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So, you’ve got your ticket to a game at Stamford Bridge (maybe it’s even the Women’s Champions League match between Chelsea and Barcelona this weekend, which is poised on a knife edge with the Blues a goal to the good), but you need to make a day of it before and after kick-off.
Not. A. Problem. Stamford Bridge has stood tall since 1877, and has been the home of Chelsea since they were founded in 1905, and while the surroundings of the now-40,341 capacity ground look very different, we can safely say there are plenty of ways to entertain yourself in the vicinity of Stamford Bridge. Here are some of the best places to eat, drink, shop and enjoy yourself even more around Chelsea’s stadium.
Pubs and bars around Stamford Bridge
1. The Butcher’s Hook
At The Butcher’s Hook, it’s a case of come for the location (10 minutes from the ground), stay for the soaking up of vibes before kick-off. You can also expect to get served here slightly faster than some other pubs around the ground to go alongside its mean selection of beers.
If you like to drink in a spot with a bit of history, this is also the boozer where Chelsea FC held their meeting to start the club all the way back in 1905. Back then, it was known as the Rising Sun, but they’re still going strong and pouring the pints before and after each Chelsea game for the matchgoing fans. (Please note that you may require a home matchday ticket to enter when there’s a game on).
📍Where? 477 Fulham Road, SW6 1HL, United Kingdom
⏰Distance from Stamford Bridge: 8-minute walk
2. The Elk Bar
An ideal venue just a stone’s throw from Fulham Broadway to sink pints and tuck into some delightful barbecue dishes, the Elk is known for its lively atmosphere. It’ll show all the football going on, so if there’s a game on before Chelsea, this is a great place to fuel up before heading over to the Bridge. Who knows? It might even make for the perfect spot to celebrate Chelsea Women reaching the Champions League after their game against Barcelona this weekend.
📍 Where? 587 Fulham Road, SW6 5UA
⏰Distance from Stamford Bridge: six-minute walk
3. The Pembroke
This is slightly further away from Stamford Bridge, but is perfect for those who wish for a slightly quieter drink while remaining in touching distance of the ground. The Pembroke gastropub has a nice array of craft beer on tap and offers all the live sport throughout the day, so is the perfect watering hole for a pre-game libation or post-match celebration (or consolation).
📍 Where? 261 Old Brompton Road, SW5 9JA
⏰Distance from Stamford Bridge: 20-minute walk
4. Frankie’s Sports Bar & Grill
Doubling up as a spot to catch the pre-game action and grab yourself a meal while ingesting the rest of the matches throughout the day, it’s tough to look past Frankie’s Sports Bar and Grill. The best part? It’s even part of the stadium’s general vicinity, so you really couldn’t get any more convenient than this spot–not to mention the fact that they’re slinging beers, cocktails, wings, burgers and more to enjoy in front of a 75-inch screen. If you’re looking for somewhere to eat and drink right by Stamford Bridge, this ticks all of the boxes.
📍Where? Stamford Bridge, Fulham Road, SW6 1HS
⏰Distance from Stamford Bridge: 0 minutes
5. The Fox & Pheasant
This pub is brilliant. This pub is pure. At least that’s what I reckon the owner, James Blunt, might think of it (though perhaps not say aloud). After smiles on the subway London Underground, you can bound into this one for a drink in an idyllic pub with a flower-adorned outdoors and cosy interior with both fireplace and dartboard.
📍Where? 1 Billing Road, SW10 9UJ
⏰Distance from Stamford Bridge: six-minute walk
Restaurants around Stamford Bridge Stadium
6. Stecca
A lovely little Italian restaurant sat in the heart of Chelsea that is well worth a visit to try out the seasonal flavours of the Mediterranean to warm up ahead the final taste you desire at the end of the matchday: victory. Stecca deals in using fresh Italian ingredients with award-winning chef Stefano Stecca at the helm. I’ve got my eye on the Pappardelle with duck ragout pasta and the beef carpaccio with buffalo mozzarella, but a glance at the menu will have you drooling at the prospect of coming here for a celebratory meal.
📍Where? 14 Hollywood Road, SW10 9HY
⏰Distance from Stamford Bridge: 11-minute walk
7. The Harwood Arms
Now, you may be thinking: that sounds like the name of a pub, why isn’t it in the section above. You’ve got us there, but when we tell you it’s London’s only Michelin-starred pub, you’ll understand that if you’re heading here for a pre-game drink, it’s sort of paramount to try that grub too. Should you frequent The Harwood Arms on the day of a game, you can tuck into their famous Venison scotch egg before tackling a roast skate wing, or you can munch down on a roast if the game falls on a Sunday. A good feed paves the way for a win, some might say. It may not have any bearing on the result, but you might as well tell yourself it does to munch down on that Michelin-starred scran.
📍Where? Walham Grove, London SW6 1QJ
⏰Distance from Stamford Bridge: 11-minute walk
Where to shop around Stamford Bridge
8. Pop into the Chelsea megastore
Of course, since football is tribal by its very nature, many of you will want to nail your colours to the mast with a jersey in support of the team. With a full range of all kits and the ability to print the names of any players–Cole Palmer, Lauren James, your own!–across both the men’s and women’s teams, you’ll be in good hands here. If you’ve got them all hung up in your CFC-ridden wardrobe, then there are always training kits, water bottles, bags and more in the world of blues merchandise to get your hands on.
📍Where? The Gate House, Stamford, Fulham Road, SW6 1HS
⏰Distance from Stamford Bridge: 0-minutes
9. Get lost in the shops along the King’s Road
If you’re done buying Chelsea-themed garms, you can move onto the famous fashion of the King’s Road to pick out some wears along the King’s Road. What better way to continue the good feeling of the matchday win than by scoring a new outfit afterwards? Check here for some stylish inspiration.
What else can I do around Stamford Bridge Stadium on matchday?
10. Pop down for a walk by the river
Stamford Bridge sits within touching distance of the River Thames, and on a sunny day, there’s nowhere better to potter around before the match starts as you try to quell the cocktail of nerves and excitement that course within you.
11. Visit an exhibition
If the match you attend is an early or late kick-off, you can fill the rest of the day with some culture. The Saatchi Gallery is just a 40-minute walk down the King’s Road or a 20-minute bus from Stamford Bridge, and is always filled with some of the most interesting exhibits the city has to offer. Elsewhere, you can check out the ever-popular Accidentally Wes Anderson Exhibition that remains showing off the weird and wonderful spots around the world that invoke something similar to the inner thoughts of the famous film director.
📍Where? The Gate House, Stamford, Fulham Road, SW6 1HS
⏰Distance from Stamford Bridge: 0-minutes