Where to Watch the World Cup 2014
By Joshua Neil
With the 2014 World Cup soon to begin (12 June), fans across London- those without any Rio World Cup tickets, at least- are rushing to secure a place at the coolest clubs, pubs and venues in the capital. While there are thousands of places showing Cup matches this Summer, there are definitely some which stand out from the crowd, and are well worth visiting- for the venue as well as the great sport they offer. Here are 5 of the very best places in London to watch the World Cup in 2014.
#1 Guanabara | Indoors | £5 Entry | Parker Street, Camden
Guanabara
Guanabara, Named after the famous bay in Rio de Janeiro, this colourful bar is getting the World Cup started with style: in the true Brazilian way, events will feature samba dancers, martial arts performances, football freestylers, among a huge amount of other stuff: the perfect setting to go mad whenever a goal is scored. Featuring all World Cup Brazilian matches and most of the England matches too, the festival spirit of this place is impossible to ignore. It will also feature a unique ‘silent’ football experience, so you can watch the match via headphones and shut out all the red-faced fans that will be roaring in your ears. For all this, entry is only £5 for early-comers, but reserve soon, they’re going to sell out fast.
#2 Big Chill Bar | Outdoors and Indoors | Free Entry |Brick Lane, Shoreditch
Big Chill Bar
Looking for a more relaxed spot to watch the big game? The Big Chill Bar off Brick Lane is just the place. Featuring two 50-inch screens inside the bar, as well a 55-inch Plasma for outside partyers on the terrace, this venue has everything covered. With a number of great foods, cocktails and craft beers, a late night license to keep the party going until the late hours of the morning, and a DJ on standby after the final whistle, this cool spot has something for everyone.
#3 The Horatia | Indoors | Free | Holloway Road, Highbury
The Horation in Holloway Road
This beautiful pub is definitely a hot-spot for this year’s World Cup. With every England match being shown, as well as themed parties for every game, this is one for the classiest of footy fans. With a license until two in the morning, The Horatia is a fantastic place to find a great meal- sourced from London’s Borough Market- as well as a huge range of beers and alcohol, and watch the game in a cool and friendly environment.
#4 Bar & Co. | Outdoors and Indoors |£5 Entry | Temple Pier, Victoria Embankment
Bar & Co.
This funky bar, built out of a moored boat and situated right on the River Thames, is great for those looking for an outside space to drink, take in London and watch the big game. With four screens and a projector on the inside, with another screen on the upper deck for outside viewing, Bar & Co. is sure to give a fantastic and memorable experience of this year’s World Cup, situated as it is in the heart of London. Entry will be £5 for a game, but the price includes a free beer, so it’ll be hard to find better value for your money anywhere in London.
#5 Cargo | Outdoors and Indoors | Free till 9p.m. |Rivington Street, Shoreditch
Cargo London
Situated within an old abandoned railway yard, East London’s Cargo is a great bar and club to watch the World Cup in, where the atmosphere is likely to get lively and fun. With free entry for all, Cargo offers a pre-match happy hour, food and drink packages for those willing to splash out, and two enormous 12-foot projectors as well as a number of smaller screens, so that you’ll never miss the action. Beyond all this, there’s a terrace area with a barbeque so you can get good food while you watch, and live DJs to get you pumped up or help you wind down.
Not everybody can live the dream of going to Rio for the 2014 World Cup- but for those of us broke in London (see what I did there) who won’t get out to Brazil any time soon, there are enough awesome pubs, clubs and bars scattered around the capital that it’s better off staying home for the Cup this year. Just try and ignore the weather.
For real-time updates from each venue, find their Twitter below:
Guanabara: @GuanabaraLondon
Big Chill Bar: @BigChillBar
Horatia: @theHoratia
Bar & Co.: @BoatBarandCo
Cargo: @Cargo_LDN
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You may also want to check the Top 10 Free Events in London in June 2014.
