The 9 Best Pubs in London For Last-Minute Plans

1. Stablehand

First up on our list of London pubs for last-minute rezzies is The Stablehand. This is a quaint, traditional pub hugging Hyde Park. It's got a cute terrace out front and serves up some spectacular plates of food that will have you questioning the term pub grub. It gets its name from being parked next to Hyde Park’s horse riding stables, and was frequented by Winston Churchill, Tony Blair, and some big names living in the nieghbourhood.

2. The Four Thieves

Karaoke, beer pong, bottomless brunch, live Jazz, comedy nights, drag queens, club nights, The Four Thieves has got it all. You’ll find this vibrant London pub in Battersea, and it’s the perfect shout if your plans have been rained off, or you need a casual meeting spot. There’s a Pizzeria, a virtual racetrack, and a packed-out arcade. Heck, there’s even a beer garden, which they’ve aptly renamed to the Gin Yard.

3. Sixes Social Cricket

Let’s play cricket, but make it Pub! If historic pubs aren’t your thing and you’d rather top up on bar snacks, drinks, and good times then this is the place for you. Sixes Social Cricket have got a few venues peppered through London, including: Fulham, Fitzrovia, and Shepherd’s Bush. The concept takes traditional cricket and digitizes/makes it pub-friendly. It’s the perfect activity for groups of any size, and will definitely bring out the competitive streaks in a few of your friends—be warned—and for that reason it makes our list of the best pubs in London for last-minute bookings.

4. Redwood Sports Pub & Kitchen

Looking to watch the game? Then The Redwood Sports Club and Kitchen is for you. Serving up a range of cask ales, not a stranger to a craft beer, but most importantly never missing the game. This London pub is a stone’s throw from London Bridge Station and plays everything from football, rugby, tennis, to F1 on the big screens. What are you waiting for? The game’s about to start!

5. Long Arm Sports Pub & Brewery

One of the best pubs in the area for sports, fresh beer, and vegan food. This modern pub has an ever-changing menu of popular craft beers as well as some experimental craft brews too. They’ve got live music on Fridays, and often tend to organise special menus or deals for bigger sporting events that they screen. The staff are friendly, the vibes are great, and it’s a great location to start or end your night.

6. The Apollo Arms Public House

A country-side gem tucked away in the heart of London. The Apollo Arms Public House brings that rustic charm, welcoming service, and damn good grub that you often associate with village pubs. Their dining room is gorgeous, and there’s even a secret beer garden out the back—but, you didn’t hear it from us! This cooperatively owned pub has a great selection of real ales, and serves everything from charming bar snacks through to three course Sunday meals.

7. Farringdon Tap

This is not your traditional boozer. Located just a short walk from Farringdon station, The Farringdon Tap is a modern pub with 21 beers on tap—a record for any good pub in the area! But, it doesn’t stop there. As if a good beer selection wasn’t enough, Farringdon Tap has also got a Gyoza kitchen, karaoke rooms, and an old-school arcade game that we’ll leave as a surprise for you. Few pubs do ‘pubbing’ this good.

8. Broadleaf

American-style food, a friendly atmosphere, and sports all year around: Broadleaf has got a lot going for it. This gastropub often combines sporting events with food menus, to give you the ultimate sporting experience with your mates. There’s lunch combos: a meal and a drink for £10, and they’re even open to private events if you wanted to do something special for your birthday or a work team build. Team-building in the pub? Sign us up!

9. Greenwood

Also part of the ETM group, you’ve got Greenwood Sports Bar near Victoria station. This central London pub screens all major sporting events, and follows the same vein of service to other pubs in the ETM group. The team works with local suppliers to bring you the freshest ingredients at minimal impact to the environment. Greenwood also supports The Childhood Trust: supporting vulnerable children living in poverty in London. They give all guests the options to donate 25p to the charity on the bill—a great initiative!