Nottingham Forest are set to begin their third consecutive season in the Premier League, following promotion back to the top flight in 2022. The demand for tickets at the City Ground is greater than ever, with elite teams and players frequently visiting the stadium located on the banks of the River Trent.
The West Bridgford area surrounding the ground has no shortage of popular pre- and post-match venues. Here is a complete guide to the best pubs near City Ground.
Best pubs near City Ground for Forest fans
Trent Navigation – The Big Shed
The Big Shed at the Trent Navigation has become one of the go-to destinations on matchdays for Forest fans in recent years. It is located closer to Notts County’s Meadow Lane but is still a very short walk to the City Ground given the proximity of the two stadiums.
There are three outdoor bars at this venue, as well as two “huge outdoor screens” showing Sky Sports and TNT matches. In fact, the main outdoor TV screen is the biggest in the Midlands.
When Forest kick-off at 3pm and you want to get into a pub early to watch the early game at 12:30pm, this is the place to visit. As well as having a range of beers, ciders and cask ales, The Big Shed has a BBQ Foodcourt and a pizza kitchen for peckish supporters.
You can book tickets for events at The Big Shed here.
Location: Meadow Lane, Nottingham, NG2 3HS
Live football returns in a BIG WAY this weekend here at The Trent Navigation & Big Shed 💪
Fri Night
8pm Blackburn Rovers vs Derby
8pm Barnsley vs MansfieldSaturday
12.30pm Oxford vs Norwich
12.30pm Leeds vs Portsmouth
3pm Man City vs Man Utd Community Shield (1/2) pic.twitter.com/1o7zxRYbFP— The Big Shed (@TrentNavigation) August 7, 2024
Larwood & Voce
The Larwood & Voce is located in the corner of the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, which is only a few minutes’ walk away from the City Ground. This venue is popular in the summer, as there is a huge outdoor space with a couple of TV screens and bars with a range of food and drink options.
On occasions, there is even a DJ that plays Forest-specific songs to get supporters in the pre-match mood. If you’re looking for pre-match atmosphere, this is one of the best places to go near the City Ground.
Location: Fox Rd, West Bridgford, Nottingham NG2 6AJ
The Trent Bridge Inn
Located on the other side of the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground is ‘The Trent Bridge Inn’. It is a Wetherspoons pub that is only a one-to-two-minute walk away from the ground, so it is a convenient spot for Forest fans on matchdays.
Expect reasonable prices for beers and food, with a lively atmosphere, especially in the extended bar at the back of the pub. It is worth noting that away fans are not usually allowed to enter.
Location: 2 Radcliffe Rd, West Bridgford, Nottingham NG2 6AA
Lady Bay
Slightly further away from the City Ground is the Lady Bay. It is still only a five-to-10-minute walk, though, and is a Greene King pub.
It has a wide selection of drinks, from soft drinks to beers and ales, as well as various TV screens showing live football. You can also book a table to enjoy food and sit down on matchdays to enjoy a lively pre-match atmosphere with Forest fans. It is a popular venue, so it is worth booking in advance.
Location: 89 Trent Boulevard West Bridgford Nottingham Nottinghamshire United Kingdom NG2 5BE
Best pubs near City Ground for away fans:
Located in the Nottingham City Centre, Ye Old Trip to Jerusalem has been suggested as a popular spot for away fans in the past. It is next to the Nottingham Castle and remains one of the most popular pubs in the city, with over 1000 years of history. The pub claims to be “England’s oldest surviving inn”.
The Meadow Lane Sports Bar is also typically allocated to away fans for Forest matches. It is less than a 10-minute walk from the City Ground and has TV screens showing live football inside.
Locations: Ye Old Trip To Jerusalem – Brewhouse Yard, 1, Nottingham NG1 6AD, Meadow Lane Sports Bar – Notts County FC, Meadow Lane, Nottingham, NG2 3HJ.