All In London's Favourite Football Bars

In football talk the period of the season that looms upon us like the great shadow of all our hopes and dreams, is poignantly known as ‘ the business end’. With this in mind we pick our favourite screens in the city at which to enjoy the run-in.
All In London's Favourite Football Bars picture

This week there are Champions League semi-finals, Premier League deciders and the Spanish Classico to get all excited about. Whether your preference is for a snazzy sports bar, a quirky pub with screens or an all-Swedish affair (more on that later) we’ve got it covered!

Jetlag Bar

Slap-bang in the middle of Fitzrovia, Jetlag Sports Bar is the place to come for the attraction of multiple big screens. Themed bars all too often fall on the wrong side of naff, but Jetlag gets it right with its airline seats and international inspired street food, which make a change to the usual burgers and wings. Good beers and cocktails plus both upstairs and downstairs sports screenings make it the kind of sports bar you don’t need to be ashamed about paying a visit.

The Waterpoet

There’s so much going on at the Waterpoet that it’s easy to forget that one of the things it does best is football. Expect Tuesday and Wednesday night to be busy this week with the Champions League and rest safe in the knowledge that if it all gets too crammed then retiring to the back yard is always an option – an option complete with screens, of course.

The Harcourt Arms

Tired of preening Premiership stars? Then why not go Swedish? The Harcourt Arms is a pub with a difference – a very Scandinavian difference. Most Swedish domestic football graces the big screens at the Marylebone pub and the change is refreshing. The standard of football might not be of Premiership quality but the atmosphere in the pub more than makes up for it. The Swedish know how to support their league, but if that’s all a little too Northern European for your tastes you’ll also find the Champions League, FA Cup and the Euros this summer.

The Freemasons Arms

Not only does the Freemasons Arms feature five screens showing all the biggest games but it is also the founding place of the Football Association. The FA might not be quite so powerful these days but for pure football history you can’t go wrong with the Freemasons Arms. Popular with tourists and locals, you’ll find a primarily Arsenal supporting fan base, although all flavours of team are obviously welcome.

Café Kick

We couldn’t finish our list without adding a real favourite of ours. Café Kick is the choice of international football followers and offers a friendly mix of all nationalities. Partisan crowds are out and the FIFA football family fiesta is in full effect! Much smaller than its Shoreditch cousin, the Exmouth Market bar more than makes up for size with a great atmosphere for football and an awesome range of world beers to boot – get it? To boot!

Published Apr 16, 2012