Head to these brilliant World Cup screenings in London and enjoy the atmosphere – as football finally comes home.
From public outdoor screenings of World Cup matches to pubs and bars where you can watch the next England game, these London venues all offer an electric atmosphere to watch the football action this summer. They’re the perfect places to watch the World Cup semi-final between England and Croatia this Wednesday (July 11) at 7pm – and maybe, just maybe, an England final on Sunday 15th? Fingers crossed, people! [Photo: Charli Sweeney]
1. The Clapham Grand
This Victorian music hall in Clapham boasts a 24-foot screen, so you’re guaranteed a great view of all the goals. They’re showing all the England games, plus special showdowns such as Brazil vs Switzerland, in a venue which will be rocking by the night’s end. Tickets are £5 and come with a free beer – get yours here.
2. Vauxhall Street Food Garden
A great spot to celebrate no matter who you’re supporting: they have a global street food market served cuisines from around the world! Showing every single World Cup match, you can also expect inflatables, flags, and hot tunes from live DJs, as well as an attached nightclub which lets you party into the night. Grab yourself a ticket here.
3. Flat Iron Square, London Bridge
This foodie hub near London Bridge is screening every World Cup match on a massive outdoor screen. Due to its massive popularity and influx of, let’s be honest, Football Lads, all future England games are ticketed with a £10 entry charge – the others should still be free, though! There’s more information here.
4. Merchant Square, Paddington
This lawn-like space between Edgware Road tube station and Paddington Basin will be displaying World Cup matches (and Wimbledon tennis) on their outdoor screen. And there are deckchairs, too! More info here.
5. The Market, Camden
This cool little courtyard in the heart of Camden Market offers a decently-sized LED screen and over fifty deckchairs to settle into. It’s free, but a security checkpoint at busy times prevents overcrowding, so get there early to bagsy a seat!
6. FEST, Camden
Alternatively, head through the market to the Stables to find the brilliant, flower-filled terrace at FEST Camden, also hosting all the World Cup action this year.
7. Boxpark, Shoreditch
This cluster of containers by Shoreditch High Street station will be showing games throughout the World Cup. It is ticketed, mind you. If you’d rather go fully wild…
8. Boxpark, Croydon
Head way south to this large street food hall for an unforgettably messy England supporters’ experience. The atmosphere has been absolutely raucous, with plastic pints flying through the air, stage-diving off tables and what commentators would typically refer to as Absolute Scenes. More here.
9. Skylight, Wapping
High above the streets of Wapping sits Skylight, where your only distraction from the football is the City view. Oh, and the croquet! Crucially, if you think you can do better than Harry Kane, Skylight will be running a penalty shoot-out for you to sharpen your shooting.
10. Last Days of Shoreditch
They’ve got one of the biggest World Cup screens in London, and they ain’t afraid to use it. Last Days of Shoreditch’s Enchanted Garden is the scene for a potential fairytale run to the cup, and they’ve got food, drink, and karaoke to keep you content the whole way through.
11. Pitch, Stratford
Helpfully named, Pitch is a great spot to watch all the action on the pitch. They’ve got a pretty baller 196-inch screen all ready to go, the street food’s a-cooking, and entry to most of the games will be free. The most popular ones will probably cost you £5 entry, but you can book in advance to save your spot.
12. Neverland, Fulham
It’s beach football out in Fulham, where Neverland will screen a host of games. You’ll find the usual mix of food, drink, and tunes here, but the Thames-side views here are pretty unbeatable…
13. Giant Robot, Canary Wharf
Street Feast’s street food market in Canary Wharf is open seven days a week, and will be screening all the World Cup games, while also dishing up their usual tasty fare.
14. Bar Kick, Shoreditch
This friendly bar is full of football tables to play on, but it also screens football matches on 80-inch screens and attracts a diverse set of supporters from London’s international community, so there’ll be whoops (and tears) no matter what the result. More here.
15. London EDITION, Tottenham Court Road
Boutique Soho hotels aren’t usually the destination of choice for a World Cup party, but stranger things have happened. The London EDITION have invited recently-closed Hackney dive bar Bad Sports to take over their Basement bar for a raucous viewing party. Expect tacos, half-time quizzes, and cocktails including a mean banana daiquiri.
16. The Marksman, Hoxton
The Michelin Guide’s Pub of the Year is a gorgeously gastro spot to watch the World Cup. Putting a spin on the much-loved “football and curry” formula, they’re offering courses such as curried lamb bun & spiced yoghurt, and apple and cardamom sorbet. Not a vindaloo in sight, mind you.
17. Peckham Levels
The most fabulous car park in London has got a case of World Cup fever. Their totally tropical Near & Far bar will host screenings of every World Cup match, so Peckham locals may end up spending a lot more time here. If you can’t stomach another botched free kick, head upstairs to Frank’s Cafe for more cocktails, and peachy views of the capital.
18. Greenwood, Victoria
This bar has a ridiculous SIXTEEN high-def screens broadcasting World Cup matches, and its proximity near the station makes it a good bet if you aren’t gonna make it home for kick off. More here.