Rugby, the muddier, manlier and egg-shaped-ballier alternative to Association Football is about to have its annual moment. The Six Nations tournament gets going on 4th February and will run until 18th March. It promises to be action-packed as France defend the title and each nation battles to win the coveted Championship Trophy. Except for Italy, who will battle simply not to come last again. So, other than one of those fancy boxes at Twickenham where they feed you all day, you’re probably wondering where to watch the Six Nations in London. So we’ve scoured the capital (well, we’ve Googled a bit) and come up with our favourites.
Also, we’ve already written similar listicles for the World Cup and Euros. But this one’s a bit pub-ier and, like rugby, more fun. So Cotton jerseys, beer bellies and pints at the ready! We’re off to watch the Six Nations. That’s our weekends until March pretty much sorted. And hopefully yours too.
The Faltering Fullback, Finsbury Park
A rugby pub through-and-through, from the name to the fact to the kegs.
The Faltering Fullback is an Irish pub specialising in Thai cuisine in the centre of Finsbury Park. So far so London.
An Irish pub specialising in Thai cuisine in the centre of Finsbury Park…
Enjoy a fantastic curry and support your team (expect a lot of Ireland fans), it’s always packed and the atmosphere is lively and fun.
A sports pub first-and-foremost they’ll be screening the matches throughout the tournament. You can’t book tables so get there early, order food and settle in.
Find it: 19 Perth Road, Finsbury Park, N4 3HB
Click it: www.falteringfullback.com
Peckham Levels, Peckham
South east London multi-storey supermarket carpark turned street food destination Peckham Levels will be putting on a show for the Six Nations.
Level 6 of the SE15 venue to be given over to multiple screens and with rugby available to anyone searching it out.
There’s also a tattoo parlour…
Along with an array of bars and street food options there’s also a tattoo parlour. So look forward to some rash decisions should England be victorious…
Find it: 95A Rye Lane, Peckham, SE15 4ST
Click it: www.peckhamlevels.org
‘Gram it: @peckhamlevels
Big Penny Social, Walthamstow
In case the penny hasn’t dropped yet, Truman’s Social Club, in Walthamstow, is now Big Penny Social.
But the best bits haven’t changed at all.
There are 98 beer taps across four bars and 20 types of beer to taste. So that should keep you going for at least 80 minutes.
98 beer taps across four bars and 20 types of beer to taste…
And the huge heated (phew!) hall will be showing the Six Nations on two huge HD screens.
With capacity for up to 1,400 fans expect quite a buzz.
Find it: 1 Priestley Way, Walthamstow, E17 6AL
Click it: www.bigpennysocial.co.uk
‘Gram it: @bigpennysocial
Princess Of Wales, Blackheath
The Princess of Wales pub, right on the edge of Blackheath Common, is a great rugby haunt for anyone in South East London.
A hive of activity throughout the tournament, thanks in part to the array of drinks packages available to fans.
As in an ice bucket, not a literal bucket of Champagne. At least that’s what we assume, but it’s win-win…
Pre-order a pitcher of beer or a bucket of Champagne (as in an ice bucket, not a literal bucket of Champagne. At least that’s what we assume, but it’s win-win) and you can also book a table or space with the best views of the TV.
There’s a good selection of beers and decent food on offer too.
Find it: 1a Montpelier Row, Blackheath, SE3 0RL
Click it: www.princessofwalespub.co.uk
‘Gram it: @theprincess.blackheath
Boxpark, Wembley
It might be the sacred home of football, but that’s not all that’s going on a Boxpark Wembley. And though it sounds counter-intuitive but it’s also the place to come this Six Nations.
It might sound counter-intuitive but it’s also the place to come this Six Nations…
Massive screens, ‘special guests’ and speakers as well as sponsorship from Cornish brewers Doombar should make for a fun environment. Plus it’s undercover and heated!
Find it: Wembley Park, Wembley, HA9 0JT
Click it: www.boxpark.co.uk
‘Gram it: @boxpark
Wimbledon Brewery, Wimbledon
The tap room at Wimbledon Brewery has become something of a hub for all things sporting. Not least, of course, the Wimbledon Championships.
The shipping container structure is simple and fun and doesn’t take things too seriously. Except beer.
Simple and fun and doesn’t take things too seriously. Except beer…
If you’re local and wondering where to watch the Six Nations in London then don’t bother schlepping into Central London, st mosey on down to this light industrial estate gem!
Find it: 19 Prince Georges Road, #Unit 8, Wimbledon, SW19 2PT
Click it: www.wimbledonbrewery.com
Book it: Throughout the Championships
‘Gram it: @wimbledonbrewery
Flat Iron Square, Borough
Flat Iron Square is a reliable sporting go-to. The World Cups to the Euros and Olympics it’s been a solid friend to fans. And so anyone scrabbling for the best places to watch the Six Nations in London will need Flat Iron Square on their list.
Flat Iron Square is a reliable sporting go-to…
A central square surrounded by bars and food kiosks, it’s also an ideal place to while a day away before and after the matches take place. You can even book tables with their own private telly.
Tables are on a first-come-first-served basis but you can book Six Nations packages that include tables (along with heaters and blankets!).
As well as outdoor screens there’s an indoor one too. Just in case.
Find it: 45 Southwark Street, Borough, SE1 9HP
Click it: www.flatironsquare.co.uk
‘Gram it: @flatironsquareuk
In A Hot Tub… Docklands
Forget everything you thought you knew about how to watch rugby. You thought it was wearing Clarkson jeans and a hooped shirt with Gilbert written all over it, clutching your pint in a bar. Not so.
It’s half naked in 38-degree bubbling water in London’s Docklands.
Don your swimmers and book into one of Skuna Boats hot tub boats, bobbing in the waterways of Canary Wharf. Enjoy drinks and the Six Nations action on 55-inch screens in perhaps the best way possible.
Half naked in 38-degree bubbling water in London’s Docklands….
Before and after you can change in a heated changing room, so even the frosty weather is no challenge. At £225 per vessel (and it holds seven) you’ll have to shell out… finds calculator app… £32.14 each. Which will probably be worth it for the novelty alone.
Find it: West India Quay, Off Hertsmere Road, Canary Wharf, E14 4AL
Click it: www.skunaboats.com
‘Gram it: @skunaboats
Vinegar Yard, Borough
Vinegar Yard is fast becoming the go-to for any televised events. Wimbledon, the Women’s Euros and the World Cup were all shown here at length.
And so the Six Nations is no exception.
It’s a weather-proof solution and you don’t need to pay for central heating…
The Borough venue, in the shadow of The Shard, is laying on a series of events for the competition. Regulars will be relieved that the outdoor area is now heated and covered for the winter months.
Which, of course, means that it’s a weather-proof solution and you don’t need to pay for central heating while you’re there.
You can also book igloos at Vinegar Yard. Which is one of our favourite, if silliest, indulgences.
Find it: 72-82 St Thomas Street, Borough, SE1 3QU
Click it: www.vinegaryard.london
‘Gram it: @vinegaryardldn
Boxpark, Croydon
It’s not just Wembley where the Six Nations is getting the Boxpark treatment.
The Croydon branch is laying on screenings amidst all the street-fooders and unique tastes of the venue.
It’s not just Wembley where the Six Nations is getting the Boxpark treatment…
Tickets start at *checks notes* free, and options include £200 for a ‘VIP’ table (so if you pay you’re more important?) and that gets you drinks and food for eight of you and probably works out as a good deal.
The warm up before the games includes chat and entertainment.
Find it: 99 George Street, Croydon, CR0 1LD
Click it: www.boxpark.co.uk
‘Gram it: @boxpark
Vauxhall Food & Beer Garden, Vauxhall
To Vauxhall, where the pleasure garden may no longer reside, but the Food & Beer Garden definitely does. Located in among the railway arches, it’s a great place to come to sample good street food from around the world as well as, of course, beer.
The pleasure garden may no longer reside, but the Food & Beer Garden definitely does…
And, during the Six Nations, which you can watch on the three massive LED screens as well as smaller screens across the venue.
Find it: 6a South Lambeth Place, Vauxhall, SW8 1SP
Click it: www.vauxhallfoodbeergarden.com
‘Gram it: @vauxhallfoodbeergdn
Brigadiers, The City
One of our favourite Indian restaurants, Brigadiers, in The City, is fully committed to the Six Nations action. Presumably they were buoyed up by the success of their World Cup event which was remarkably popular. And given how much rugby fans love their curry, this is sure to be a hit too.
Presumably they were buoyed up by the success of their World Cup event which was remarkably popular…
Patrons can enjoy a special Six Nations feasting menu and watch the action in Blighters bar or one of the private dining rooms.
Could there be anywhere better to watch the Calcutta Cup?
Find it: 1-5 Bloomberg Arcade, The City, EC4N 8AR
Click it: www.brigadierslondon.com
‘Gram it: @brigadiersldn
Gibney’s, Shoreditch
We’re all-out super-fans of Richard Corrigan here at The Sauce, and talking of fans the Irish chef has created the perfect setting for them.
Corrigan’s basement saloon bar, below his restaurant Daffodil Mulligan, is the perfect, non-stuffy, pub experience (with great food to boot). And lots of sport as standard.
Grab a perfectly poured Guinness or a pint of Gibney’s Stout, sit back and watch the game…
The Irish boozer will be screening the Six Nations and the private booths are the ideal. Grab a perfectly poured Guinness or a pint of Gibney’s Stout, sit back and watch the game.
After all, Guinness are the tournament’s official sponsors, so it’d be rude not to!
Find it: 70-74 City Road, Shoreditch, EC1Y 2BJ
Click it: www.gibneyslondon.com
‘Gram it: @gibneys.london
Boxpark, Shoreditch
Another day another Boxpark. Completing the triumvirate, it’s Shoreditch this time. And the shipping container graveyard turned pop-up food destination will be showing all the action live.
DoomBar (the beer people) are bringing pre-game entertainment and ‘performers’…
Every game is being screened throughout the venue, letting you roam, or else pop to the bar or loo without missing the winning try.
DoomBar (the beer people) are bringing pre-game entertainment and ‘performers’.
Find it: 2—10 Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch, E1 6GY
Click it: www.boxpark.co.uk
‘Gram it: @boxpark
Skylight, Wapping
Level 9 of Skylight at Tobacco Dock will be Six Nations territory for the month-and-a-bit of the tournament.
We love the rooftop venue, and with five screens at the indoor bar there’s plenty of opportunity to catch all the action.
Great foodie options from the street-fooders present (try the slow roasted pork belly)…
Along with loads of great foodie options from the street-fooders present (try the slow roasted pork belly) there’s also the promise of £4.95 pints all day. Which, by the way, is cheap nowadays.
Find it: Tobacco Dock, Wapping, E1W 2SF
Click it: www.skylightbars.com
‘Gram it: @skylight_london
The Cadogan Arms, Chelsea
The Cadogan Arms in Chelsea is the natural habitat for ‘rugger’ supporting chaps and chapesses. So expect it to be crammed with red trouser wearing Made In Chelsea types.
But The Cadogan Arms is carving itself a well-deserved niche as a sports pub in upmarket Chelsea.
Red trousers optional…
Which means there will be an atmosphere to go along with the action on the big screens.
Red trousers optional…
Find it: 298 King’s Road, Chelsea, SW3 5UG
Click it: www.thecadoganarms.london
‘Gram it: @cadoganarmspublichouse
Arcade Food Hall, Oxford Street
Six huge ultra-HD screens showing the rugby will greet guests at Arcade Food Hall over the Six Nations.
Along with great views of all the action, expect exceptional food to go along with it.
The Oxford Street venue operates nine global kitchens.
From a signature platter at Manna, filled with smash burgers and waffle fries to a shawarma platter from Shatta and Toum there’s an authentic meal for you.
So grab a plate of something delicious, order in a bucket of five cans and sit back and enoy the rugby.
Find it: 103-105 New Oxford Street,WC1A 1DB
Click it: www.arcadefoodhall.com
‘Gram it: @arcadefoodhall
