Hopeful again that football will finally come home, another month of football frenzy will take over the city (and its venues) this summer. Here is our ‘starting 11’ guide to the top private-hire spots to watch it
Capacity 150
Prices from £95pp (excluding VAT and service)
This Grade II-listed sanctuary offers bespoke packages for watching the footie, but the standard options include free-flowing G&Ts, cocktails and bottomless beer for three hours. Line your stomach on the pre-match barbeque and half-time snacks. If you’re watching more than one fixture, there are upgrades as well as extensions on the bottomless booze.
Capacity 100
Prices from £50pp
As part of its summer offerings, Camino Bankside is putting up a big screen to watch the World Cup, Spanish style – olé! This means special tapas menus, sangria, cava, plus a wide selection of wine and beers – not to mention the frosé (frozen rosé, in case you didn’t know).
Capacity 360
Prices from £40pp
Apart from having an apt name, Pitch Stratford has a 196-inch HD screen where all the FIFA World Cup fixtures will be showed – win! Groups can be booked in for premium tables, drinks packages and guaranteed seats in the first three rows in front of the screen (no one’s being sidelined here).
Capacity 60
Prices from £145pp
If you want to watch the football with the London skyline as your backdrop, The Gherkin should be top of your list. Searcys has recently refurbished its private dining rooms and they are ready for a party. Food and drinks packages ensure classy snacks and a free flow of booze.
Capacity 650
Prices from n/a
Food stall haven Flat Iron Square guarantees a social, alfresco way to watch the World Cup – fingers crossed for good weather. There are also several restaurants and bars (both pop-ups and permanent) for some post-match indulgence. We recommend the new nightclub Omeara, which has a late license and a terrace open until 2am.
Capacity 200
Prices from £60pp
If you want to do the glorious game oligarch style, The May Fair Hotel has all to play for. You can book anything from a private football party in one of the suites, to a footie foodie dinner in one of the dining rooms, or even larger parties for up to 200 people. Expect some seriously fancy food and drink.
Capacity 500
Prices from £69pp
What better place to watch top football than the home of Chelsea FC. Rivalry will be put to the side when all Londoners unite around the nine-metre-wide LED screen as well as 13 plasmas. Packages include four hours of unlimited drinks and food from a street food station. Add-ons, upgrades and extensions are available too.
Capacity 30
Prices from £25pp
Does a double interactive projection screen sound like something for you? Bingo! Watch the tournament in the private Games Room at Inamo Soho with a selection of drinks and snacks. Needless to say, there will be a wide array of games available too for some pre- and post-match shenanigans.
Capacity 100
Prices from £80pp
This King’s Cross hub has a number of different spaces for hire across its four floors (plus a rooftop terrace for those more interested in soaking up the sun). Packages start at £80pp for three hours of unlimited wine and beer, plus canapés. Upgrades guarantee barbeques and unlimited cocktails.
Capacity 100
Prices from £25pp
If you want the full pub experience, but want to avoid getting a full pint spilt over your top, head to Ealing Park Tavern. It offers everything from the back pub and the beer garden to a private room and outdoor cabanas. The football platters look inviting too.
Capacity 1,200
Prices from £95pp
If watching football from all 17 screens is a bit much for you, fear not – Namco Funscapes has a tonne of other activities on offer. Bowl, hit the arcade, or play ping pong and pool instead or in-between matches. Exclusive packages are available for groups of 10-1,200, and include a private area with dedicated hosts and a variety of catering options.
Got a group who aren’t mad-keen on footie? Here are some sporty venues that might pique their interest