Whether you’re a passionate football fan or you’re just keen to embrace the electric atmosphere of one of the world’s biggest sporting events, the Fifa World Cup is an excuse to get out of the house and into a host of London venues. The tournament, which runs across 16 stadiums in the United States, Canada and Mexico, has already provided hours of nail-biting entertainment – and things are seriously ramping up, with England preparing to take on Argentina on Wednesday, July 15 in the semi-final.
Many excellent London pubs, restaurants and outdoor street food spots are staying late for screenings, and offering special menus, themed cocktails and happy hour deals. These are Broadsheet London’s top picks.
Between the Bridges, Waterloo
Three giant video walls, multiple bars and seven street food vendors are on hand at Waterloo’s seasonal pop-up to turn your World Cup viewing session into a party. Between the Bridges – located on the South Bank just by the London Eye – is running ticketed viewing events to key matches.
The Blue Posts, Soho
Rupert Street stalwart The Blue Posts is committing hard to the World Cup this year, extending its opening hours for all England matches and finals. Warm up for the action with £5 happy hour pints from 4pm to 6.30pm, bolstered by £5 sausage rolls by Seamus Sam, the chef behind pub’s Michelin-starred basement restaurant, Evelyn’s Table.
The Five Points Taproom & Courtyard, Hackney
There are so many reasons why this 500-cover outdoor courtyard is one of our top spots for World Cup viewing this summer. Yes, there’s the 10 screens across the site (including a jumbo one in the courtyard) – plus the added perk of a free pint on arrival and a guaranteed seat for those who book England games in advance. Plus, its opening hours will be extended for England fixtures, and perhaps most enticingly, Five Points is home to a permanent residency by From The Ashes BBQ – a smokehouse that will be serving up its regular summer menu plus a special burger and bun menu for England fixtures.
Bloodsports, Covent Garden
For World Cup action combined with Meatliquor’s American-style fare and … horror movies? Bloodsports is your answer. This late-night sports- and horror-themed dive bar – with more than 30 screens (including one in the bathroom), wings until 1.30am and a Psycho-themed photo shoot – is buzzing throughout the tournament, and bookings are available.
Audley Public House, Mayfair
Want to keep things more classic? This art-bedecked Mayfair pub will be showing every World Cup match that kicks off before 10pm BST, with dual screens that – when possible – will show coinciding fixtures. There’s also a limited-edition burger, created in collaboration with Black Bear Burger, available from now until the end of the tournament. The Audley Burger combines dry-aged British beef with cheese, 12-hour braised beef brisket, bone marrow jus and garlic mayo.
The Golden Tooth, Newington Green
If you’re yet to check out chef Matthew Scott and sommelier Charlie Carr’s follow-up to their London Fields restaurant Papi, then the World Cup is a perfect opportunity. The Golden Tooth is a gastropub in a historic boozer that has banished its white tablecloths and is serving up a special menu – no bookings required. There’ll be £5.90 house lagers, best enjoyed with a menu that includes steak and ale slice with 40-day aged shortrib; and a Yorkshire hogget vindaloo, served with hot mint salad and yellow rice. And, to help fans make it through the late fixtures, a sugar fix comes in the form of the pub’s Builders Tea Basque Cheesecake.
The George, Fitzrovia
Every match in the entire World Cup tournament will be screened live at Fitzrovia pub The George. And, nodding to the fact that many of the matches will be played in Mexico, the pub has teamed up with agave brand The Lost Explorer on a series of summer cocktails, including the frozen Spicy Peach Margarita, infused with chilli with peach brandy and lime. Hungry? Keep the North American feel going with buttermilk fried chicken with blue cheese sauce and hot sauce, or lean British with the beer-battered fish’n’chips with mushy peas. Booking ahead is recommended.
40ft Brewery Blackhorse, Walthamstow
What’s better than giant screens, a selection of house-brewed beers and DJs riling up the crowd? All of the above, plus tacos. At Walthamstow’s beloved 40ft Brewery Blackhorse, its resident kitchen, Acme Taco, will be serving tacos inspired by chef Andrew Clarke’s travels through Mexico City.
Freight Brixton, Brixton
London’s biggest rooftop bar – with a capacity of more than 1000 – is screening all World Cup matches on its huge screens. Food-wise, there’s plenty to choose from, including Mexican street fare by Los Gordos, and jerk chicken, jackfruit and pork by Black Stars Catering.
The Garden Vauxhall, Vauxhall
When the sun’s out, follow the sound of cheering from Vauxhall Station to the nearby Garden Vauxhall – the outdoor venue will screen every match live on its large LED screens, complete with high-quality speakers. There’s be street food and a bar, and fans are encouraged to book in advance to secure their spots.
The Fat Badger, Notting Hill
Jugs of spicy Margs, Negronis and Cosmopolitans will be flowing at Public House Group’s ever-popular Golborne Road pub, The Fat Badger. Every England match of the tournament will be screened from the pub floor. But for the full experience, book the special set menu, which begins with sous chef Beth O’Brien’s signature soda bread, and also includes three snacks, mains to share with sides of hasslebacks and salad, and dessert. Alternatively, a separate snacks menu will include hot dogs.
