A pre-match drink is a staple of English football culture, but fans can only drink in particular pubs in and around football stadiums. For Wembley matches, the authorities allocate specific pubs to each team depending on which side of the stadium fans will be sitting on.
Ahead of the FA Cup semi-finals on 26 and 27 April, supporters of Manchester City, Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa, and Crystal Palace have all been allocated their respective sides. Man City and Crystal Palace fans have been given the west side, while Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa fans have been given the east.
It is widely considered that the west side is the better side for pubs (more on why that is shortly), so Man City and Crystal Palace will have the better selection at the weekend.
In this post, we explore pubs near Wembley Stadium to help you make the best choice the next time you visit England's biggest stadium to watch a football match.
Which pubs are on the west side of Wembley Stadium?
For those who want to explore the west side of England's biggest stadium, there are plenty of pubs to check into for a pre-match or half-time break pint. We have sampled only the best options based on user reviews, but you can still explore more pubs on the western side of the stadium apart from the ones listed below.
Green Man, Dagmar Avenue HA9 8DF
The Green Man is arguably the best and most well-known pub in the Wembley area. It is situated half a mile west of Wembley Stadium and can accommodate hundreds of fans. This pub typically fills up quickly before football matches, so fans are advised to arrive early to avoid disappointment. Once it reaches capacity, a one-out, one-in policy applies.
dir=”ltr”>What do you mean it’s only 10:15am……. pic.twitter.com/iikhztILww
— The Green Man (@TheGreenManPub) May 27, 2023
The Arch, 324 Harrow Rd, Wembley, HA9 6LL
The Arch isn't as big as the Green Man and is further away from the stadium (one mile west), but it does offer fans an alternative pre-match experience. If you are after some gourmet food before heading to the stadium, then the Arch could be your best bet, mainly if you are a fan of traditional Indian food.
The Ach also boasts a large beer garden, which makes it a popular spot on rare days when the sun is shining on the capital.
The Liquor Station, 397A High Rd, Wembley, HA9 6AA
The Liquor Station is located a 15-minute walk away from Wembley Stadium and is a great spot to stop for a pint before the match due to its vast selection of beers. Like the Arch, the Liquor Station also offers food, but at more reasonable prices, making it a viable option if you want to keep costs down.
Full list of Crystal Palace and Man City pubs ahead of FA Cup semi-finals
As mentioned earlier, the west side of Wembley is always the side fans want when their team is playing at Wembley. This is thanks in large due to the aforementioned Green Man but also because the west side, in general, offers far more variety and options to choose from compared to the East.
The full list of Man City and Crystal Palace pubs for the FA Cup semi-finals are:
- The Green Man, Dagmar Avenue HA9 8DF
- Crystals (Sports Bar & Aqua Lounge) 1 Popin Building, Southway, HA9 0HB
- The Arch, 324 Harrow Rd, Wembley, HA9 6LL
- Station 31, 299-303 Harrow Rd, Wembley, HA9 6BD
- The Liquor Station, 397A High Rd, Wembley, HA9 6AA
- JJ Moons, 397 High Rd, Wembley, HA9 6AA
- La Regina, St George's Hotel, 43-51 Wembley Hill Rd, Wembley, HA9 8AU
- Black Sheep, 2 Olympic Way, Wembley Park, HA9 0GU
- Sixty Six Bar & Grill, 3 South Way, Wembley, HA9 0JU
- The Corner House, 313 Harrow Road, HA9 6BA
- White Horse, 4 Wembley Park Blvd, Wembley Park, Wembley HA9 0HP
- BOXPARK Wembley, Olympic Way, Wembley Park, Wembley HA9 0JT
Which pubs are on the east side of Wembley Stadium?
Fans who have visited the area generally consider the east side of Wembley the worst of the two sides. However, there are still some pubs that are worth visiting, including the ones listed below.
The Blue Check, 12 -13 Empire Way, Wembley, HA9 0RQ
From the outside, the Blue Check may look like the type of British bar you would expect to find down the strip in Benidorm, but that only adds to its charm. Inside, it's actually relatively nice and spacious. It also offers reasonably priced food, allowing fans to fill up before heading to the stadium.
The Torch, 1-5 Bridge Rd, Wembley Park, HA9 9AB
The most popular pub on the east side is the Torch, which is about 0.7 miles east of the stadium. This pub is the only option on the east side that rivals the Green Man in sheer size, which naturally means it fills up very quickly when supporters are given a designated side of the ground for pubs.
It has a large beer garden in the back, but the small bar inside often struggles to deal with the demand when the pub hits capacity.
Wembley Tavern, 121 Wembley Park Dr, Wembley Park, HA9 8HG
The Wembley Tavern is a pokey bar on the east side of Wembley that doesn't have room for many fans at all. However, if you can get in there, it's worth staying for a few drinks due to its prime location and ‘old school' feel. The Wembley Tavern shows live sports, so it's a popular choice for people who don't have a ticket to the match.
Full list of Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest pubs for the FA Cup semi-finals
Unfortunately, as mentioned, travelling Palace and Villa fans have been handed the lesser half of Wembley for their pre-match pints. The biggest issue with the east stand of Wembley is that there are simply far fewer options available, which can also cause longer queues and waiting times for your drinks.
The full list of pubs and bars for Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa fans at Wembley are:
- The Blue Check, 12 -13 Empire Way, Wembley, HA9 0RQ
- Wembley Tavern, 121 Wembley Park Dr, Wembley Park, HA9 8HG
- Stadium Sports Bar, 125 Wembley Park Dr, Wembley Park, HA9 8HQ
- The Torch, 1-5 Bridge Rd, Wembley Park, HA9 9AB
- Crock of Gold, 23 Bridge Road, Wembley, HA9 9AB
- Black Sheep, 2 Olympic Way, Wembley Park, HA9 0GU
Wembley pubs map
Bars near Wembley Stadium for away fans
If you don't want drink in the immediate vicinity of Wembley, then there is also the options of using the pubs near neighbouring tube stations.
One popular haunt for away fans near Wembley is Baker Street station. Baker Street is just two stations away from Wembley Park on the Metropolitan line and is within walking distance of several pubs. Right next door to the station is a huge Wetherspoons which is always a popular option while across the road there is The Globe.
Another option is to take the overground to South Kenton, just one stop from Wembley Central. Next door to South Kenton station is a brilliant and welcoming pub called The Windermere. This pub has a huge beer garden and plenty of bar space, making it an ideal spot for a pre-match pint.
Alternatives to pubs near Wembley Stadium
If it's a nice day when you visit Wembley, the fan zones that organisers put on for the most significant events are usually a great option. These fan zones typically open at 11am and close 30 minutes before kick-off. It serves food and drinks and includes a resident DJ for fans to enjoy.
Guests must have a valid event ticket to enter. The Wembley Stadium bag policy also applies to the fan zones.
The nearby London Designer Outlet also offers a number of places to eat and drink that are not allocated to a particular team, including Nando's, TGI Fridays, Pizza Express, and Wagamama.
Inside the stadium
Wembley Stadium is now completely cashless, meaning that fans must carry a card or contactless method of payment with them if they want to buy anything inside.
Fans will be able to take advantage of a new frictionless Tap Bar on level one at Wembley, which will allow quicker and more convenient access to refreshments. Fans will simply tap their card on entry, pick up what they have ordered, and then walk away without the need to queue.
Wembley has some new additions to its food and drink offerings for those who have not visited recently.
These include TapHouse Social, Camden Town Brewery Bars, and two new M&S Food stores, which are located on the level two concourse.