Last summer, we showed you where to watch Wimbledon, and this spring we’re doing the same for the Six Nations. If you haven’t scored tickets to the matches, your game plan is simple: either enlist the help of a concierge service or head to a pub.
If you're opting for the latter, you're in luck: London has no shortage of these. But if you’d prefer to catch the action away from the rowdy crowds at Twickenham’s The Cabbage Patch or Finsbury Park’s The Faltering Fullback, we’ve put together a line-up of luxury pubs and restaurants showing live sport.
In this article:
The Cadogan Arms, Chelsea
Best for: a Sunday roast of champions.
Order: the black pudding Scotch egg.
The Cadogan Arms scores big when it comes to London’s best Sunday roasts – and even more so for the next five weeks, when it’ll be screening every Six Nations match. Tackling the menu can seem like a tricky task, but the truth is there are no wrong calls here. Its bars snacks are a step up from the bog-standard pork scratchings, with star players like the black pudding Scotch egg. Not to mention great pints of Guinness.
5th February–14th March | thecadoganarms.london
298 King’s Rd, SW3 5UG
The Wigmore, Marylebone
Best for: posh pub grub.
Order: the XXL cheese toastie.
The Wigmore is busy on a normal day, never mind match days. This emerald-green tavern has made the cut in this roundup because it's overseen by Michel Roux Jr. Oh, and its XXL cheese toastie: a baguette-sized gooey bundle of goodness that’s best paired with a pint of creamy stout. This winning combination makes it a solid choice for watching the ruggers and tucking into pub grub that's hard to beat.
5th February–14th March | the-wigmore.co.uk
15 Langham Pl, W1B 3DE
The Alfred Tennyson, Belgravia
Best for: cosy Georgian charm.
Order: the Cumberland sausage, mash, onions, and Guinness gravy.
The Alfred Tennyson is in a league of its own, not least because this gorgeous Georgian townhouse sits on what’s arguably Belgravia’s best foodie address, Motcomb Street. It also helps that it’s showing every. Single. Six Nations game. The pub sports snug seating that’s perfect for tense second halves, with leather bar stools the same scarlet shade as the red roses. Its lived-in feel is loved by locals – and so will you after popping in for a pint.
5th February–14th March | cubitthouse.co.uk
10 Motcomb St, SW1X 8LA
The George, Fitzrovia
Best for: a Quintessentially British pub.
Order: the beer-battered fish and chips.
Now this is what we call a proper pub. This boozer dates back to the 18th century, a time when powdered wigs were all the rage. Nowadays, jeans- and Chelsea boot-clad crowds congregate outside in February, ready to watch the rugby. And inside, punters are splitting the G and polishing off quintessentially British dishes like beer-battered haddock, dipped in a Cornish lager batter, and served with chunky chips and tartare sauce.
5th February–14th March | thegeorge.london
55 Great Portland St, W1W 7LQ
Brigadiers, the City
Best for: curry-fuelled rugby matches.
Order: the tandoori lamb chops.
Name a better duo than a curry and the rugby. Well, how about private dining rooms kitted out with screens and a special Six Nations beer flight featuring international brews inspired by the competing nations? As per the standard procedure for a lot of rugby fans, its Saturday sports menu starts with pappadums and chutneys, followed by BBQ butter chicken wings and tandoori lamb chops as an add-on.
5th February–14th March | brigadierslondon.com
1–5 Bloomberg Arcade, EC4N 8AR
The Barley Mow, Mayfair
Best for: luxury but no less lively viewings.
Order: the croque monsieur.
You know the score by now, we’re not usually ones to take sides. But we’ll make an exception when it comes to Mayfair. Last February, this elegant pub hosted a special three-course dinner with rugby legend Joe Worsley. While that won’t be happening this year, you can still cheer on your team over croque monsieurs and sausage rolls. You’ll need to arrive early if you want to secure a seat near the screens, though.
5th February–14th March | cubitthouse.co.uk
88 Marylebone Ln, W1U 2PY
Prince Arthur, Belgravia
Best for: seafood lovers.
Order: the native lobster rice.
Only in SW1 would a pub have a fishmonger’s counter built into the bar – and only here could you order native lobster rice while watching the rugby unfold. This Basque-inspired Belgravia local specialises in seafood and has a TV screen that’s always showing the biggest matches, making it a safe bet for sharing small plates and live sport. Get into the spirit by snacking on crimson carabineros prawns sourced from the Spanish shores whilst the players get into a scrum.
5th February–14th March | princearthurbelgravia.co.uk
11 Pimlico Rd, SW1W 8NA
The Hound, Chiswick
Best for: private screenings of live sports.
Order: a Guinness and The Hound dog.
From the same group behind The Cadogan Arms and The George, The Hound is a man’s (or woman’s) best friend for watching the Six Nations on the big screen. The building was a former police station, so lock in an afternoon in its private dining room – converted prison cells – for an exclusive session of live sports. What are you waiting for? Head here before the crowd gets a sniff of how good it is.
5th February–14th March | thehound.london
210 Chiswick High Rd, W4 1PD
The Princess Royal, Notting Hill
Best for: bougie bar snacks.
Order: the Angus beef ragu arancini.
Pitch up a stool at the horseshoe-shaped bar, pint in hand, and dig into plates worthy of the postcode as the Six Nations plays on the screen. This is a Cubitt House pub, so naturally, it’s at the top of its game when it comes to food. You only have to look at dishes on the bar menu like the pyramid stack of Angus beef ragu arancini and oysters to see proof.
5th February–14th March | cubitthouse.co.uk
47 Hereford Rd, W2 5AH
The Pig’s Ear, Chelsea
Best for: a countryside-style pub in SW3.
Order: The Pig’s Ear Pie.
Last, but by no means least, this countryside-style pub in SW3. And that’s no coincidence: the produce is foraged from the Gladwin Brothers’ family farm in West Sussex, including vino from their vineyard, Nutbourne. Our members know it for making a mean Sunday roast – but this watering hole is also top dog for tuning into the Six Nations. Dishes like The Pig’s Ear pie are perfect for cosying up to the roaring fire and grazing between tries.
5th February–14th March | pigsearpub.com
