London has one of the strongest live-sport bar cultures in the world. Whether you follow the Premier League, Champions League, Six Nations, UFC, boxing, NBA, NFL or darts, the city has dedicated sports venues, giant screen halls, busy football pubs and multi-level viewing spaces. This guide breaks down the best sports bars across each region of London, with what to expect, who goes there, crowd personality, drink pricing, and which sports they’re best for.
This is a compact, WordPress-ready format — no double spacing, no bloated layout, just clear, high-quality sections.
🏙️ 1. What Makes a Great Sports Bar in London?
Before diving into specific venues, it helps to understand the criteria that matter for fans:
Screens: The number, size and visibility. Bars like Greenwood and Famous Three Kings position screens so almost every seat has a view.
Atmosphere: Some bars attract loud, football-focused crowds; others suit casual groups or neutral fans.
Table availability: Important for Champions League, UFC and boxing nights — these nights book out weeks in advance.
Licensing hours: Boxing and UFC PPVs often go late; not all bars stay open.
Transport links: You want bars near major stations to avoid end-of-night travel issues.
Food options: Many London sports bars have full menus, street food stalls or partner vendors.
Sound quality: Some bars prioritise social drinking; others treat sport as the main event with high-quality audio.
With these factors in mind, here is the definitive area-by-area breakdown.
📍 2. Central London — Biggest Screens & Biggest Crowds
Central London bars attract tourists, after-work groups and serious sport followers. These bars get extremely busy for Premier League weekends and Champions League midweeks.
Greenwood (Victoria): Often regarded as London’s flagship sports bar. It features a dedicated sports lounge upstairs with oversized screens and wall-to-wall coverage of football, rugby, NFL and boxing. Great for big match nights and weekend fixtures.
Long Arm Pub & Brewery (City): Craft beer-focused venue with huge screens and a trendy crowd. Popular with City workers for after-work Champions League matches.
Golazio (Elephant & Castle): A retro Italian football-themed bar, known for AC Milan fans and Serie A coverage. Unique aesthetic, great for neutrals and people who want a distinctive vibe.
[[IMAGE: Central London Sports Bars Group]]
Style & Atmosphere: Central bars have the most diverse mix of fans — tourists, after-work groups, hardcore football supporters and casual drinkers. Expect busy nights but high energy.
🌆 3. East London — Young Crowd, High-Energy Nights
East London bars attract younger crowds, creative workers, and fans looking for lively matchday experiences.
Hair of the Dog (Shoreditch): A reliable venue for Premier League and Champions League football. Always busy on weekends, great atmosphere and consistent screen visibility.
Strongroom (Shoreditch): Known for a combination of music culture and outdoor courtyard screens. Exceptional in summer when major tournaments turn the courtyard into a fan zone.
Hackney Bridge Bars (Hackney Wick): One of the best pre-match areas for West Ham fans. Spacious, multiple screens and vibrant energy before big London Stadium matches.
Star of Bethnal Green: A strong pick for UFC and boxing nights. Opens late, great sound system and a loyal fight-night crowd.
Style & Atmosphere: East London leans towards informal, younger and louder crowds. If you want energy but not tourist-heavy spaces, East London is the best choice.
🌉 4. West London — Traditional Football Pub Culture
With Chelsea, Fulham, Brentford and QPR all based in West London, this area has a huge football presence. Bars here attract passionate supporters who follow both club and national football closely.
Famous Three Kings (Hammersmith): Often ranked the best sports bar in all of London. It shows almost every sport from football to cricket, NFL to rugby, darts to GAA. Dozens of screens, huge projection walls, and a brilliant atmosphere.
Belushi’s Shepherd’s Bush: Very popular with travellers and expats. Excellent for Champions League and international tournaments. Offers late-night screenings for US sports like NBA and NFL.
The Ealing Project: Less of a bar and more of a cinema-style space with huge screens, making it one of the most immersive spots to watch England matches.
🏉 5. South London — Community, Value & Late-Night Sport
South London venues feel more local and community-driven, with excellent value for money and large viewing spaces.
Boxpark Croydon: Massive open-plan venue with multiple screens and food vendors. One of London’s most energetic locations for England matches. Also popular for UFC and boxing due to the late licence and size.
The Falcon (Clapham Junction): A strong rugby venue with good screen visibility. Great for Six Nations weekends.
The Bedford (Balham): A large pub with huge projector screens, often showing midweek football or Sunday fixtures.
Prince of Wales (Brixton): Known for fight nights and major PPVs.
Style & Atmosphere: More space, lower prices, and some of the loudest reactions during major England matches.
⚽ 6. North London — Football Territory (Arsenal & Spurs)
With two major Premier League clubs in the area, North London bars often attract dedicated football fans.
World’s End (Finsbury Park): One of the biggest matchday pubs for Arsenal supporters. Enormous venue, dozens of screens and packed on every matchday.
Euston Flyer: Busy commuter bar ideal for Champions League nights and weekend football.
The Beehive (Tottenham): Major Spurs pre-match pub. Expect chanting, loud fans and traditional football culture.
📺 7. Best Bars by Sport (Quick Picks)
Football: Famous Three Kings, Greenwood, World’s End, Boxpark Croydon.
Rugby: The Falcon, Belushi’s, The Bedford.
Boxing/UFC: Boxpark Croydon, Prince of Wales, Star of Bethnal Green.
NFL: Long Arm Brewery, Belushi’s, Sports Bar & Grill venues.
Darts: Boxpark, Sports Bar & Grill (Victoria).
These are consistently reliable, no-guessing-required picks.
💷 8. Pricing & What to Expect
Budget (£10–£20): A couple pints, standing space, busy atmosphere.
Mid-Range (£20–£40): Drinks + food + seating.
Premium (£40–£80): Reserved tables, PPV events, big tournament matches.
Reservations are highly recommended for:
- Premier League weekends
- Champions League knockout nights
- England matches
- UFC & boxing PPVs
- NFL Sundays at major bars
🧭 9. Expert Tips for the Best Sports Bar Experience
Arrive early for big matches.
Check the bar’s social media for screening schedules.
Avoid sitting behind pillars (especially in older pubs).
Bring ID — late bars enforce strict age checks.
For UFC and boxing, book paid seats early.
For Premier League games, avoid wearing rival colours.
❓ FAQs
Do bars charge entry for big events? Some do — especially for UFC & boxing.
Do bars show all Premier League games? No; 3pm games are restricted by UK blackout rules.
Which bars are best for tourists? Greenwood, Belushi’s and Boxpark.
Which bars are best for locals? Strongroom, Prince of Wales, World’s End.
🔚 Final Word
London’s sports bar scene is unmatched — diverse, loud, passionate and brilliantly equipped for every sport. Whether you want a giant-screen cinematic experience or a pub packed with chanting supporters, London has a venue for every vibe.