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Where are the best pubs in London in which to have a beer and watch the rugby Six Nations on tv and the big screens?...read on.
It is that glorious time of year again where, as the old joke goes, large men go out to play with odd shaped balls. Obviously, with the pubs being focused on London, the majority of places you are likely to find will be decked out with St George’s flags and humming to the sound of “Swing Low Sweet Chariot”. However, although we have included some of the choice picks for where to watch England play, we did note that there are also five other nations taking part. As such we have given a brief intro to some places following the non-English games.
ENGLAND FIRE
STATION Address: 150
Waterloo Road, SE18SB Tel: 020 7620 2226 Nearest
tube: Waterloo Directions: From
within Waterloo station, follow signs to Waterloo Road. Once outside, turn
right and its 50 yards. Details: A great
rugby pub. The screen is in an annexe from the main bar area with plenty of
seating, although it does pay to get here early or you will need to find
another pub. THE
GEORGE Address: 28
Hammersmith Broadway, W6 7AB Tel: 020 8748 5285 Nearest
tube: Hammersmith Directions:
Directly opposite Hammersmith Broadway exit to the tube station on the corner
of the main road - impossible to miss. Details: The
landlord has actually given away his tickets for an England game because he
reckons the pub atmosphere will be as good as at Twickenham. Staff will be
dressed up. O’NEILLS Address: 90
Fulham High Street, SW6 3LF Tel: 020 7384 3573 Nearest
tube: Putney Bridge Directions: Near
the tube at the start of the New Kings Road Details: A giant
screen in a superb high position in front of the main bar. The 2nd bar on an
upper level has another excellent screen. ot surprisingly, this place is no
well kept secret, so for Internationals expect to see a queue outside.
IRELAND
INN ON
THE GREEN Address: 295
Green Lanes, N13 4XS Tel: 020 8886 3760 Nearest
tube: Palmers Green Rail Directions: But an
Irish Jig from the train station. It's on the Green, opposite Trade Close. Details: The pub
is Irish run and execute superb split coverage if ever England and Ireland are
playing at the same time. Its claim to
fame is that it was used to film the Heineken ads (the rugby ones where the guy
does a drop goal with a peanut). The atmosphere is generally excellent,
especially for Internationals. B BURKE
AND SONS Address: 471
Holloway Road, N7 6LE Tel: 020 7272 3634 Nearest
tube: Upper Holloway rail Directions: From
Upper Holloway rail, turn right and it's 500 yards down the road, on the corner
of Fairmead Road N Details: Wood
floor, friendly staff and known for the live entertainment. Very Irish. FINNEGAN’S
WAKE Address: Ealing
Green, W5 5QX Tel: 020 8567 2439 Nearest
tube: Ealing Broadway Directions: Left
from tube to The Broadway, right to M&S, left past it and then straight for
350 yards, passing the Rat & Parrot & the Old Goa. Details: The
atmosphere is superb. Rammed for Internationals, coming complete with raucous
singing, and bouncers, just in case.
SCOTLAND
WILLIAM
WALLACE Address: 33
Aybrook Street (off Blandford St), W1U 4AP Tel: Nearest
tube: Baker Steet Directions: From
Baker Street tube, go south along Baker Street and turn left onto Blandford
Street. Turn left just before you reach Marlyebone High Street. The pub is
across from a car park. Details: This place has a very strong bias towards anything Scottish - down to the bag-pipes on the walls. If they win expect singing and possible pole climbing in the centre of the bar.
WALES
C ADOGAN ARMSAddress: 298 Kings Road, SW3 5UG Tel: 020 7352 1645Nearest tube: Sloane SquareDirections: From the tube, get bus 11, 19 or 22 down the Kings Road. It's opposite the Virgin cinema.Details: Finally, half way through the Six Nations, the Cadogan Arms comes to the rescue of Welsh rugby. With a Welsh landlord, S4C and BBC Wales, any valleys rugby fan is welcome for both the Six Nations and also the regular club matches they show on Fridays and weekends. They now have a large screen in both the upper and lower bar to split coverage.
FRANCE
LE BAR
DES MAGIS Address: 7-9
Battersea Rise, SW11 1HG Tel: 020 7738 0307 Nearest
tube: Clapham Junction rail Directions: From
Clapham Junction : Take the station exit towards the shops, then left and 1st
right down St. John's Road. Keep going for 500 yards and turn left up Battersea
Rise. It's at the top, on the corner of Leathwaite Road. Details: Not a
theme pub but a genuine French bar, including the staff, draft Kronenbourg 1664
and table service. They will be showing all games via satellite and so
commentary will be in French.
ITALY
BAR
ITALIA Address: 22
Frith Street, W1V 5TS Tel: 020 7437 4520 Nearest
tube: Tottenham Court Road Directions: From
Tottenham Court Road tube, go down the Charing Cross Road towards Leicester
Square. After 300 yards, turn right onto Old Compton Street. Frith Street is
2nd right and it's there on the corner. Details: NOTE:
this is a cafe, not a pub and is unlicensed. The atmosphere is okay, depending
upon the event although it is best to phone ahead beforehand to confirm the
particular match is being shown. THE
BEST PLACES FOR SPLIT COVERAGE
The following pubs are particularly good if you want to
keep up with several games at the same time. Many have zoning and so you
commentaries won’t interfere with each other. BALHAM
TUP Address: 21
Chestnut Grove, SW128JB Tel: 020 8772 0546 Nearest
tube: Balham Directions: Exit
tube station at the Chestnut Grove exit and turn left - you can see the pub. Details: A
sports mad pub, making it one of the best places to watch football and rugby
matches in the area. Will focus on England, Scotland and Wales. QUEENS
HEAD
Address: 677
Green Lanes, N8 0QY Tel: 020 8340 2921 Nearest
tube: Turnpike Lane Directions: Cross
the road from the tube so that you are next to the park. Walk down Green Lanes
with the park on your right. The pub is at the end of the park, on the corner
of Frobisher Road. Details: The pub
re-opened on July 26, 2001 and is a real all round sports bar. Expect it to be
packed and so get in early for a good seat. F3K
Address: 171-173
North End Road, W14 9NL Tel: 020 7603 6071 Nearest
tube: West Kensington Directions: It's
bang next to West Ken tube on the right. Details: A LOT of effort has been put into making this a fantastic place to watch a game. Split game coverage is superb (up to 15 different games can be shown) and the sound can be zoned into 6 different areas.
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