Whether it’s the fashionable streets of Milan, Amsterdam’s notorious Red Light District, London’s West End, Munich’s Beer Gardens, or Barcelona’s Ramblas, all have one thing in common—they are some of the best places to party in Europe.
If you’re visiting one of these five cities for football, we’ve got some great tips on where to party before or after the match.
Football fans visiting The Big Smoke won’t have to wander too far from Stamford Bridge to sample some of London’s best nightlife. Whether you’re looking to celebrate a win or take comfort after a loss, stroll down to Chelsea Potter on King’s Road. With a steady stream of live sports, it’s a haven for football supporters—particularly if you’re sporting the Blues—and while you’re there try the classic London pub grub; fish and chips or steak and ale pie.
To continue the party, lead your kinfolk to Soho in London’s famous West End. Crammed with gin joints, taverns, zinc bars, LGBTQ+ friendly clubs, and craft beer pubs, it offers something to capture the imagination of everyone. Make tracks over to Cahoots, a high-on-design pub dedicated to London’s tube—or subway. For a completely different vibe, try the urban chic, concrete setting of Brewdog, which offers more than 20 taps of craft beers and surprisingly good food.
The party seems to never end in Barcelona—there’s a heady, 24-hour cocktail of venues available from rooftop clubs to jazz-infused cava bars, leaving just about enough time to catch up on the match at a local stadium. Don’t forget to program in your afternoon siesta to get ready for the night’s activities.
Start the evening at the beach to explore chiringuitos (tapas bars), like Xiringuito Escribà, to get the party vibe in gear, before grabbing the last gasp of sunlight from Eclipse on the 26th floor of the W Barcelona, If you like a bit of drama with your glass of Estrella—head to L’Eixample on the city’s excellent public transport system to savor the views of Antoni Gaudí’s final masterpiece, Sagrada Familia Basilica, from Terraza Ayre at Hotel Sechotel Rosellón.
As night falls, release all those olé, olé, olés you’ve been storing since the match as you catch the drift of flamenco resonating from a basement bar on the Ramblas. Before you know it, it’s 3 a.m. and if you’re still standing in Club Red58 with a robust bottle of local craft beer in one hand and sangria in the other, it’s been a good night.
With state-of-the-art car production, epic football matches, and of course; being the home of beer gardens, it often appears as though Bavaria’s capital, Munich, has a single modus operandi, and that is to have a good time.
Of course, Bavaria is steeped in football history—like the local sparring Dassler brothers who created the Adidas and Puma football boot. Don your team’s colours and join the crowds of supporters that flock through Munich’s Old Town or Altstadt. Then wander down Marienplatz to drink in the flavour of Munich’s convivial sporting spirit.
Near Marienplatz is the Hofbräuhaus, the city’s beer hall to end all beer halls—it’s almost the size of a stadium. Traditional sausage is a specialty here and the original Hofbräu is available on tap along with darker beer or Münchner Weisse (pale ale) For another side of Munich’s nightlife, head east on foot to Harry Klein. Hailed as one of the best Electro-clubs on Earth, this auditory and visual homage to sync-era sensation Kraftwerk, is the place for a glass of bubbles or to sample the impressive cocktail list.
Amsterdam is a destination for big-name matches—drawing a constant stream of supporters for the home or visiting teams. After a match, it’s time for a ramble along the network of canals, streets, and bike lanes glistening in the glow of lamplight. The medieval quarter is close to the main train station, while to the east is De Wallen, the city’s notorious Red Light District, home to many of the city’s so-called “coffeeshops.”
For something less potent, stop by Café In ‘t Aepjen—it’s one of Amsterdam’s oldest pubs and has served ale to all sorts of pirates and sports fanatics since the 15th century from its timber-decked quarters. Then head south for the mother of all pub crawls through the historic city squares of Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein, where the many bars and clubs pulsate under the glare of neon lights. The Satellite Sports Café is designed to ensure you can watch a match screen from any angle. For something more discrete and effortlessly cool, send a WhatsApp message to gain entry to Door 74—a speakeasy-style cocktail bar behind an unmarked door.
As a city that takes its fashion and café culture as seriously as its football, Milan is a place to start the party in the late afternoon with an aperitivo and a snack along the historic canal-lined district called the Navigli.
As evening turns to night, the chilled-out speakeasies along Navigli’s Ripa di Porta Ticinese take on a livelier vibe. Stop by Navigli Craft Beer where you’ll land a crisp ale at a reasonable price, faster than you can say “bella birra” or Iter to discover their ever-rotating section of international cocktails.
If you’re upping the nightlife a notch after a long day shouting for your team—toss the football jersey aside for something a little smarter—it is the world’s fashion capital after all. Head to Gino12 in a leafy redbrick setting for a Giappone (a specialty gin cocktail) and the best selection of gin in Milan. Or catch the last glimmer of the day with a drink at The Roof Milano. Round off the night at Mag Cafe with its kaleidoscopic interiors—and it’s not the Giappone, that is the carpet you see decorating the walls.