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World Cup 2010: Where to watch it in London
World Cup 2010: Where to watch it in London
For a whole month this summer the world will be going football crazy - and London is no exception. Many people will prefer to stay at home and cheer on England in the comfort of their own home. But for those who want to go out and seek a bit of atmosphere - and don't fancy standing behind a pillar in the local Wetherspoons - here are a few suggestions for top World Cup viewing. This is by no means a definitive guide, but merely a varied list of places that may pique your interest - whether you're after a carnival ambiance with extra musical entertainment, a private booth for your close friends, an outdoor experience or a multi-cultural coming-together.
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World Cup Carnival 2010
Shepherd's Bush Pavillion, London, W12 8QE11th June - 11th July 2010
So, you can't make it out to South Africa this summer, you don't fancy watching the games in a sweaty pub and your TV at home has just gone kaput - just how are you going to support your team at the World Cup? Here's your answer: an 800-seater indoor terraced amphitheatre on Shepherd's Bush Green with a huge 16-metre high definition screen and full surround sound. The layout means you'll get uninterrupted views and crystal clear live match commentary, while being part of a party atmosphere. But the World Cup Carnival isn't only about celebrating the world's greatest game - it's a chance to dance the night away, with each featured evening game followed by a brilliant line-up of some of the globe's finest DJ talent, including Stanton Warriors, The Nextmen, Crazy P, Lazersonic, Tayo and many more. Throw in gourmet food stalls, cocktail and beer bars, a BBQ terrace, brass bands, popcorn and ice creams, half-time entertainment on the screen-side fake green pitch, a smoking terrace, competitions and giveaways - and you've got the ultimate world cup bonanza with a real mini festival atmosphere that will be hard to top anywhere else in London. Tickets should sell out quickly, especially for the more popular games, so go to www.worldcupcarnival2010.com for booking details - although a limited number of tickets will be held back for the door for all games.
World Cup at Jetlag
Jetlag, W1T 6QB11th June - 11th July 2010
Fitzrovia's new and rather cool Jetlag bar has the perfect downstairs space for World Cup viewing: a cinema lounge with a massive screen, high definition projector and surround sound speaker system. What's more, Jetlag prides itself as a well-travelled international beer and cocktail bar with a global food menu that means you can tailor what you eat and drink to what game is being played out in front of you in this stylish venue. International street food on offer includes Spanish calamari tapas, Greek souvlaki, Japanese yakitori and gyoza, Brazilian coxinhas, Algerian houmous and pitta, South African bunny chow and Mexican burritos - plus a whole load of delectable delights from nations not in the World Cup. Beers are well represented too, including Asahi from Japan, ESB from England, Estrella from Spain, Samiel Adams from the USA, Oranjeboom from the Netherlands, James Boag from Australia and Steinlager Pure from New Zealand. And don't get us started about the wines or the special around-the-world cocktail package (six for £25). In fact, the only two nations they seem to have missed out on their World Cup food and drink programme are Uruguay and Slovenia. Yup, here at LondonTown we can see Jetlag becoming a real popular destination this June and July. See www.jetlagbar.com for more information.
World Cup at Proud Camden
Proud Camden, London, NW1 8AH11th June - 11th July 2010
Watch the World Cup with pride in one of Proud Camden's individual horse compartments, each equipped with a 50" wide-screen HD TV showing the games of your choice. You and up to 50 friends can hire one of the seven stables from £112 and enjoy special hostess service, pre-ordered buckets of ice-cold beer and free guest passes to the venue's club nights on the same evening. One of the swish stables boasts a Sky 3D screen and, with hostess service, is available from £200 per game. There are two sittings for each day's two fixtures - 12 noon to 6pm and 7pm till late - with prices higher for the evening game. As well as watching the football guests are welcome to play pool, use any of Proud's Xboxes and Play Stations or watch any other sport on that afternoon.
World Cup at Roxy Bar and Screen
Roxy Bar and Screen, London, SE1 1LB11th June - 11th July 2010
The Denizens of London Bridge and Borough have long praised the Roxy Bar and Screen with a whisper, for fear of letting loose their best-kept secret on the whole of London. Located behind an unassuming entrance in between Sainsbury's and Costa on Borough High Street, Roxy is a slick cocktail bar with a late licence, great food and - to top it off - a four-metre cinema style screen showing a selection of classic films for free. And guess what - during the World Cup they'll cut back on the Coen Brothers triple bills and instead show all the games live from South Africa. Roxy has a no reservations policy and customers will be allowed in on a first-come first-served basis - so as long as you get down there on time, you should be able to grab a place. The best seats are the ever-so comfortable sofas at the front but if you're in a group and are keen to eat, any of the tables will do you proud. Entrance is free before 5pm, after which there will be a small £3 fee. For those in the know, Roxy will be the bar to watch the World Cup in London. For more information go to www.roxybarandscreen.com.
World Cup at East Village
East Village, EC2A 3HX11th June - 11th July 2010
Shoreditch's East Village is gearing up to the World Cup with promises of oranges at half time and different national DJs playing pre and post all games. All of England's Group C games will be shown on the venue's big screens with surround sound through East Village's spectacular sound-system. The venue, in association with Corona Extra, will also focus on all the Mexico, France and South Africa games in Group A and the Brazil and Portugal games in Group G, with specialist events promised to coincide around the matches. Areas can be reserved in advance and there will be table service available for certain areas of the bar; groups of 10-50 people can book a private area while the main public viewing area has a capacity of 250, two big screens and four 42" HD plasma screens; East Village is also happy to show any game on request for group bookings of 30 and over. The bar is fully air conditioned and regional food specials will be on offer to tie in with each game being shown.
World Cup at Vibe Bar
The Vibe Bar, London, E1 6QL11th June - 11th July 2010
The Old Truman Brewery's Vibe Bar will be showing every game live (including, of course, all England's campaign) at the World Cup on big screens this summer. In the last tournament four years back, Vibe was kitted out with three big screens and put on a whole football festival, with extra entertainment, DJs and a carnival atmosphere. The entrance fee for games varied according to who's playing and at what stage of the tournament it takes place, but last time round tickets were around £10. Vibe's location just off Brick Lane in East London makes it an ideal spot if you want to party on after the final whistle. Keep checking www.vibe-bar.co.uk for more information.
World Cup at Bar Kick
Bar Kick, London, E1 6JE11th June - 11th July 2010
London's favourite table football bar is going all out for the World Cup with all games shown live and some - providing Sky go ahead with their proposal - in 3D. Over the years, Bar Kick has built up a reputation of bringing multiple nations together over a game of football - be it on the babyfoot table or on the big screen. The Shoreditch venue has three 42" screens upstairs and two 47" 3D monitors downstairs on either side of a large cinematic projector screen - so provided you get in, you'll be pretty much guaranteed a decent view of the action. There's also an endorsement from Sky TV's head engineer, who says: "With the position of the screens and the surrounding ambient lighting, out of all the bars I've seen, Kick will be the best." During the tournament the bar will be operating a happy hour from 4pm until 7pm with bottled beers (from all around the world) at £2, whilst the kitchen will co-ordinate its menu according to which teams are playing, so you can enjoy a typical national dish with each fixture (bad luck if you're in for Nigeria v Korea Republic or Algeria v Slovenia). Then, once the final whistle is blown, you can recreate all the best moments on the venue's 10 original French Bonzini babyfoot tables until the early hours.
World Cup at The Crabtree
The Crabtree, London, W6 9HA11th June - 11th July 2010
Fancy watching the World Cup in a spacious and shaded beer garden beside the Thames? Then head down to The Crabtree pub in Fulham, where four Plasma screen TVs have been dotted around the huge outdoor area so that fans can get the ultimate World Cup viewing experience. Tables can be booked through the management and free table service is thrown in. There are a further two 50 inch screens inside the bar, one in the restaurant and one in a private function room (kitted out with 3D Sky TV). A great sound system means you'll be able to hear all the commentary, while the venue has a special late licence and entertainment after all England games. Located on the Thames path between Hammersmith and Craven Cottage stadium, the newly refurbished Victorian pub has an excellent selection of beers, wines and ales, a delicious menu of high-end gastro-pub fare, and an outdoor BBQ running throughout the summer. It may be slightly off the beaten track, but for those in the know, The Crabtree should be a safe bet to make it all the way to the final. For more information go to www.thecrabtreew6.co.uk.
World Cup: BELIEVE at the Old Truman Brewery
The Old Truman Brewery, London, E1 6QL11th June 2010 - 11th July 2010
BELIEVE is returning to the Old Truman Brewery to host East London's biggest World Cup bonanza this summer. An indoor football oasis has been created, complete with a multi-tiered stadium, three giant screens, cheerleaders, comedians (aren't there enough of those in the England team?), confetti cannons, DJs and a special quadraphonic soundsystem. Extra special focus will be made on the England, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand matches, but the 1,000-capacity venue on Brick Lane is scheduled to show all games in the tournament (even the ones involving Slovakia and North Korea). There will be a load of beer and food promotions, as well as the odd World Cup memorabilia raffles. The pop-up venue is sponsored by Football Manager and in 2006 around 40,000 people attended games so you can expect a great turn out. The venue is located just behind the Old Truman Brewery by Dray Walk. For more information, visit BELIEVE's Facebook page or www.footballmanagerbelieve.co.uk.
World Cup at Bavarian Beerhouse
Bavarian Beerhouse, EC1V 2QH11th June - 11th July 2010
If you can't beat them, join them! For those of you with a Teutonic disposition (or those simply pre-empting England's inevitable penalty shoot out loss to Germany), the Bavarian Beerhouse is showing all Germany and England group games in the World Cup at their Old Street branch on City Road. For a small entrance fee (£5) guests get a free glass of beer, a guaranteed seat in front of one of the giant screens dotted all over the venue, quick and friendly table service by charming waitresses in Bavarian attire, and a Eurotrash DJ party after the matches. Opposition comes in the shape of Australia, Serbia and Ghana, but we expect most of the fans to be bona fide German for these live games - or simply lovers of the game willing to watch one of the tournament's most dour teams just as long as they get to drink lots of beer and ogle at bizarrely clad vixens. Groups of up to 10 people can book a front-row table for £300, for which they also receive unlimited ice-cold German beer and soft drinks from/to one hour before/after the match, traditional German snacks (pretzels and meat balls) and a private waitress - though, sadly, no pole dancing.
Saturday 12 June, 7.30pm: England v United States
Sunday 13 June, 7.30pm: Germany vs. Australia
Friday 18 June, 7.30pm: England v Algeria
Friday 19 June, 12.30pm: Germany vs. Serbia
Wednesday 23 June, 3pm: Slovenia v England
Wednesday 23 June, 7.30pm: Germany vs. Ghana
The Bavarian Beerhouse's new second venue (Tower Hill, The Arches, 9 Crutched Friars, EC3N 2AU) will be showing all World Cup matches. Entry is £5, which includes a glass of beer, guaranteed seat, table service and a DJ party after the matches. The £300 table package is also on offer.
More info: World Cup at Bavarian Beerhouse Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube
Fever Pitch
474-476 Fulham Broadway, London, SW6 1BYLondon's first World Cup pop-up bar arrives in Fulham Broadway for six weeks of football festivities as the globe's finest battle it out for supremacy in South Africa. Located a stone's throw from the shopping centre and tube (in the much smartened up venue that used to be the monstrous King's Head pub) Fever Pitch has 13 screens covering every wall of the 400-capacity bar. A kitchen serves hotdogs and "British classics" toasted sandwiches such as ham and mustard, cheese and tomato and, rather incongruously, foie gras with apricots and chilli jam. There are also two outside drinking areas with tables at the front and the back of the bar, for fans who can't bare the suspense (or simply want to head out for a chuff). The whole place will be packed up in the week following the World Cup final - although in the unlikely event of an England win, we suspect it may stay open for a few more days in crazed celebration. Early indications are that this should be quite a popular spot for football viewing - but quite how the denizens of Chelsea will take to a World Cup bar named after Nick Hornby's cult book so readily associated with fierce rivals Arsenal is another thing…
Afro Cup Festival
Rich Mix Centre, London, E1 6LA11th June 2010 - 11th July 2010
Throughout the World Cup in South Africa Hackney's Rich Mix is hosting their very own Afro Cup Festival celebrating African music, arts, culture, independence and - of course - the beautiful game. All matches will be shown on a huge 10x15ft screen during a 25-day bonanza of live music, DJs, film, art, food and football. Oh, and it's all completely free! A photography exhibition explores the life of homeless children in Cape Town, street art will take place on a 90-foot platform opposite the Bethnal Green venue, and African street food will be available throughout the tournament. Music comes from the likes of Hackney Empire, Hackney Globe Trotter, Aficathy, Next Stop Soweto, South African Funk Experience, Afrikokoa, African Rootmaster, Afrovibrations, Yaaba Funk, Bukky Leo Quintet and much, much more. For a full programme of events go to www.richmix.org.uk/afrocup.
World Cup at The CAMP
The City Arts & Music Project, EC1Y 2BJ11th June 2010 - 11th July 2010
Promising the atmosphere of the football terraces but minus the WAGs, The CAMP at Old Street will be showing every minute of the World Cup in Technicolor and surround sound on giant screens and one cinema-sized screen spread across the two-floor venue. With a 160 seats and room for 400 standing, The CAMP is available for bookings for five to 400 people, with the option of taking over the whole venue possible. Food will be provided from the Italian Bottega Prelibato kitchen while there will be a number of drink deals on, including four bottles of selected bottled beer for £10 and £15 for a jug of cocktails. Go to www.thecamplondon.com, contact charlie@thecamplondon.com or call 020 7253 2443 for more information.
World Cup at Hammersmith Apollo
Hammersmith Apollo, London, W6 9QH11th June 2010 - 11th July 2010
Watch all England World Cup games on the UK's biggest indoor high-definition screen at the Hammersmith Apollo this summer - all for free. England's three group games (against USA, Algeria and Slovenia) will be shown on a massive 859" screen - bigger than four Routemaster buses and more than five times taller than lofty England 'keeper David James. Fans will have the choice of 'standing on the terraces' in the ground-floor stalls at the iconic West London venue or they can watch from the comfort of the balcony seats above - while sipping on pints for just £2.10. Tickets are free if booked in advance (maximum four tickets per booking), although there is a small transaction fee. All tickets bought on the door cost £2 per person but the venue is bound to be busy so it could prove a gamble leaving it so late. Pre-match DJs will get you in the spirit with some classic World Cup anthems and there will be a load of giveaways and prizes on offer.
Friday 18 June: England v Algeria 7.30pm (doors open 6pm)
Wednesday 23 June: Slovenia v England 3.00pm (doors open 1.30pm)
World Cup at Stamford Bridge
Stamford Bridge, London, SW6 1HS11th June - 11th July 2010
With Chelsea players making up the spine of England's first eleven, plus the rest of the Blues squad featuring four other nations down in South Africa, it would be only fitting to head to Stamford Bridge to watch some of the World Cup action. The Premier League club are opening up the great hall hospitality suite in stadium's West Stand for guests to watch all three of England's Group C games live on big screens. Numbers will be limited and attendance will be ticket only (£15 per game) but you'll be guaranteed a great atmosphere, a good view and a comfy seat. The entry price includes a free drink from the bar and a hot dog - plus you can turn up two hours before kick-off to make the most of the experience. For those wanting a more intimate experience, Chelsea have made available some of their private event space where you can entertain friends, colleagues or clients from groups of 10 to 1,500 guests. Packages are available from £34 per person and can be tailored to include a Stamford Bridge stadium tour and/or a past player appearance. Just don't expect Ruud Gullit to show up - he'll be waxing lyrical on the big screen with the BBC.
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