of all the popular sports.

The Gunners Pub is about half a mile away from Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium, so it’s one of the go-to spots for the team’s supporters (informally known as “Gooners”, derived from the team’s nickname “The Gunners”). The walls are covered with Arsenal memorabilia and fan art. On Wednesdays, the Gunners hosts live music.

Hand in Hand, dating back to the early 1800s, stands right at the edge of Wimbledon Common. Handmade pies and British classics like sticky toffee pudding are the specialties here. Hand in Hand is more of a local fixture than a football pub, but it does screen important matches on weekends.

The Hemingford Arms is perfect for sports lovers of all kinds since it doesn’t only screen football—you’ll get to watch the major leagues of sports like rugby and cricket, which are also big in Britain. Serving Thai food and hosting events like drag queen bingo nights, The Hemingford Arms is definitely not your regular pub.

A mere three-minute walk away from historic Victoria Park, The Lauriston is by far one of the finest pubs in East London. It features a busy event schedule with chess club on Mondays, quizzes on Wednesday nights, and DJ sets on Saturdays. Locals flock to the pub for its stone-baked pizzas. Football is more of a sporadic affair here, but The Lauriston does screen all England matches and is entirely devoted to the FIFA World Cup come November.

With some of the yummiest burgers and loaded fries in London, The Old Queens Head hosts live performances and DJ nights when it’s not screening matches. Founded in 1830, this pub is unique starting from the decor, with its centuries-old fireplaces and chandeliers, and, fittingly, a spooky wax head smoking a cigarette. While this has never been a typical football pub, it does screen all the big matches.

You’ll find Westwood Sports Pub & Kitchen within the ​​Westfield London shopping mall, which makes it a great final stop after a day of browsing the shops. Apart from all the big football leagues, it screens rugby, American football, basketball, and a few other sports year-round. The pub is spacious, with huge screens—on match days it’s as lively as it gets.

Pubs are all about sharing and conviviality. For a pub experience that’s enjoyable, regulars abide by a set of unspoken rules that you’ll be welcome to observe too.

In the UK, anyone aged 18 or older is allowed to buy alcohol. But younger folks (including children) are allowed in most pubs, usually until 9 p.m. Dogs are welcome in most places as well.

Pubs don’t offer table service. You’ll need to walk up to the bar to place your order. If you’re in a group, find a table together and designate one of you to do the ordering. Brits generally buy a round of drinks for everyone in their party. If you’re offered a drink, you’re expected to reciprocate.

If other customers are by the bar when you get there, wait in line—even if it doesn’t look like there’s one. Tipping isn’t really a thing, but some pubs will have a tipping jar where you can toss a pound or tw0 into.

The jukebox, dartboard, and pool table are shared by all customers. As for the pool table specifically, folks will usually indicate their interest by putting a pound coin by the side of the table.

When closing time is approaching, bartenders will either ring a bell or flash lights. That generally means you’ll have 20 minutes to head to the bar and grab your last pint.

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