BEST FOR FOOD WITH YOUR RUGBY

BRIGADIERS X GUINNESS

Where there’s rugby, there’s Guinness. This year it has teamed up with Brigadiers, which is laying on dedicated matchday menus and a series of Friday ‘Lunches with a Legend’. This City restaurant is from the same stable as Gymkhana and Trishna, and the food is appropriately outstanding. Alongside dishes like Nargisi kofta venison scotch eggs and Brigadiers butter chicken pot pie, you can take advantage of a Guinness Butler service that delivers drinks direct to your table. Its ‘Lunches with a Legend’ feature big-name ex-pros such as Jason Robinson (7th February) and Jamie Heaslip (21st February). Tickets are £100pp and include a three-course meal with beer pairings.
 
1-5 Bloomberg Arcade, City, EC4N 8AR
Visit BrigadiersLondon.com

BEST FOR A BIG GROUP

THE ALEXANDRA

Slightly out of the fray, The Alexandra in Clapham is a lively pub showing the rugby on a couple of big projectors and five HD screens. It’s a proper local (with regular punters propping up the bar), serving premium beers and a recently updated menu of classic pub snacks and pizzas. There’s a private space upstairs for small functions and group watching of the Six Nations.
 
14 Clapham Common South Side, Clapham Common, SW4 7AA
Visit AlexandraClapham.com

BEST FOR A CRAFT BEER

THE CROWN & SHUTTLE

This award-winning craft beer pub is well equipped for rugby watching. You’re spoilt for choice with the range and variety of beers here, from London cask ales to big tanks of Meantime lager and niche bottles from other local breweries. Its six screens and food truck are perfect for a boozy, sporty afternoon. There are bookable spaces, including private areas for groups.
 
226 Shoreditch High Street, Hackney, E1 6PJ
Visit CrownAndShuttle.com

BEST FOR TRADITIONAL CHARM

THE RUBY ROGUE AT THE ALFRED TENNYSON

The Ruby Rogue is an upmarket Irish pub, hidden in the loft above Belgravia’s Alfred Tennyson. Oozing old-world appeal, it serves hearty fare like beef and Guinness pie. Throw in some cocktails, whiskey and live rugby, and you’re set for a memorable afternoon. Hire the Ruby Rogue for a private screening or, if you’re riding solo, catch the game in the Tennyson downstairs.
 
10 Motcomb Street, Belgravia, SW1X 8LA
Visit TheAlfredTennyson.co.uk

BEST FOR THE BIG SCREEN

THE SIX NATIONS AT GREENWOOD

If your priority is the on-screen action and nothing else matters, then Greenwood should be your go-to. As well as showing sport on up to 20 different screens, it offers a range of beers on tap and works hard to drum up an energetic ‘stadium atmosphere’ to mitigate any feeling that you’re missing out on the real thing. Big group? Book a private area.
 
170 Victoria Street, Westminster, SW1E 5LB
Visit GreenwoodLondon.com

BEST FOR FAMILY VIEWING 

THE QUEEN ADELAIDE

Family friendly and renowned for its roasts, this Young’s pub is once again serving a Six Nations menu, including an indulgent French Camembert burger. Going with someone who’s not well versed in the rules of rugby? This pub kindly features a blackboard laying out all the ‘rules for dummies’, so that everyone can follow the game.
 
35 Putney Bridge Road, Putney, SW18 1NP
Visit TheQueenAdelaide.co.uk

BEST FOR POST-MATCH OPTIONS

THE THREE CHEERS AT THE BEDFORD

The Bedford originally opened its doors in 1931. Recently reopened, this vast establishment now boasts a pub, five bars, bedrooms, a restaurant and a club with live music and five bespoke bars serving artisan beers and spirits – so you won’t be bored once the game is over, and can even sleep it all off under the same roof. The in-house pub boasts 12ft screens and local beers from the likes of Brixton Brewery. It gets busy on matchdays, but you can reserve a private room and dine out on a selection of sharable small plates.
 
77 Bedford Hill, Balham, SW12 9HD
Visit TheBedford.com
 

BEST FOR CASUAL VIEWING

THE MANOR ARMS

Close to Streatham station and teeming with character, the Manor Arms is a welcoming local with a great selection of cask ales and craft beers. Order a ploughman’s board or tuck into one of its seasonal British classics while watching rugby’s greatest annual championship. Suited to families who want to settle in for the afternoon.
 
13 Mitcham Lane, Streatham, SW16 6LQ
Visit TheManorArms.com
 

BEST FOR AN ALTERNATIVE VENUE

DARBY’S

Elevate your rugby experience with oysters. Darby’s is inviting different chefs to dress oysters in styles befitting their home nation. Screening all England and Ireland matches, Darby’s will offer a special menu alongside a list of pairing beers. Looking for a more sophisticated setting than your local? This ought to do the trick.
 
3 Viaduct Gardens, Nine Elms, SW11 7AY
Visit Darbys-London.com
 

BEST FOR ATMOSPHERE

THE FALTERING FULLBACK

Tucked away in a quiet corner behind Finsbury Park, this quirky Irish pub is the place to be on match day. With eclectic decoration, big screens and authentic Thai food being served, what more could you want? There’s even a terrace to catch some winter sun between matches. It might be Irish, but don’t be afraid to bring your England shirt – just be sure to get there in good time because there are no table bookings.
 
19 Perth Road, Finsbury Park, N4 3HB
Visit FalteringFullback.com