There are a lot of things we inevitably grow out of as we age, playing games while we drink is certainly not one of them. If you're looking for a night of pure, unadulterated fun at some of the best bars with games in London, we feel you. Whether you're looking for a classic boozer with its own vintage arcade room, a rowdy ping pong bar or a basement drinking den that's home to foosball and all kinds of board games, there's bound to be something here for you. Long live competitive socialising.
Last edited by Scarlett Welch
Last updated on 2nd July 2024
Reasons to visit The Four Thieves in Battersea are plentiful (including their burgers and their gorgeous hidden beer garden), but their huge Games Room is arguably the biggest draw of the lot. Found upstairs, this grand art deco music hall features a whole host of retro arcade games, crazy golf, virtual reality and mini motor-racing for unleashing that competitive gusto.
Arcade machines, consoles and retro games are the least you can expect from one of the best bars with entertainment in London. Not only does this Peckham gem provide the ultimate in gaming fun, there's an American menu, quirky cocktails and a speakeasy in the basement to boot.
Going above and beyond what you'd expect from a bar with games, Hijingo is up there with some of the city's most thrilling experiences. Settle into the Tokyo Nights-inspired setting for high-stakes bingo with special effects, hilarious live hosts and massive prizes.
Alfi is a gorgeous restaurant located in the heart of Spitalfields serving up delicious Italian cuisine. Swing by to devour the likes of cacio e pepe bucatini, pizzettes topped with 'nduja, and grilled fennel sausages served alongside soffritto while people-watching. But wait, there's more as upstairs is home to two boules courts and dart boards to keep guests entertained long after dessert.
Head over Bermondsey where this German-inspired beer hall is bringing you a wealth of activities to get stuck into. Get competitive over rounds of shuffleboard, table football, pool and ping pong while you sip on an international selection of craft beers.
At Rule Zero, a funky joint in Hackney Wick, you can sip on wacky concoctions like the absinthe mojito or the Dino-sour, a playful spin on the classic whiskey bend. They also dish out tasty bites all day long, from ham and cheese souffle omelettes in the a.m. to pulled pork and cheese-topped potato wedges late at night. As for entertainment? They've got you covered. Play pool, card games, and more, with regular tournaments of Pokemon, Magic The Gathering, etc.
A mainstay on the London sports bar scene, this classic spot in Victoria is perfect if you're looking for some hearty grub and a couple of rounds of snooker, pool, darts or ping pong.
Nestled between Battersea and Clapham Junction, Hawkins Forge is a traditional red-brick Victorian venue filled with vibrant neon signs and rustic wooden furniture. They've also got a number of dartboards dotted around the walls, as well as live music and pub quizzes to keep you entertained. There's a rotating selection of craft beers to enjoy while you're at it, alongside a scrumptious menu of vegan chilli cheese burgers, chicken schnitzel, loaded nachos and much more.
With 16 screens for sports, a games room boasting retro arcades, pool tables, foosball, smart darts and more, Pepper St Tavern is a literal funfair for adults. They also boast a whopping 20 taps for craft beers, ciders, and lagers, and delish New York-style pizza served in a massive 20" or 12" base.
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Love your games with a side of booze? Over at The Bat and Ball in Stratford, they offer two levels of pool, ping pong, DJs and live sport, as well as a fantastic selection of cocktails, craft pints and lip-smacking pizzas.
Head to West Hampstead where this cosy basement space keeps a few board games on hand for those wet weather days when all you want is to get some friends together and get a little competitive over a pint of two.
If you're into sports, you're in luck. The Wapping Tavern is a cool pub set in an old spice factory, carefully restored to retain its original charm, boasting a whopping 17 TVs and projectors sprinkled throughout the venue. Whether you're into F1, football, NFL, rugby, or anything else on Sky, BT Sports, or Premier Sports, they'll have it on. And if that's not enough, there's a whole basement packed with games like retro arcade, pinball, pool tables, table tennis, foosball, shuffleboard, and smart darts.
Popular up and down the country for its quirky activities, Lane7's Victoria venue certainly doesn't disappoint. Their eight signature bowling lanes are decked out in graffiti and neon lights, with plenty more games spread out across three floors. Think mini golf, shuffleboard, darts and beer pong, alongside a basement arcade hall. Once you've had your fill of all the cracking entertainment on offer, chill out with a couple of bespoke cocktails and a delicious burger from Patty&Bun.
With its very own Darts Club, The Alexandra is a real winner on the games front. Located in Clapham, this games-fuelled joint provides the perfect space to compete with friends, all before checking out the epic pizza menu. Thirsty? There are cocktails for that.
Not sure where to head for a last-minute happy hour or a few rounds of table football? Check out Bar Kick for their sports vibe and delicious comfort eats. Chow down on chicken strips, halloumi fries and yummy sliders.
An intimate bowling alley, stylish restaurant and cocktail bar all in one, All Star Lanes Holborn is ideal for quirky date nights. They've got four neon-lit lanes to choose from here, as well as two more in a private room, alongside a speakeasy-style drinks area full of cosy red booths. Sip signature concoctions while you play, before tucking into plates of crispy popcorn squid, juicy buttermilk chicken burgers, classic hotdogs and so much more.
1920 Bar works hard to ensure pool lovers have the very best facilities available to them. With four full-sized, American pool tables to show your skills at, cloths and cushions are changed every six months to ensure those pristine orange tables are always in great shape.
If you're after the chance to play darts in an underground drinking den, then Temple Brew House is where to head. This Holborn pub is fronting craft beer brewed on-site and a lineup of smokey dishes to tuck into in between games.
BrewDog is well-known for its extensive and impressive range of craft beer, but did you know that it also fronts a bowling alley at its Waterloo outpost? Equipped with six lanes, neon signage and operating as a smaller version of the much-loved classic, it welcomes guests to play from £8 per person. And on Sundays or Mondays? Its duckpin bowling is available to have a crack at alongside a pint and a pizza for £25 in total.
Pizza Pilgrims are looking East, serving their customers great pizzas coupled with 16-person foosball, plasma screen TVs and vintage video games. The pizza maestros will, of course, be serving all the same Neapolitan pizzas that made them famous in the first place.
After a London darts bar? 180 Club is just the place, found tucked away in Camden Market. Expect to have a go in the high-tech lanes on cutting-edge boards, practising your aim before diving into Mexican food and cocktails.
Whether you fancy beer pong, retro arcade games or a mini race track, The Joiner on Worship is a great choice of pubs with games in Shoreditch. Plus, if you're a sports fan, you can watch all the latest on their screens too.
Talented chefs, mixologists and party-starters The Flatmates are taking over Notting Hill with Little Yellow Door. Expect fun and games aplenty as they teat you to boozy brunches, Sunday lunches and plenty of house parties in a plush, family-style setting.
Creating the nostalgic feeling of a 1950s American bowling alley, Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes is a vintage venue serving up all kinds of fun. Challenge your friends to a few games on the lanes or a turn on the dartboard, before dancing the night away to live bands and DJ sets - or you can even belt out a few tunes of your own in the private karaoke rooms. There are 16 different beers on tap and a whole lot of cocktails or milkshakes, as well as 26-inch pizzas, hot dogs and burgers from Ray's diner.
If you're on the hunt for pubs and bars with games, Shuffleboard Bar London is a fabulous shout. Along with arcade games, shuffleboard and pool, you can get stuck into some boozy bevvies and mouthwatering pizza slices.
Head along to BOXPARK Wembley and take advantage of its epic games room. From shuffleboard and ping pong to skeel ball and retro arcade machines, there's plenty to get stuck into. Topping it off? The lineup of boozy bevvies and street food.
Located in Streatham, Putt Putt & Karaoke is home to all kinds of fun. The quirky venue is full of colourful decor and screens shoeing live sport, as well as three completely free karaoke areas. As for their games? Expect crazy golf, pool tables, air hockey, darts, foosball and arcade machines - enough to keep you entertained for hours. There's also plenty of space to relax in with a cocktail or two, as well as tasty pizzas topped with prosciutto, mushrooms, aubergine and more.
Looking for something totally unique? Perfect for big groups of friends and quirky date nights alike, TOCA Social is the first ever digital football experience, located in Greenwich. Catering for all abilities, you can try your hand, or foot, at scoring goals on their interactive screens before relaxing with a cocktail at the bar. They've also got classic arcade games, foosball tables and photobooths to add to the fun, as well as a willy Wonka-inspired dessert room if you fancy a sweet treat to finish.
With pool and ping pong to enjoy in their beautiful interiors, The Heathcote and Star really is one of the best games pubs around. This Leyton watering hole is also screening BT and Sky, so you can catch some sport on the big screen while you play yours.
If you're looking for somewhere to hole up with a good game on a rainy day, look no further than Spit & Sawdust. This Borough-based boozer is known for its insane selection of craft beers, but it also just happens to home loads of retro games also - bring your gang and spend a day reliving your youth.
Over at Shepherd's Bush Market's hidden garden, The Hawk's Nest, you can find beautifully prepared pizzas that pair perfectly with the unique cocktail list. But if you're in need of some entertainment? Check out the pool table and other games.
This ain't your average pub with a board game or two, oh no. Electric Shuffle is a technological re-interpretation of the classic game of shuffleboard found in Canary Wharf and London Bridge. Adding food and drink to proceedings, it makes for one unforgettable experience.
Set within the vibrant Spitalfields market between Bishopsgate and Brick Lane, Players Social is the place to head if only the very best bar games will do. Here, you can play shuffleboard, ping pong and table football, all while checking out the extensive food menu or drinks list.
For an unrivalled amount of entertainment, from classic card games to immersive shuffleboard, head to Aspers Casino in Westfield Stratford City. This bar also boasts a delicious menu, from sophisticated small plates to hearty sandwiches and 12-inch pizzas.
If you're looking for a super quirky cocktail bar that's got stacks of retro games for you to get stuck into with your mates, then head downstairs at The Little Violet Door to raid its cool collection. This eclectic bar is spread over two floors and is based on a fictional flat share, fronting velvet sofas, a laundry room and plenty of little trinkets dotted about. It also serves some mean signature cocktails, such as the tequila-based Sex and the City, alongside moreish bar bites. Prawn tacos, anyone?
As if The World's End wasn't a brilliant boozer already, with live music, sports screenings and some of the best pub food this side of the river - it also has a bunch of board games and table football to keep you entertained.
For something a little different in London, we've got just the place. Using high-tech, Clays is a shooting experience in London so you can game with your pals. Plus, it boasts a menu filled with charcuterie spreads and nachos.
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Located in Canary Wharf, Fairgame is a funfair-themed boozer slinging out some of your childhood favourite games, from Whac-A-Mole through to Shoot The Clown. You can also munch on street food and sip delish cocktails.
For London activity bars, Tank & Paddle Bishopsgate has to be right up there. Expect to munch through pizza and sip refreshing craft pints throughout, all while getting stuck into shuffleboard and board games to boot.
Anybody for a game of Backgammon inside one of Covent Garden's most snug and intimate hotel bars? With leather sofas, warm lighting and eccentric artworks adding some extra character, The Den is one mighty stylish and impressive spot to unwind with a drink and a board game or two.
A fun and inventive bar that'll keep you entertained all night long, Flight Club brings social darts to the masses in a seriously attractive space. Games are simple, there's real-time scoring and plenty of food and drinks to enjoy throughout; just choose between Shoreditch, Bloomsbury, Victoria and Islington.
Calling all gamers. Head to Zombie Games Cafe for card showdowns, role-playing adventures, and classic board battles alongside craft potions, speciality drinks, and tasty nibbles. Moreover, this eerie haunt regularly throws lively shindigs, trading card game showdowns and Dungeons and Dragons escapades to keep you entertained throughout the week.
Fourpure Taproom is a favourite in Bermondsey, thanks to the 43 taps of freshly brewed beer on offer, alongside mouthwatering burgers and hotdogs. But what really sets these guys apart is their dedicated gaming area - we're talking pool tables and foosball if you're looking to get competitive with your mates, as well as retro games like Mortal Kombat and driving simulators.
Situated below the enticing French restaurant Cigalon, Baranis is a quirky cocktail bar that's home to the UK's only indoor petanque court. This is an indoor bowls-style game where you and your friends can get competitive while sipping on bespoke cocktails - we recommend the lemon thyme margarita or the sweet and fruity Femme Fatale. They're serving up tasty pizzas here as well, alongside indulgent mini doughnuts for dessert.
It's all about beer pong at Belushis Hammersmith, as the lively party keeps you up late with their fun attitude. Stop by this West London haunt, or sister sites in Greenwich, Camden and Shepherd's Bush, and grab American bites, pitchers, and major sporting events on the large screens.
Nordic Bar provides Scandinavian comfort in the food and drink, but what about entertainment? Well, the bar has a cracking ping pong table, which – get this – is used for beer pong as well. That's two games for the price of one.
Over at The Rabbit Hole in Clerkenwell, the signature cocktail menu is more than meets the eye - it's also an interactive board game that you and your friends can play. While you try it out, delve into the eye-raising collection of mixes, which takes inspiration from retro classics.
Vine isn't your average boozer, it's also home to a couple of shuffleboard tables where you can put your competitive skills to the test. While you thrash your opponents? Get stuck into elevated pub grub and refreshing tipples aplenty.
Queens isn't just any normal bar. They've got an ice skating ring and 12 bowling alleys to keep you entertained, a delicious food menu of MEATliquor tastiness to keep your bellies full and a bar stocked with all the cocktails you need.
Turning good old fashioned mini golf on its head, this crazy gaming bar in West London uses cutting edge technology to bring you one of the best pub golf experiences in the city.
Whether you fancy a competitive round of ping pong or want to show off your Super Mario Kart skills, The Loft Spitalfields has got what you need. Swing by this cool bar for all kinds of games, as well as cocktails, beers and pizza.
Located in Wimbledon, The Golf Groove is a unique activity bar with 12 virtual golf bays to take advantage of - making it the largest of its kind in the UK. Up to six people can play at a time in these booths, with mini games and levels to suit all abilities. They've also got a huge dining area and outdoor terrace for afterwards, where you can munch on tasty burgers, grilled wraps, 12-inch pizzas and more, paired with killer cocktails.
For bars with adrenaline sports games in London, check out F1® Arcade. The only venue of its kind in the world, this place for the official simulation racing experience is sure to get your heart pumping.
The Factory House is one of the best bars in London with games, more specifically shuffleboard. Enjoy getting competitive while wetting your whistle with a spicy marg or glass of wine, alongside some nibbles.
Bounce is one of the best venues in London for ping-pong. It's an underground haven that's abuzz with the sounds of groups of mates holding their own tournaments, lay down the gauntlet to yours and bring them to this ping-pong palace.
From darts and old school board games to pool, The Beehive has got you covered for entertainment. But if you fancy taking a more spectator role, you can also sit back and enjoy a live-screened match on one of the sports bars many indoor and outdoor TVs.
Get on down to Boom Battle Bar in The O2 or Oxford Street and take advantage of their epic lineup of games. When you're not perfecting your aim at axe throwing or crazy golf, make sure to check out the fantastic menus, from bottomless brunches to wings and cocktails.
The Old School Yard has become a legend in South London thanks to its nostalgic decor and cheeky character. Based on Long Lane in London Bridge, the venue features Nintendo Games, vintage toys and classic comics, alongside a clock that is continuously set for 3:10 PM.
Not only does the Hare & Hounds champion local breweries, stock a fabulous wine selection and promise burgers, wings and delicious roast dinners, but there's also a stunning outdoor garden and pool tables to keep you occupied.
Fronting locations in Soho and Shoreditch, NQ64 has plenty to offer including all your favourite video games as a kid and themed cocktails to boot. Whether you fancy Street Fighter, PacMan or a round of basketball, the nostalgia factor will be real at this quirky joint.
Fancy a competitive night out with friends? Head to the stunning London Bridge Rooftop for a game of interactive darts, costing just £25 per person. Their electronic boards do all the maths for you, featuring all kinds of fun games and challenges for all abilities.
Plonk is shaking up London's drinking scene with its fun crazy golf pubs and bars. Hit up their spots in Camden, Peckham, London Fields or Forest Hill for a fun hands-on afternoon of drinking and putting your way to victory across the colourful courses.
If you're looking for a quintessentially English game to play at the pub, then grab your mates and head down to cricket bar Sixes in Fitzrovia White City and Fulham. Enjoy a stint in the high-tech batting nets, followed by a pint and plenty of nosh of course.
