Spy Bar, Jesmond, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Spy Bar in Jesmond thrives as a student-focused sports venue with 11 indoor and 2 outdoor screens, 3 Sky boxes, and multiple sound zones.
Football is the main draw, but darts, F1 and rugby also feature prominently. Weekly food deals like Wings Wednesday and burger discounts align with matchdays.
The Spy Bar’s membership card offers 40% off on key days, driving loyalty, and has become a much-sought-after form of discount for customers, being limited to just 3,000 for each year.
Sponsorship of student football teams boosts engagement. Sustainability efforts earned a Green Tourism silver rating while staff training is structured well too.
The Minories, Tower Hill, London
This huge sports pub near Tower Hill is a top-performing Stonegate site, known for its exceptional live sport offering.
With more than 30 screens, sports is at the heart of this pub which houses huge inside areas and a big garden full of sporting action too.
Major events like the Euros and Super Bowl drive huge footfall, supported by themed menus, table service and pre-booking systems.
The pub balances sport with a strong food offer, cocktails and bottomless brunches – and is a real destination venue for both locals and tourists.
Pinnacle Sports & Games, Leeds
The venue that was formerly Pinnacle Beer & Gin Hall has rebranded to focus on sports and community – and has brought some new elements to the site.
With 17 screens, 20 beer lines and multiple Sky boxes, it caters to fans of football, F1, cricket and rugby, while remaining inclusive for non-sports visitors.
Weekly promotions like Wednesday quizzes and £4 pints boost engagement. Games include pool, darts and basketball. Food is US-style, with pizzas, hotdogs and loaded fries leading the line.
Set on the first floor, access is easy for all and the bright, airy space is welcoming and yet the atmosphere created within can be electric.
Cherry Tree, Plymouth, Devon
Another Stonegate site in the final of Best Pub to Watch Sport proves the pubco is hitting the right notes and the Cherry Tree in Plymouth – in the business’s Craft Union estate – is no exception.
This transformed Plymouth pub is now a thriving sports and community hub, boasting 14 screens (8 indoors, 6 outdoors), three Sky boxes and multiple sound zones.
It’s a key venue for Plymouth Argyle fans and hosts 23 darts teams across nine leagues, It’s also raised £10,000 for the Young Minds charity with events including live music, quizzes and poker, with strong social media engagement and creative marketing.
The pub supports inclusivity through Best Bar None training and offers accessible facilities. It’s wet-led with 30 keg and four cask lines, and subsidised sports kits for teams.
The Gardeners Arms/Murderers, Norwich, Norfolk
This Norwich pub combines strong sports credentials with deep community roots and sustainability – and it is the reigning champion in the category of Best Pub to Watch Sport from 2024.
With 15 screens that can be split into multiple sound zones, it’s a go-to venue for major sporting events, including the recent women’s Euros football.
Innovations include new screen systems, plans for wristband entry for busy match days, and a forthcoming City of Ale app to extend the popular ale trail year-round.
Local sourcing is central – beers, spirits and food come from nearby producers and energy efficiency upgrades have significantly cut bills. The pub that thrives on having a consistent offer to customers, also hosts comedy, quizzes, and games nights.
The Kings Arms, Kings Heath, Birmingham
This recently renovated pub, now part of the Davenports group, is a vibrant sports-led venue with 18 screens, multiple sound zones and a strong football following – especially for Aston Villa and Birmingham fans.
Affordable drinks, good food, promotions and live sport are key to the business. Community engagement includes sponsoring BC United and raising £10,000 for the Young Minds charity.
The pub hosts live music, quizzes and plans to launch darts and pool teams in the near future. Marketing is handled by head office, with local posters and social media to name a few methods of getting the word out.
Staff training covers compliance and customer service, with a focus on inclusivity. The pub is evolving into a welcoming, family-friendly space with strong local ties and growing appeal.
