The finest London rugby pubs to watch the Lions tour this summer

Where to watch the Lions rugby tour this summer

The British and Irish Lions rugby union tours to the southern hemisphere only come around once every four years. When they do, with their early morning kick-off times, it’s imperative you make the most of them. Even if you’re not a diehard rugby fan, you can tell your boss or significant other you are, and head to the pub early to settle down in front of the big screen, beer in hand, breakfast on the way, to start your day in style. Here’s the pick of the capital’s rugby landmarks to cheer on the best of British this summer as they take on the All Blacks in New Zealand.

This Fuller’s pub serves rugby for breakfast, lunch and dinner – which is lucky with the offensively early 8.35am kick-off times for the tour. A stone’s throw from the rugby cathedral that is Twickenham Stadium, rugby fans flock in their droves to the Patch. Expect informed rugby connoisseurs, tweed jackets and hearty breakfast baps a plenty. For more information, visit here.

This new private members club set in the heart of the city provides a salubrious rugby haven to enjoy the action. All tour matches will be screened in the club’s elegant wood-panelled, leather-furnished Library Bar, accompanied with a Lion-sized full English to awaken your senses and whet your appetite for the rugby feast ahead. For more information, visit here.

This maze of a pub is the perfect place to get lost in the buzz of the Lions tour. A hidden gem in north London, this Irish pub gets busy quickly on match day. But once full time has passed, you can escape into its sprawling multi-tiered garden to catch the midday sun and – hopefully – bask in the glory of a Lions victory. For more information, visit here.

With several of the Lions matches being played midweek you need an excuse to duck out of work. Fortunately the Greenwood, a new restaurant, bar and sports lounge with five screens, a pool table and even and in-house barber is the perfect SFW spot for your next breakfast meeting. And it needn’t be served with a plate of saturated fats either, with Hampshire trout royale and caviar and smoked haddock kedgeree, turmeric eggs and cauliflower (in honour of cauliflower ears, we assume) on the menu. For more information, visit here.

With 16 screens and the Cardiff-brewed Brains served on tap, this sporting amphitheatre draws a passionate throng of Welsh rugby fans for any egg-shaped occasion. Squeeze in, soak it up and belt out Bread of Heaven pre kick-off. For more information, visit here.

Usually most discerning rugby gents would give this place a wide berth. But given the Grand boasts the largest sports screen in the UK at a monstrous cinema-sized 24ft, it’s worth considering if you like your rugby blockbuster big. Just beware Clapham has a big Antipodean community, so you might well be surrounded by Kiwis come kick-off. Buy them a snakebite to get them onside early.

Quench your hunger for rugby without missing out on summer BBQ season with Memphis-inspired Porky’s. They’re serving the finest smoked, pulled and grilled grub you can find this side of the Atlantic and opening their doors early for the three key test matches versus the All Blacks. If their rugby and ribs combo doesn’t satisfy your appetite, nothing will. For more information, visit here.

Become a Gentleman’s Journal Member?

Like the Gentleman’s Journal? Why not join the Clubhouse, a special kind of private club where members receive offers and experiences from hand-picked, premium brands. You will also receive invites to exclusive events, the quarterly print magazine delivered directly to your door and your own membership card.

Click here to find out more