Anfield, the home of Liverpool, is one of those sporting landmarks that has garnered a worldwide reputation over decades. This level of prestige within the sporting community attracts football fans from across the globe all year round. Traveling to Liverpool from around Europe, the World, and even from large fan hubs in the UK, such as London, everyone needs a location to get their pregame refreshments.
After getting tickets, the atmosphere, good food, good beer, and a sense of community are essential to a lasting sports traveling experience. From my days spent visiting different grounds around the UK, I have built up a list of recommendations for some of the best drinking spots within reasonable proximity to the stadium.
Let’s have a look at the selection of the standout pubs and bars before we give our top recommendation!
Which nearby pubs are the best for traveling to Anfield?
The Albert
Let’s start with the options geared towards those who want the authentic, unadulterated pregame experience where you’ll be surrounded by plenty of diehard singing Liverpool fans.
The first of these on the list is The Albert. A traditional establishment cemented firmly in the folklore of regular Anfield attendees; it is a name that pops up regularly in forums and conversations with Liverpool fans. The curious person that I am, prior to seeing them play in the Champions League group stages a few years back, I had to take in some of the atmosphere that has almost become legendary within the fanbase.
The beauty of the spot is its closeness to everything. A meagre 1-minute walk from the ground, it is perfect for those who want to reduce the stress of figuring out logistics while trying to take in the backdrop.
Located on Walton Breck Road and coloured with red and white, from the outset, my expectations were set. After perusing the wide menu of beers and wines, a pint of pale ale was ordered. Just like Groundhog Day, I ordered two more while meeting different members of the Liverpool faithful. They claimed to be regulars, and for good reason. Despite the rowdy atmosphere at times, they swear by The Albert as part of their match-day routine.
The welcoming mood stood out, with members of the football community mingling and connecting through their love of the sport. Its distance from the Anfield football ground gives it a significant upper hand against some of the other options on the list.
When it was time to head for the stadium, the realisation that there was only a 1-minute walk ahead of me was welcomed.
Location
185 Walton Breck Rd, Anfield, Liverpool L4 0RE
The Sandon
The Sandon goes hand-in-hand with The Albert when looking for reputable pubs near the ground. Accessibility is the selling point of this drinking spot, and its reputation is astonishing. The club, which now competes on all fronts, was formed here in 1870. Again, only a 3-minute walk is required to the stadium.
When I traveled from London to join one of my friends, a lifelong Red, at a Sunday kick-off last season, we decided to check out The Sandon to see how it stacks up against the competition. What initially became obvious was the attention to detail of the owners when accommodating the Liverpool fans. Memorabilia is everywhere; giant images of players are painted on the walls, and there’s a vast beer garden out back perfect for throwing your beer up in the air after the ball hits the back of the net.
Authenticity oozes from its traditional but modernised interior with the stories of Istanbul and the glory years under Bob Paisley, told by those who saw it with their own eyes.
Being part of The Sandon Complex, The Sandon is a hub for Liverpool fans that come to Anfield stadium as it creates a great balance between a party place, a hotel, and a straight-up traditional boozer.
This place isn’t for everyone, as others may prefer a more subdued ambience. Despite this, the location serves a specific type of fan, which is fine. It is definitely worth a try if energy and excitement are part of your pregame criteria.
Location
180 Oakfield Rd, Anfield, Liverpool L4 0UH
The Church
With The Church comes a truly memorable experience. You may be praying for a last-minute winner here while you sink a few pints in a converted Church. Nothing comes close to the contrast of this venue.
With no traditional English pub interior in sight, just a huge screen at the altar, like a priest of football conducting his 3 pm Saturday sermon, this venue is a religious experience.
When I decided to treat myself to a trip to The Church pregame last season, I was impressed with the spaciousness compared to the sometimes claustrophobic mood that pubs can exhibit. As you can imagine, there are high ceilings, pew chairs, and wooden beams overhead, all while ordering pints of beer and plates of wholesome food. Just writing this makes me have to pinch myself.
The Church also has proximity up its sleeve, sitting only 300 meters away from the ground. It would be perfect for Liverpool fans traveling from abroad who want a mind-blowing experience without the worry of venturing into more unknown areas of Liverpool. I would even recommend choosing the spot as a place to watch the football on the screen, especially if you are struggling to get tickets.
Location
148-152 Oakfield Rd, Anfield, Liverpool L4 0UF
The Flat Iron
Next, we have another very unique location in The Flat Iron. Oddly shaped but offering a mix of a pub and a 4-star hotel, this could be a very attractive option for fans traveling from outside of Liverpool and need a place to rest their head after a long day in the stands.
Before getting to Liverpool, I did some snooping on the web to find out what people were saying about the place. One patron admitted his misguided preconception that there would be a tribal atmosphere, attracting stares as an outsider. Silly to say now, but I had similar thoughts going in. However, much like the revelation of the random man on the internet, I soon was met with some of the most joyful, welcoming staff and customers that I had come across on my football travels. The beer was good, too, at cheap prices.
Besides not having the most explosive atmosphere, one of the downsides of The Flat Iron is the availability of parking. As more of a railwayman when getting to games, it didn’t affect me at that time. But this could be an issue for those driving and for families who have a lot of things to carry with them. A redeeming feature of convenience is its distance from the ground. Only 500 yards separates Anfield and the long, almost ship-like, building.
If you are considering staying here, it might be worth drinking a few pints pre-game and then trying out one of the others, like The Albert, to soak in the vibrancy before heading back. This way, you get the best of both worlds.
Location
377 Walton Breck Road, Liverpool L4 0SY England
The Arkles
This next spot, The Arkles, is for those of you who are away fans traveling to Liverpool to see your team go up against the best. Much like The Albert, you are right around the corner, only a 5-minute stroll to the gate.
Me and my friend, a devoted season ticket holder, tested out The Arkles for a 3 pm Saturday kick-off. Due to the distance, there’s not an ounce of thought that had to go into the logistics. I found myself instantly catapulted into a melting pot of home and away fans, which added an extra edge to the proceedings. However, everyone was civil and even shared stories with each other. At the end of the day, it is just football.
The Greene King franchise has a nicely formatted beer garden where fans can relax alongside families and even dogs who braved the venue at such a hectic time.
With great pricing, screens galore for the pre-game build-up, and a very welcoming team of staff running the show, they thoroughly deserved their ‘World Famous’ tag, in my opinion. When the time came for us to head to the stadium, I felt like I was just getting started. Like gluttons, we even headed back after the game to test out more of the drinks menu.
The Arkles is a great option for the fan seeking an easygoing and friendly start to match day, with a nice mix of home and away fans alike.
Location
77 Anfield Road, Liverpool L4 0TJ England
What are the best pre-match pubs around Anfield?
Like with any recommendation list, the absolute perfect choice is going to completely depend on which aspects of match days resonate with you the most. For a pre-game location, this might be the ease of the route to the stadium, the proximity, the atmosphere, or even which beers are served.
With this in mind, my recommendation for those whose priority is the raw, authentic, rowdy, chills-on-your-skin-type atmosphere would be either The Albert (for a truly rowdy experience) or The Sandon (for a slightly more modern vibe).
For those of you who are visiting for the first time and want to live and breathe Liverpool while you are here, again check out The Sandon for its historical significance, combined with top-tier proximity to the ground.
The Church is another must-see for fans who are interested in some of the quirkier aspects of football travel. Watch as the disciples of ‘The Kop’ worship Jürgen Klopp.
What are the best post-match pubs around Anfield?
My choice spot for a good post-match drinking session for those traveling from afar would have to be The Sandon for its convenience and potential accommodation options if events head deep into the night.
Either The Albert or The Arkles are a great local option again for post-game celebrations as the atmosphere is unrivaled and sits within arm’s reach of the stadium.
The Gem (Our Pick)
When traveling to see Liverpool play, you’ll find that the majority of the pubs and bars near to Anfield are within a small radius of the stadium. This makes it a very simple task logistically. As football fans, we are more interested in worrying about refereeing decisions than train times, so it’s a blessing that the establishments around the Anfield stadium area take the burden off of our shoulders.
Okay, here’s what you’ve all been waiting for (maybe). The choice for my overall favourite is The Church. Despite not being everyone’s cup of tea, to this day I still await my return as I’ve never experienced anything like it. There were more luxurious and authentic Liverpool atmospheres on offer elsewhere, but The Church leaves a lasting impression on any curious football fan.
