The best places to watch Euro 2016 in London
If you're going to drown your sorrows, do it somewhere nice
Still mulling over where to watch Euro 2016 in the capital? Well mull no longer.
From outdoor venues to gastro gems, this fine city has a slew of fine establishments in which to watch all the best games.
Without further ado, here are the best.
The Water Poet, 9-11 Folgate St, Spitalfields, E1 6B
In a recent study (commissioned by Farah Menswear #MatchReady campaign), independent beer reviewers Thinking Drinkers crowned this boutique bolthole as not only the best London pub inside which to watch Euro 2016, but the whole of the UK. Winning out thanks to a wide range of ‘well-kept beers, friendly and informed staff, great service, tasty food and a strong selection of snacks’, we suggest getting there early for a table.
Hyundai FanDome, Lewis Cubitt Square St, N1C 4UZ
South Korea might not be allowed to participate at Euro 2016 (well, we did let Australia into Eurovision) but that hasn’t stopped Hyundai from getting in on the action. Conveniently located a 10 minute walk from King's Cross Station, this fan zone comes complete with big screens, beer and sunshine (hopefully).
Islington Assembly, Upper St, N1 2UD
Home to the biggest screen in North London – admit it, we had you at ‘big screen’ didn’t we? – Islington’s Assembly Hall also boasts a terrific sound system so you can listen to Mark Lawrenson whining in all its hideous glory.
Islington.gov.uk
Koko, 1A Camden High St, NW1 7JE
The famous Camden gig venue will be beaming each of England’s group stage games on a custom-made a 20ft cinema screen. Not only that, it’ll also be hosted by former England player Gary Mabbutt, who’s so old-school he once scored a goal against a European side which doesn’t exist anymore (Yugoslavia).
Kokolondon
The Macbeth of Hoxton, 70 Hoxton St, Shoreditch N1 6LP
This Hoxton venue has played host to the likes of The XX, Pete Doherty and The Horrors over the years; but this summer it will be having a party thanks to Jamie Vardy et al, as it shows off its brand new TV setup, including a hefty 150 inch screen.
Gazza’s House, 256-260 Old St, EC1V 9DD
Want to watch the big game but also quite up for a game of water polo? Well then, Gazza’s House hosted by Club Aquarium is just the ticket, what with its swimming pool, Jacuzzi and countless big screens. No word on whether you’ll need a fishing rod and roasted chicken to get in.
Clubaquarium.co.uk
Café Kick, 43 Exmouth Market, EC1R 4QL
A football fan’s paradise, this lively Shoreditch haunt has memorabilia aplenty, table football tables and several screens on offer. It’s the sort of place you can have a laugh before and after the football; unless you get dumped out on penalties.
Famous Three Kings, 171 North End Rd, W14 9NL
Is three really the magic number? We think not. Capable of showing multiple games at once, this sprawling West London sports bar boasts a whopping 71,000 satellite channels - so one’s bound to work right? Oh, and following a recent marketing makeover by a certain Danish lager merchant, you may even see Terry Venables pulling pints behind the bar. He’s had tougher management jobs.
Brixton Pop (Pop Fields), 49 Brixton Station Road, SW9 8PQ
Right, so Brixton Pop is gambling big on London having a hot, dry summer. Which is bold. Very bold. The south London venue has extended beyond its shipping containers to encompass a secondary expanse of concrete - Pop Fields - covering it in a sporting venue that'll host games of 4-a-side football, mini-tennis, basketball, and touch rugby - and, more importantly for the purposes of this list, screen the bulk of the Euro games. No tickets required, it's first come first seated.
Elk Bar, 587-591 Fulham Rd, SW6 5UA
Based in Fulham, the Elk bar offers you a varied and mouth-watering menu as well as coverage of every single game of the tournament. Tacos and Albania v Romania sounds good to us.
Elkbar.com
Zlatan’s Euro 2016 pop-up, Infernos, 46 Clapham High Street, SW4 7UH
Dare to Zlatan? Well then, head, of all places, to Infernos, to bask in the greatness of this Swedish demi-god themed pop-up with terrace seating. This should be particularly lively for the Republic of Ireland, when the Irish try their luck against the biggest ego in football.
The Grand, 21-25 St. John's Hill, SW11 1TT
Largest HD screen in London at a whopping 24ft wide. Check. Hot dog and popcorn machines? Check. Apparently the largest pie warmer in Europe? Yes, that too. What’s more, the theatrical set up inside The Grand should also provide an apt arena to watch all the drama in France unfold.
Thelondongrand.com
The Vaults, Leake St, SE1 7NN
Foreshadowing a miserable exit from the tournament for the home nations, The Vaults have marketed their select screenings of Euro 2016 games as The Other Brexit. We’re just praying Boris Johnson didn’t get the memo.
Thevaults.london
Bavarian Beerhouse, 190 City Rd, EC1V 2QH
Sport, steins of German beer and Bavarian nibbles aplenty means the Bavarian Beerhouse looks like a winner in our eyes. While the Oktoberfest-themed establishment is already fully booked for England’s first two games against Russia and Wales, tickets at £5 a pop are still available to take in the Three Lions’ final group game v Slovakia. And wouldn’t England v Germany be fun (until the Germans win on penalties).
Amber Bar, City Point, 1 Ropemaker Street, EC2Y 9AW
Heineken has teamed up with Amber Bar to offer punters a unique viewing experience at their site in Moorgate. For £25 a head you can frolic about playing ping-pong and table football while you wait for the big game to kick off, all with access to your own personal Heineken-stuffed fridge.
Temple Brewhouse, 46 Essex St, WC2R 3JF
Sample the finest craft beer that the Essex Street brewery has to offer at their pub-cum-microbrewery while you take in a game They don’t fully book out the bar pre-match, meaning that you can head along at last minute if you find yourself scrambling to find somewhere showing the game.
If you’re a Wales fan
The London Welsh centre on Gray’s Inn Road will provide a welcome refuge for any welsh exiles in the city, looking to escape from infinite chants of ‘Engurland’ particularly when the pair come up against each other on June 16th.
Londonwelsh.org
If you’re a Northern Ireland fan
Philomena’s on Great Queen Street in Covent Garden will be the first choice for most Northern Irish fans when they come up against whatever Europe throws at them. Worth popping along if you’re a fan of nineties Italian sensation Gala due to a certain chant about Will Grigg.
Philomenas.co.uk
If you’re a ROI fan
The Auld Shillelagh, on Stoke Newington Church Street, was voted by the Irish Times as the best Irish pub outside of Ireland and is the obvious choice for most fans of Martin O’Neil’s boys.
Theauldshillelagh.co.uk
If you’re a Scotland fan
We hear Antigua’s nice at this time of year.
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