Places to grab a pint and act obnoxious like a true American should.
The 2012 Olympic Games are here and the masses will be swarming London, wondering where to go. Luckily, with England’s long history of crazed sports fans and boozing, plenty of the pubs in London have gotten used to accommodating rambunctious crowds. So whether it’s to watch an event, cheer on your country, or celebrate a victory, here are a few of Party Earth‘s favorite pubs you should hit up while across the pond.
Best Place to Root for America: The Sports Café
The Sports Café in Central London will make you feel like you’re back in America. The two-story behemoth features over a hundred televisions, three massive super-screens and three full bars. Americans will feel right at home with the baseball bat door handles, food that includes buffalo hot wings and an overstimulation of sports. And with this many TVs, you won’t have any problem watching Michael Phelps capture his 47th gold medal while simultaneously catching whoever the Michael Phelps of handball is, winning lots of handball medals. (We bet his name is Flint.)
Best Place to Have a Traditional English Pub Experience: The Crown
Located on a busy corner in Covent Garden, the Crown has everything you could ask of a British pub: heavy wooden tables, simple interior, British people, accents and an extensive selection of hearty beers, flavorful wines, and potent liquors. Typically a Tottenham Hotspur hangout, this pub knows how to handle a raucous crowd, and with its prominent location, there’ll be plenty of tourists and locals alike popping in and out for a drink. If you are coming here to see Dwyane Wade and Kobe Bryant take on the world or watch England slaughter Germany in a football match, make sure to arrive early, as the seats near the TV will fill up quickly…with the chubby asses of tourists.
Best Pub for Young Travellers: The Court
The Court is one of the most popular college bars in Central London. Situated just a block away from the dorms of the University of London, the Court is constantly crawling with an energetic crowd of students and young professionals. Come here to watch Usain Bolt turn to lightning on one of the big screens, or take a break by playing pool or snooker with the hottie uni chick you met at the bar. The Court is within walking distance to many of the trendiest bars and clubs in London, so start here and let the beers be your guide for the rest of the night.
Best Place to Celebrate Olympic Gold: The Rocket
With all that national pride swelling up inside, The Rocket is the perfect pub to let it out in a flurry of debauchery that’s guaranteed to keep you in a raucous mood long after the victory. This hectic pub in King’s Cross sits in the middle of several universities and hip neighborhoods, keeping it ever populated with throngs of good-looking partygoers to celebrate with. The Rocket also stays open an hour later than any of the surrounding pubs, ensuring it to be a hotspot even on an off night. The cheap drinks, flat-screens and loud music make The Rocket the place to wave your mug of ale high while arrogantly singing our national anthem – just don’t expect the locals to join in with you. In fact, to avoid an international incident sing “Cotton Eyed Joe” instead, because that’s a song the whole world loves!
Best Pub to Drown your Sorrows: Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese
If Team America ends up losing (particularly in the sports of basketball and swimming) you’ll need a place to hide and escape the mayhem of the Games. We recommend you visit Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese. (Yes, that’s the real name. Yes, it’s the best name of a bar we’ve ever heard.) This ancient pub dating back to the 16th century was once the regular drinking grounds of literary figures such as Charles Dickens and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Through its maze of stone-walled hallways and spiraling staircases, its four floors has everything on its walls but a TV – fireplaces, portraits, a fish-tank, but no TVs. Thus, you don’t have to worry about that inept announcer rubbing in the loss, analyzing bit by bit all the ways it could have gone differently, or have to see other international fans at the bar screaming with joy as their countrymen cross the finish-line before yours. Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese is the perfect place to dodge into for some seclusion. And remember, there’s always 2016…and pro wrestling.
Check out PartyEarth.com for more ways to put the fun back in vacati-fun.