Match days aren’t about the football — not really.
It’s the journey, the company, the pre-match buzz and the post-match debrief — the sense of belonging to something bigger. That’s what keeps football fans coming back week after week.
The result — whether it's a washout 0-0 draw, a nervy 2-1 win or a 4-0 drubbing — is secondary to the day itself, and for most of us, it wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the pub.
There are dozens of perfect little boozers by London’s grounds, just waiting to set out their stalls, open their doors late on Saturday mornings and welcome in the crowds for a ritualistic pre-match pint.
Here are the best football pubs near London’s grounds to visit on match days.
Arsenal, The Emirates Stadium
Arsenal fans are blessed with plenty of options, and the Famous Cock Tavern is a good place to start. Fans head there straight off the train at Highbury & Islington and it’s always packed on match days. The pub is just down the road from pie deli Piebury Corner too — a right of passage for Gunners fans looking for pre-game grub.
Large groups of home fans spill out onto the pavement outside the Twelve Pins in Finsbury Park, and they’re always in fine voice before kick-off. Bank of Friendship, though, is our top pick. Found a five minute walk from the Emirates on Blackstock Road, the independent boozer’s dark panelled interiors and lovely open beer garden are great places to settle in and enjoy the excellent Guinness. It’s a little cosy, so get down early if you can.
Brentford, Griffin Park
Punters on their way to Brentford’s Griffin Park often stop off at The Globe — a popular meeting point, found a five-minute walk away from the ground. The corner pub is a solid option, with a nice central bar and Sky Sports on the big screen. Its honest pub grub is ideal for soaking up the pre-match pints too.
The Black Dog is the newest boozer in the area, placing an emphasis on craft ale with 14 keg options, as well as eight real ales and five real ciders. It’s even closer to the ground too on Albany Road, which makes it perfect for drinks just before and after the game. Even closer still, The Griffin — found within a long ball's distance of the ground — is another local boozer with a characterful setting and Fuller's usual strong selection of ales on behind the bar.
Charlton, The Valley
Charlton fans are pretty spoiled for choice when it comes to match day pubs, especially if they’re willing to Venture into Greenwich to find one. Greenwich Union, Richard I and the Prince of Greenwich are just three of the cracking pubs in the area, found right next to each other on Royal Hill.
If fans are after something a little nearer to the ground though, they can’t get much closer than the Royal Oak. The pub is two minutes away from The Valley, found bang in the middle of the residential Charlton Lane. It's solid, if a little unspectacular, showing live sport and marking a convenient spot on the way to the game. It's quite short on space though — the Bugle Horn to the south of the ground is better for outside room and serves up good pub grub too.
Chelsea, Stamford Bridge
Chelsea fans can soak up the brisk winter sun at the Rose’s beer garden — a nice spot to take in the atmosphere a short walk away from the ground on Harwood Terrace. Wetherspoons pub Oyster Rooms by Fulham Broadway is perfectly serviceable too, and ideal for a quick pint and an inexpensive pre-match bite.
While it might sound like a menacing place, but the Butcher’s Hook on Fulham Road is anything but. Instead, it’s a handsome boozer, serving up a wide selection of well-maintained craft beer. It’s directly opposite the ground too, meaning you can leave close to kick-off and still make it to your seat in time.
Crystal Palace, Selhurst Park
Croydon’s pubs are packed come match day, and there are plenty of places for Eagles fans to stop by on their way to Selhurst Park. The Clifton Arms is a stone’s throw from the southern end of the ground. The lovely old corner pub is heaving come 2pm on Saturdays, with fans spilling out onto the pavement outside. If you can grab a spot here you won’t regret it — bear in mind only home fans will be admitted on busy days. Fans travelling via Norwood Junction station should pop into to the Albion. The Sky Sports pub is a good spot to catch live sport and a solid choice for a pre-match drink. Travel a bit further out and the Pawson’s Arms is a charming little pub, tucked away on the residential Pawson’s Road — well worth the extra 10-minute walk.
Fulham, Craven Cottage
The Bricklayers Arms in Putney is a great place for Fulham fans to meet up, just as long as they don’t mind a fifteen minute walk to the ground. Voted CAMRA’s London pub of the year in the past, the venue serves a fantastic selection of real ales and still maintains the feel of a charming local boozer. Enjoy a few pints here, then soak up the pre-match atmosphere with a journey over Putney Bridge and along the riverfront.
The Temperance and the Golden Lion pubs are a little closer to the ground on Fulham High Street, with the latter housed in a characterful, historic building dating back to 1455. Both are solid stopping-off points on the way to the Cottage.
Millwall, The Den
Crowds of Millwall fans pack into the huge Surrey Docks Wetherspoons before games, making use of the affordable pints in the lead up to kick-off. The pub is right next to Surrey Quays train station, just a brisk walk to the ground.
The taproom at Fourpure Brewery is also handily located on Bermondsey Trading Estate, around five minutes away from the ground. The venue opens up at 11am on Saturdays and 12pm on Sundays, with 20 beers on tap for fans to sample.
If you’re after a real football pub though, Millwall fans have been drinking at the Blue Anchor on Southwark Park Road for years. The family-run pub is always buzzing with home fans, and has one of the best atmospheres on match days.
Queens Park Rangers, Loftus Road
Loftus Road is nestled right in among the bustling streets of Shepherd's Bush, which means plenty of options when it comes to pubs. Both BrewDog Shepherds Bush, found right next to the W12 shopping centre, and the Pocket Watch are good options for a quick drink before the game. The Queen's Tavern is always a favourite with home fans, although its popularity means they may struggle for space. If you’re after food, the Askew pub and kitchen is great for classic pub grub. It serves a good selection of craft beer and shows plenty of live sport too. For something a little more plush, the Queen Adelaide just along on Uxbridge Road boasts a strong wine list and serves an assured contemporary British menu, as well as an excellent roast on Sundays.
Tottenham Hotspur, Wembley Stadium
With the wait for Spurs’ new ground stretching on and on, Wembley is the place to see Mauricio Pochettino’s side for the time being.
The Wembley Tavern, located five minutes from Wembley Park station, is always rammed with fans ahead of kick-off. If you’re after a bustling pre-match spot, this could well be it. The Torch, which is just the other side of Wembley Park station, is also a good place to head too — expect standing room only at both places.
If fans are heading in from Wembley Central they can do worse that visiting Thirsty Eddie’s on the High Road, which does a cracking pint of Guinness. Wetherspoons fans will also be pleased to know that there’s an affordable option in the form of JJ Moons, found a short walk from the ground on the High Road.
West Ham, The London Stadium
Don’t expect to find too many pubs with character around The London Stadium, which stands isolated in Stratford’s Olympic Park. There are, however, enough serviceable options in nearby Westfield to make match days an experience.
The Cow is one of the best places to head to. It’s found right on the edge of the shopping complex, on the walk towards the ground, so it’s no surprise it gets rammed come early afternoon on Saturdays.
Just around the corner, The Bat and Ball is the biggest spot in the area, with table tennis and plenty of space over two floors. Tap East might be small, but it’s a good option for more discerning ale fans if they can grab a spot, with a great selection of craft ales on offer.
