The best of the World Cup in London

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It's just around the corner and with all that glory, tension and dread up for grabs where will you be watching the World Cup? If you can't be in South Africa to see the action live you can still soak up the atmosphere across London. Establishments around the city will bring the games to life in ways that will make you wonder why you ever watched football in a pub in the past. Grab a seat, a bleacher, a bar stool, take to the dance floor, or find a patch of grass at the best places to watch the World Cup action London style…

Set to the Music

What better way to watch the beautiful game then set to a great sound track? Some of London's finest music venues will feature a symphony of eclectic music set to the soundtrack of 22 men running across the grass in South Africa. If you need to tame feelings of anxiety and tension get the cool and head down to the Vortex Jazz Club for a little bit of Jazzball. Paul Clarvis who recorded the official 2006 World Cup theme teams up with two sets of professional jazz musicians and performs a free jazz set for the games at Gillet Square that will ensure you have your feet tapping no matter what's going on during the match. Alternatively for the dance music inclined you can head to Shephered's Bush Empire for the World Cup Carnival or Cargo as both events combine huge screens and world class DJ's that either keep the party mood alive after the games or bring you back from the brink, and transport you to a happy trance filled, care free place.

The Big Screens

Across the city pubs are packed and it can be hard to get a view of the action for this reason huge screens will be erected to pay homage to the heroes and villains of South Africa 2010. Where better to start than the Everyman Hampstead where for the cost of a cinema ticket you get a drink, half time food and the finest in cinematic luxury meeting big screen football action. Alternatively where better to soak up what could be a vintage world cup for England than at a vintage cinema like the Screen on the Green in Angel Islington. Of course, If you don't want to pay for the luxury of watching a game that you can see for free on the TV head down to the 02 Academy in Islington where you get the big screen and the big sound all for the price of, well nothing. Just make sure you book the seats in advance to avoid a sell out.

3D Action

Those crafty tech wizards at Sony have been tinkering away with ways to bring the action from South Africa into 3D viewing and they have cracked it. The only problem is that England fans won't get a piece of the action until after the group stages, fingers crossed it's a breeze. Vue, Apollo and Cineworld cinemas will all play their part in featuring the games but if worse comes to worst Sky television offers a 3D pub finder where you can find your nearest three dimensional pub to take in the action.

Football and Food

It won't just be a collection of rare goals that will have you salivating for South Africa 2010 as London will be doing what it does better than any other city in the UK, bringing you world class food - from all around the world. The Afro Cup Festival is the closest you will get to actually being at the tournament in the city. It features live music, screenings of all the major matches, African art exhibitions, free entry and most importantly authentic, exotic and fantastic African food.

Alternatively head to Shoreditch for the pop up restaurant the World Cup Café where you will be able to watch the football and enjoy the food in style at Spitifields market. The evening starts with a Pimms and Champagne reception followed by a two course meal from award winning cook Michel Roux Jr. You can then drink the rest of the night away at an open bar while watching the game, which is covered in the price of your ticket. However, bear in mind watching football amongst the throes of this decadent luxury will set you back a hefty £115.

Finally in the worst case scenario England lose all three of their opening games and are on the first flight home. If this happens console yourself with the one place in the City that will still keep you sweet - Gelato Mio. The ice cream parlour boast 32 flavours for all of the 32 countries taking part and there couldn't be a better way to wash the bitter taste of defeat, our sweeten the victory.

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