Pubs in Fleetwood: Best places for Arsenal fans to eat and drink near Highbury Stadium

Arsenal‘s trip to Fleetwood Town in the Carabao Cup fourth round is one of the more unusual draws of the season, with the Gunners heading back to a ground called Highbury for the first time since leaving their old home 20 years ago.

The tie will be played during the week commencing 26 October 2026, with the exact kick-off arrangements worth checking again closer to the game.

Fleetwood is a small seaside and former fishing town on the Fylde coast, so the choice is rather different from a big-city away day. There are a handful of options around Highbury Stadium itself, while more pubs, cafes and restaurants can be found towards the town centre and seafront.

For supporters arriving early, Jim's Bar provides an option at the ground itself, while Strawberry Gardens is the club's official away pub and is only a short walk from Highbury Stadium. There are also several town-centre options for those who want to explore a little further afield.

Best pubs for fans near Highbury Stadium

Jim's Bar: Located at Highbury Stadium behind the Memorial Stand, this is the easiest option for anyone who does not fancy walking into town. 

The sports bar welcomes both home and away supporters before matches and offers drinks, TVs showing live sport and hot food, making it a convenient place to meet before heading into the ground. Fixture-specific restrictions can apply, so supporters should check the arrangements for the Arsenal game closer to the date.

The Strawberry Gardens Pub and Bistro: This venue is situated on Poulton Road and is the club's official away pub, described by the venue itself as a short walk from Highbury Stadium.

It serves a full menu of pub food, including fish and chips, steaks and burgers, while the bar offers cask ales, lagers, continental beers, wine and spirits. The lounge and dining room also provide a little more space for supporters who want to settle in before the game.

The Thomas Drummond: On London Street in the town centre, this is Fleetwood's Wetherspoons and is another straightforward option for reasonably priced food and drinks.

It is further from the stadium than Jim's Bar and Strawberry Gardens, but its town-centre location makes it a useful choice for supporters who want to spend some time in Fleetwood before making their way to Highbury.

The Bug: On Lord Street, this is another town-centre option if you are planning to visit a few different pubs before kick-off.

It is a sports bar with Sky Sports and TNT Sports on the screens, so it is better suited to supporters looking for a few drinks and live sport than those wanting a sit-down meal before the match.

Food near Highbury Stadium

The Highbury Chippy, at 86 Highbury Avenue, is one of the most convenient options for anyone looking for something to eat close to the ground.

The fish and chip shop is situated directly opposite Highbury Stadium and serves traditional fish and chips alongside other takeaway options, making it particularly handy for supporters who do not want to spend too much time away from the stadium.

For a wider choice of food, however, supporters will need to head towards the town centre, where there are several cafes and restaurants spread around Poulton Street, Lord Street and the surrounding streets.

Restaurants and seafront options

The North Euston Hotel: Located on The Esplanade overlooking Morecambe Bay, this is one of the main options for anyone looking for a proper sit-down meal away from the immediate stadium area.

The hotel has the Victoria Bar and Vantini's Restaurant, with its food offering including pub-style favourites as well as steak, fish and chips and pies with mash. It is also a useful option for supporters planning to spend part of the day around Fleetwood's seafront before heading to the match.

For a daytime stop in the town centre, The Dolphin Cafe on Poulton Street serves traditional cafe food and breakfast options. It is not on the seafront and is more suited to supporters arriving earlier in the day than those looking for a pre-match meal, with its listed opening hours generally finishing in the afternoon.

Fleetwood's seafront also has casual cafe options for anyone making a day of the trip, although these are better viewed as daytime stops rather than alternatives to the pubs around Highbury Stadium.

FGG Verdict: Where should you go?

If you want to stay as close to Highbury Stadium as possible, Jim's Bar is the simplest option, while The Highbury Chippy provides a convenient takeaway directly opposite the ground. For a more traditional pre-match pub experience, The Strawberry Gardens is the natural choice for away supporters, with food available as well as a good range of drinks.

Meanwhile, those who want to spend more time in Fleetwood town centre can look towards The Thomas Drummond and The Bug, while The North Euston Hotel provides a seafront option for anyone planning to arrive in Fleetwood earlier in the day.