Best Live Sports Pubs

Looking for your next legendary London night out? The Fox at Excel is that perfect sweet spot where "just grabbing a quick drink" turns into "remember that AMAZING night at The Fox?" Trust me, this isn't just another London pub - it's your new favorite story-starter in the ExCeL area. Let me paint you a picture: You walk into The Fox London, and immediately the buzz hits you. The kind of energy that makes you text your friends "GET DOWN HERE NOW" before you've even ordered your first drink. The vibe? Think classic London pub charm meets modern hotspot, where suits fresh from ExCeL events mingle with locals who know they've found the good stuff. Y'all. The cocktail game here is RIDICULOUS. Not just your standard pub fare (though they nail those too) - we're talking proper mixology magic. Pro tip: get the cocktail masterclass with your crew. We did this for Sarah's birthday and somehow ended up creating a drink we named "The Excel Express" that should probably never see the light of day again (but made for epic photos). The food menu? HOLD ONTO YOUR TASTE BUDS. Their Sunday roast has literally ruined other roasts for me - like, how dare they set the bar this high? The starters are little pieces of heaven - get the chicken pops and calamari, thank me later. And if you're doing fish and chips (because, London), prepare for proper portions that'll make your eyes pop. But here's where The Fox Excel really shines - it's got that rare ability to be whatever you need it to be. Date night? Grab a cozy corner table and impress with your knowledge of their wine selection. Work event? The private rooms are perfect for pretending to be professional (while secretly having more fun than any other corporate group in London). Sunday session? The outdoor seating area is your new summer home. Dog parent? BRING YOUR FURRY FRIEND! The Fox is dog-friendly, which means your pup can help you make new friends while you're working through the beer menu. Speaking of which - their craft beer selection would make a beer snob weep with joy. And yes, they keep the classics on tap too. For all you sports fans - this is your new game day headquarters. Multiple screens, perfect viewing angles, and an atmosphere that makes every match feel like a cup final. Just don't blame me if you end up staying for "one more round" until closing time. Let's talk logistics because I want you to nail this. They take reservations (USE THIS POWER), and trust me, for weekend nights or big groups, you'll want to book ahead. The staff here? Absolute legends who'll remember your usual after just a couple visits. They've got that magical combination of efficiency and friendliness that makes you feel like you're part of the family. Location-wise, it's basically perfect if you're anywhere near ExCeL London. Whether you're finishing up a conference, looking for pre-event drinks, or just in the area, it's that ideal spot where "I'll just pop in for one" becomes "wow, it's already that time?" Here's the real talk - The Fox at Excel isn't just a pub, it's where memories are made. It's where "quiet drinks" turn into karaoke nights, where first dates become relationships, and where "quick work lunches" somehow stretch into evening adventures. Don't just take my word for it - get yourself down to The Fox London and start your own legendary story. Just don't blame me when it becomes your new favorite spot in town (but definitely DO thank me later 😉).

If the Packhorse & Talbot in London were a person, it'd be that friend who somehow knows everyone at the party and makes you feel like you've known them for years within minutes of meeting. Nestled in the heart of Chiswick, this isn't just another London pub – it's the kind of place where the wooden beams could tell a thousand stories, and the regulars actually do. Let's address the elephant in the room: yes, London has approximately seventeen million pubs (okay, slight exaggeration), but the Packhorse & Talbot has mastered that elusive sweet spot between traditional boozer and modern gathering spot. The moment you walk in, you're hit with that unmistakable pub aroma – a perfectly balanced mixture of polished wood, hearty food, and decades of good times that somehow makes you feel instantly at home. The space itself plays a clever game of architectural Tetris, offering different zones for different moods. Want to catch the match? There's a prime spot with strategically placed screens that won't make you feel like you're in a sports bar. Craving a more intimate chat? Slide into one of the cozy booths where the lighting is just dim enough to make everyone look like they've just returned from vacation. And when London decides to remember it has a sun, the outdoor space transforms into a garden party that would make your grandmother's social circle jealous. What truly sets the Packhorse & Talbot apart from its London contemporaries is its ability to read the room. During the day, it's as laid-back as a Sunday morning, perfect for those long lunch conversations that somehow turn into dinner plans. Come evening, the energy shifts seamlessly – the bar area buzzes with after-work crowds, while the dining spaces maintain their civilized charm. It's like watching a well-choreographed dance, except instead of dancers, you've got skilled servers weaving between tables with plates of perfectly cooked pub classics. Speaking of food – oh boy, the food. The kitchen team here clearly got the memo that "pub grub" doesn't have to mean microwaved mediocrity. Their Sunday roast deserves its own Instagram account, with Yorkshire puddings so perfectly risen they could probably qualify for planning permission. The steak is cooked exactly how you ask for it (a rare feat in itself, pun absolutely intended), and the chips are that perfect combination of crispy exterior and fluffy interior that makes you forget all about your "I'll just have a salad" plans. The drink selection deserves its own paragraph, because this is where the Packhorse & Talbot really flexes its muscles. The beer lines are cleaner than a neat freak's kitchen, resulting in pints that would make a Belgian monk nod in approval. They've got local craft beers that change regularly, wines that don't just come in "red or white," and cocktails that prove someone behind the bar actually cares about mixology rather than just throwing spirits in a glass and hoping for the best. Here's a pro tip: if you're planning to visit during peak times (Sunday lunch, big match days, or any time it's actually sunny in London), booking ahead isn't just recommended – it's practically mandatory. The place has become something of a local institution, and while the staff are masters at managing the crowds, they haven't quite figured out how to bend the laws of physics to create more space. What's particularly refreshing about the Packhorse & Talbot is that it's managed to keep its prices reasonable in a city where a pint can sometimes cost more than a small car. You're not going to need to remortgage your house for a night out, but the quality justifies every penny spent. The portions are generous enough to satisfy even your friend who "just wants a light bite" and then eyes your plate hopefully. Need one final reason to visit? The Packhorse & Talbot is that rare London pub where the staff actually seem to enjoy their jobs. Not in that forced, corporate-training-manual way, but in that genuine "we actually like it here" way that makes you feel like you're being served by friends rather than employees. So next time you're in Chiswick and the London weather has you seeking shelter (or the London sunshine has you seeking a garden), make your way to the Packhorse & Talbot. Whether you're after a proper pint, a memorable meal, or just a place where everybody might not know your name yet but will probably remember it by the time you leave, you've found your spot. Just don't blame me if you end up staying longer than planned – it happens to the best of us.