Live Sports Pubs in London

Otherist

111 Old Broad Street, London EC2N 1AP

Long standing chain wine bar (now rebranded) situated close to Tower42 (former Natwest Tower) in the heart of the city.

Happenstance

10 Paternoster Square, London EC4M 7DX

One of the chain in the shadow of St Pauls'.

Little Fable

3 Fleet Place, London EC4M 7RD

Refinery CityPoint

CityPoint, 1 Ropemaker Street, London EC2Y 9HT

Formerly serving real ale, now keg only. Renamed in February 2017.

For Your Eyes Only

23 City Road, London EC1Y 1AG

Opened 9 September 2014 as City Road Sports Bar from the team who ran the No 1 Sports Bar at 1 City Road. Shared entrance with For Your Eyes only club and now absorbed by club.

Long Arm Pub & Brewery

20-26 Worship St, London EC2A 2DX

Serving just six daily-changing beers, fresh from tank to glass, the pub is committed to supporting sustainability by eliminating all packaging – completely cutting out the keg, cask and bottling process. Beer is pushed to the bar by mixed gas. The focal point of the room is the six giant 1,000 litre tanks that ensure every pint delivers on optimal quality and freshness. Long Arm pub will serve one low strength beer (under 4%), one lager and one IPA which will rotate regularly as Master Brewer Guillermo Schulenburg experiments with unique recipes and flavours. Three specials will make up the rest of the list, from chocolate porters through to German pilsners and smoked stouts.

Beechwood Sports Bar & Kitchen

1A Principal Place, Worship Street, London EC2A 2BA

Sports bar with giant screens. Tanks beer & food.

White Haus

17 Farringdon Street, London EC4A 4AB

Alpine themed pub in a new development. Tank and craft beer along with 2 cask ales

Lord Raglan

61 St Martin's-le-Grand, London EC1A 4ER

Called the Bush and then the Mourning Bush until its reconstruction in 1855. Multibar pub with eating and drinking on about four levels.Two pool tables and two dartboards (and a lot of tv screens). This pub was once entitled to open 24 hours a day by royal edict after the landlord opened to King Charles II in the early hours of the morning. The present name is in memory of a hero of the Crimean War.

Balfour at St Barts

64-66 West Smithfield, London EC1A 9DY

Despite its name and the brewing equipment on display brewing does not take place here; However 4 hand-pumps dispense beer commonly from well-respected microbreweries such as Thornbridge and Rooster's. The premises had formerly been a bank.

Three Compasses

66 Cowcross Street, London EC1M 6BP

A pub has been on the site since 1723. Small simple 1950's style pub, a secluded back street enclave sited over the (audible) Underground. Thai food available in the upstairs restaurant with a small range of traditional English dishes.

Castle

34-35 Cowcross Street, London EC1M 6DB

Large busy semi-circular bar: a pawnbroker's sign and a large painting commemorate a former licensee of this pub lending George IV money for a bet, some of which he accepted as reward the right to practise as a pawnbroker which of course has not been used

Sports Bar & Grill (Farringdon)

Unit 3 Cowcross Place,19-25 Cowcross St,, London EC1M 6DQ

Chain bar opened in March 2011 in former Slug & Lettuce.

Inn of Court

18 High Holborn, London EC1N 2LE

A Fuller's pub which opened in September 1993 as Melton Mowbray and was subsequently relaunched as a Fuller's Ale & Pie House and renamed after a period of closure in early Summer 2015 with a greater food-led emphasis than previously. 8 handpumps.

One Tun

125 Saffron Hill, London EC1N 8QS

Featured in Oliver Twist, this former Watney pub is now run by the First Restaurant Group who also run the Clerk & Well. Tucked away down an alley behind Farringdon Road, the single L-shaped room is paneled in dark wood. There is a small garden for smokers. Dating from 1759, and displaying a list of landlords since that date, it was rebuilt in 1875 and extensively refurbished in 2007 and 2008. Pan Asian food is available lunchtimes and evenings (all day Friday). Eight boutique bedrooms were added in October 2015.

Horseshoe

24 Clerkenwell Close, London EC1R 0AG

Former Courage pub on a long standing pub site (since at least 1748). Traditional locals' house with an emphasis on darts with four dartboards in regular use upstairs. Is now a single bar inside with a counter equipped with 4 hand pumps. Large recently refurbished upstairs function room.

Bowler

32 Bowling Green Lane, London EC1R 0BJ

A large rambling interior in a pub which reopened after refurbishment as the Bowler in 2005. TV sport is very popular here with multiple TV screens. 3 handpumps.

Crown Tavern

42 Clerkenwell Green, London EC1R 0EG

The original 18th-century building included the Apollo Concert Room on the first floor, which is now a bar and function room, while the downstairs bar is divided into a number of attractive drinking areas. Five changing real ales are served, and an extensive a la carte and set menu is available throughout the day, with roasts on Sundays. The beer garden continues out onto the Green, with a view of the Old Sessions House and the Marx Memorial Library.

George & Monkey

68 Amwell Street, London EC1R 1UU

Traditional backstreet pub, which has been through various guises over the years - historically the Fountain, for 20 years Filthy MacNasty's, briefly a Simmons cocktail bar, and 2016 the Amwell Arms. Reopend in July 2018 in its current guise. 3 handpumps. Bottles and cans

Shakespeares Head

1 Arlington Way, London EC1R 1XA

Small immaculate theatre pub just behind Sadler's Wells.

City Pride

28 Farringdon Lane, London EC1R 3AU

Formerly the White Swan (Charrington), a Toby house bought by Fuller's and expanded to take on neighbouring premises. Bright and friendly. Function room with dartboard.

Wilmington

69 Rosebery Avenue, London EC1R 4RL

Closed for complete refurbishment in 2013, it re-opened in October of that year when it became part of the Metropolitan Pub Co range of Greene King and serving a more varied cask ale range. Work included reinstating a large glass atrium from the 19th century. prior to this it had been a music pub with live bands. Greene king badged house beer as Stay and Griffin along with four guest beers are available, usually including local brews. There is a large dining area with an open-plan kitchen and gets very busy at lunchtimes and early evening.

Clerk & Well

156 Clerkenwell Road, London EC1R 5DU

Renamed Clerk & Well in October 2010. Run by the First Restaurant Group who have recently taken over the One Tun in Farringdon. The Menu is Pan Asian.

Sutton Arms

16 Great Sutton Street, London EC1V 0DH

Former Whitbread pub, a free house since 1991. Named after 17th century plutocrat Thomas Sutton, who founded nearby Charterhouse. Traditional after-work corner pub with side bar, plus a dining/function room upstairs.

Old Red Lion

418 St John Street, London EC1V 4NJ

Well-known theatre pub on one of the oldest sites in London, a pub here being first recorded in 1415; the present building dates from 1898. An ornate wooden and glass panelled screen partially cuts off what used to be a private saloon at the front. Board games are available. The pub also has a largescreen TV and can get busy on big sports occasions such as rugby matches. At the back is a patio drinking area. Pool is very popular. The long bar is separated by a most unusual engraved glass partition.

Old Ivy House

166 Goswell Road, London EC1V 7EB

Traditional pub, which reverted to its previous name after being taken over in the early 2000s by Kentish brewer Shepherd Neame, after nearly 20 years as the Pheasant & Firkin. Not big inside, traditional decor, mix of after-work custom. Three real ales from the Shepherd Neame range. Sports from BT and Sky. Darts. Pull-down benches on the pavement for smokers.

Corner Bar

125 Central Street, London EC1V 8AP

"Renamed Corner Bar". Former Charrington pub becoming free in 1993. 3 handpumps unused. Lao and Thai food weekday lunchtimes.

Masque Haunt

168-172 Old Street, London EC1V 9BP

This large corner-shop Wetherspoon conversion is divided into three areas, with a large raised dining area at the rear of the pub, a seated at the front and bar in the middle. Opened December 1994 on the site of the White Hart.

Road Trip Bar

243 Old Street, London EC1V 9EY

Postwar pub. Originally the Crosby's Head, named after a 15th century military commander. It's been the Roadtrip Bar since 2009, a bar with a light US diner/roadtrip theme. Regular live music in the main bar or the basement.

Angel

73 City Road, London EC1Y 1BD

A delightful one-bar pub which will send your food and drinks up to you to the upstairs restaurant that doubles as a function room.

Two Brewers

121 Whitecross Street, London EC1Y 8JH

Pleasant thriving backstreet boozer with a good mix of custom from local housing and offices. Narrow interior with side bar. This pub was one of the houses where Whitbread Gold Label Lager (a real lager served by hand pumps) went on trial, it appears to have lost the case. One long bar with darts. Now Enterprise, ex- Whitbread.

Artillery Arms

102 Bunhill Row, London EC1Y 8ND

Near Wesley’s Chapel and behind the Grade I listed dissenters’ burial ground of Bunhill Fields. Named after the nearby headquarters of the Honourable Artillery Company, Small single-room pub with a central bar. Some of the servery has stained glass panels, there are also two screens at the window overlooking Bunhill Row, and the venue has a bare wooden floor throughout. Walls at the rear display military prints and a framed collection of cigarette cards. Upstairs is a dining room with a comprehensive menu. There are occasional guest ales and a mini festival is staged in the autumn.

Whitecross Tap

142 Whitecross Street, London EC1Y 8QJ

Reopened as The Whitecross Tap following refurbishment in November 2018. Lots of screens to watch sports and pizzas on offer.

Bierschenke

4 London Wall Buildings, Blomfield Street, London EC2M 5NT

A German Beer Hall.

Flying Horse

52 Wilson Street, London EC2A 2ER

Grade II listed pub dating from 1812. Darts and pool in upstairs room which can be used as a function room. A much improved, but still traditional pub following its Oct 2005 refurbishment.

Old Blue Last

38 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 3ES

Large one bar pub. It claims to have been the first pub to sell Porter. Built 1700 rebuilt 1876. Lunchtime snacks.

Old Kings Head

28 Holywell Row, London EC2A 4JB

Two little girls one of which was suffocated are said to haunt the cellars: it is said an appearance to a member of staff resulted in his resignation. This small corner pub boasts a pianist on Friday nights from 5-8.30.

Joiner on Worship Street

2-4 Paul Street, London EC2A 4JH

Modern Shoreditch bar. First opened in 2001 by Davy's as a Heeltap & Bumper. Changed hands and renamed in 2011. Two table tennis tables. Additional info: 2001 was when it opened as Heeltap & Bumper, one of the modern types of Davy's bar. It became Vinum in 2006. Changed hands and renamed in 2011. Now rebranded again with 10 table tennis tables. Refurbished & rebranded during 2020/2 lockdown- now an American themed bar on 3 floors.

Lord Aberconway

73 Old Broad Street, London EC2M 1QS

Located near Liverpool Street station, this Victorian pub has lovely traditional fittings including some cosy booths. A Nicholson's establishment it is named after a chairman of the old Metropolitan Railway. Popular with both city workers and tourists, it is open Monday to Saturday. It has six ales available including three regulars. There is a traditional pub menu which is available till 10pm. In addition to the ground floor there is also a gallery area utilised for dining.

Kings Arms

27 Wormwood Street, London EC2M 1RP

Spread over 2 floors with a basement 'office bar'

Woodin's Shades

212 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 4PT

Extremely popular pub with two bars and a restaurant. Handy for the Petticoat Lane Market and Liverpool Street railway station. The Trader' Bar Dining room is upstairs, the toilets are downstairs.

Red Lion

1 Eldon Street, London EC2M 7LS

A very busy expensive pub with an upstairs eating area. What appears to be original tongue-and-grove ceiling remains.

Railway Tavern

15 Liverpool Street, London EC2M 7NH

The railway insignia are interesting and hard to miss. Darts can be played upstairs. Now has three bars.

Lady Abercorns

Andaz Hotel, 40 Liverpool Street, London EC2M 7QN

Bar within the former Greater Eastern Hotel. The neighbouring function area is called Mildred!

Phoenix

26 Throgmorton Street, London EC2N 2AN

Converted bank head office. Opened in 1999 by Whitbread as a Hogshead, renamed by Laurel in 2003 as London's first completely no smoking pub, run by Greene King since 2004, now one of their Metropolitan Pub Co outlets. Spacious inside, but always seems to be crowded after work. Guest beers e.g. from East London, Redemption.

Tokenhouse

4 Moorgate, London EC2R 6DA

Upmarket Fullers pub originally opened by Marstons in 2008 in a former bank premises. Retains grand façade with large open plan interior with grey décor in modern style, wooden flooring, exposed ventilation, mix of furniture etc. Balcony area overlooks street. Open-to-view kitchen with traditional British menu. There is also a basement cellar bar.

Telegraph

11 Telegraph Street, London EC2R 7AR

New spacious Fullers bar and kitchen opened 2003 on ground floor of new red brick clad office block, built partly on the site of the Butlers Head, a Bass (previously Ind Coope) pub demolished in 2002. Fitted out in contemporary style with mixture of tables, chairs, stools and leather sofas, low lighting from bare light bulbs and candles, exposed metallic ventilation ducts, grey and cream decor. Kitchen servery to side, blackboard for daily specials.

Old Doctor Butler's Head

2 Mason's Avenue, London EC2V 5BT

Traditional City workers pub originally established in 1610, its present building dating from after the Great Fire of London in 1666. A Shepherd Neame pub serving the full range including special brews from their micro-brewery, the one room comprises a raised rear seating area and a drinking area at the bar. Wood panelling and historic prints add to the atmosphere. Gas lights although no longer used are still in situ. On the first floor is a separate lunchtime restaurant, with a large function room above.

Rack & Tenter

Tenter House 45 Moorfields, London EC2Y 9AE

Located in the ground floor of a modern office development, just around the corner from Moorgate station. Previously the Penny Black, the present name - since the early 1990s - is a reference to weaving equipment, this having once been the City's textiles area. Modern interior laid out around an island bar. There's a patio at the back, as well as under a colonnade at the front by a large pedestrianised area.

Alice

133 Houndsditch, London EC3A 7BX

Large modern style pub with open areas and screened booths. Trereis a mix of high tables & chaulrs and standard tables, armchairs & padded bencseats. The walls are adorned with many surrealist paintings and prints. The many chandeliers give the pub a light and airy feel. Live D. J. every Thu & Fri. Available for private hire Sat & Sun.