This weekend’s clash between Liverpool and Real Madrid is the most anticipated event of the entire football calendar. London is famously home to many, many fans of the Anfield club who will be desperate to watch the match. Fortunately for them, plenty of fantastic bars in the city will be showing this festival of football on TV, accompanied by food, drinks and other entertainment.
Real Madrid come into the match off the back of winning the La Liga title, while Liverpool narrowly missed out on winning the Premier League at the weekend as Manchester City’s late rally against Aston Villa put paid to Jurgen Klopp’s quadruple hopes. Nonetheless, the Reds will still be the narrow favourites in the minds of many experts as they hunt for their third major trophy of the season.
An abundance of quality on both sides will be on display in this contest as the likes of Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz and Thiago Alcantara go head-to-head with Karim Benzema, Luka Modric, Rodrygo and several other high-profile players.
Regardless of who wins, millions and millions of fans – neutral and otherwise – across the globe will be clamouring to get a good seat in front of a big TV to watch this match and London will be no different.
Here are five of the best destinations showing the UEFA Champions League final in the capital this weekend.
Belushi’s, Camden
Belushi’s is a chain of sports bars that can be found in several cities across the European continent. They have multiple branches in London alone, in Camden, Greenwich, Shepherd’s Bush, Hammersmith and London Bridge. Camden will be a particularly good spot to take in all the action. It’s a vibrant part of the city where the streets are rarely unfilled and fans can expect a carnival atmosphere this weekend. With huge HD screens, projectors, burgers, nachos and beers, there aren’t many better places to watch this contest.
The Duke of Edinburgh, Brixton
Fans may also consider taking a trip to Brixton to enjoy the match, especially if the weather is good. The Duke of Edinburgh pub can be found between Clapham North and Brixton, and, crucially, has its own massive beer garden with an enormous outdoor screen. Patrons can take in all the action along with some fine street food as they have partnered with White Men Can’t Jerk, who will be there serving jerk chicken. This spot is going to be fantastic if the sun is out, difficult to rival in the city for beer garden size. However, it’s worth keeping an eye on the weather forecast because if it announces rain, pivoting to a different option may not be a bad idea.
Skylight Rooftop, Tobacco Dock
Another great shout for the outdoor experience is Skylight Rooftop. Skylight can be found in Tobacco Dock in Wapping and in Peckham. Both locations are great and are sure to be filled with hordes of football fans this weekend. Tobacco Dock is particularly beautiful with a fantastic view of the city to take in during the dull moments (if there are any) of the final. Entry costs £8 for this event but includes a bottle of Corona – a very reasonable price for the nation’s capital. Bookings are essential here so it’s definitely worth planning ahead only days away from the match. Drink specials and street food will also be available. Those with bookings can arrive from 6pm onwards, with the match itself starting at 8pm.
Pub on the Park, London Fields
Another outstanding outdoor choice is Pub on the Park. Located in the up-and-coming borough of Hackney, it has several outdoor TVs and comfortable seating in its spacious terrace. Fans will be praying for sunshine and heat, but if things do turn a little chilly, POTP also have several large outdoor heaters. This one could be a very good call for those who don’t want to go too central and are looking to enjoy the match in the fresh air of what will hopefully be a fine Saturday evening.
Boxpark, Croydon
Boxpark is another popular chain in London with venues in Croydon, Wembley and Shoreditch. All the locations are worth checking out, but Croydon should be particularly popular for this match. Big screens, street food and beers will be available. Fans should arrive at 6pm onwards to enjoy all the build up in style. Booking isn’t necessary for this one but it’s recommended in order to avoid disappointment.
With plenty of London’s finest pubs and sports bars showing the event, there is really no reason for any hardcore football fan visiting or living in the city to miss the UEFA Champions League final this weekend.
