Where To Watch The World Cup (If You’re Not In Russia…)
Lads-lads-lads, play-up Pompey, REFEREE. Um, that’s about my limit. Football is a closed book, a bunch of millionaires running round a stadium, and if that’s what you’re after then do it properly and let’s feed Sir Philip Green to the lions or something else funny. But while the offside rule may as well be written in Sanskrit, I do understand sipping rosé on a rooftop terrace, downing canapés and socialising, so maybe the World Cup won’t be all that bad… If you’re a sports nutter, or you’re a normal, reasonable, person, there’s something for everyone this World Cup, here’s a selection…
The Piano Works West End
Sing When You're Winning
Singing and football go hand in keeper’s glove, remember Baddiel and Skinner’s Three Lions? Vindaloo? Or just plain old ENG-ER-LUND, ENG-ER-LUNG? However, over at Studio 88 they’ll be offering a more refined take. Along with all the live action from Russia on screen, the in-house band will be taking audience requests to see you through the action. Football with tunes? Music to our ears.
Where: 47 Whitcomb Street, London WC2H 7DH, UK (Off Leicester Square)
Website: www.pianoworks.bar
The Arch London
Move Over Football, Here's To Some Archery
Forget oranges at half time; The Arch London has transformed half time refreshments and no, we’re not talking about pork pies and a scotch egg (as good as that sounds). Instead The Arch will be serving up steak burger or Margherita pizza, with a couple beers, ideal fodder to get you through a second ninety minutes of footballing. Or, if you’re staying over, why not lie back in bed and order room service with a special menu developed by Head Chef Gary Durrant.
Where: 50 Great Cumberland Place, Marble Arch, London, W1H 7FD, United Kingdom
Website: www.thearchlondon.com
Selfridges
The Bro Code Now Involves Rosé
Bros plus rosé equals Brosé… So say Selfridges, who will be hosting a rooftop rosé terrace in partnership with Veuve Clicquot. If the rosé Champagne wasn’t a big enough draw (and for the record, it is) then they’ll also be screening the World Cup games, while serving canapés. If you want a bit of the footy action yourself then fear not, there’ll be table football.
Where: Selfridges, Oxford Street, London, United Kingdom
Website: www.selfridges.com
1 Lombard Street
After a hard day in The City why not stop in at 1 Lombard Street and their beautiful domed bar where the World Cup will be screened both in the bar and in the private dining room. In the latter, enjoy a three course meal or sharing platter which is perfect for groups. And, of course, there’s also the option to stick around for a slap up dinner at the city restaurant.
Where: 1 Lombard Street, London, EC3V 9AA, United Kingdom
Website: www.1lombardstreet.com
Hilton London Wembley
Football's Coming Home
Football might not be coming home this time round, but you can head to the home of football, Wembley. Hilton London Wembley will, of course, be putting on a show for the World Cup and special menu for the individual countries taking part. So England will be fish and chips (obvs), no surprises that Australia have roasted skippy with kangaroo burgers, Germany sausages and so on. You get the idea.
Where: Lakeside Way, Wembley HA9 0BU, UK
Website: www.hilton.com
QUEENS Skate Dine Bowl
Ice See You
Okay, now we’re talking. Football just got interesting. Queen’s are hosting a human zorbing experience where you become the ball. Oh, and it’s on ice. Their permanent 12,500 metre square ice rink has been transformed into a (slippery) human football pitch. And after some slithering around, enjoy a post match glass of Prosecco at MEATliquor’s bar.
Where: 17 Queensway Bayswater W2 4QP
Website: www.queens.london
The Rubens at the Palace
Big Game And Big Games
The Rubens At The Palace will be entertaining us all at bbar and restaurant. Bbar (not a typo) have an impressive selection of beers and spirits (essential to enjoying the football) and have gone one better with their signature cocktails and list of wines. During the World Cup ignore the ‘colonial cool’ vibes big game on the walls, and instead focus in on the big game on the screen.
Where: 39 Buckingham Palace Road, Victoria, SW1W 0PS
Website: www.rubenshotel.com
