Sports Bars in London: Top 10 Places to Watch Live Sports

Last Updated On 07.10.2026

Finding the right sports bar in London is about more than locating the biggest television. A good venue needs clear screen visibility, the right broadcast package, suitable sound, straightforward booking and enough food and drink options to keep groups comfortable through an entire match.

London now has everything from traditional sports pubs and Irish bars to large multi-screen venues and interactive activity spaces.

Football remains the biggest draw, but rugby, cricket, Formula 1, NFL, boxing, UFC, tennis and women’s sport are increasingly easy to find.

This guide covers 10 sports bars in London that suit different types of fans, locations and group sizes, with practical information to help you choose the right place.

What Should You Know Before Choosing A Sports Bar In London?

Not every venue shows every fixture. Even bars with several screens may prioritise a major Premier League match over another sport, while commentary can be assigned to only one or two events when different fixtures overlap.

There is also an important restriction for football supporters. Premier League matches scheduled for the traditional Saturday 3pm slot cannot normally be broadcast live in UK commercial premises because of the Saturday afternoon broadcasting blackout.

Matches outside that restricted period, including Saturday lunchtime and evening fixtures, Sunday games and many midweek matches, can be shown when the venue has the appropriate commercial broadcast subscription.

For major events, it is sensible to check:

• Whether the exact fixture is being shown
• Whether commentary will be available
• Whether advance booking is required
• Whether a deposit or minimum spend applies
• Whether tables have a clear view of a screen
• Whether age restrictions apply later in the evening

This becomes especially important for Premier League derbies, Champions League knockout matches, Six Nations weekends, boxing cards, Formula 1 races, NFL games and major tournament finals.

Top 10 Sports Bars In London

1. Kings Sports Bar

Kings Sports Bar is located inside the Empire Casino in Leicester Square, placing it in one of the easiest parts of central London to reach before or after an evening in the West End.

Its sports setup includes two giant screens supported by another 14 screens positioned around the bar, helping customers follow the action without relying on one central viewing point.

The venue has developed a particularly strong association with NFL viewing, but its schedule is broader than American football.

Premier League football, cricket, tennis, UFC and other major televised events regularly form part of the programme. Table service is another advantage on busy matchdays because guests do not necessarily have to leave their seats every time they want food or another drink.

Why It Stands Out: Kings works especially well when screen visibility is the priority. Its Leicester Square position also suits groups coming from different parts of London because several Tube stations and West End areas are nearby.

Best Suited To: Adult groups wanting a central sports bar with a strong NFL identity and extensive screen coverage. Because it operates inside a casino, customers should check current age and identification requirements before visiting.

2. BOX Piccadilly

BOX Piccadilly takes a more entertainment-led approach to live sport. The venue uses around 30 HD screens for sporting events shown through major UK broadcast services and selected Box Office programming, which gives it enough flexibility to cover football, Formula 1, cricket, boxing and American sport.

It is not designed solely around sitting quietly and watching a match. Electric darts, shuffleboard, karaoke, live entertainment and late-night activity give the venue a stronger social feel.

That makes BOX useful when part of a group is heavily invested in the fixture while other guests want additional entertainment.

This crossover is similar to the wider rise of activity bars in London, where games and social entertainment are combined with a conventional bar experience.

Why It Stands Out: BOX offers considerably more than live screens. A group can arrive for an afternoon match and continue into darts, drinks or evening entertainment without changing venue.

Best Suited To: Birthdays, work groups and mixed-interest parties looking for both sport and nightlife in the West End.

3. The Moretown Belle

The Moretown Belle is built around serious multi-screen sports viewing. Located around Thomas More Square close to Tower Hill and St Katharine Docks, it has 31 UHD screens, multi-screen walls and several sound zones.

This setup becomes particularly useful when football, rugby, Formula 1 or another major event takes place at the same time.

Unlike some city-centre sports bars that prioritise nightlife after the final whistle, The Moretown Belle keeps more of a large modern pub atmosphere.

Breakfast, all-day food and a traditional Sunday roast make it practical for daytime fixtures, while a broad bar selection supports longer afternoon and evening visits.

Darts boards and pool tables provide extra entertainment between fixtures, and the venue can also accommodate private events and business gatherings.

Why It Stands Out: The number of screens and separate sound areas gives the venue an advantage when several important events overlap.

Best Suited To: Groups who want a spacious pub-style environment and sports fans concerned about missing a secondary fixture while another major event is being shown.

4. Goldwood Sports Pub & Kitchen

Goldwood sits in the City near Bank, making it particularly convenient for after-work sport and corporate entertaining. The venue was developed specifically around sports viewing rather than simply adding televisions to a conventional pub.

Around 20 HD screens are distributed across the venue, including particularly large displays.

A dedicated sound system helps create the atmosphere expected for major football, rugby, boxing and NFL events. The sporting programme extends further into cricket, Formula 1, golf, tennis and other international competitions.

Its City location also changes the type of crowd. Weekday matches can attract office groups and client gatherings, while major weekend fixtures create a more traditional sports-pub atmosphere.

Why It Stands Out: Goldwood combines a purpose-built sports setup with an environment appropriate for both informal supporters and organised business groups.

Best Suited To: Colleagues meeting after work, corporate hospitality groups and supporters who want reliable multi-screen coverage close to Bank.

5. Bar Kick At The Shoreditch Arms

Bar Kick continues as the sports-focused basement area of The Shoreditch Arms on Shoreditch High Street.

The current setup includes six large screens and the ability to show several sporting events at the same time, which keeps its original football-led identity while the wider venue offers a more traditional pub environment.

Football is the major attraction, particularly Premier League and European fixtures, although Formula 1, rugby and other prominent events are also covered.

Table football remains an important part of the experience and helps distinguish the venue from a straightforward television-and-pints sports pub.

Shoreditch’s wider nightlife also makes Bar Kick appealing to groups that plan to continue their evening after the match rather than head home immediately.

Why It Stands Out: Bar Kick keeps live sport at the centre while giving customers something active to do before kick-off, at half-time or after the final whistle.

Best Suited To: Football groups, younger social crowds and visitors who want to combine match viewing with Shoreditch nightlife.

6. Philomena’s Irish Sports Bar & Kitchen

Philomena’s brings a more traditional pub character to the list. Located on Great Queen Street close to Covent Garden, it is particularly associated with rugby and Irish sport, while football and other major televised events are also part of its sports offering.

The atmosphere is different from large purpose-built sports venues. Instead of a highly polished entertainment complex, customers get the feel of an established Irish pub where food, drinks, conversation and the match share equal importance.

Its location also makes it convenient for visitors already spending time around Covent Garden in London, especially when a fixture forms only one part of a wider day in the West End.

Why It Stands Out: Philomena’s offers the sort of crowd atmosphere that can matter as much as screen size during a major rugby international.

Best Suited To: Rugby supporters, Irish sports fans and visitors who prefer a traditional pub environment over a large modern sports venue.

7. Redwood Sports Pub & Kitchen

Redwood is positioned directly beside London Bridge Station, making transport one of its strongest practical advantages.

It is a modern sports pub designed around large-screen viewing and major tournament days, covering football, rugby, NFL, basketball, boxing, tennis, golf and Formula 1.

Its location is particularly useful when people are travelling into central London from different areas. Groups can meet at London Bridge, watch a complete fixture and then continue into Borough, Bankside or the surrounding area afterwards.

There are also numerous pubs near London Bridge, making the area suitable for groups planning drinks before or after the main sporting event.

Why It Stands Out: The combination of sports-focused infrastructure and immediate access to a major railway and Underground station makes Redwood particularly practical for organised meetups.

Best Suited To: Commuters, work groups, football supporters and larger parties meeting from different areas of London.

8. The Dugout At Belushi’s London Bridge

The Dugout is the dedicated sports area within Belushi’s London Bridge. It offers multi-screen viewing alongside two large projectors, a private bar and sound system, giving it more of an event-space character than a conventional pub.

Its sporting schedule is also notably international.

Premier League football sits alongside Formula 1, NFL, AFL, rugby and other competitions, helping the venue attract overseas supporters and London residents following sports that may receive less attention at traditional football pubs.

Bookable booths and separate spaces make it useful for groups wanting more control over their matchday experience.

Why It Stands Out: The Dugout can handle a larger crowd while still creating defined viewing areas, which is helpful for private parties and supporter groups.

Best Suited To: International sports fans, university groups, travelling supporters and people looking for a livelier late-night environment.

9. Passyunk Avenue Waterloo

Passyunk Avenue Waterloo provides something noticeably different from London’s football-first sports pubs. Its identity is rooted in Philadelphia and American sports culture, making NFL, NCAA college football and other US competitions central to its calendar.

American food and beer reinforce the theme, while watch parties can produce the type of supporter atmosphere that is difficult to recreate in a generic pub.

The venue has also become useful for major international football tournaments, particularly when late kick-offs require more specialised event planning.

Its Waterloo location works well for visitors travelling through one of London’s largest transport hubs. Those unfamiliar with the area can also explore what is around Waterloo Station in London when planning the rest of their visit.

Why It Stands Out: Passyunk Avenue creates a dedicated American game-day experience instead of merely adding NFL to an otherwise football-dominated schedule.

Best Suited To: American sports supporters, US visitors, NFL fan groups and anyone looking for a different matchday atmosphere.

10. Sixes Social Cricket London Bridge

Sixes Social Cricket on Bermondsey Street combines live sport with an interactive cricket experience. The London Bridge venue includes five cricket nets alongside a full food and drink operation, large screens and sports broadcasting.

That format makes it particularly useful for groups where simply sitting through a match is not enough. Guests can arrange batting sessions around food, drinks and televised sport, turning a sporting event into a longer social occasion.

Cricket is naturally at the centre of the concept, but the screens are also used for major football and other sporting events. The venue can accommodate larger parties and corporate groups, which gives it a strong business-events angle.

Why It Stands Out: Sixes lets visitors participate in sport as well as watch it, creating a different experience from a standard matchday pub.

Best Suited To: Cricket fans, work socials, birthdays, corporate events and mixed groups that want an activity alongside live sport.

Which Sports Bar Is Best For Different Sports?

Choosing by sport can be more useful than choosing purely by location because some venues specialise in particular audiences.

Where Should Football Supporters Watch Based On Their Club?

For ordinary televised matches, supporters do not necessarily need to stay close to their club’s stadium. Central venues may actually be easier when members of a group are travelling from several different parts of London.

On home matchdays, however, supporters often prefer areas connected with their clubs.

Arsenal fans generally gravitate towards Islington and Finsbury Park, Tottenham supporters towards Tottenham, Chelsea fans towards Fulham and West London, West Ham supporters towards Stratford, and Crystal Palace supporters towards South London.

Away supporters should check individual venue policies before arriving in club colours, particularly for local derbies or matches where crowd management may be stricter.

Do London Sports Bars Show Women’s Sport?

Women’s sport has become a more regular part of schedules at large multi-screen venues. Women’s Super League football, international football, women’s rugby and major cricket tournaments can all appear alongside men’s fixtures.

However, screen allocation depends on demand and competing events. For a specific women’s fixture, contacting the venue in advance remains the safest option, particularly when a major Premier League or international men’s match is scheduled at the same time.

Multi-screen venues such as BOX, Goldwood and The Moretown Belle are generally better positioned to accommodate simultaneous events.

When Should You Book A Sports Bar In London?

For an ordinary televised league game, booking several days in advance may be sufficient. Demand rises sharply when the fixture has wider importance.

Premier League derbies, Champions League knockout games, Six Nations fixtures, boxing cards, major Formula 1 races, NFL London games, the Super Bowl and international tournament finals can fill venues much earlier.

Booking terms also vary. Some bars take normal table reservations, while major-event packages may involve deposits, tickets, minimum spends or prepaid food and drink.

For groups, it is worth confirming exactly what the reservation includes. A booked table does not always guarantee that the group’s preferred fixture will have commentary.

Are London Sports Bars Suitable For Work And Corporate Groups?

Yes. Modern sports bars increasingly operate as event venues as well as places for casual drinking.

Goldwood is particularly convenient for City businesses, while Redwood works well for groups meeting around London Bridge. The Moretown Belle provides additional entertainment through darts and pool, and Sixes can build the sporting activity itself into a team event.

For corporate bookings, the most useful features are private or semi-private areas, clear screen visibility, food packages, transport access and the ability to reserve space for the entire duration of an event.

How Were These 10 Sports Bars Selected?

The list focuses on venues where live sport forms a meaningful part of the customer experience rather than businesses that happen to have one television behind the bar.

Screen coverage, variety of sport, location, transport access, group suitability, food and drink, booking options and the overall matchday environment were considered.

The selection also deliberately includes different formats. Traditional pubs, large sports venues, American-style bars and interactive sporting concepts all serve different audiences, so the best venue ultimately depends on the type of occasion being planned.

Conclusion

The best sports bars in London depend on what you want from the occasion. Kings offers extensive central-London screen coverage, BOX combines sport with entertainment, The Moretown Belle excels at handling multiple fixtures, and Goldwood is particularly strong for City and corporate groups.

Philomena’s provides a more traditional rugby-friendly pub atmosphere, while Passyunk Avenue is one of the clearest choices for American sport.

Redwood and Belushi’s benefit from convenient London Bridge transport, Bar Kick combines football with social gaming, and Sixes turns sports viewing into a more interactive group experience.

Whichever venue you choose, check the fixture schedule, commentary arrangements and booking conditions before travelling.

For major matches and tournament finals, reserving early is usually the simplest way to secure a good view and avoid matchday disappointment.

FAQs About Sports Bars In London

Can London Sports Bars Show Saturday 3pm Premier League Matches?

No. The UK Saturday broadcasting blackout prevents Premier League games in the restricted Saturday afternoon period from being legally shown live in commercial premises. Televised fixtures outside that period can still be shown through authorised commercial broadcasters.

Do I Need To Book A Sports Bar In Advance?

Not for every fixture, but booking is strongly recommended for derbies, finals, international tournaments, major rugby matches, NFL events and headline boxing cards.

Which London Sports Bar Is Best For NFL?

Passyunk Avenue is particularly focused on American sport, while Kings Sports Bar, BOX Piccadilly and Belushi’s London Bridge also provide strong NFL viewing.

Where Can I Watch Rugby In London?

Philomena’s is well suited to a traditional rugby-pub atmosphere, while The Moretown Belle, Redwood and Goldwood provide larger multi-screen viewing environments.

Which Sports Bars Are Good For Large Groups?

The Moretown Belle, Goldwood, Redwood, Belushi’s, BOX and Sixes are all suitable options where advance group arrangements can be made.

Do London Sports Bars Show Boxing And UFC?

Many do, but high-profile fights may operate differently from ordinary sports screenings. Check whether tickets, deposits, minimum spends or late opening arrangements apply.

Can I Watch Several Different Sports At The Same Venue?

Yes. Larger venues with multiple screens and separate sound areas are best for this. The Moretown Belle, Goldwood, BOX and Bar Kick are particularly useful when fixtures overlap.