Top Sports Bars in London to Watch the Game

London sports bars range from casino-based venues with overnight coverage to City pubs built around multiple fixtures, late-night bars that become clubs, traditional pubs with Sky and TNT Sports, and interactive football venues combining screenings with games.

The right venue depends on the fixture, kick-off time, likely crowd, sound policy, screen allocation, age restrictions, booking terms and whether food will still be served.

The six venues below cover genuinely different matchday formats without turning the guide into an oversized list of pubs that simply happen to have televisions.

What distinguishes a suitable sports bar?

A suitable venue should confirm that the fixture is being shown, whether sound will be on, where the table sits and what booking conditions apply.

Check:

• Exact fixture
• Channel or broadcaster
• Whether commentary will be audible
• Screen size and viewing angle
• Multi-zone capability
• Table allocation
• Deposit or minimum spend
• Ticketed entry
• Walk-in policy
• Table duration
• Age restrictions
• Photo identification
• Food service times
• Accessibility
• Late-night licence
• Club transition
• Dress guidance
• Group-booking terms
• Cancellation policy
• Whether the venue can change the advertised fixture

A venue may show several events at once while playing sound for only one.

At a glance

Fixture schedules and entry terms can change quickly. Check the official listing on the day.

How much does watching sport in a London bar cost?

Many pubs have free entry for ordinary fixtures, but major tournaments and high-demand matches may require a deposit, ticket or minimum spend.

Typical costs include:

• Pint: £6–£9
• Cocktail: £12–£18
• Burger or main dish: £14–£25
• Sharing platter: £20–£45
• Booking deposit: commonly £5–£20 per person
• Ticketed major fixture: variable
• Pool table: around £15 per hour at N1 Bar
• Interactive football game: from around £12.50 per person at TOCA Social
• Service charge: may apply to table service
• Late-night club entry: sometimes £5–£10 or more depending on the event

Ask whether a deposit is redeemable against food and drink.

Kings Sports Bar at The Empire Casino

Media credits: kingssportsbarlsq

Address: Empire Casino, 5–6 Leicester Square, London WC2H 7NA
Phone: 020 3627 0425
Venue access: Empire Casino operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week
Kings food-service signal: Current official listings show service extending from midday into the early morning, with breakfast available separately
Format: Casino sports bar, restaurant seating and late-night viewing
Website

Kings Sports Bar sits inside the Empire Casino in Leicester Square.

The venue is designed around live sport, with two large projection screens and multiple HD displays positioned across the room. Its central location and extended casino hours make it useful for fixtures that finish later than ordinary pub licensing hours.

Coverage includes football, NFL, boxing, UFC and other major events according to the published schedule. The bar has a particularly established NFL programme, with Sunday, Monday and Thursday games promoted during the season.

The food menu follows an American sports-bar format, including burgers, wings, pizzas and sharing dishes. Food availability should be checked separately from casino opening because the building’s 24-hour operation does not mean every kitchen menu runs continuously.

Because the bar is inside a casino, entry conditions differ from a conventional pub. Guests must be 18 or over and should bring accepted photographic identification. The casino may apply security and responsible-gambling procedures.

A general casino visit does not guarantee a seat in Kings for a major match. High-demand fixtures should be booked directly.

Pros

• Extended access for late international fixtures
• Large projection screens and multiple displays
• Strong NFL, combat-sport and football coverage
• Central Leicester Square location

Best for: Late-night NFL, UFC, boxing and football in central London.

What to confirm: Check the exact fixture, bar opening, food-service period, table position, age policy and accepted ID.

Goldwood Sports Pub and Kitchen

Media credits: goldwoodldn

Address: 30–32 Old Jewry, London EC2R 8DQ
Phone: 020 3918 6028
Opening: Monday and Tuesday, 11am–midnight; Wednesday, 11am–1am; Thursday and Friday, 11am–2am; Saturday and Sunday hours vary around major events
Format: Large sports pub and kitchen with private-hire areas
Website

Goldwood is a purpose-built sports pub near Bank.

The venue uses a large number of screens across its main floor, booths and mezzanine, allowing several fixtures to be shown at once. Earlier promotional material described 20 screens including several 100-inch displays; customers should still confirm the layout assigned for the chosen match.

Its size makes Goldwood particularly useful for corporate groups, tournament days and simultaneous fixtures. A multi-screen venue does not automatically mean every event has commentary, so sound allocation should be checked.

The kitchen serves burgers, pub dishes, bar snacks and sharing food. Matchday offers change according to the calendar, and old weekday promotions should not be treated as permanent.

Goldwood stays open later than many traditional City pubs, particularly from Wednesday to Friday. Special tournament hours may extend or alter the normal schedule.

Bookings can carry deposits, return times or specific zones during major matches. Groups should ask whether their table has a direct screen view rather than relying on the venue-wide screen count.

Pros

• Large multi-screen City venue
• Suitable for simultaneous fixtures
• Private and semi-private group areas
• Late opening on selected nights

Best for: Corporate groups, Champions League evenings and multi-sport tournament days near Bank.

What to confirm: Ask which screen and audio zone the table faces, whether a deposit applies and when food service ends.

N1 Bar London Bridge

Media credits: n1barlondonbridge

Address: 1 Duke Street Hill, London SE1 2SW
Phone: 07584 177715
Sports-bar opening: Daily from 2pm, generally until 3am
Nightclub: Late-night club sessions on selected days, with current listings extending until 6am
Games: American pool, English pool, darts and table tennis
Website

N1 Bar combines live sport, pool and late-night entertainment close to London Bridge station.

The venue uses projection and HD screens for football, boxing and other scheduled events. Recreational options include American and English pool, darts and table tennis.

N1 is not simply a sports pub. It transitions into a nightclub on selected evenings, with DJs and late entry conditions. Guests wanting only to watch a match should consider whether the fixture overlaps with club setup or entry controls.

Current club information states that valid ID is required, re-entry is restricted after a stated time and weekend admission may carry a £5–£10 charge, with higher prices possible for special events.

Pool is currently advertised at £15 per hour, with identification and a bank card required as security.

The late licence can be useful for overseas sport and post-match socialising. It also creates a louder and more adult environment than a traditional sports pub.

Pros

• Late sports-bar and nightclub hours
• Pool, darts and table tennis
• Central London Bridge location
• Suitable for groups extending the evening after a match

Best for: Adult groups wanting live sport, pool and late-night entertainment in one venue.

What to confirm: Check the fixture, club start time, entry fee, dress guidance, ID rules and whether the selected table remains available after the match.

The Pavilion End, St Paul’s

Media credits: pavilionendpub

Address: 23 Watling Street, London EC4M 9BR
Phone: 020 7236 6719
Opening: Monday, 10am–10pm; Tuesday to Friday, 10am–11pm; Saturday, 10.30am–10pm; Sunday closed
Sport: Sky Sports and TNT Sports
Format: Traditional multi-level City pub with courtyard and private spaces
Website

The Pavilion End is a Fuller’s pub near St Paul’s Cathedral with a strong focus on televised sport.

Its current fixture schedule includes football, rugby, cricket, horse racing, Formula 1, golf, darts and other events carried through Sky and TNT Sports.

The pub has a main bar, downstairs area and outdoor courtyard. Different spaces may be used for different fixtures, so groups should book against the specific match rather than reserve a general dining table.

The food menu consists of seasonal pub classics. Kitchen hours finish earlier than the building on several days and should be checked for evening kick-offs.

The Pavilion End is closed on Sunday under its standard schedule. This makes it less suitable for ordinary Sunday Premier League, NFL or final-day viewing unless a special opening is expressly advertised.

It provides a more traditional pub atmosphere than the purpose-built sports bars in this guide and can suit groups wanting beer, food and commentary without a nightclub environment.

Pros

• Broad Sky and TNT Sports schedule
• Bookable fixtures
• Traditional pub food
• Several indoor areas and a courtyard

Best for: Weekday football, rugby, cricket and City-based groups wanting a traditional sports pub.

What to confirm: Book the exact fixture and check screen allocation, food times, seasonal closures and Sunday exceptions.

Broadwood Sports Pub and Kitchen

• Media credits: broadwoodldn

Address: 25 Old Broad Street, London EC2N 1HN
Format: Two-floor sports pub and kitchen near Liverpool Street
Opening: Monday and Tuesday, 11am–11pm; Wednesday, 11am–midnight; Thursday and Friday, 11am–1am; weekend hours vary according to events
Sport: Football, rugby, Formula 1, NFL and other major fixtures
Website

Broadwood is a large sports pub serving the Liverpool Street and Bishopsgate area.

Live sport is shown across both floors, giving the venue scope to allocate different fixtures to different zones. Its current programme promotes Premier League and European football, Six Nations rugby, Formula 1 and NFL Sundays.

The venue serves a full pub-and-kitchen menu rather than relying only on bar snacks. It is designed for lunch, after-work groups and late fixtures.

Broadwood’s two-floor layout can be an advantage for simultaneous sport, but it also makes table location important. A booking on one floor may not have the sound or screen assigned to a secondary fixture.

The venue operates special hours for major tournaments and can close or alter its usual weekend schedule. The live booking page should therefore take priority over generic map listings.

Private and group bookings are available, including semi-private areas for larger gatherings.

Pros

• Live sport across two floors
• Strong Liverpool Street location
• Broad football, rugby, NFL and motorsport coverage
• Suitable for group and corporate bookings

Best for: City workers, large groups and weekends with several simultaneous events.

What to confirm: Ask which floor, screen and sound zone applies and whether the event uses normal or special opening hours.

TOCA Social at The O2

• Media credits: tocasocial

Address: The O2, Peninsula Square, London SE10 0DX
Opening: Monday and Tuesday, 3pm–11pm; Wednesday, noon–11pm; Thursday, noon–midnight; Friday, 11am–midnight; Saturday, 9am–midnight; Sunday, 9am–11pm
Format: Interactive football, sports screenings, food and drink
Screen signal: More than 20 giant screens
Game price signal: Interactive football from approximately £12.50 per person, depending on booking
Website

TOCA Social at The O2 combines live sports viewing with interactive football games.

The venue has more than 20 large screens and schedules major football tournaments and selected sporting events. For the 2026 World Cup, it promoted coverage of every match alongside matchday entertainment and food-and-drink packages.

This is a substantially different format from a pub. Groups can book football games before or after the fixture, while others can attend primarily for screenings.

Interactive games are charged separately and should not be confused with entry to a viewing event. Major matches may use ticketed packages, and ordinary operating hours can change during tournaments.

TOCA is more suitable for mixed-age and family groups than an over-18 casino or nightclub, subject to event-specific age conditions. Adult supervision and evening restrictions should still be checked.

The O2 location is convenient for events in Greenwich but less central than Leicester Square, Bank or London Bridge.

Pros

• More than 20 giant screens
• Interactive football games
• Family and group-friendly format
• Strong tournament programming

Best for: Football-focused groups, families and visitors wanting activities as well as a screening.

What to confirm: Check whether the fixture is free, ticketed or packaged and confirm age rules, game times and screen access.

Screen size, screen count and sightlines

A large screen count does not guarantee a clear view from every table.

Ask:

• Which screen faces the table?
• Is the screen partially blocked?
• Is it projection or LED?
• Is the table side-on?
• Are people likely to stand in front?
• Is the event shown on every screen?
• Is the upstairs or downstairs zone different?
• Is the main screen outdoors?
• Is there a backup if the feed fails?

For an important final, a confirmed sightline matters more than the venue’s total number of screens.

Sound and multi-zone audio

Many sports bars show several fixtures but play commentary for only one.

Confirm:

• Which event has sound
• Whether the zone has separate audio
• If music continues during the match
• Whether commentary starts only at kick-off
• If post-match interviews are shown
• Whether a DJ begins before the final whistle
• If headphones or silent-screen arrangements apply

Combat sports, Formula 1 and overseas fixtures can conflict with football sound priorities.

Booking for major fixtures

For finals, England matches, title deciders and major boxing cards:

1. Book through the venue’s official site.
2. Select the exact fixture.
3. Read the deposit terms.
4. Confirm the number of guests.
5. Ask about seating and sound.
6. Check arrival deadline.
7. Review age and ID rules.
8. Confirm whether food must be pre-ordered.
9. Save the confirmation.
10. Recheck the schedule on the day.

Arriving late can result in the table being released.

Walk-ins

Walk-ins can work for lower-demand events but are uncertain for major fixtures.

Improve the chances by:

• Arriving well before kick-off
• Keeping the group small
• Accepting standing room
• Choosing an early fixture
• Having a backup venue
• Checking whether entry becomes ticketed
• Confirming last admission

A venue may stop admitting guests before reaching its legal maximum to protect comfort and service.

Deposits, tickets and minimum spends

Check whether payment is:

• Refundable
• Redeemable against food and drink
• A non-redeemable ticket
• Per person
• Per table
• Linked to a package
• Lost for late arrival
• Affected by a postponed fixture
• Refundable if the match is cancelled
• Subject to service charge

Tournament packages may be priced differently from ordinary reservations.

Age restrictions

Policies vary significantly.

• Kings is inside an over-18 casino.
• N1 becomes a late-night club with ID and entry controls.
• TOCA Social can suit families, subject to specific event terms.
• Traditional pubs may admit children only until a set evening time.

Bring original photographic ID where required.

Food and kitchen times

Bar hours and kitchen hours are not the same.

Check:

• Full menu availability
• Reduced matchday menu
• Last food order
• Pre-order requirement
• Table service
• QR ordering
• Sharing packages
• Allergy process
• Vegetarian and vegan options
• Whether food is included in the ticket

A late NFL or UFC screening may continue long after the kitchen closes.

Accessibility

Ask about:

• Step-free entrance
• Lift
• Accessible toilet
• Table height
• Crowded standing areas
• Screen visibility from wheelchair spaces
• Quiet route
• Assistance dogs
• Strobe lighting
• Nightclub transition
• Evacuation procedure

Multi-level pubs should confirm which sports area is accessible.

Alcohol and responsible service

Busy matchdays can involve rapid alcohol consumption.

Venues may refuse service or entry where a guest appears intoxicated. Groups should also consider food, water and transport home, particularly for late fixtures.

Casino and nightclub venues apply additional responsible-service and security procedures.

Rival supporters and behaviour

Ask whether:

• Both sets of supporters are admitted
• Team colours are restricted
• The event is home-support only
• Security searches apply
• Large flags are permitted
• Chants are restricted
• Bags are checked
• Re-entry is allowed

Respect staff instructions and other guests. Abuse, discrimination, threats and violence can result in removal or police involvement.

Broadcast rights and fixture changes

Bars can show only events available through their licensed broadcasters.

A schedule may change because of:

• Broadcaster selection
• Kick-off change
• Postponement
• Weather
• Rights restrictions
• Competing fixtures
• Technical failure
• Private event
• Licensing conditions

Confirm the fixture shortly before travelling.

Questions to ask before booking

• Are you definitely showing this fixture?
• Will commentary be on?
• Which screen faces the table?
• Is the table seated or standing?
• What is the deposit?
• Is it redeemable?
• Is there a minimum spend?
• What time must we arrive?
• When does the kitchen close?
• Are children permitted?
• Is photo ID required?
• Does the venue become a nightclub?
• Is the area step-free?
• Can the fixture change?
• What happens if the match is postponed?

Common warning signs

Be cautious where:

• A third party sells an unofficial table
• The venue cannot confirm the fixture
• “Every screen” is promised without a zone
• Commentary is assumed
• Old opening hours are copied
• A 24-hour building is confused with 24-hour food service
• A nightclub’s entry terms are omitted
• Deposits are not explained
• Family access is assumed
• The kitchen closing time is hidden
• Accessibility is based only on the front entrance
• A postponed match has no stated refund policy

Frequently asked questions

Which venue is best for late-night sport?

Kings and N1 have the latest operating patterns, although both are adult venues with additional entry conditions.

Which is best for families?

TOCA Social is the strongest family and activity-led option, subject to the individual event’s age terms.

Which is best for several simultaneous matches?

Goldwood and Broadwood are designed around multiple screens and zones.

Which is the most traditional pub?

The Pavilion End provides the clearest traditional Fuller’s pub experience.

Do I need to book?

For major football, rugby, boxing and NFL fixtures, advance booking is strongly advisable.

Is commentary always on?

No. Ask which fixture receives sound in the booked zone.

Are deposits refundable?

Terms vary. Some are redeemable, while ticketed events may be non-refundable.

Choosing with confidence

Kings is the strongest late-night central option for adult viewers, while Goldwood offers a large City venue suited to corporate groups and simultaneous fixtures.

N1 combines sport with pool and clubbing, and The Pavilion End provides a more traditional pub setting near St Paul’s.

Broadwood adds a two-floor Liverpool Street sports-pub format. TOCA Social broadens the guide with interactive football, giant screens and family-friendly potential.

Choose according to the exact fixture, screen allocation, sound, age policy and booking conditions. The most useful sports bar is the one that confirms the match and gives the group a suitable view—not simply the venue advertising the largest number of screens.

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