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England are back in action on Sunday afternoon, against Italy - David Rose
The Six Nations is in full flow once again and finding a pub to watch all the action – for those not lucky enough to have tickets – is not always straightforward.
But fear not, Telegraph Sport has pulled together the 10 best pubs to watch rugby across the cities that typically host Six Nations action.
Feel free to agree, disagree and nominate your own suggestions in the comment section here.
10. Athletic Arms, Edinburgh
Murrayfield’s issue is its location; with Scotland’s national rugby stadium situated in a fairly sleepy, residential suburb of the capital. The best boozers are mostly to be found in the city centre – or, at least, closer to it – as another contender in this list attests, but the historic Athletic Arms bucks the trend.
Televisions galore – which, admittedly, mostly broadcast football throughout the year – award-winning pies, and around 22 draught beers and 500 whiskies; enough to keep any rugby social occupied. Author Irvine Welsh is thought to be quite fond, too.
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The Athletic Arms is located near Tynecastle Park and Murrayfield - PA
9. Mulligan’s, Dublin
In a city like Dublin, hundreds could theoretically feature on this list. The standard of pub is so high that one must hunt for the jewels in the crown and even nit-pick to choose the best. Everyone will have their opinion, but the two on this list are tried and tested hits. Searsons of Baggot Street deserves a mention for its buzz, but it does sometimes feel you could be in any city in the world in there – despite the excellent Guinness.
Look no further than Mulligan’s on Poolbeg Street for the authentic Irish experience, away from the Temple Bar tourist traps, in what was once a favourite haunt of writers and journalists (maybe, in hindsight, that is a reason to avoid).
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Mulligan’s has been at the core of Dublin’s cultural life for nearly 300 years - Getty Images/Tim Clayton
8. Prince of Wales, Cardiff
One of two Wetherspoons pubs to make this list and, arguably, Twickenham’s William Webb Ellis is unlucky to miss out as a third Sir Tim Martin entrant given its proximity to the Allianz Stadium and neoclassical architecture. But the Prince of Wales, set across two storeys in a former theatre, is a Cardiff institution, with its open-plan vastness and big screen showing the other weekend’s matches.
There are Welsh choir performances on its iconic glass staircase – which, after game day, will surely take some cleaning – post-match, too. Richard Burton and Laurence Olivier both appeared on stage here during the building’s erstwhile life as a theatre and, with the amount of beer flowing through the taps on match day, they would both enjoy themselves.
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The Prince of Wales is the largest Wetherspoons in Cardiff - Getty Images/Matthew Horwood
7. Standing Order, Edinburgh
The Scottish capital’s second submission – and the second Wetherspoons in the list. Whatever your view of the chain, its offering of large spaces, cheap beer and quick service make it a match-day hit. The reason why Edinburgh’s stands out is because the Six Nations is often shown on a big screen – not a common occurrence in Wetherspoons – and the decor is marvellous, with high ceilings and pillars of polished granite.
The Standing Order, as the name suggests, is a former bank nestled in Edinburgh’s New Town, where the city’s famous Georgian architecture dominates. Earlier this year, too, it was voted Britain’s most popular pub.
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The Standing Order pub was once the Union Bank of Scotland’s head office - The Standing Order
6. Au Métro, Paris (15th arrondissement)
Paris has a fine selection of rugby pubs. From the Bowler in the eighth arrondissement, to the No Scrum No Win chain scattered across the city, and onwards to Rue Princesse in the chic sixth, known as Rue de la Soif (Thirsty Street) owing to its high density of bars and brasseries. In truth, rugby fans would enjoy themselves in almost all of those venues. For something a little different, however, and something more authentic, Au Métro at Pasteur is as good as it gets.
An all-time favourite of Scotland scrum coach Pieter de Villiers, the café has been a family-run affair for many years. It might not look much from the outside, but inside the warmest welcome from patron Jean-Pierre awaits. It is very easy to get lost looking at the stacks of jerseys and memorabilia that adorn the walls and it is also very easy to forget your own name drinking the house Armagnac. The food is rustic, the television is large, the beer is cold – and the locals pack it out. What’s not to like?
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Memorabilia adorns the walls inside Au Métro, a small brasserie with typical French and Basque cuisine - Au Métro
5. City Arms, Cardiff
On this list, one will not find a pub closer to a Six Nations stadium. In fact, one would do well to find such an establishment anywhere in the six host cities. As with most Cardiff pubs, the beer selection is favourable – but often the queues can inhibit the enjoyment, with hordes spilling out onto the street.
However, it is a traditional, city-centre boozer and the main gates of the Principality Stadium can be seen from its front door. Due to its proximity to the city’s cattle market, it was once called the Cattle Market Tavern, but made the switch after Cardiff was declared as Wales’s capital in 1955. But its former name lives on in spirit; many a butchering has been witnessed on the turf over the road (although, of late, the hosts have often been on the wrong side of them).
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The City Arms is on the doorstep of the Principality Stadium - PA/David Davies
4. Cabbage Patch, Twickenham
Arguably the most famous rugby pub of them all, named after Twickenham’s famous moniker. There might be some surprise to not see the Cabbage Patch at the top of the list – or not even as Twickenham’s highest ranked – but the establishment, to be found almost opposite the station on London Road, is almost a victim of its own success.
Its commitment to the rugby cause – as well as charity endeavours – is unwavering, and it is a corking boozer all year round, but it has become so popular on match day that it is almost better when there are no games on. That being said, if you can get in, you will enjoy it.
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Good luck getting a seat in Twickenham’s closest pub - Alamy/David Gee
3. White Swan, Twickenham
Perhaps the most left-field shout, given that the White Swan might be one of the furthest pubs from the Allianz Stadium which still boasts a Twickenham address, but that is part of the allure. The Turk’s Head and the Fox also deserve mentions for their match-day package – and proximity to the stadium – but the White Swan, tucked on the bank of the Thames, is worth the extra five minutes, especially if one arrives in Twickenham with plenty of time before kick-off.
There are few quainter pubs in London, with the White Swan’s outdoor beer garden situated virtually on the Thames itself. The service is attentive and the balcony-cum-terrace is as picturesque a spot as any in London; the only issue is that it calls last orders at 9pm on match days. In fairness, that is probably a blessing in disguise for the many patrons, and their cognitive function on a Sunday morning.
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The White Swan is a quaint and atmospheric boozer, with its beer garden pitched on the bank of the Thames - Handout
2. Smyth’s, Dublin
Not known as a rugby boozer per se – it is always chocka with locals and somewhat of a D4 hidden gem – but the standard of the Guinness in Smyth’s on Haddington Road is heavenly. There is a real neighbourhood feel to Smyth’s, which is tough to artificially replicate, but there is also a match-day fizz – with a takeaway bar sometimes stationed near the entrance for those passers-by.
I have visited several times and have never had any issue watching rugby, either, with them even showing the Under-20s Six Nations on the screens. The news that an application has been submitted for its demolition – and subsequent reapparition in the form of a block of flats – is saddening. Get in while you can.
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Smyth’s pub is well-known pub close to the Aviva Stadium - Smyth's pub
1. The Old Arcade, Cardiff
The perfect blend. Character, charm, atmosphere – the last time I was in there, no one could stop the rousing, post-match choruses of Delilah – while also being a stone’s throw from the Principality Stadium. The atmosphere bustles – sometimes, to a fault – but few places brim with match-day élan like it. It is no fair-weather rugby pub, either; after Wales’s defeat by Ireland last month, Toulouse’s Top 14 hosting of Bayonne was beamed onto the big screens. And, when bellies are full of Brains, the proximity to Cardiff’s Chippy Lane (Caroline Street) is just a five-minute stroll away to soak up a day’s worth of rugby and everything that comes with it.
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The Old Arcade pub is probably the most famous pub in Cardiff - Getty Images/Ian Dagnall
Have your say
Do you agree with our suggestions? Vote for your favourite pub in our list.
Feel free to agree, disagree and nominate your own suggestions in the comment section.
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