Stamford Bridge, the home of Premier League titans Chelsea, is by far one of the nicer trips to take when going to watch a football match. The match day experience is one of the best around. It is situated in the affluent area of West London, and is always a pleasure to check out the hottest drinking spots dotted around the Chelsea and Fulham area.
In this list, I will give my experience of visiting some of the most appreciated, and talk about venues near the Blues’ stadium and help you make an informed choice on where to soak in the pre-game and post-game atmosphere.
Let’s get started!
Which nearby pubs are the best for traveling to Stamford Bridge?
The Chelsea Gate
With Chelsea in the name, it is safe to assume that The Chelsea Gate (formerly The Chelsea Pensioner) is firmly cemented in the lore of the surrounding area. Only a 200-meter walk from the ground, this option is perfect for those who want to embed themselves in the local ambience while not having to worry about complications getting to the stands.
Stamford Bridge is synonymous with big European nights, and I had to get a taste of one in 2021. Little did I know that this was the year Chelsea shocked everyone with a long run to lift the trophy. It was a cold night in November, and the first thing on my mind was to get into the warmth and shield myself from the winter chill with a pint of Guinness. The previously stated proximity made a proposal from The Chelsea Gate too good to turn down.
The corner building lit up in the night, a welcoming shade of blue. Situated in such a premium area of London, you expect higher prices but a relaxed atmosphere. These were true, and the variety of Chelsea memorabilia on the show drew me further into the excitement of what was to come as I learned about the vibrant history of a club that I do not support myself. However, after speaking to my Chelsea fan friends, I learned that a recent refurbishment had been conducted at the expense of the flags, pictures, and other historical items that made the pub so unique.
Either way, I would highly recommend this pub for its proximity and inviting ambience. It might not feel like ‘the’ Chelsea pub anymore, but logistically it can take the burden off of the shoulders of many traveling fans, especially those who want to focus purely on having a good time.
Location
358 Fulham Rd., London SW10 9UH
The Goose
The prominent word that springs to mind when thinking of my trip to The Goose is ‘decor’. The traditional English pub appearance, mixed with a subtle yet meticulously crafted turquoise and brown colour pallet, makes this spot stand out from the rest. Yes, most of you may not care too much about this when that pregame pint is at the top of the priority list, but it certainly adds to the overall experience.
Situated on the corner, like many of the establishments around Chelsea, it certainly gets your attention when you see it. As you approach the bar, you are met with pieces of memorabilia paying homage to the stadium, such as the ‘Stamford Bridge’ street sign placed at eye level while you scan the range of drinks they have on offer.
What struck me was the variety of ways you can spend your time there. From setting yourself up near the screens to watch the match build-up or post-game analysis to relaxing outside with other Chelsea fans, there’s no right way or wrong way to conduct yourself.
Albeit, the one downside of The Goose is the 16-minute walk to Stamford Bridge. The journey itself is a straightforward one. With only a single road to head down, the distance will be a non-issue. Due to the 8-minute walk from West Brompton station, there is luckily no back and forth, with everything on one route.
Location
248 North End Rd, London SW6 1NL
The Chelsea Ram
Yet another inviting Victorian style-pub makes the list with The Chelsea Ram, located on the beautiful Burnaby Street. It boasts a luxurious interior, an interesting beer menu, healthy food, and an excellent location to form an all-round option for fans. Sitting on the opposite side of the stadium, compared to many of the previous options, the 8-minute walk gives you an alternative view of the stadium on approach.
One of the many things that caught my eye during my trip was the diversity of spaces available to patrons. There was a well-put-together main socializing area, where you can relax in comfy chairs and discuss tactics with your friends, the bustling entrance area outside, and the interesting variety of rooms that are available for hire. The level of service also stayed high when I ordered my consecutive beers, in spite of the number of other fans demanding theirs before the big game.
‘Stately home’ would be the term to describe The Chelsea Ram’s interior, which runs parallel to the overall feel of the Stamford Bridge area. Despite there not being many pubs and bars that hold a low standard in the vicinity, this option is perfect for those who want to experience what the affluent Chelsea and Fulham areas have to offer.
Location
32 Burnaby Street Chelsea, London SW10 0PL
The Tommy Tucker
Conveniently located only 3 minutes from Fulham Broadway and an incredible 5 minutes from the stadium itself, The Tommy Tucker might be the pick for proximity. From my adventure to this tasteful pub, I realised that its spot on the map was just the tip of the iceberg.
What do you really want as a traveling football fan looking to cheer your team to 3 important points? Drink, food, ease of access, and a comfortable atmosphere are some of the first things that come to mind. The Tommy Tucker has all of these boxes firmly ticked.
The wooden-style interior, football screens for the pre-match build-up, and plenty of seating variations made the couple of hours I spent there memorable. I would say that The Tommy Tucker isn’t by any means a fan-dedicated drinking spot, with it being a restaurant as well, serving families and non-sports fans. They even allow dogs to hang out around the place. However, the staff were friendly and welcoming to all of us who were there with clear footballing intentions.
This is a great option for fans who appreciate a more subtle and slow build-up to a game where you won’t be surrounded by hundreds of chanting fans. There will be plenty of others getting their refreshments before heading down Waterford Road towards the blue stands of Stamford Bridge.
Location
22 Waterford Rd, London SW6 2DR
The Butcher’s Hook
This drinking location is steeped in history, representing the spot where the club was actually formed in 1905. With this comes a significant emotional tie for fans as it oozes blue. When I attended The Butcher’s Hook with my friend, a Chelsea season ticket holder, I was blown away at how close we were to the stadium from the outset, sitting just across the road from the Stamford Gate.
We proceeded to test out the Beavertown beer on offer, which seems to be a staple across many modern-day sporting venues. Then came the Sunday roast to give us back the energy we had burnt off from the anticipation. Learning about the history of Chelsea, with pictures on the walls and an array of memorabilia, made the whole experience that much more authentic.
This is arguably the best option for football fans traveling from further afield who are in love with the club. Why? Because it represents everything great about Chelsea Football Club and is a landmark in its own right. To tell your friends back home that you had sat in the place where the club was born is truly something special.
Location
477 Fulham Rd., London SW6 1HL
The Elk Bar
I have left one of the most talked about bars in Chelsea fan circles to last. Much like The Butcher’s Hook, The Elk is situated extremely close to the stadium, at a 7-minute walk, and is a perfect option for regular fans and those traveling for a few games per year.
You may be asking why. Well, for the regular faithful, The Elk is a solid option where you can get your drinks quickly, with a great atmosphere, and head straight to the stands before coming back post-game to discuss the undoubtedly crazy events of the match. My recommendation to those fans who are having a special trip to The Bridge, for reasons specified in the previous paragraph, The Butcher’s Hook is the choice every time.
However, with all that being said, I thoroughly enjoyed my time there a few seasons back. Unlike some of the more luxurious options on the list, The Elk is more of a standard pub. By this, I mean that you go in, get your drinks, have your drinks, talk tactics and football history, and then head out. There’s not too much that stands out, but not anything offensive.
Location
587 Fulham Rd., London SW6 5UA
What are the best pre-match pubs around Stamford Bridge?
The Butcher’s Hook is my stand-out pre-match – one of the travel tips for Chelsea match , as it offers an experience like no other. Having sat in the building where the Chelsea origin story formed is a trophy in itself, especially for someone who may only get to visit a few times in their life.
As for more regular fans, with proximity being pretty even across the board, it then comes down to atmosphere, comfort, and quality of environment. The Tommy Tucker or The Chelsea Ram would be my suggestion in this case, as both deliver high quality in everything they do, and this is perfect for optimising the match day experience.
What are the best post-match pubs around Stamford Bridge?
With everything so close to the stadium, for a post-match drinking spot, it would be worth giving The Chelsea Gate a shot, as it is synonymous with the fanbase, and for good reason. Despite the recent renovations and subsequent removal of some items of memorabilia, ultimately people are still showing the pub the respect it deserves.
After the Chealse match at Stamford bridge, you can visit sports related places around London.
The Gem (Our Pick)
When taking the trip to the impressive Chelsea and Fulham area, you’ll be spoilt for choice with the array of luxury pubs near to Stamford Bridge that know exactly what fans want. The majority of locations sit nicely within arm’s reach of the stadium, making traveling to watch Chelsea a walk in the park compared to some other Premier League clubs.
Now for my personal favourite! Despite some of the excellent previous suggestions, I thoroughly enjoyed my time at The Goose alongside many regulars. As a sucker for interior design, the interesting colour palette and great beers on offer resonated with me the most. But for those fans flying in from abroad, who may only visit Chelsea once or twice in their lives, The Butcher’s Hook is the outright winner.
