With the Six Nations tournament drawing towards a climax, we’ve rounded up the six best places to sit back, buy a pint and cheer your heart out.
Faltering Fullback – Finsbury Park
A Finsbury Park bastion. Its owners are Irish, which is always a plus for a rugby pub, and the beer is reasonably priced which, again, is a bigger plus for a rugby pub. Get lost among the carnage in its open-plan, wooden-benched main room, or find solace in the verdant, labyrinthine beer garden. The Thai food packs a punch, too, and is the perfect pre-emptive remedy for the next day’s hangover. Those who wish to hear every word of the commentary should avoid, but those who like a boisterous atmosphere will feel right at home.
Islington Sports Bar & Grill – Holloway Road
Situated a stone’s throw from Holloway Road tube station, this is a traditional sports bar in every respect. Despite its understandable allegiances to football and, specifically, Arsenal, the sheer volume of screens means that there is always something for everyone. They often run match-day food offers, where you can eat your own body weight in chicken wings, and the beer might be the cheapest you will find in an independent establishment in London.
Fox on the Green – Upper Street, Islington
There is a plethora of watering holes and eateries located on Islington’s vivacious Upper Street, but the Fox on the Green trumps them all for Six Nations coverage. It has a more upmarket ambience than the previous two, with a fine craft beer selection to boot. You will find, however, traditional pub fare at a reasonable cost for the area. You can also book tables for rugby viewing, too, which sets it apart from its pub competition.
This quirky North London chain is fast making a name for itself with its vibrant pre-match street parties at its Holloway Road branch near Arsenal. But, its sister shop, located around the corner from King’s Cross station, has harmoniously fused that perfect sporting triumvirate: beer, sport, and pies. Predominantly a restaurant, Piebury Corner runs a Six Nations promotional special where rugby fans who do not want to watch the match crammed into a pub can book a table and enjoy one of their finest pies and watch the match in comfort.
For those who wish to avoid the hustle-and-bustle of Zone 1 and 2, the Old Dairy at Crouch Hill is the ideal spot. It makes a perfect venue for those who like to rub shoulders with fellow rugby fans but potentially do not like the manic pandemonium of some of the city’s Six Nations locations. They offer the chance to book the front row for live matches and the remaining Sunday matches give you a perfect opportunity to try their vaunted roast.
To be avoided on Arsenal matchdays, but this refurbished former cinema has all the charm needed for a long afternoon in the pub. But it’s a Wetherspoons that doesn’t show sport? Correct. But take advantage of the cheap food and drink and nestle into one of its booths with your laptop and stream the games on Tim Martin’s best free WiFi. Nothing like getting your money’s worth.
