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The Ultimate Men’s Six Nations Pub Crawl
February can only mean one thing for rugby fans: the return of the 2026 Guinness Six Nations 🏉. It’s one of the highlights of the international rugby calendar, bringing packed stadiums, fierce rivalries and world-class sport to cities across Europe.
For many, the best way to experience it isn’t from the sofa, but in person. And it’s not just the rugby that draws the crowds - it’s the unmistakable buzz that takes hold of host cities on matchday. From pre-kick-off meet-ups to post-match singalongs, the rituals around the stadium are all part of the experience. Whether you’re raising a pint or opting for a no or low-alcohol alternative, the matchday ritual should focus on soaking up the atmosphere together.
From buzzing streets in Cardiff to post-match singalongs in Dublin, the atmosphere around the stadium is as much a part of the experience as the action on the pitch. As celebrations stretch long into the evening, getting there—and back—should be the easy part. With bus routes serving all of the Six Nations host cities across the UK and Europe, FlixBus makes it simple to plan a weekend trip to the rugby. Offering cheap bus tickets and stress-free travel, we drop fans right in the action, so you can focus on having a great time.
And to help you do it properly, we’ve rounded up the top-rated pubs on TripAdvisor within an easy bus ride of each Men’s Six Nations Championship stadiums, along with the drink that best captures the spirit of each city. From London to Rome, consider this your ultimate Six Nations pub crawl 🍺.
@Secret London
London, England (Twickenham Stadium)
Once you’ve hopped off your bus to London, head southwest towards leafy Richmond, home to one of the most iconic venues in the Six Nations 🏴.
We’re talking about Twickenham Stadium, which is sometimes referred to as HQ or the Cabbage Patch. As the home of English rugby, it delivers one of the most traditional experiences on the calendar.
On matchday, Twickenham comes alive: streets fill with fans in white shirts, pubs buzz from early morning, and the walk to the stadium is all part of the ritual. It’s boisterous, nostalgic and proudly steeped in English rugby history.
What to drink on matchday
Watching the rugby in Twickenham does call for a proper pint. Think classic British ales or bitters on draft. Of course, many pubs also offer alcohol-free lagers, ciders and soft drinks on tap. Whatever tipple you fancy, ensure it is heart enough to carry you through a few choruses of Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.
Top-rated pubs near Twickenham Stadium
A welcoming local favourite that’s just a short walk from the tube station, The Honeycombe is a great option if you’re continuing your journey by public transport. It also has plenty of sports screens, so you can watch other matches being played on the same day.
Just a 25-minute walk from the stadium, The Winning Post is lively and sports-friendly on matchdays. Expect a steady buzz, plenty of rugby chat, and a food menu to keep everyone happy.
Located right next to Richmond Station, Tap Tavern is an independent free house in the heart of Richmond upon Thames—known for its relaxed vibe and strong selection of craft beers.
@Wales Online
Cardiff, Wales (Principality Stadium)
If London is about tradition, Cardiff is about energy 🏴. Home to the iconic Principality Stadium, the Welsh capital lives and breathes rugby. And on matchday, it shows. Located right in the city centre, the stadium is just a stone’s throw from where your coach to Cardiff pulls in, making it one of the most accessible Six Nations venues.
With the retractable roof closed, the noise inside the Principality Stadium is relentless. Outside, pubs fill early, voices get louder, and red jerseys swarm St Mary Street. Win or lose, the city commits.
What to drink on matchday
In Cardiff, there’s only one answer: Brains SA. This classic Welsh ale is a matchday staple, poured across the city, often with Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer ringing out in the background. Not drinking? Cardiff pubs also increasingly stock alcohol-free beers so that you won’t feel out of place joining in the fun.
Top-rated pubs near the Principality Stadium
The Royal Oak is a strong local favourite during the Six Nations. Expect a lively crowd, Brains on draft, and a beer garden that comes into its own if you’re lucky with the weather.
Just 12 minutes by bus (or a 20-minute walk) from the stadium, The Clive Arms is friendly, characterful, and very popular with locals.
A short walk from the stadium, O’Neill’s has big matchday energy (especially if Wales are playing Ireland). It might mean choosing Guinness over Brains, but it’s a great spot to embrace some good-hearted rivalry.
@FT
Edinburgh, Scotland (Murrayfield Stadium)
There’s no better place to watch Scotland play than Murrayfield Stadium, the country’s national rugby ground and a mainstay of the Six Nations calendar 🏴. We would advise you to wrap up warm, as Scottish weather rarely makes allowances, and don a bit of tartan if you’re backing the home side.
Once your coach to Edinburgh has dropped you off, the walk towards the stadium is all part of the experience. Scots know their rugby, so come prepared with an opinion or two - and if you want to join in when the anthems start, it’s worth brushing up on Flower of Scotland.
One tradition to be aware of: when a goal kick is being taken, the crowd falls completely silent in the stands. No matter which team is kicking.
What to drink on matchday
In Edinburgh, it’s all about Scottish ale, often followed by a celebratory (or consolatory) wee dram of whisky after the final whistle 🥃. If whisky isn’t your thing, you will still find non-alcoholic options of course, with certain Scottish pubs even offering booze-free whisky.
Top-rated pubs near Murrayfield Stadium
Around 20 minutes by public transport from the stadium, Vessel is the bar of Leith’s Pilot Brewery and a popular pre/post-match meeting point. Expect a relaxed crowd and local beer on tap.
Just around the corner from Vessel, Pickles is a cosy, characterful spot that suits smaller groups. Considered a bit of an Edinburgh institution, Pickles is a good option if you want somewhere lively for a bite to eat before the game.
Doctors is a long-standing Old Town pub that comes into its own when Scotland are playing. With live sport on screen and a steady post-match crowd, it’s a reliable stop once fans drift back into the heart of the city.
@Guinness
Dublin, Ireland (Aviva Stadium)
Now we cross the Irish Sea to Dublin, a city where rugby, music, and hospitality are never far apart 🇮🇪. Our buses to Dublin pull up right in the heart of the city, making it easy to drop your bags and head straight for the action.
Matches take place at the Aviva Stadium, a riverside ground that comes alive when Ireland are playing. It may be one of the smaller stadiums on the Six Nations calendar, but what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in spirit.
Fans dressed head to toe in green fill the pubs well before kick-off, so if you want a good spot, arrive early.
What to drink on matchday
In Dublin, what can it be but Guinness? Guinness 0.0 is also now a thing, offering the same creamy texture without the alcohol element. Once the match is over, don’t be surprised if the Irish whiskey makes an appearance too.
Top-rated pubs near the Aviva Stadium
Around 25 minutes by bus from the stadium, The Strand House is a well-loved local pub with a loyal following. Recently refurbished but still true to its Irish roots, it’s a welcoming place to settle in with a pint of The Black Stuff.
The Sidecar Bar at The Westbury Hotel
For a more polished stop, the Sidecar Bar is known for its classic cocktail-bar setting and tableside martinis—though you can still find Guinness on the menu (naturally).
Located in the iconic Temple Bar district, The Wild Duck combines live music, food, and a lively crowd. Popular with both locals and visiting fans, its central location makes it easy to keep the celebrations going well into the night.
@Pub & Bar
Paris and Lille, France (Stade de France and Stade Pierre-Mauroy)
France, which is coming into this year’s tournament as reigning champions, will host matches in two different cities in 2026 🇫🇷.
Most fixtures take place at the Stade de France in Paris. Set just north of the French capital in Saint-Denis, this vast stadium is built for big occasions, and when Les Bleus are playing, the atmosphere doesn’t disappoint.
One match will also be played in Villeneuve-d’Ascq, just outside Lille, at the modern Stade Pierre-Mauroy. The experience here is more compact and local, but no less committed, with plenty of places nearby to settle in.
And with plenty of bus routes to both Paris and Lille, getting there is easy whichever match you’re watching.
What to drink on matchday
French fans tend to lean towards a cold bière pression or even a glass of red wine (it is France, after all) 🍷. In Lille, regional beers are especially popular, thanks to Northern France’s array of local breweries 🍻, with artisanal sodas also on offer if going alcohol-free.
Top-rated pubs near the Stade de France (Paris)
Around 17 minutes by bus or a 25-minute walk from the stadium, La Tradition is a classic Parisian spot with a strong wine list and beers on tap. A solid choice for some pre- or post-match refreshment.
Top-rated pubs near Stade Pierre-Mauroy (Lille)
With draught beers brewed onsite, 3 Brasseurs is a convenient pitstop offering a wide selection of drinks alongside hearty cuisine.
Only a 9-minute walk from the stadium, this French bistrot is about as close as it gets to the action. With a varied food and drinks menu, it’s an easy but popular option before or after the match.
@Olympics
Rome, Italy (Stadio Olimpico)
Italy may be one of the more recent additions to the Six Nations, but catching the bus to Rome for a match at the Stadio Olimpico is well worth the trip 🇮🇹. Set among the city’s trees and monuments, the stadium offers a slightly different vibe to the other Six Nations venues.
Rugby in Rome is as much a social occasion as a sporting one. Fans gather early, often lingering over food as much as drinks, and the mood is leisurely and upbeat 🍕.
What to drink on matchday
In Rome, Peroni is a popular choice, alongside a growing selection of Italian craft beers, especially once the post-match aperitivo hour rolls around. You will also find refreshing alcohol-free beers and classic Italian soft drinks, which pair just as well with pre-match pizza and post-match aperitivo plates.
Top-rated pubs near the Stadio Olimpico
Aeternum offers a strong selection of craft beers in a relaxed setting. Open late, it’s ideal for unhurried post-match drinks and debriefs.
A small, friendly bar tucked away on a square, Beer Time is casual but reliable, with a good craft beer selection, panini for snacking, and outdoor seating when the weather allows.
A well-loved local favourite with a lively atmosphere, Roma Beer Company is a great spot to join fellow fans and ease into matchday mode.
Rugby road trips made easy
Every year, rugby fans travel far and wide to watch their teams compete in the Six Nations. From Twickenham to Murrayfield, the packed pubs, shared rituals and matchday buzz make this famous tournament worth travelling for. Whether you’re drinking alcohol or not, it’s the shared rituals that make a Six Nations trip unforgettable.
Whether you’re crossing borders or heading somewhere closer to home, FlixBus makes it easy to travel affordably and without the hassle. With routes that stop right in the heart of each host city, you will have more time to soak up the Six Nations buzz before the game 🏉.
So whoever you’re cheering for in 2026, get the group chat buzzing, plan your route, and leave the travel to FlixBus.