The 7 best Arsenal pubs in London to watch the Champions League semi-final tonight

London might be enjoying a late April heatwave this week, but Spurs fans might be better off staying indoors this evening, because north London’s Gooner population will be out in force. 

Having trounced current holders Real Madrid 5-1 on aggregate in the quarters earlier this month, Arsenal’s men’s team will be playing in their first Champions League semi-final since 2009 on Tuesday (April 29) evening, when they take on Paris Saint-Germain at the Emirates Stadium in the first of two legs. 

The crucial fixture arrives just days after the women’s team overcame Lyon to secure their first European final in 18 years, only increasing the anticipation for the historic club’s biggest game in a generation. 

Tickets to the 60,000-capacity Emirates are predictably hard to come by, so most fans will be heading to the boozers and beer gardens of north London to watch Rice, Saka and Ødegaard go toe to toe with Dembélé, Marquinhos and Donnarumma. 

Looking for a lively atmosphere in which to catch all the action? Look no further than our roundup of London’s best Gooner pubs. 

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The Drayton Park

A bar stool at the Drayton is basically as close as you can get to pitchside without a ticket. You can see the stadium from the window, and you’ll certainly hear the roar from inside if the home team score. This place has a pretty strict home crowd only policy, and predictably gets insanely busy before kick-off, before quieting down as the lucky ticket-holders head inside. 

66 Drayton Park, N5 1ND

The Tollington Arms

Another lively spot within shouting distance of the stadium itself, the Tolly also attracts a huge pre-match crowd that spills out into the fenced off porches outside the entrance, where the pre-match atmosphere is sometimes bolstered by a live band. Make sure you check out its impressive collection of stickers from Arsenal fan clubs around the world.

115 Hornsey Road, N7 6DN

The Gunners Pub

You’d struggle to find a pub that wears its allegiances more proudly than this Blackstock Road institution, which is decked out in all manner of Arsenal memorabilia. It also sports a covered beer garden, and stages live music before and after matches. 

204 Blackstock Road, N5 1EN

The Army & Navy

This 1930s-built boozer was crowned our favourite pub in London last year. Being in the overlapping area between hipster territory and the Gooner heartlands, it’s always rammed and rowdy on match days. Wear a JVC-era 90s kit if you want to fit in with the Héctor Bellerín wannabes that frequent its massive beer garden.

The Brook Gate

Formerly known as the Arsenal Tavern, this pub underwent extensive refurbishment when it was taken over by new owners in 2023, but its allegiances haven’t changed even if the name has. One of the roomier pubs near the stadium, it boasts two pool tables, some great matchday drinks offers and more screens than you can count. 

175 Blackstock Road, N4 2JS

The Bank of Friendship

A Yard Sale delivery partnership and a healthy smattering of fans rocking the Arsenal x Aries collection are just some of the ‘cool pub’ signifiers on display at in this Blackstock Road boozer, which sports a deceptively large beer garden out back. It’s also a good option for the discerning drinker; you’ll find a solid roster of craft beers and even a mezcal negroni on tap. 

226 Blackstock Road, N5 1EA

Clissold Park Tavern

With a massive beer garden overlooking Stoke Newington’s leafy park, and plenty of outdoor screens, Clissold Park Tavern is a great place to catch the action on sunny days. And it’s also a good option if you’re keen to line your stomach, serving up decent pizzas, sharing platters and classic pub snacks.

177 Green Lanes, N16 9DB

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