As the oldest trophy in the history of English football, the FA Cup final is more than just a fun day out for the teams involved. And this year, it’s what the entire season comes down to for both clubs, with the pair of teams shooting for their only chance at a trophy this campaign. Manchester City vs Crystal Palace is primed for a clash at Wembley Stadium on the afternoon of Saturday, May 17.
It’s the third year in a row that Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City have made the final, having lost to Erik Ten Hag’s Manchester United last season, having got the better of them in the same fixture one season earlier. For Crystal Palace, it’s their first time in the final since the 2015/16 season, when they narrowly lost to Louis Van Gaal’s Manchester United through a Jesse Lingard winner in extra time. This time, Oliver Glasner’s men will be hoping to go one better and lift the trophy in the capital against a team from Manchester.
It’s Pep Guardiola vs Oliver Glasner. It’s claret & blue vs… light blue. Marmoush vs Mateta. Wharton vs De Bruyne. It’s the FA Cup final, a London vs Manchester affair, and, save for being at Wembley Stadium in the crowd, these London venues are some of the best spots to catch every bit of the action on May 17.
1. BOXPARK, various locations
London’s army of street-food hubs are (in)famous for turning into a cauldron of football-watching frenzy during the biggest games. The Shoreditch and Croydon spots will be screening the entire game, with their usual array of terrific food stands slinging out the grub and pints being poured at lightning speed.
📍 Boxpark Shoreditch: 2-10 Bethnal Green Road, E1 6GY
đź“Ť Boxpark Croydon: 99 George Street, Croydon CR0 1LD
2. Big Penny Social, Walthamstow
Big Penny, the giant beer hall in East London, is always a top option for catching a clash like this, and they usually put on a show. Expect a raucous atmosphere at Big Penny all the way up until the very last kick – be it a pass or a penalty, and the trophy lift. Find out more about Big Penny here.Â
đź“Ť1 Priestley Way, E17 6AL
3. Bar Kick, Shoreditch
Credit: @barkickshoreditch, via IG
The self-proclaimed ‘home of live sport in Shoreditch’ is an ever-lively space to watch the action unfold, with more than a dozen large HD screens and a swanky sound system to watch the clash between Oliver Glasner and Pep Guardiola’s group of fighters. Before and after the game itself, fans can play table football while tucking into their selection of burgers and craft beers. Read more and book your spot at Bar Kick here.
đź“Ť127 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6JE
4. TOCA Social, Greenwich
If you want to really get into the game, you can… just book a spot over at TOCA Social. They will be screening the game, but that’s only part of the fun. Before and after the match, you can take part in all their usual interactive football games to celebrate the win or take out your sorrows and get top of the leaderboard against your mates.
đź“ŤIn the O2, Peninsula Square, SE10 0DX
5. Hope and Anchor, Brixton
Credit: @hopeandanchorsw, via IG
The Hope and Anchor is a no-brainer for any sports event by virtue of the sheer number of screens they’ve got scattered around the place. Whether you’re ordering your third lager of the day or relaxing in one of the outdoor huts, you’ll invariably have a good view of the game and be well-placed to take in all of the drama, from flashy bicycle kicks to the humble corner kick. Gvardiol bullet header or Eze rocket, you’ll see it all here on FA Cup final day.
đź“Ť123 Acre Lane, SW2 5UA
6. Vinegar Yard, London Bridge
An ultimate haven for watching live sports with screens filling the arena of outdoor seats and giving you the perfect palace to check out the game in the springtime sun. Grab yourself a burger from Nanny Bill’s and a pint before getting settled in front of the big screen and getting ready for the flying pints to fill the air. Find out more here.
7. Clissold Park Tavern, Stoke Newington
Another lovely beer garden can be found here, at a pub that is a stone’s throw away from (you guessed it) the leafy Clissold Park. What more could we want than glorious sunshine and a sit down in the green space before heading over to watch the FA Cup Final in a beer garden with pints and pizza? Couldn’t draw up a better afternoon (as long as the team you’re rooting for wins, that is).
đź“Ť 177 Green Lanes, Stoke Newington, N16 9DB
8. Peckham Arches
The neighbourhood cocktail and al fresco dining area is the perfect arena to watch Crystal Palace vs Manchester City in the FA Cup final on a sunny May afternoon. With seven screens peppered around the outdoor terrace, you can be sure to enjoy an excellent view of the action as you tuck into grub from Ruben’s BBQ and sourdough pizza menu and sip on a draft beer. Read more about Peckham Arches and book your place here.
đź“Ť Blenheim Grove, 4-5 Dovedale Trading Estate, SE15 4QN
9. The George, Fitzrovia
A historic pub is surely a fitting venue for a historic cup final. Watch Dias try to nick the ball off Mateta as you sip on a Jameson before enjoying a hearty portion of The George Burger. The FA Cup is one of the many live sports games being shown in the month of May, and you can sift your way through their menu at each one. Find out more about The George and book here.
đź“Ť55 Great Portland Street, W1W 7LQ
10. Duke Of Edinburgh, Brixton
Credit: @dukebrixton, via IG
One of the top beer gardens in London for those wishing to catch all the drama of the FA Cup final while the sun is shining away and you’ve carried out a cold lager ready to devour ahead of the game. There are tables scattered across the giant garden and you can also expect tasty grub from The Jerk Valley Of London to enjoy alongside the action, which will keep you fuelled all the way through to extra time and beyond, should the cards fall that way. Book your spot at Duke Of Edinburgh here.
đź“Ť 204 Ferndale Road, SW9 8AG
11. Bermondsey Bar & Kitchen
Credit: @bermondseybarkitchen, via IG
The beauty of Bermondsey Bar & Kitchen is in its outdoor space. Tucked away within this space is a giant screen for all the biggest sporting events. It’s the perfect spot for a dose of sunshine and a tray of pints as you catch all the FA Cup Final action. Book your spot at Bermondsey Bar & Kitchen now!
đź“Ť40 Bermondsey Street, London SE1 3UD
12. BLOODsports, Covent Garden
Credit: @bloodsports.bar, via IG
The new sporting venture from the folks at MEATliquor will let you have that burger while being surrounded by screens at their brand new Covent Garden space. Need we say more?
đź“Ť27-29 Endell Street, WC2H 9BA
13. Rooftop Film Club, Peckham
Sometimes, when you’re watching a big football match, you need to look away from the screen for a moment to get your bearings and try to keep a cool head as the tensions rise. At Rooftop Film Club, a glance away from the screen will give you 360-degree views around the city, and you’ll be up high in the sun with a cold drink and a pizza. Elevated cup finals will have your head in the clouds in both senses if your team ends up winning.
đź“ŤRoof A, Bussey Building, 133 Rye Lane, SE15 4ST
14. Flat Iron Square
Flat Iron Square is morphing into a fan zone for Crystal Palace fans this weekend, and you can head over for free entry from 3pm for beers in the sunshine. There are 16 screens in total (including the giant 16-foot indoor number), and you can warm up with slices of pizza from Michelin Star chef Tom Kemble at Dough. It has the occasion, the grub, the atmosphere – will the match live up to it all? We’ll find out on Saturday.
đź“Ť 45 Southwark Street, SE1 9HP
15. Between The Bridges, South Bank
If the sun be shining, then it’s the bridges ye shall be heading for. Shuffle in to their giant space to gather around the screen that perches by the river in between Waterloo Bridge and Westminster Bridge, order yourself a pint and browse the food options on display before settling in for the final.
📍Find Between The Bridges on South Bank’s Queen’s Walk, between Westminster & Waterloo Bridges.