Pubs near City Ground: Where to get a pre-match pint in Nottingham

Nottingham Forest are into their fourth consecutive season in the Premier League, following promotion back to the top flight in 2022. As a result of their return to the Premier League in 2022, coupled with the fact that they are now competing in Europe, demand for tickets at the City Ground is higher than ever.

There is certainly a feel-good factor around the club at the moment – despite the recent Ange Postecoglou debacle – and naturally, that means more fans are up for a pre-match drink, too.

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 the City Ground.

Best pubs near City Ground for Forest fans

If you are attending a match at the City Ground in the near future, thent he following pubs are all within walking distance of the City ground.

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, meaning this is the perfect place to go if there is live football taking place in the hours leading up to a Nottingham Forest match.

The Big Shed offers more than just pints of lager, too. They have a wide ranger of ciders and cask ales on offer, while there is also BBQ Food Court and piza kitchen in operation for anyone who wants a bite to eat.

Opening times are midday to 11pm, seven days a week. 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 Mansfield

Saturday

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. For miserable, cold winter nights, not so much.

Larwood & Voce has become known for building the atmosphere before kick-off. They regularly employ a DJ to play Forest-specific songs in the build-up to a match at the City Ground, to get supporters pumped before they even take their seats inside the stadium.

The pub is open five days a week, only closing on Monday's and Tuesday's. The opening times from Wednesday to Friday are midday to 10pm, Saturday's are 9am to midnight and Sunday's are 10am to 9pm.

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.

As with all Wetherspons pubs, this is the number one option if you are looking for value for money in terms of both food and drink.  It is worth noting that away fans are not usually allowed to enter.

The pub is open seven days a week, always starting trading at 8am. From Sunday to Thursday, the pub closes at midnight. On Friday's and Saturday's, closing time is 1am.

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.

The pub is open seven days a week, always starting trading at 11.30am. From Sunday to Thursday, the pub closes at 11pm. On Friday's and Saturday's, closing time is midnight.

Location: 89 Trent Boulevard West Bridgford Nottingham Nottinghamshire United Kingdom NG2 5BE

The Boot Room

The Boot Room is another great spot to visit if you are looking for a great pub near City Ground in Nottingham. It is a great place to relax as you watch Forest every matchday.

The Boot Room Pub is known for its great atmosphere, making it the ideal relaxation spot to visit with a group of friends. It is also known for its great beer and food. Bookings can be reserved on the website and you can look at their social media pages for daily updates.

The pub is open seven days a week, operating from midday to 10pm.

If ya fancy it !!! Heating is on !!! booze is cold !!! pic.twitter.com/Pohi554GSJ

— The Boot Room Bar (@TheBootRoomBar1) January 20, 2025

Southbank Bar

The Southbank Bar is located in Nottingham city centre and has the perfect pre-match vibe, especially if you are in a large group. This is a spacious, modern-day sports bar kitted out with pool tables and dart boards galore. If you want to relax before a big match and also get a bite to eat, then you won't find many better places than this.

It's also a handy place to go if you are drinking with friends who aren't attending the match. This place has screens everywhere you look, making it a popular spot for those wanting to watch the match with some atmosphere.

From Monday to Thursday, the pub opens at 3pm and closes at 11pm. On Friday's, the opening times are midday to midnight. Saturday's are 11am to 1am, while Sunday midday to 11pm.

Location: 18 Friar Ln, Nottingham NG1 6DQ

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. It is next to 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.