London's Pubs: Sports And Beer Havens

England has a long history of crazed and unruly sports fans. So it's no wonder that the pubs in London have gotten used to accommodating rambunctious crowds. Whether you're in the mood for football or rugby, grab a pint and celebrate a victory with the locals at these top London sports pubs.
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England has a long history of crazed and unruly sports fans. So it's no wonder that the pubs in London have gotten used to accommodating rambunctious crowds. Whether you're in the mood for football or rugby, grab a pint and celebrate a victory with the locals at these top London sports pubs.

By Daniel Hogan, a freelance writer for Party Earth.

For more articles and reviews, go to Party Earth.

English Pubs
Best Place to Root for Your Team: The Sports Café(01 of05)
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The Sports Café in Central London is the epitome of a mega-sports bar. This two-story behemoth features over a hundred televisions, three massive super-screens, and three full bars. Sport fanatics of all kinds will feel right at home with the trophy cabinets and game paraphernalia, greasy food that includes buffalo hot wings, and a total overstimulation of sports. And with this many TVs, you won't have any problem watching Arsenal take on Chelsea while simultaneously catching the opening of a cricket match - don't lie to yourself, you know you love cricket. Everyone loves cricket. So head over to the centrally located Sports Café where you'll be guaranteed a bustling viewing hub from start to finish.
Best Place to Have a Traditional English Pub Experience: The Crown(02 of05)
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Located on a busy corner in Covent Garden, The Crown has everything you could ask of a British pub: heavy wooden tables, simple interior, and an extensive selection of hearty beers, flavorful wines, and potent liquors. Typically a Tottenham Hotspur hangout, this pub knows how to handle a raucous bunch, and with its prominent location, there'll be plenty of tourists and locals alike popping in and out for a drink. If you are coming here to watch a game make sure to arrive early, as the seats near the TV will fill up quickly.
Best Pub for Young Travelers: The Court(03 of05)
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The Court is one of the most popular college bars in Central London. Situated just a block away from the dorms of the University of London, the Court is constantly crawling with an energetic crowd of students and young professionals. Come here to watch your team charge the field on one of The Court's flat-screen TVs, or take a break by playing pool with that university hottie you met at the bar. The Court is within walking distance to many of the trendiest drinking holes and clubs in London, so start here with a frosty mug of stout as you get ready for a night on the town.
Best Place to Celebrate a Win: The Rocket(04 of05)
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So your favorite team just won the match of the season. With all that team pride swelling up inside, The Rocket is the perfect pub to let the good vibes out and guarantees to keep you in a rejoicing mood long after the victory. This hectic pub in King's Cross sits in the middle of several universities and hip neighborhoods, keeping it ever populated with throngs of good-looking denizens to celebrate with. The Rocket also stays open an hour later than any of the surrounding pubs, ensuring it to be a hotspot even on a mostly quiet night. The cheap drinks, flat-screens, and loud music make The Rocket the place to wave your mug of ale high while arrogantly singing a victory song with the locals.
Best Pub to Drown your Sorrows: Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese(05 of05)
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You know what they say, "You can't win them all." No matter who your favorite team is, with sports you'll be sure to win some and lose some. And in those trying times, when you most need to escape the obnoxious cheering of the winning team's fans, hide yourself in Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese (Yes, that's actually the name. But don't expect to find Alice in this rabbit hole). This ancient pub dating back to the 16th century was once the regular drinking ground of literary heavyweights like Charles Dickens and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Through its maze of stone-walled hallways and spiraling staircases, its four floors have everything on its walls but a TV - fireplaces, portraits, a fish-tank, but no TVs. So you don't have to worry about that inept announcer rubbing in your loss, analyzing bit by bit all the ways it could have gone differently. And you'll be saved from seeing other fans at the bar screaming with joy as their team beats yours on replay, over and over in slow motion. No, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese is the perfect place to duck into for some seclusion, and in the words of Charles Dickens, nothing beats hard times like a "good plain dinner and good wine."

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