The best bars in London to watch the World Cup – screenings, drinks promotions and more…
INFERNOS
When: Open for South Africa v Mexico, June 11; Ghana v Australia, June 19; Germany v Australia, June 13; Italy v New Zealand, June 20; South Africa v Uruguay, June 16, Australia v Serbia, June 23; all England group-stage matches; and all knockout stage matches involving Australia New Zealand, South Africa and England.
What’s happening: Cheap drinks, pies from back home, DJs and entertainment after each match. Two big screens, plasma televisions, and guaranteed unobstructed viewing.
Get off your arse becasue: Infernos is hosting the official TNT World Cup parties, in association with Contiki, so for Aussies, Kiwis and Saffas this is a venue dedicated to you and your country, so scream and yell without worrying about random German, Mexican or Italian football fans.
146 Clapham High St, SW4 7UH
Tube: Clapham Common
020 7720 7633
infernos.co.uk
THE SLUG @ WIMBLEDON
When: Showing all World Cup matches.
What’s happening: Every drink is £1.50 during South Africa matches; Australian beers and snakebites are £1.50 during Australia matches; £1.50 Steinlagers and snakies during New Zealand matches. All drinks £1.50 on the opening day, June 11. DJs and entertainment after the matches.
Get off your arse becasue: With 17 big screens dotted around two floors, as well as those cheap drinks, it will be hard not to have a brilliant time.
16 Hartfield Cres, SW19 3TA
Tube: Wimbledon
020 8947 1791
fulhamslug.co.uk
JACK’S LOUNGE
When: Jack’s will open at noon for all games, except
on Sundays.
What’s happening: It has
great giveaways during evening fixtures – bet on the first goal
to win a bottle of bubbly – to keep you fed and watered. Jack’s also offer
a fabulous selection of finger food for
a bite to eat before getting back to the important business of football.
Get off your arse becasue: Nothing wrong with going to your local but Jack’s is slightly more upmarket – as a cocktail bar, it wouldn’t normally show sports events but is making an exception given that everyone will be football-mad for
the next month.
96 Isabella St, SE1 8DD
Tube: Southwark
020 7928 0678
jackslounge.co.uk
CLAPHAM GRAND
When: The focus is on Australia,
New Zealand, South Africa and
England games.
What’s happening: Free entry for all games, but arrive early. There are screens throughout the venue and private boxes for hire, which come with a case of beer and a platter of food.
Get off your arse because: The Clapham Grand has the biggest sports screen in London, at 40 sq m. After games on Thursday, Friday and Saturday regular club nights begin. Your World Cup party just got a whole lot better.
21-25 St John’s Hill, SW11 1TT
Tube: Clapham Junction
020 7223 6523
claphamgrand.com
GIGALUM
When: Showing all South Africa,
New Zealand and Australia games.
What’s happening: Two large screens and great DJs will ensure a good time. There’s an alfresco bar and a beer garden – you can also book a spot and pretty much have your own TV.
Get off your arse because: This place knows how to have a good time. After the games, the party will continue with Gigalum DJs rocking the joint. The beer garden will be a great place to enjoy your team’s fortunes, plus you can get beer towers so you don’t have to move to top up. Smart thinking!
7-8 Cavendish Parade, SW4 9DW
Tube: Clapham South
020 8772 0303
gigalum.com
REVOLUTION
When: Showing all games.
What’s happening: Revolution will provide a match-day vibe that’s refined but not pretentious. Buy food and drink packages and book tables with a good view of the action on screen.
Get of your arse because: There will be plenty of World Cup-themed cocktails, including the Raspberrry Roo-Roo, named after Wayne Rooney. There will also b 30 different types of vodka shots as well as a great wine and beer list. Table service will mean you never miss a play – or spill
a drink.
95-97 Clapham High St, SW4 7TB
Tube: Clapham Common
020 7720 6642
revolution-bars.co.uk
OCTOBERFEST PUB
When: Screening all the matches. Free entry, except for Germany matches,
which are £5 standing, including a pint
of Bavarian lager, or £10 for a seat and
a stein of lager.
What’s happening: For Germany matches there will be a live Bavarian oompah band. For other matches, you get a free
5 litre mini-keg if you book a table of 10
or more. There will be DJs and after-party on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. You can get a 50 litre keg at your table for £350 – a bargain for big groups.
Get off your arse because: The Germans love few things more than drinking good beer, partying and football (three-time World Cup winners). Put these together and you’ve got a cracking night out.
678-680 Fulham Rd, SW6 5SA
Tube: Parsons Green
020 7736 5293
octoberfestpub.com
SHEPHERD’S BUSH WALKABOUT
When: Every game will be shown,
with commentary, on the Walkie’s
20m HD projector.
What’s happening: To embrace the World Cup’s international vibe, dine out on the Walkabout’s ‘pies of the world’ offer. With the Walkabout’s massive screen, you’re guaranteed a great view, and you can stick around to party.
Get off your arse because: If you want
to be surrounded by fellow Antipodeans you can’t really miss the Walkabout. For the Socceroos opening match against Germany on a Sunday arvo, the Walkabout will be heaving.
58 Shepherd’s Bush Green, W12 8QE
Tube: Shepherd’s Bush
020 8743 2006
walkabout.eu.com
WORLD CUP CARNIVAL
When: Throughout the tournament.
What’s happening: A huge all-seater terraced arena with a great 16m HD screen, surround-sound and clear views of games. Some of London’s finest DJs will provide the tunes.
Get off your arse because: It’ll be the closest thing to being at the games – maybe even better as
there will be food stalls, half-time entertainment, cheerleaders, and cocktail bars. Get your fancy dress on and go nuts!
Shepherd’s Bush Pavilion 58 Shepherd’s Bush Green W12 8QE
Tube: Shepherd’s Bush
worldcupcarnival2010.com
REDBACK TAVERN
When: The Redback focus
on evening and weekend games, particularly when Australia, New Zealand or South Africa are playing.
What’s happening: A free barbecue before weekend games, just to help fans soak up the booze before the action starts. You’ll need as much padding as you can get, with the Redback selling ‘buckets of beer’ – five stubbies of VB or Steinlager for £8 or £10. That’s value.
Get off your arse because: For Aussie
and Kiwi games the Redback will draw
a crowd. If there’s a big win, this will be the place to get on the celebratory gas.
264 High St, W3 9BH
Tube: Acton Town
redbacktavern.com
JOE COOL’S
When: Every World
Cup game.
What’s happening: Plenty of specials, including £5 entry with free drinks from 7pm- 9pm on Fridays, buy-one-get-one-free from 7pm-9pm Saturdays, and free entry and buy one-get-one-free on four pint jugs for £12 on Sundays.
Get off your arse because: You can watch the match from the rock-star surrounds of Joe Cool’s jacuzzis, bookable in advance.
4 Fulham High St, SW6 3LQ
Tube: Putney Bridge
020 7736 9606
joecoolslondon.com
THE PEMBROKE
When: Every game, with televisions spread across four different viewing areas.
What’s happening: You can book a table for £20 a head – later credited to your bill – so it’s a more civilised way to watch the footy and enjoy time-honoured British pub grub to help soak up the booze.
Get of your arse because: The Pembroke will attract a real mix of people. It will be heaving for the England games but is going out of its way to accommodate everyone else. If you want to watch in
an international atmosphere, with
a cracking terrace, this is a good bet.
261 Old Brompton Rd, SW5 9JA
Tube: Earl’s Court
020 7373 8337
thepembrokesw5.co.uk
GUANABARA
When: Screening all Brazil and England matches and most other games.
What’s happening: Free entry for all screenings. During Brazil matches, there will be vendors wandering through the club selling beer and traditional Brazilian street food. There will also be live entertainment to warm up the crowd before the match, dancers at half-time
and live music after matches.
Get off your arse because: This is where Brazilians go to party in London, so where better to soak up the spirit of the world’s best football and party nation?
Parker St, WC2 5PW
Tube: Holborn
020 7242 8600
guanabara.co.uk
WAXY O’CONNORS
When: Every game will be shown
on big screens.
What’s happening: There will be a special World Cup menu and the entertainment will ramp up as the tournament goes
on. You will also be able to score
some cheap jugs of Foster’s during Australia games.
Get of your arse because: Ireland didn’t manage to make it through – they can thank Thierry Henry for that – but they still know how to celebrate a big sporting event. And, given Waxy O’Connor’s location just around the corner from the West End, the place will hum with an international crowd.
14-16 Rupert St, W1D 6DD
Tube: Piccadilly Circus
020 7287 0255
waxyoconnors.co.uk/london
VIBE BAR
When: The focus is on England games.
What’s happening: Five different spaces at the friendly, relaxed Vibe
Bar, all with coverage of the World Cup. All England games will be shown in the outside courtyard on a 16ft screen. The courtyard can hold 600-800 people on a first-in, first-served basis.
Get off your arse because: Vibe
Bar has great energy. It’s always had
a reputation for good music and the
World Cup will be no different. Music
will be tailored for the games: Brazilian music for Brazil, Spanish for Spain and
the food will follow suit. A brilliant
place to party in summer.
91 Brick Ln, E1 6QL
Tube: Aldgate East
020 7247 3479
vibe-bar.co.uk
THE SOUTHERNER
When: Screening all games live,
but preference will be given to
New Zealand games.
What’s happening: The bar has two
40-inch screens and two 20-inch ones. They can be seen from all corners of the bar accentuated with surround sound.
The Southerner is not usually open on Sundays but for the World Cup it will be, so take advantage.
Get off your arse because: Kiwis are notoriously good to party with. It will also be the spiritual home of the All Whites in London. All Kiwi beers (including Speight’s, Steinlager, Mac’s Gold) are available. Plus you can watch the
All Blacks in the Tri-Nations and
then stay on and watch the World
Cup. All the usual Kiwi suspects
served – burger rings, pies, three
pint jugs. You can never have too
much sport and too much beer.
Essex St, WC2R 1AP
Tube: Temple
020 7936 2536
DE HEMS
What’s happening: Preference given
to the Netherlands games but Dutch football fans are a warm, enthusiastic crowd who love a beer. The place will be decked out in orange and is a great venue for a taste of a European footballing atmosphere. There will be a range of flat screens both upstairs and downstairs.
Get of your arse because: The 1974 Netherlands team invented Total Football; De Hems offers the total Dutch World Cup experience from a full range of Dutch and Belgian beers to Dutch treats like bitter ballen (deep-fried meatballs) and frikandell en speciaal (salami sausage with diced onion in a special sauce). The bottom bar is first come, first served; the famous, atmospheric top floor will be available
to VIP ticket holders for £15 a pop.
11 Macclesfield St, W1D 5BW
Tube: Leicester Square
020 7437 2494
BARRACUDA
When: All the matches will be televised on both the bar’s two big screens and its 12 plasmas. There’s also one 3D screen
for the full World Cup effect.
What’s happening: It’s free to book a VIP table and there will be live music and
DJs after the games. In keeping with
the South African theme, Barracuda
will offer food off the braai to soak
up the booze and some special South African drinks will be brought in to
wet your whistle.
Get off your arse because: Bafana Bafana will be hoping to confound the experts’ tips and go deep into the tournament. Every World Cup benefits from
a successful host nation, and if the South African team somehow upset Mexico in their opening game on June 11, the Savanna will be flowing late into
the night.
133 Houndsditch, EC3A
7BX
Tube: Aldgate
barracudahoundsditch.com
Tags: Where to watch the World Cup in London, London World Cup bars, World Cup screenings, free drinks, cheap drinks, World Cup 2010
