The rugby is back folks! The countdown to the quadrennial tournament of the world’s best rugby talents is coming to an end as it all kicks off tonight, September 8. The Rugby World Cup may only come around once every four years, but that anticipation makes it all the more exciting when it does arrive. While it is taking place in France this year, you’ll be able to catch all the action in pubs and venues all around London, so there’s no excuse not to get involved.
Following the INCREDIBLE showing of the Lionesses at the football World Cup this summer, all eyes will be on the England men’s rugby team to see how they fare. That is until the women’s team takes to the pitch for the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2025 (which is being hosted here in England!).
So, without further ado, here are the best spots to catch the Rugby World Cup action this year:
1. The Farrier, Camden
Easily one of our favourite pubs in London, Camden’s The Farrier can always be counted on for a great sports viewing experience and plenty of scrummy food and drinks. If past sporting events are anything to go by, they’re sure to have plenty of special food offerings and deals throughout the tournament. So keep your eyes peeled to find out more!
📍 Camden Stables Market, 87/88 North Yard, Chalk Farm, NW1 8AH.
🚇 The nearest stations are Chalk Farm and Camden Road.
2. Big Penny Social, Walthamstow
For a big ol’ rugby tournament, you’ll want to head to a big ol’ beer slinger in London. So why not head to the Big Penny Social, which claims to be the biggest beer hall in all of London? With free entry for all the matches, they’re promising an absolutely electric atmosphere. They’ve also got a huge beer garden to enjoy the last summer rays. And plenty of beer, of course! Find out more here.
📍 1 Priestley Way, E17 6AL.
🚇 The nearest station is Blackhorse Road.
3. Apollo Arms, Clapham
The Apollo Arms will be screening every single Rugby World Cup face-off, making it an ideal place to settle in with mates. In the country-pub-esque environs, enjoy a half-time tipple, a post-match drink, and plenty of delicious food.
📍 13-19 Old Town, SW4 0JT.
🚇 The nearest stations are Clapham Common and Wandsworth Road.
4. Ganymede, Belgravia
If you find yourself wandering around Belgravia with mere minutes until kick-off, hightail it to the Ganymede pub. Alongside sister venues, Apollo Arms and The Hunter’s Moon, they’ll have a selection of drinks specials inspired by the home nations. It could be a jug of Welsh beer, or a sharing cocktail making use of English spirits and ingredients. Head on down to find out more!
📍 139 Ebury Street, SW1W 9QU.
🚇 The nearest stations are Victoria and Sloane Square.
5. Northcote Records, Battersea
While Northcote Records won’t be showing all of the Rugby World Cup fixtures, they will be screening all of England’s matches on their HD screens. Oh, and the final of course. They’re offering fans a steal of a deal with a pizza and a pint for just £15 on match days. When the action is over, live bands or DJs will then take to the stage to provide a jubilant finish to the night.
📍 8-10 Northcote Road, SW11 1NT.
🚇 The nearest station is Clapham Junction.
6. The Bar at M, Bank
If you’re after a bit of luxury as you take in the Rugby World Cup, head to The Bar at M. There, suave sophistication, decadent food, and the highest quality sound and picture await. Plenty of draft beer, and a selection of over 50 wines by the glass, are available to wash down a menu of filling dishes and light bites. Opt for the “Shawsey Sando”, named after the World Cup-winning legend, Simon Shaw OBE, or wrap your mouth around their ultimate Wagyu burger. On game nights, you can even spin the Guinness Wheel of Fortune for a chance to win a pint on the house if you land on a home nation’s flag.
📍 60 Threadneedle Street, EC2R 8HG.
🚇 The nearest station is Bank.
7. Tsaretta Spice, Twickenham
This Indian tapas bar and restaurant in Twickenham has installed a big-screen TV specially for the Rugby World Cup excitement. Right in the heart of the spiritual home of rugby, Tsaretta Spice will keep fans’ appetites sated with plenty of tapas platters, curries, and drinks packages. They won’t be screening absolutely every match, but they promise to show all the home and big games.
📍 55 Church Street, Twickenham TW1 3NR.
🚇 The nearest station is Twickenham.
8. The Faltering Fullback, Finsbury Park
This much-loved hidden gem of an Irish pub in Finsbury Park is one of the most exciting places to catch any rugby action in London. So, naturally, it’s one of the places to be for a Rugby World Cup viewing to remember. They don’t take bookings, though, so be sure to arrive with plenty of time to spare!
📍 55 Church Street, Twickenham TW1 3NR.
🚇 The nearest station is Twickenham.
9. BOXPARK, multiple venues
Croydon and Wembley’s BOXPARK venues will be showing every single fixture from the tournament, while Shoreditch will join in on the fun when England takes to the pitch. It’s the ideal experience for big groups or for those after a lairy good time, particularly given their whopping selection of drinks and street food. Be sure to check out their ticket packages to make the most of your time there!
📍 Find your nearest BOXPARK venue here.
10. The Hunter’s Moon, South Kensington
For a pub with the feel and ambience of a local, head to South Kensington’s The Hunter’s Moon. They’ll be keeping punters up to date with every try and conversion, whilst also keeping them plenty fed and watered. (We can’t promise the dog above will be there when you visit, but at least you can be sure they’re dog-friendly!)
📍 86 Fulham Road, SW3 6HR.
🚇 The nearest station is South Kensington.
11. Brigadiers, Bank
Indian BBQ restaurant Brigadiers will be keeping rugby fans up to date with all the action as they screen every game in its Blighters Bar. You’ll be able to chow down on their special feast menus, and even grab yourself a drink from the Drink Command self-serve cocktail vending machine. Say no more!
📍 1-5 Bloomberg Arcade, EC4N 8AR.
🚇 The nearest stations are Bank, Cannon Street, and Mansion House.
12. Peckham Arches, Peckham
There’s room for everyone at Peckham Arches, where they’ll be showing all the Rugby World Cup fixtures to fans in their 300-capacity beer garden. Grab a pizza and a cocktail, or a glass of beer or wine, and settle in for a great viewing experience!
📍 Blenheim Grove, SE15 4QN.
🚇 The nearest station is Peckham Rye.
13. The Hawk’s Nest, Shepherd’s Bush
Another arch-centric spot, but this time over in West London, The Hawk’s Nest recently underwent a massive revamp to install a fully retractable sliding glass roof over their beer garden. Now it’s the ultimate place for hanging out or watching the rugby, no matter the weather. During the week they’ve even got a special ‘Margarita Deal’ where you can grab a Margherita pizza and a margarita cocktail for £12.50 (available Monday – Friday, before 7pm).
📍 Goldhawk Road, Shepherd’s Bush Market, W12 8DF.
🚇 The nearest station is Goldhawk Road.
14. The Broadcaster, White City
The Broadcaster will be showing all of the Rugby World Cup fixtures across two of their four floors, at the Ground Floor Pub, and up top at the Rooftop Bar. With stunning views across White City to accompany the action, and a lively atmosphere, The Broadcaster is the place to be. Plus, thanks to a top-notch selection of food and drink, you may well find yourself sticking around for the whole day!
📍 89 Wood Lane, W12 7FX.
🚇 The nearest station is Wood Lane.
15. The Rugby Tavern, Bloomsbury
With a name like that, can you really afford to watch the rugby anywhere else? The spirit of rugby is built into the very foundations of The Rugby Tavern, which sits upon land donated by Lawrence Sheriff, the visionary behind Rugby School. Essentially an ode to the man himself, the pub tavern is a truly fitting place to settle in with a pint and a burger to watch the Rugby World Cup play out.
📍 19 Great James Street, WC1N 3ES.
🚇 The nearest stations are Russell Square and Chancery Lane.
16. Clubhouse 5, Leicester Square
A brand spanking new, state-of-the-art sports bar right in the middle of the West End, Clubhouse 5 utilizes “4k UHD screens and SKY Q Technology [to provide] the best possible pub-going experience”. Order from their heaving food and drinks menu and settle in, unless you’re already on your feet cheering!
📍 5 Lisle Street, WC2H 7BF.
🚇 The nearest stations are Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square.
17. Vinegar Yard, London Bridge
Vinegar Yard has partnered up with England Rugby for an epic Rugby Fanzone that will drop down at their terrace for the biggest England fixture of the Rugby World Cup. We’re talking huge outdoor screens and VIP tables (each with its own private screen), outdoor bars and street food traders to order from, and a behind the scenes look into the player’s camp.
Grab your ticket for the England Rugby Fanzone events here. England matches require reservation, due to the Fanzone, but all other matches will be shown, without the need for reservations, at their Courtyard Bar.
📍 72-82 St Thomas Street, SE1 3QU.
🚇 The nearest station is London Bridge.
18. Hackney Bridge, Hackney
Head on over to Hackney Wick for glorious sunshine-filled rugby watching in Hackney Bridge‘s enormous beer garden. They’ll be showing all of the matches on the massive screen in their canal-side drinking spot. But don’t fret if the clouds show up – the matches will also be shown on the indoor screen in the Hanger Bar. Chow down, drink up, and cheer your country to victory!
📍 Units 1-28, Echo Building, Eat Bay Lane, E15 2SJ.
🚇 The nearest station is Hackney Wick.
19. The Crown, Twickenham
The World Cup might not be taking place at Twickenham, but you can still catch the action near the venerated stadium. Head on over to The Crown, where you can even book the VIP ‘locker room’ experience – with space for up to 40 guests!
📍 174 Richmond Road, Twickenham TW1 2NH.
🚇 The nearest stations are St Margarets and Twickenham.
20. Betjeman Arms, Kings Cross
If you just missed your train to France, where you were hoping to catch the action in person, don’t leave King’s Cross just yet! Instead, head on over to the Betjeman Arms, where you can hang out on the outdoor terrace before heading inside to watch the competition on the screens scattered throughout the pub. Don’t miss out on the grub either, to fuel yourself up at half-time.
📍 Euston Road, N1C 4QL.
🚇 The nearest station is King’s Cross St. Pancras.
21. Clapham North, Clapham
Having just reopened a mere month ago, the Clapham North invites punters in to cheer their way through every minute of the Rugby World Cup. Inside, it’s been wonderfully refurbed, and there’s a wide variety of drinks to keep your thirst sated all the while.
📍 409 Clapham Road, SW9 9BT.
🚇 The nearest station is Clapham North.
22. The Ship, Wandsworth
Take your Rugby World Cup watching experience to the riverside, and head for The Ship. With indoor and outdoor screens at the ready, The Ship has you sorted no matter the weather.
📍 41 Jews Row, SW18 8TB.
🚇 The nearest station is Wandsworth Town.
There you have it – the best spots around London to cheer England to victory. We’ll keep it updated as more venues announce their Rugby World Cup viewing experiences. So check back for even more inspo as the world cup progresses.