Enjoy the Rugby World Cup in an English pub in Paris
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- Enjoy the Rugby World Cup in an English pub in Paris
1453: the Hundred Years’ War comes to an end.
1823: the English create a new way to fight. The fight resumes. This time, it’s oval.
Love them or hate them, there’s one thing you can’t take away from the British: the invention of rugby. As worthy creators, they know perfectly well how to appreciate the beauty of a match, savor a victory or emerge stronger from a defeat. And what do you think is their favorite meeting place? A pub, of course. Although the rooster proudly watches over all of France, a few points of resistance lurk in Paris. If you’re a friend of the English team, here’s a list of the best pubs, bars and restaurants where frogs and rosbifs have lowered their weapons.
At the Bombardier Charles Wells, Paris sings God Save the King
France or England? Paris or Manchester? This pub leaves us in doubt. And yet, it’s in the 5th arrondissement of Paris that the bar offers a foothold to all Englishmen, and more generally to elbow-lifters. Le Bombardier’s friendly ambiance perfectly depicts the atmosphere of British bars: rock music in the background, a lively hubbub and the faint smell of wood.
For fans of the oval ball, during the Rugby World Cup, the venue will be the meeting place for a whole host of fans, both English and non-English. During sporting events of this magnitude, the taps are never at rest, even outside happy hour. Pint after pint, enjoy typical English beers such as cask ale or the bar’s selection of ciders.
The pub also has a restaurant area. To go with your beer, we recommend the Inkwell beef pie. In the morning, you can also enjoy the full English breakfast. And finally, the legendary “sunday roast” is added to Le Bombardier’s menu on Sundays. Legend has it that this roast beef is the origin of the nickname “rosbif”. In return, the English have very kindly dubbed us “frogs”.
The Kop Bar Paris is swapping the round ball for the oval one
What’s the origin of this neighborhood sports bar ? A tribute to the Liverpool club. Yes, The Kop Bar Paris is all about English soccer. But from September onwards, the round ball will be giving up its place on the screens for a while. The establishment will broadcast the Rugby World Cup matches from the game one. There’s no doubt about it, there will be a festive atmosphere, with regular customers eagerly following each of the sporting events.
While the Kop Bar is a popular place to root for your favorite team, it’s also a great place to enjoy some of the establishment’s classic dishes. Also serving as a restaurant, the bar offers a menu reminiscent of some English pubs. Try the “Shankly” fish & chips with your beer.
Frog Revolution: Paris frogs love local beers
In the 4th arrondissement, one pub sings loud and clear of its love for English culture. All year long, the Frog Revolution features the most popular sporting events. So it certainly won’t miss the opportunity to broadcast the World Cup and cheer for the English team. This melting pot for fans guarantees a fiery atmosphere.
Are you craving hops? The pub features craft beers. With 24 taps to choose from, the choice is hard. You have two options: ask for advice or try a new one every evening! The beer is made in France, the atmosphere is British and the food is… American. On the menu: BBQ, club sandwiches, wings and burgers will keep you going all evening.
Need some peace and quiet? Every Tuesday, the pub welcomes the Joueurs Anonymes association for an evening of board games.
The Highlander, A little piece of Scotland in Paris
Located in the 6th arrondissement, this pub does not bear an English flag. A white cross on a blue background floats in front of its doors, and in World Cup season, it’s a safe bet that no Englishman will risk a beer here. And yet we can’t leave it out of our selection of the best pubs in Paris.
This bar has all the ingredients for an intense World Cup experience. Under its stone vaults, cries of joy or anger don’t pass through the walls. The atmosphere is warm, even fiery when the matches are shown on the big screen. The beer flows freely. It can be blond, ale or stout. Yes, the hops here are as brown as the wood of the bar.
The finest taste buds gather on the pub’s second floor. The atmosphere, only slightly calmer, gives way to tasting. As a worthy representative of Scotland, The Highlander offers a selection of no less than 80 whiskies.
The World Cup is a great excuse to come every night, but the pub also organizes events: an open mic night every Wednesday, live music on Fridays and quiz nights on Sundays and Mondays. Finally, a key piece of information: happy hour starts at 5pm.
Sir Winston Churchill, the oldest English pub in Paris
Near the Arc de triomphe, the Sir Winston Churchill stands out for its radiant colors. Behind its contemporary allure, this bar-restaurant is one of the oldest English pubs in Paris. Once inside, doubt sets in. Are you really in Paris or have you landed in a colonial house in Delhi? While the interior design is unmistakably British, the menu is Indian. In the kitchen, Anglo-Indian chef Manoj Sharma blends English pub classics with spicy flavors.
Here, there’s little chance of following the World Cup on a screen. The aim is rather to give you a moment’s respite, a half-time break between two match nights, while staying in the British mood. Even the best know how to take a break.
Did you know that Winston Churchill had a mistress? In a nod to his romantic escapades, the pub has a hidden speakeasy: the Doris Bar. Cocktails and jazz music await you in this cozy venue.
On the field, roosters and bulldogs never mix. However, with every scrum, every try and every up-and-under, let’s remember that rugby is “a rogue sport played by gentlemen”. So be a gentleman (or woman) too, and whatever team you hold dear to your heart, let’s toast together to the great times ahead.
- Copyright image: Hélène Tonnelier