Best Sport Watching Pubs

Let me tell you about Maggie May's Bar in Wexford - the kind of place where "just one drink" turns into the best night of your month. This isn't just another pub on the map; it's where legendary stories begin and where "I'll be home early" becomes the biggest lie you've told yourself all year. You know those rare gems where the atmosphere hits just right? Maggie May's Bar has somehow bottled that magic in the heart of Wexford. The moment you walk in, you can feel it - that electric buzz of good times waiting to happen. Whether you're rolling in with your whole crew or just meeting a mate for a catch-up, this place morphs to match your vibe perfectly. LISTEN. The beer garden here? It's not just any outdoor space - it's basically an outdoor living room where summer afternoons dissolve into epic evenings. Picture yourself under the covered area, pint in hand, watching the sunset while your friends argue about whose round it is next. Pure bliss! Speaking of pints - holy moly, the Guinness here is NEXT LEVEL. We're talking the kind of pour that would make your grandfather proud. The kind that has you sending photos to your Dublin friends just to make them jealous. And while they might not shout about their cocktail menu, here's a little secret: the staff are basically magic-makers behind the bar. Just tell them what you like, and watch them whip up something that'll have you questioning every basic cocktail you've ever ordered elsewhere. The vibe switches up throughout the week like your favorite playlist. Live music nights? ELECTRIC. Sports nights? With four TVs strategically placed so you won't miss a single moment, it's like having the best seats in the house, but with better drinks and zero chance of getting rained on. Even on quieter nights (Wednesday is your chill spot), there's this comfortable buzz that makes you feel like you're exactly where you should be. Inside, it's like they've cracked the code of pub perfection. Enough space to move around without feeling empty, cozy corners for intimate chats, and those high-energy spots near the bar where friendships are forged over shared jokes with the staff. Speaking of which - the crew here? They're the kind of people who remember your usual after your second visit and treat you like you've been coming in for years. Let's talk logistics, because I NEED you to do this right. They've got all the modern conveniences sorted - tap your card, wave your phone, whatever works (though maybe set yourself a limit, because it's dangerously easy to keep the good times rolling). The location is spot-on in Wexford, making it the perfect starting point, middle point, or final destination of your night out. Pro tip: Get there early if you're planning on nabbing one of those prime spots in the beer garden on sunny days. And while they might not do food themselves, you're in the heart of Wexford - some of the best takeaways are just a stumble away, and they're cool with you bringing in some sustenance to fuel your session. Here's the thing about Maggie May's Bar in Wexford - it's not just a pub, it's a mood-changer. A day-maker. A story-creator. It's where "I'll just pop in for one" becomes "I can't believe we just did that!" Every time I'm not here, I'm thinking about when I can get back. The prices hit that sweet spot where your wallet won't hate you, but your social life will thank you. Don't be the person hearing about last night's adventures at Maggie May's secondhand. Be the person starting the WhatsApp group saying "Maggie's tonight?" Trust me, future you will be grateful. And if you see me there, first round's on you - because I just gave you the inside scoop on the best night out in Wexford!

Just what Wandsworth needed - another pub claiming to be the neighborhood's saving grace. The Beehive in London's increasingly gentrified southwest has all the telltale signs: exposed brick, craft beer pretensions, and that carefully cultivated "we've-been-here-forever" vibe that usually makes me want to run screaming toward the nearest properly dodgy establishment. But damn it all if this place hasn't wormed its way into my cold, cynical heart. Maybe it was the Guinness. In a city where a proper pint of the black stuff is increasingly rare, The Beehive's pour is nothing short of magnificent. The kind of pint that makes you question whether you've actually been teleported to Dublin while you weren't paying attention. And trust me, I've spent enough time in Irish pubs to know the difference between performative pouring and the real deal. The space itself is refreshingly honest. No manufactured quirkiness, no Instagram bait, just a proper London pub that happens to have survived the great gastropub invasion with its soul intact. The walls could tell stories - if they weren't too busy holding up decades of memorabilia that actually belongs there, rather than having been sourced from some theatrical prop warehouse. What's particularly infuriating is how they've managed to strike that impossible balance between neighborhood regular haunt and destination-worthy venue. The locals sprawled across well-worn leather banquettes don't look up when you walk in - always a good sign - but the staff manages to make you feel welcome without laying it on thick. It's the kind of place where you can have a proper conversation without shouting, yet the atmosphere never feels dead. They're not trying to reinvent the wheel here, and that's precisely why it works. The beer selection is solid without being showy, the wine list won't win awards but won't offend anyone either, and the cocktails are mixed with surprising competence. Prices sit right where you'd expect for London these days - which is to say, they'll make you wince if you're over 35 and remember when a pint cost less than a fiver, but won't require a second mortgage. The decision not to serve food might seem like a limitation, but it's actually genius. They've partnered with the pizza place next door, and let me tell you, it's a match made in heaven. Order a pie, bring it in, and enjoy it with your pint. No mediocre pub grub, no pretentious small plates - just proper pizza and proper drinks. Sometimes the old ways are the best ways. For sports fans, the screening setup is thoughtful rather than overwhelming. You can watch the match without feeling like you're in a sports bar, and the atmosphere during the Six Nations is electric without descending into chaos. It's a delicate balance that few venues manage to strike. The outdoor seating area isn't going to win any design awards, but it's perfectly serviceable for those inevitable summer evenings when London remembers it has a sun. Dog-friendly too, which means you'll occasionally have to share your space with four-legged punters - but they're generally better behaved than their two-legged companions. The Beehive accepts all the modern payment methods you'd expect, while maintaining enough cash transactions to keep things interesting. The staff knows their regulars by name and their drinks by heart, but newcomers aren't treated like lost tourists who've wandered off the beaten path. What really sets The Beehive apart from Wandsworth's other watering holes is its stubborn refusal to chase trends. While other venues in London frantically reinvent themselves every six months, this place knows exactly what it is: a proper pub that takes its drinks seriously without taking itself too seriously. Look, I didn't want to like The Beehive. I really didn't. But sometimes you have to admit defeat and acknowledge when something just works. So here I am, reluctantly recommending that you make your way to this corner of Wandsworth and experience it for yourself. Just don't all rush there at once - some of us have already made it our local, and we'd like to keep being able to find a seat.

Hidden away in the bustling streets of London, the Pipe Major isn't just another pub - it's the kind of place where stories begin. Fresh off a clever renovation that's got the whole neighborhood talking, this beloved local haunt in the heart of the capital has transformed itself while keeping its soul intact. And trust me, as someone who's watched more London pubs than I care to count lose their character to sleek modernization, the Pipe Major has pulled off something special here. The moment you push open those heavy wooden doors, you'll notice something different about this place. It's not trying too hard to be trendy, nor is it clinging desperately to a manufactured sense of tradition. Instead, the Pipe Major in London has found that sweet spot - like finding the perfect seat at the bar on your first try. The recent refurb has added some proper pub essentials - a pool table that doesn't tilt to one side (miracle!), a dartboard that's actually level, and TVs positioned so you won't strain your neck watching the match. But it's done with a light touch that makes everything feel like it's always been there. Let's talk atmosphere because this is where the Pipe Major really shines. During the day, sunlight streams through the windows, creating those perfect lazy afternoon vibes that make you want to linger over just one more pint. As evening rolls in, the lighting dims to that magical level where everyone looks like they're starring in their own BBC drama. The sound system keeps the music at that perfect volume where you can still hear your mates' terrible jokes without having to shout yourself hoarse. The bar staff here deserve their own paragraph, because they're the real MVPs. They've mastered that rare art of being there exactly when you need them while letting you enjoy your space when you don't. They'll remember your usual after just a couple of visits, and they actually seem to enjoy being there - which, let's be honest, isn't always a given in London pubs. The prices won't make your wallet weep either - in a city where a pint can cost as much as a small car, the Pipe Major keeps things refreshingly reasonable. Speaking of drinks, they've got all the usual suspects plus some pleasant surprises. The beer selection rotates regularly, with local craft options sitting comfortably alongside the classics. Their cocktail game is surprisingly strong for a pub, and they don't make that face when you order something slightly complicated. You know the face I mean. For those interested in the entertainment side of things, they've nailed it with live music nights that actually add to the atmosphere rather than destroying it. The sound system is properly set up so you can enjoy the music without feeling like you're standing next to a jet engine. And during big sporting events? This place transforms into the kind of venue where even neutral supporters get caught up in the excitement. The food situation deserves special mention, particularly their carvery, which has developed something of a cult following among locals. The roasts are proper Sunday dinner affairs that would make your nan proud, complete with all the trimmings and those Yorkshire puddings that somehow manage to be both crispy and fluffy. Even if you're just popping in for a quick bite, their regular menu hits that sweet spot between proper pub grub and something a bit special. What really sets the Pipe Major apart from other London pubs is how it manages to be several things at once without feeling confused about its identity. It's a proper local where regulars feel at home, but newcomers aren't treated like they've just walked into someone's living room uninvited. It's great for watching sports, but you won't feel out of place if you're there with a book. You can have a proper meal or just nurse a pint - no judgment either way. Here's my advice: get yourself to the Pipe Major in London during that golden hour just as the afternoon is thinking about becoming evening. Grab a spot by the window if you can, or settle into one of those comfortable corners if you're planning to stay a while. Order whatever's on tap that you've never tried before, maybe some of that famous garlic bread everyone keeps talking about, and watch as the pub works its magic. Whether you're a local or just passing through, you'll find yourself thinking about coming back before you've even left.