Best Bars for Watching Rugby

The official rugby pub of Twickenham Stadium. This is where serious fans gather pre-match and post-match. The walls are lined with rugby memorabilia spanning decades. Order early on match days—this place fills up two hours before kick-off.

Order: Fuller's London Pride with fish and chips

A proper gastropub that takes both food and rugby equally seriously. The kitchen delivers elevated pub fare—proper pies, roasted meats, seasonal vegetables. Six screens ensure no viewing angle is wasted. The bartenders know rugby and will give you an honest read on the match dynamics.

Order: Homemade steak and ale pie with a Cornish IPA

A sleek rugby bar designed for serious viewing. High-end sound system, multiple wall-mounted displays at optimal angles, and reservable booths for groups. The cocktail menu draws heavily from rugby-nation spirits—Bunratty mead, Irish whiskey flights, New Zealand wines.

Order: Irish coffee with a Welsh rarebit board

Historic pub serving the Oval Cricket Ground area, but with a serious rugby following during international matches. The cask ales rotate seasonally. The front room has tall windows letting in natural light, making afternoon matches feel less like a cave experience than many rugby bars.

Order: Timothy Taylor Landlord with cheese and pickled onions

New York's most authentically British rugby bar. English, Irish, Australian, and South African expats converge here for international matches. The back room is reserved for rugby on weekends, with a proper betting board and commentary from UK broadcasters. Pints are serious—proper Imperial measures.

Order: Guinness with a meat pie

An Irish pub with serious rugby credentials. The owner is a former international player. There's an infectious energy here on match days—the crowd is knowledgeable without being hostile to newcomers. The back bar area is dedicated to rugby viewing with custom-built seating tiers.

Order: Smithwick's with boxty bread

A neighbourhood gem where Manhattan's east side rugby community congregates. The bar is small enough to feel intimate but loud enough when the match tension peaks. Home-brewed sodas and a surprising whiskey collection for post-match drinks. Match day reservations are essential.

Order: Aperol Spritz or a whiskey neat

Named for South Africa's rugby team, this bar serves a significant southern hemisphere expat population. The décor celebrates Springbok rugby history. Half the menu pivots on South African biltong, boerewors, and traditional sides. Screen placement is professional—no rugby fan sits with a restricted view here.

Order: Lion's Pale Ale with biltong platter

Overlooking the Thames, this pub captures the heart of English rugby. Richmond is home to the Sharks rugby club, and match days here are local affairs with genuine community investment. The riverside terrace is pleasant for summer internationals. Winter Test matches draw serious crowds indoors.

Order: Samuel Smith's with game pie

An Irish bar that happens to have excellent rugby coverage. The crowd here is more Irish expat than rugby-specific, but that creates excellent energy for Six Nations matches. The bar staff are warm to newcomers. Sunday roasts and traditional Irish breakfast served all day make lingering worthwhile.

Order: Murphy's Stout with brown bread