Despite the fact that England’s rugby team were pretty meh at the Six Nations this year, we’re still rugby-mad in Bristol. So, of course, we’re excited about the Rugby World Cup 2023 kicking off in France this Friday (September 8). And who knows? Maybe England will surprise us at this year’s six-week-long tournament. If not we’ve always got the Women’s Six Nations at Ashton Gate in 2024… But until then check out the best places to watch the Rugby World Cup in Bristol.
1. Bambalan
Bambalan will host a huge fan zone in Bristol, giving fans the perfect place to watch the Rugby World Cup. For all England games, Bambalan will treat fans to an incredible fan park experience with giant anti-glare screens, a world-class sound system, and all the classic food and drink you need to fuel your celebrations. You’ll need a ticket to enter, however, which costs £10 – but includes one free drink of your choice. To learn more head here. All non-England games will be shown on their covered terrace for free too.
Bambalan, Beacon Tower, Colston Street, BS1 4XE
2. King Street Brew House
A much-loved brewery found in the centre, King Street Brew House serves up cold pints with plenty of space to watch the rugby – and they’re screening all the big games, with loads of extras throughout key games. Guests can also expect tons of beers on tap, as well as tasty pizzas (good match food, if you ask us). The brewery will be showing the matches with a number of screens dotted throughout the venue, so you can enjoy the sights and sounds of the taproom while watching the games live.
King Street Brewhouse, 13 Welsh Back, BS1 4RR
3. Racks Bar & Kitchen
There are more than 12 screens running throughout the Clifton sports bar, Racks. You’ll need a ticket for all England and Wales matches, however, which costs £20. That might sound steep, but it does come with a free pint and steak sandwich (or veggie alternative). This means you can settle into the game with a front-row seat without a worry – except for whether your team will win or lose, of course. All the other games will be shown too. To learn more head here.
St Paul’s Rd, Clifton, Bristol BS8 1LX
4. Ashton Gate’s Independence Sports Bar
Home of the Bristol Bears, it’s only right that Ashton Gate Stadium screens the matches of this popular rugby tournament. Ashton Gate’s Independence Sports Bar is home to the largest indoor pub screen in the country and will show every England game of the Rugby World Cup 2023. You can get your tickets now for £6 per person, which includes a free drink on arrival. There’ll also be loaded fries available to purchase at each screening.
Ashton Gate, Ashton Rd, Bristol BS3 2EJ
5. Wiper and True
Sick of weak watery pints while watching the rugby? The Bristol brewery, Wiper and True, will be showing all of the Rugby World Cup at their Old Market Taproom. Extending their hours to show the games, they’ve got a gigantic TV, some of the tastiest beers in Bristol, and delicious food from Eatchu and Pizza Crush. It’s free entry too!
Unit 11, City Business Park, St Jude’s, Bristol BS5 0SP
6. Steam
One of the city’s thriving venues, Steam frequently screens live sports – with big TVs to accommodate rugby fans – and its weekend brunches aren’t to be sniffed at either. You can watch the Rugby World Cup either indoors or outdoors in Steam’s heated, covered terrace. You can also book one of our popular beer/cider jug tables for all the England matches, with 4 pint jugs perfect for sharing. Plus, you get a complimentary Cornish pasty during half time. At Steam, you can enjoy cold pints of craft beer or continental lagers alongside a selection of burgers and fries with the rugby – the perfect combination in our eyes. Learn more here.
Steam, Clifton Down Station, Whiteladies Road, BS8 2PN
7. Bristol Beer Factory
Another of Bristol’s iconic taprooms is getting involved in the Rugby World Cup action. The Bristol Beer Factory Taproom is well known for screening live rugby. It is showing all the games on its 80” projector, and maybe wheeling out more screens for the bigger games. Bristol Beer Factory’s kitchen will be open and slinging out burgers and wings too!
291 North St, Southville, Bristol BS3 1JP
8. The Crafty Cow
A gem on Gloucester Road where you watch the Rugby World Cup is The Crafty Cow. There’s nothing quite like a pint of beer and a sub whilst watching the rugby and luckily this gastropub has got us covered. You can munch on a hog roast whilst shuddering at high tackles. To add to the cow vibe, you can sit yourself down on one of their cowprint stools outside under their canopy whilst having your own post-match analysis.
The Crafty Cow, 635 Gloucester Road, BS7 OBJ
9. Hort’s Townhouse
The newly refurbished Hort’s Townhouse, just a stone’s throw from Bristol’s city centre, is showing every kick, tackle and scrum on their three screens this autumn. For the bigger matches – like the opening match between France and Argentina on September 8, or England’s games – they’ve got a special deal. Enjoy a free round of Guinness when you book to watch the match with a package or order from the A la Carte menu on the day.
49 Broad Street, Bristol, BS1 2EP
10. O’Neill’s
The Irish pub might seem like an obvious choice when it comes to watching the Rugby World Cup. But if you want to be surrounded by diehard rugby fans, this is the pub for you. O’Neills should be your top choice if you are supporting Ireland as well – who we think is in with a shot this year of winning. Designed for big sporting events like this, you’ll catch every last scrum, tackle and drop-kick over the next six weeks. The pub is getting properly stuck into this tournament too by offering plenty of drinks packages.
7-9 Baldwin St, Bristol BS1 1RU
When are the England games at the Rugby World Cup?
- England v Argentina, September 9 at 20:00
- England v Japan, September 17 at 20:00
- England v Chile, September 23 at 16:45
- England v Samoa, October 7 at 16:45