Think back to the summer of 2018. Now think back to the summer of 2021. While memories might be hazy, you’re sure to recall that the country lost its collective head at the unprecedented tournament runs of the England National Team.

Now, we find ourselves gearing up for a World Cup, albeit in a fairly different situation – during the unfamiliar period of the Northern Hemisphere’s wintertime, for one; and in Qatar, which was awarded the right to hold World Cup 2022 back in 2010 under controversial circumstances.

If you are choosing to take to one of London’s venues screening the World Cup, here are some of the firm favourites across the city for the pint-chugging, nail-biting, friend-hugging that is inevitably going to take place over the next month (November 20 – December 18).

1. Boxpark (Croydon, Wembley, Shoreditch)

If you’re football fan in London and haven’t heard of Boxpark, you probably have, actually. The street food hub takes on a new identity during tournament season, and is famed for its giant screenings of England games. At the Croydon space, the crowd shenanigans is filmed; and you’ll have seen the bedlam that ensues at Boxpark replayed during ITV and BBC’s coverage of the match — with pictures of the action spread across national newspapers the following day. If you manage to get a space there, you’re in for a lively time; but be prepared to smell like beer afterwards if you’re watching England play and the three lions get a half chance on goal. Book here.

POP is flourish of colour and crates—equipped with a team of vendors for the best in street food and pints—in Brixton that has also made a name for a place to watch the action unfold. Catch every minute of every single game at the World Cup on two brand new giant screens that will make that injury time winner feel extra sweet. Book your place here.

With screenings across the country and plenty of previous from tournaments past, 4TheFans know how to create the perfect matchday experience. For England games this time around, they’ve got big names such as Sir Trevor Brooking and Tony Cottee taking you through the day as you get the beers in and prepare for kick off. Read more here.

Flat Iron Square is also something of a known quantity to football fans in London. During the Euros in 2021 and World Cup 2018, you could bet your life on hearing chants about Southgate and Maguire if you walked past the venue. While this year might bring some fresh chants—one for Ben White, one for Jude Bellingham, perhaps?—you can pretty much guarantee a noisy time, on top of their top notch food and drink, at Flat Iron Square. Read more here.

Valderrama’s, dubbed London’s first inclusive sports bar, has all you could want for somewhere to view football. Named after an iconic Colombian player from the ’90s? Check. Founded by head chef James Cochran of 12:51 fame, meaning the food—just look at those burgers, for crying out loud—is out of this world? You bet. Beavertown beers on tap and multiple screens across the venue to catch every Messi chip, Neymar elastico and Kane penalty? Affirmative. Book your spot here.

Our first west London entry of the list may sound like a royal affair, but it’s no less of a lively choice as any to catch the World Cup action. The Prince is kitted out in festive attire right now and you can book tickets for England games on their site, with a number of spaces also kept free for walk-ins on matchday. Cheers! Secure your place here.

You may have heard of the UK’s first immersive football bar, TOCA Social, which is centered around the beautiful game. For the World Cup, they’ve got a cracking deal up their sleeves, with private rooms available for hire to make it a true party, and a large bar area to soak in the atmosphere. Plus, you can bookend your matchday with some mouthwatering grub and one of TOCA Social’s football-themed immersive games. Just in case you wanted to recreate that winning goal you just witnessed. Read more here!

Another large-scale space that gained notoriety for a raucous occasion during the England games in summers past. Now we find ourselves in Winter with another World Cup on the horizon, and Vinegar Yard is gearing up for another beer-soaked round of fun. Book your spot here.

This all-new fanzone was given a grand opening by David Seaman, so you can assure you’re in safe hands when you head down to view a game over the next few weeks. And if anywhere ticks every box for a matchday experience, it’s a beer hall with 24 taps of Camden’s finest, right? Right. You’ll even get a free pint if a substitute scores on the day. Book your place here. 

10. Market Halls (Oxford Street, Canary Wharf)

Sure, you know you’re getting some tongue-tingling street food at any of the Market Halls locations, but what if we told you there’s screenings planned at the Oxford Street and Canary Wharf locations too? There’s gigantic HD screens across the venues and enough barrels of beer to keep the energy ticking into next year, so book your place at Market Halls now!

Taking place at Tottenham Court Road’s new venue HERE at Outernet, an all-encompassing football night out is here. Expect DJ sets from the likes of Joel Corry and MC appearences from David Seaman and Fara Williams, with an elite view of England’s inevitable penalty shootout from the giant screen. Read more here.

You might have heard us bang on about Berenjak more than a few times – and for good reason! The magicians of the grill made their name for bottomless kebabs in Soho before opening a second site at Borough Market last year. Their new(ish!) gaff is hosting some world cup games, equipped with rooms to book for groups, a pool table and a new feast menu to tuck into. Book your place here.

Another mean central London option comes in the form of Arcade Hall. They’re showing all 64 matches in World Cup 2022—even the 10am starts—and will provide snacks and fun in the form of beer towers, sharing platters and live DJs to get you amped up for a belting 90 minutes. Book your place here. 

14. Pitchside, Skylight Tobacco Dock

Level two of the famous Tobacco Dock is getting a footy-themed polish, transforming the space into an extravagant World Cup viewing hub. Why have one giant LED screen when you can have five? Not a bad view in the house, and you can get your tickets for England vs Iran on Monday, November 21 right here.

Hope & Anchor is best known for its outdoor huts that make for lovely spot to chill all year round. Across the entire pub, there are more than 20 screens making it an optimum spot to catch all of the action this summer. Book your spot here.

With £5 tickets for every England game, you can’t really go wrong with heading to one of the three Blues Kitchen venues across the capital. There’s buffalo chicken wings to tuck into, pints to over order and live bands to take it away after the game. Secure your table here. 

An 8,500 square foot warehouse that’s just made for watching the football sits just beyond Borough Market; covering two floors and boasting a multitude of big screens. Get things kicked off to the sound of their DJ spinning the tunes to get you in the mood and tuck into their fine selection of food taking inspiration from steak and smoke houses in NYC’s meatpacking district. Book your space here. 

With a double-team of gigantic screens, the largest beer hall and live sport destination has geared up for the end-of-year World Cup in the correct fashion. There’s space for 1,400 fans, so you might need to duck and weave some flying pints—poured from the 98 beer taps—when Foden slots one home, but surely that atmosphere is one that will stick with you forever? Book a space here.

If you’re already scratching your heads wondering what to do now that football has paused for a whole week, then start planning your matchday experience at The Farrier for its grand World Cup return. You can book your space in advance and get yourself a pint plus a burger, wings or two of their fine bar snacks—scotch eggs!—included in the price (£20pp). Book your spot here!

21. Pergola On The Wharf, Canary Wharf

At Pergola the name of the game is relaxing on a beautiful terrace, but throughout November and December the tensions might rise just a teensy bit (or through the roof), depending on the drama that ensues. Book a private area for up to 12 people to watch a game, and plough through their menu of delightful bites and cocktails. Check it our here. 

22. Big Chill (King’s Cross and Brick Lane)

Big Chill in King’s Cross and Brick Lane are wheeling in the big screens in time for the World Cup, with plenty of burgers on the grill and beers on ice. Since there’s games on at lunchtime, both venues will even give the option to WFB (Work From Bar) while cheering on your team. Group bookings are available at Big Chill King’s Cross, and you can get all the information you need here.

QPR FC from White City matches at Loftus Road might be on hold for a little while, but catching the World Cup games at Dear Grace is sure to soothe the pain. Live DJs will be on hand to spin the decks for every England game to keep the ground rocking at the colourful venue. Book your place and get more information here!

24. Camino (Shoreditch, Monument, King’s Cross)

¡Chicos, vamos! Spanish restaurant group Camimo have screens in all their restaurants throughout the World Cup, because who wouldn’t want to ingest far two many plates of tapas after their team cruises to victory? It might look like a chilled out vibe in these spots, but check back with us after the first hyper-nervy penalty shootout at the tournament. Book here.