London may have missed out on hosting the finals (not bitter, promise!), but it’s crept up on us already so we’d better put our disappointment to one side and find the right spot to watch Eurovision in the city.
This year, it’s being hosted in the UK on behalf of Ukraine, who won with their act Kalush Orchestra but are unable to host this year’s contest due to the ongoing conflict. It marks the first time the contest has been hosted in Britain since 1998, when it took place in Birmingham thanks to a Katrina And The Waves victory in 1997.
Short of actually having a ticket and hotel booked to watch it in Liverpool, you couldn’t be better placed to find a Eurovision watch party than right here in London. With the finals taking place on Saturday, May 13, there’s still plenty of time to secure your spot to catch Mae Muller aiming to go one better than Sam Ryder’s second-placed finish last year.
1. Big Penny Social, Walthamstow
For many, an event as grandiose and gargantuan as the Eurovision song contest requires a venue befitting of those qualities. Pitching up for the night in Big Penny Social means going large, as the 1,400-capacity space in Walthamstow teams up with Massaoke for a Eurovision watch party on Saturday. Hosting the event, you can expect the live-band singalong hosts to have you belting out all the classic hits in between the action. They might even be able to hear you in Liverpool. Book your spot here.
🎤 1 Priestley Way, E17 6AL
2. Everyman Cinema, various locations
Where better to watch the nations battle it out than on the big-big screen? By which, of course, we mean the actual cinema. Everyman Cinema are hosting fancy-dress Eurovision watch parties across the country, allowing you to shuffle in, grab a cocktail to loosen your vocal cords (that’s science), and take your seat. That’s not all, either.
Each guest will be given their own scorecard to join in on the critical side of Eurovision (you know, the part that won’t start a heated debate or anything like that), so you’ll be able to nail your colours to the mast. Tickets come with drinks and a snack box, and can be purchased here.
3. Eurovision: Your Decision, Leicester Square
If there’s anything to combine a comedy musical night with, it’s the Eurovision Song Contest. This one is here to get you geared up to Eurovision mode before the action begins on Saturday. Wonderville is here to deliver both the music and the side-splitting laughs as you embark on their extravagant comedy performance through the classic Eurovision hits from the likes of Gina G, Buck’s Fizz and Euphoria. Sing along with your hosts Kate and Demetrius and decide which bangers reign supreme at the end of the night. Book your spot here.
🎤 57-60 Haymarket, St. James’s, SW1Y 4QX
4. Bounce, Farringdon
While you’ll usually be hitting Bounce for a round of ping pong, they’re ramping up their space for a big Eurovision watch party this weekend.
It’d be an eternal struggle to think of a better way to warm up for the finals than two hours of bottomless pizza and prosecco, along with performances from their resident drag queen Miss Tyramissoux, so they’ve given the people just what they want. Will we get a performance as big as Sam Ryder’s Space Man during the show itself? That remains to be seen, but if you’re holding the flag of the winning country, you’ll be entitled to two cocktails, completely gratis, to keep you going at the event which runs until 1am. Book your spot here.
🎤 121 Holborn, EC1N 2TD
5. BOXPARK, Croydon
Not content with welcoming sports fans through their doors for the big screen events, BOXPARK are now on hand to help you with your dilemma of where to watch Eurovision in London. And if those World Cup games are anything to go by, you’ll know that these guys don’t do things by halves, so you can expect a raucous finale to the Eurovision Song Contest at their Croydon abode. Expect dance-offs, singalongs, giveaways, and games aplenty at the giant venue that’s hosting a party into the early hours. We’ll sing to that. Book your spot now.
🎤 99 George Street, CR0 1LD
6. Skylight, Tobacco Dock
While the contestants hit the high notes, you can place yourselves up in the clouds at Skylight Tobacco Dock, which has a rooftop Eurovision watch party readied up for the weekend. To match the high-level grandiosity, a band of drag queens will host the event, and prizes are up for grabs throughout the whole evening. Guests are encouraged to dress up for the event and take part in the array of games on offer including croquet, bingo and much more. Each ticket comes with a drink, and can be purchased here!
🎤 Pennington Street, E1W 2SF
7. Arcade
Arcade launched their new terrace at the end of April, and it’s slotted nicely into London’s bar scene just in time for a lively Eurovision event. They’re taking us through each round of the completion up to the final this Saturday with the help of the wonderful hosting of drag performer Karla Bear. Each guest can grab a scorecard to rank each country’s performance, with a £100 Arcade gift card ready for whoever gets the closest score. Book your spot here.
🎤 103-105 New Oxford Street, WC1A 1DB
8. Clapham Grand
Clapham Grand are here to facilitate some singing this Saturday, with their in demand Eurovision watch party extravaganza. They’re basically showing off at this point, with their TWENTY-FIVE FOOT cinema screen to play out the action, themed DJ sets, and much more. Better still, there’s an after-party to enjoy once the winner has been crowned. In the words of ABBA, how could I ever refuse? Book your spot here.
9. Top Hat Bar And Restaurant
The restaurant within London’s life-sized Monopoly experience has a brand new game for us, and since you’ve clicked on this roundup for Eurovision content, you can rest assured that this is another sound option for your night out on May 13. Get into your fancy dress and head into central London for a night of exuberance with a hosted night of games and prizes to be won, alongside their fabulous array of food platters. £2 from each ticket also goes towards the Ukraine War Relief fund, and you can book your spot here.
🎤 The Top Hat Restaurant & Bar (Monopoly Lifesized, 213-215 Tottenham Court Road, W1T 7PN)
10. The Barbican
Yes, the Barbican. The brutalist hub is opening the doors to its cinema to screen Eurovision for the very first time in its entire history. There are specially curated cocktails for the occasion and an array of beers from many a nation taking part in the Eurovision fun for guests to enjoy. Find out more and book your spot here.
🎤 Silk Street, Barbican, EC2Y 8DS