There are a lot of things we inevitably grow out of as we age, playing games while we drink is certainly not one of them. If you're looking for a night of pure, unadulterated fun at some of the best bars with games in London, we feel you. Whether you're looking for a classic boozer with its own vintage arcade room, a rowdy ping pong bar or a basement drinking den that's home to foosball and all kinds of board games, there's bound to be something here for you. Long live competitive socialising.
Last edited by Scarlett Welch
Last updated on 18th November 2025
The Crown & Sceptre is an elegant pub in Shepherd's Bush that's decked out with cool frames, leather booths and adorned with potted plants that add an open, airiness to it. It comes with a pretty outside garden laced with bunting and on Tuesdays, hosts a fun-filled board game night. Hit up this haunt and enjoy real ales, classic cocktails and delicious small plates like crispy caulisflowe wings and calamari, as well as a main menu packing juicy steaks.
Fronting locations in Soho and Shoreditch, NQ64 has plenty to offer including all your favourite video games as a kid and themed cocktails to boot. Whether you fancy Street Fighter, PacMan or a round of basketball, the nostalgia factor will be real at this quirky joint.
If you're on the hunt for pubs and bars with games, Shuffleboard Bar London is a fabulous shout. Along with arcade games, shuffleboard and pool, you can get stuck into some boozy bevvies and mouthwatering pizza slices.
Calling all gamers. Head to Zombie Games Cafe for card showdowns, role-playing adventures, and classic board battles alongside craft potions, speciality drinks, and tasty nibbles. Moreover, this eerie haunt regularly throws lively shindigs, trading card game showdowns and Dungeons and Dragons escapades to keep you entertained throughout the week.
1920 Bar works hard to ensure pool lovers have the very best facilities available to them. With four full-sized, American pool tables to show your skills at, cloths and cushions are changed every six months to ensure those pristine orange tables are always in great shape.
Nestled between Battersea and Clapham Junction, Hawkins Forge is a traditional red-brick Victorian venue filled with vibrant neon signs and rustic wooden furniture. They've also got a number of dartboards dotted around the walls, as well as live music and pub quizzes to keep you entertained. There's a rotating selection of craft beers to enjoy while you're at it, alongside a scrumptious menu of vegan chilli cheese burgers, chicken schnitzel, loaded nachos and much more.
Head to West Hampstead where this cosy basement space keeps a few board games on hand for those wet weather days when all you want is to get some friends together and get a little competitive over a pint of two.
Head over Bermondsey where this German-inspired beer hall is bringing you a wealth of activities to get stuck into. Get competitive over rounds of shuffleboard, table football, pool and ping pong while you sip on an international selection of craft beers.
They've also got a cool underground activity: Krazy Karts. This is a unique course where you can drift kart on state-of-the-art karts, competing against your friends to be crowned the winner.
Alfi is a gorgeous restaurant located in the heart of Spitalfields serving up delicious Italian cuisine. Swing by to devour the likes of cacio e pepe bucatini, pizzettes topped with 'nduja, and grilled fennel sausages served alongside soffritto while people-watching. But wait, there's more as upstairs is home to two boules courts and dart boards to keep guests entertained long after dessert.
Much more than your average pub, Ninth Life is South London's most unique watering hole. With a sprawling courtyard serving up street food and DJs, they've got festival culture at their heart and a range of immersive entertainment to get invovled with.
Turning good old fashioned mini golf on its head, this crazy gaming bar in West London uses cutting edge technology to bring you one of the best pub golf experiences in the city.
Bounce is one of the best venues in London for ping-pong. It's an underground haven that's abuzz with the sounds of groups of mates holding their own tournaments, lay down the gauntlet to yours and bring them to this ping-pong palace.
This enormous Battersea venue is built around play. Upstairs, The Thieves Gambit houses everything from vintage arcade games and darts to a purpose-built R/C racing track.
Grab a pint or a cocktail between rounds, then head downstairs for live entertainment, quirky quiz nights, and Balans' killer pub menu. It's rowdy, it's fun, and it's one of the best pubs with games in London, because it's designed to make grown-ups feel like kids again.
For an unrivalled amount of entertainment, from classic card games to immersive shuffleboard, head to Aspers Casino in Westfield Stratford City. This bar also boasts a delicious menu, from sophisticated small plates to hearty sandwiches and 12-inch pizzas.
Nestled in the City of London, Finsbury Square Garden offers an open-air escape with lush greenery, perfect for gatherings over cocktails, small plates, or a seasonal treat. With vibrant decor and cosy enclosures, it's a stylish spot for any season.
Out the back, you can try your hand at boules with your friends, all while munching on the likes of chicken and halloumi platters, or classic beef burgers.
Situated below the enticing French restaurant Cigalon, Baranis is a quirky cocktail bar that's home to the UK's only indoor petanque court. This is an indoor bowls-style game where you and your friends can get competitive while sipping on bespoke cocktails - we recommend the lemon thyme margarita or the sweet and fruity Femme Fatale. They're serving up tasty pizzas here as well, alongside indulgent mini doughnuts for dessert.
An intimate bowling alley, stylish restaurant and cocktail bar all in one, All Star Lanes in Stratford, Holborn, White City and Brick Lane is ideal for quirky date nights. They've got four neon-lit lanes to choose from here, as well as two more in a private room, alongside a speakeasy-style drinks area full of cosy red booths. Sip signature concoctions while you play, before tucking into plates of crispy popcorn squid, juicy buttermilk chicken burgers, classic hotdogs and so much more.
It's all about beer pong at Belushis Hammersmith, as the lively party keeps you up late with their fun attitude. Stop by this West London haunt, or sister sites in Greenwich, Camden and Shepherd's Bush, and grab American bites, pitchers, and major sporting events on the large screens.
Plonk is shaking up London's drinking scene with its fun crazy golf pubs and bars. Hit up their spots in Peckham, London Fields or Borough for a fun hands-on afternoon of drinking and putting your way to victory across the colourful courses.
Going above and beyond what you'd expect from a bar with games, Hijingo is up there with some of the city's most thrilling experiences. Settle into the Tokyo Nights-inspired setting for high-stakes bingo with special effects, hilarious live hosts and massive prizes.
Nordic Bar provides Scandinavian comfort in the food and drink, but what about entertainment? Well, the bar has a cracking ping pong table, which – get this – is used for beer pong as well. That's two games for the price of one.
After a London darts bar? 180 Club is just the place, found tucked away in Camden Market. Expect to have a go in the high-tech lanes on cutting-edge boards, practising your aim before diving into Mexican food and cocktails.
If you're looking for a super quirky cocktail bar that's got stacks of retro games for you to get stuck into with your mates, then head downstairs at The Little Violet Door to raid its cool collection. This eclectic bar is spread over two floors and is based on a fictional flat share, fronting velvet sofas, a laundry room and plenty of little trinkets dotted about. It also serves some mean signature cocktails, such as the tequila-based Sex and the City, alongside moreish bar bites. Prawn tacos, anyone?
For London activity bars, Tank & Paddle Bishopsgate has to be right up there. Expect to munch through pizza and sip refreshing craft pints throughout, all while getting stuck into shuffleboard and board games to boot.
The Westminster Hotel's private bowling alley is a single lane and exclusive space just for your group, with room for up to eight people. Book this VIP experience for your next celebration or night out with mates, showing them what you're made of when you get competitive in front of the pins.
Topping it off? A private bar for carefully crafted cocktails.
Talented chefs, mixologists and party-starters The Flatmates are taking over Notting Hill with Little Yellow Door. Expect fun and games aplenty as they teat you to boozy brunches, Sunday lunches and plenty of house parties in a plush, family-style setting.
A mainstay on the London sports bar scene, this classic spot in Victoria is perfect if you're looking for some hearty grub and a couple of rounds of snooker, pool, darts or ping pong.
Set within the vibrant Spitalfields market between Bishopsgate and Brick Lane, Players Social is the place to head if only the very best bar games will do. Here, you can play shuffleboard, ping pong and table football, all while checking out the extensive food menu or drinks list.
@ Cahoots on Various dates from Saturday 6th December 2025
A fun, themed immersive experience in Soho, Cahoots' Black Market Knees-Up is a great way to spend your Saturday. This 1940s-inspired bar is designed like a secret underground drinking den, complete with cocktails disguised as milk bottles, poison and more.
The shady show master will be leading your entertainment, promising a 40s-style pub quiz and other fun games. Plus, you can tuck into rationed snacks, and even bottomless drinks if you choose that ticket option.
With its very own Darts Club, The Alexandra is a real winner on the games front. Located in Clapham, this games-fuelled joint provides the perfect space to compete with friends, all before checking out the epic pizza menu. Thirsty? There are cocktails for that.
Arcade machines, consoles and retro games are the least you can expect from one of the best bars with entertainment in London. Not only does this Peckham gem provide the ultimate in gaming fun, there's an American menu, quirky cocktails and a speakeasy in the basement to boot.
Fancy a competitive night out with friends? Head to the stunning London Bridge Rooftop for a game of interactive darts, costing just £25 per person. Their electronic boards do all the maths for you, featuring all kinds of fun games and challenges for all abilities.
If you're after a pub with a twist, Shuffle Club in Shoreditch is the place to be. Not only will you find great drinks, but you'll also have the chance to play the original game of shuffleboard.
Whether you're celebrating with friends or just want to test your competitive streak, Shuffle Club brings the fun with fast-paced shuffleboard action. And if you're in the mood for some delicious food, enjoy their seasonal cocktails, small plates, or one of their famous sourdough pizzas. The atmosphere is unbeatable, and the service is top-notch.
Over at The Rabbit Hole in Clerkenwell, the signature cocktail menu is more than meets the eye - it's also an interactive board game that you and your friends can play. While you try it out, delve into the eye-raising collection of mixes, which takes inspiration from retro classics.
The Factory House is one of the best bars in London with games, more specifically shuffleboard. Enjoy getting competitive while wetting your whistle with a spicy marg or glass of wine, alongside some nibbles.
This ain't your average pub with a board game or two, oh no. Electric Shuffle is a technological re-interpretation of the classic game of shuffleboard found in Canary Wharf, King's Cross and London Bridge. Adding food and drink to proceedings, it makes for one unforgettable experience.
BrewDog is well-known for its extensive and impressive range of craft beer, but did you know that it also fronts a bowling alley at its Waterloo outpost? Equipped with six lanes, neon signage and operating as a smaller version of the much-loved classic, it welcomes guests to play from £8 per person. And on Sundays or Mondays? Its duckpin bowling is available to have a crack at alongside a pint and a pizza for £25 in total.
For something a little different in London, we've got just the place. Using high-tech, Clays is a shooting experience in London so you can game with your pals. Plus, it boasts a menu filled with charcuterie spreads and nachos.
If you're into sports, you're in luck. The Wapping Tavern is a cool pub set in an old spice factory, carefully restored to retain its original charm, boasting a whopping 17 TVs and projectors sprinkled throughout the venue. Whether you're into F1, football, NFL, rugby, or anything else on Sky, BT Sports, or Premier Sports, they'll have it on. And if that's not enough, there's a whole basement packed with games like retro arcade, pinball, pool tables, table tennis, foosball, shuffleboard, and smart darts.
Located in Canary Wharf and St Paul's, Fairgame is a funfair-themed activity bar slinging out some of your childhood favourite games, from Whac-A-Mole through to Shoot The Clown. This adults-only playground is filled with quirky and colourful decor, promising a nostalgic experience that lets you unleash your inner kid, just with added cocktails.
Their innovative wristband technology logs all your scores for you, keeping track of them on a leaderboard. And it's not just the games that are enticing here, as you can also nab street food from vendors like Rudy's Pizza or Burger & Beyond.
Pizza Pilgrims are looking East, serving their customers great pizzas coupled with 16-person foosball, plasma screen TVs and vintage video games. The pizza maestros will, of course, be serving all the same Neapolitan pizzas that made them famous in the first place.
Happy Hour until 7pm🍹 Two Cocktail for £10! or Two Bottles Beer for £5! 🎉
The Old School Yard has become a legend in South London thanks to its nostalgic decor and cheeky character. Based on Long Lane in London Bridge, the venue features Nintendo Games, vintage toys and classic comics, alongside a clock that is continuously set for 3:10 PM.
From darts and old school board games to pool, The Beehive has got you covered for entertainment. But if you fancy taking a more spectator role, you can also sit back and enjoy a live-screened match on one of the sports bars many indoor and outdoor TVs.
Home to pool and casino tables galore, Q Shoreditch is the most stylish gaming destination - complete with a lounge and a slick club hosting high-profile DJs. And when you want to make things super special? Hire Q VIP, complete with four English pool tables and casino tables for Poker and Blackjack - perfect for hosting smaller gatherings of up to 80 guests.
Queens isn't just any normal bar. They've got an ice skating ring and 12 bowling alleys to keep you entertained, a delicious food menu of MEATliquor tastiness to keep your bellies full and a bar stocked with all the cocktails you need.
If you're looking for somewhere to hole up with a good game on a rainy day, look no further than Spit & Sawdust. This Borough-based boozer is known for its insane selection of craft beers, but it also just happens to home loads of retro games also - bring your gang and spend a day reliving your youth.
Game on at Four Quarters London Bridge - an arcade bar where the pints are cold and the buttons are always being mashed.
Inside this cool railway arch venue, you'll find 25 arcade games from the golden age of gaming, classic consoles for head-to-head challenges, and a welcoming bar pouring craft beer, cocktails and soft drinks. Whether you're a casual button-smasher or a retro gaming pro, it's the kind of bar where play and pints go hand-in-hand.
Not sure where to head for a last-minute happy hour or a few rounds of table football? Check out Bar Kick for their sports vibe and delicious comfort eats. Chow down on chicken strips, halloumi fries and yummy sliders.
Head along to BOXPARK Wembley and take advantage of its epic games room. From shuffleboard and ping pong to skeel ball and retro arcade machines, there's plenty to get stuck into. Topping it off? The lineup of boozy bevvies and street food.
As if The World's End wasn't a brilliant boozer already, with live music, sports screenings and some of the best pub food this side of the river - it also has a bunch of board games and table football to keep you entertained.
Anybody for a game of Backgammon inside one of Covent Garden's most snug and intimate hotel bars? With leather sofas, warm lighting and eccentric artworks adding some extra character, The Den is one mighty stylish and impressive spot to unwind with a drink and a board game or two.
Get on down to Boom Battle Bar in The O2 or Oxford Street and take advantage of their epic lineup of games. When you're not perfecting your aim at axe throwing or crazy golf, make sure to check out the fantastic menus, from bottomless brunches to wings and cocktails.
Whether you fancy beer pong, retro arcade games or a mini race track, The Joiner on Worship is a great choice of pubs with games in Shoreditch. Plus, if you're a sports fan, you can watch all the latest on their screens too.
For bars with adrenaline sports games in London, check out F1® Arcade. The only venue of its kind in the world, this place for the official simulation racing experience is sure to get your heart pumping.
A fun and inventive bar that'll keep you entertained all night long, Flight Club brings social darts to the masses in a seriously attractive space. Games are simple, there's real-time scoring and plenty of food and drinks to enjoy throughout; just choose between Shoreditch, Bloomsbury, Victoria and Islington.
If you're after the chance to play darts in an underground drinking den, then Temple Brew House is where to head. This Holborn pub is fronting craft beer brewed on-site and a lineup of smokey dishes to tuck into in between games.
With 16 screens for sports, a games room boasting retro arcades, pool tables, foosball, smart darts and more, Pepper St Tavern is a literal funfair for adults. They also boast a whopping 20 taps for craft beers, ciders, and lagers, and delish New York-style pizza served in a massive 20" or 12" base.
If your perfect pub night involves more than just a pint, The Elmhurst in Tottenham has you covered. Inside, you'll find a dedicated games room packed with board games and four professional foosball tables, plus regular social tournaments for all skill levels.
Outside, Tottenham's largest pub garden is ready for sunny-day fun with outdoor games and plenty of space to play. Pair that with top-notch beer, tasty rotating food stalls, and a lively match-day atmosphere, and you've got one seriously fun North London hangout.
Looking for something totally unique? Perfect for big groups of friends and quirky date nights alike, TOCA Social is the first ever digital football experience, located in Greenwich. Catering for all abilities, you can try your hand, or foot, at scoring goals on their interactive screens before relaxing with a cocktail at the bar. They've also got classic arcade games, foosball tables and photobooths to add to the fun, as well as a willy Wonka-inspired dessert room if you fancy a sweet treat to finish. Not in the area? Head to West London for its Shepherd's Bush venue in Westfield.
Love your games with a side of booze? Over at The Bat and Ball in Stratford and Covent Garden, they offer two levels of pool, ping pong, DJs and live sport, as well as a fantastic selection of cocktails, craft pints and lip-smacking pizzas.
Vine isn't your average boozer, it's also home to a couple of shuffleboard tables where you can put your competitive skills to the test. While you thrash your opponents? Get stuck into elevated pub grub and refreshing tipples aplenty.
Creating the nostalgic feeling of a 1950s American bowling alley, Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes is a vintage venue serving up all kinds of fun. Challenge your friends to a few games on the lanes or a turn on the dartboard, before dancing the night away to live bands and DJ sets - or you can even belt out a few tunes of your own in the private karaoke rooms. There are 16 different beers on tap and a whole lot of cocktails or milkshakes, as well as 26-inch pizzas, hot dogs and burgers from Ray's diner.
The Arcanist's Tavern is a cool and quirky gaming cafe on Hackney Road, where they offer a library of over 300 board games. They've got custom tables for TTRPGs and Wargaming too, as well as a cracking menu of RPG-themed cocktails, specialty coffee and delicious eats.
They also host a number of events designed to bring likeminded people together, from monthly quizzes to Quest Board adventures and board game group meetups.
At Rule Zero, a funky joint in Hackney Wick, you can sip on wacky concoctions like the absinthe mojito or the Dino-sour, a playful spin on the classic whiskey bend. They also dish out tasty bites all day long, from ham and cheese souffle omelettes in the a.m. to pulled pork and cheese-topped potato wedges late at night. As for entertainment? They've got you covered. Play pool, card games, and more, with regular tournaments of Pokemon, Magic The Gathering, etc.
If you're looking for a quintessentially English game to play at the pub, then grab your mates and head down to cricket bar Sixes in Fitzrovia, London Bridge and Fulham. Enjoy a stint in the high-tech batting nets, followed by a pint and plenty of nosh of course.
Located in Streatham, Putt Putt & Karaoke is home to all kinds of fun. The quirky venue is full of colourful decor and screens shoeing live sport, as well as three completely free karaoke areas. As for their games? Expect crazy golf, pool tables, air hockey, darts, foosball and arcade machines - enough to keep you entertained for hours. There's also plenty of space to relax in with a cocktail or two, as well as tasty pizzas topped with prosciutto, mushrooms, aubergine and more.
