Watching all those marathon runners is thirsty work (Picture: Getty Images)
It’s almost over. You stagger towards the finish line,barely able to stand,heart pounding,the feeling of imminent vomit in your mouth from the exertion.
Congratulations! You finished the London Marathon… of pubs.
If you didn’t manage to get a place in this Sunday’s race,never fear,you can comfort yourself by sitting (or standing) with a frosty pint and watching thousands of runners do the hard work for you.
Metro has compiled a list of some of the pubs along the London Marathon’s 2025 route,forming a fun pub crawl if you’ve got a loved one running the race and want to cheer them on from a beer garden.
Some of them are opening early,and some are taking bookings,so if you want to guarantee a spot you may need to get in touch with them directly.
We’ve tried to avoid chain pubs where possible,because who wouldn’t want to support independent local boozers,but there are some chains pubs offering free pints to runners as well as a host of other businesses offering freebies.
Our route isn’t for the faint hearted (Picture: Metro Graphics)
And we’ve actually only listed 14 pubs below,as it would be pretty irresponsible to try and visit 26.2 pubs in the same day.
But despite that,this pub crawl is still a hefty challenge – even if the preparation is much less intensive than training regimens for the actual marathon.
And if you also aren’t successful when the 2026 London Marathon ballot opens on Friday,this pub crawl will be there to drown your sorrows.
Address: 44 Vanbrugh Park,SE3 7JQ.
Not far from the starting line,this pub serves up delicious Sunday dinners as well as other snacks and sharers alongside plenty of craft beers and even cocktails.
To get the latest news from the capital visit Metro's London news hub.
We wouldn’t necessarily recommend starting the day with a mixed drink,but a breakfast Bloody Mary sounds pretty tempting.
Address: 120 Rectory Place,SE18 5BY
For a more budget-friendly tipple,The George IV is a cheap and cheerful boozer.
Address: 296 Woolwich Road,New Charlton,SE7 7AL
If,fingers crossed,the weather is nice on Sunday,there’s plenty of seating outside Rose of Denmark to watch racers run past al fresco.
Address: 48 Greenwich Church Street,SE10 9BL
Another gastropub dishing up Sunday roasts,this family-friendly pub is a solid choice.
Try not to get too tired out when visiting all of these pubs (Picture: Metro Graphics)
Address: 100 Redriff Road,SE16 7LH
A bit different from your classic London boozer,this gastropub dishes up Pacific-inspired meals,Sunday roasts and sharing platters.
Alongside this they offer cocktails,plenty of ales and wines from New Zealand and South America.
Address: 47 Swan Road,SE16 4JN
The Brunel pub offers outdoor seating in its dog-friendly beer garden,perfect to watch the marathon runners whiz by.
Address: 22 Dock Street,Tower Hill,E1 8JP
This pub isn’t directly on the London Marathon route,but it’s close enough that you should be able to pop in for a swiftie without missing too much of the action.
It also dishes up stone-baked pizzas and burgers alongside real ales.
Address: West India Quay,4 Hertsmere Road,E14 4AL
This pub has a massive front terrace,perfect for watching the racers run past. Plus it’s a Wetherspoon so you know you’ll be able to get cheap and cheerful grub if you’re starting to feel a bit peckish.
Address: 1 Manchester Road,Millwall E14 3BD
This 19th century pub has a dog-friendly courtyard and offers food and drink throughout the day.
Address:2 Churchill Place,E14 5RB
With its own craft beers and regular guest brews on tap,there’s loads of choice for the discerning beer fan here. It has some outdoor seating,too.
You’ll have earned your pint by the time you’ve visited all of these pubs (Picture: Metro Graphics)
Address: 576 Commercial Road,E14 7JD
There are plenty of craft beers on an ever-changing menu here,giving thirsty punters plenty to choose from.
Address: 14 Trinity Square,EC3N 4AA
Not far from the Tower of London,this McMullen pub has food on offer alongside plenty of cocktails and a decent wine list.
Address: Victoria Embankment,SW1A 2HR
This former passenger ferry turned pub and restaurant stands proud on the Thames – and should afford you a decent view of the Marathon runners from its deck.
Address: 62 Petty France,SW1H 9EU
A favourite with CAMRA (the Campaign for Real Ale),this pub is also not directly on the route but is only a short walk from St James’s Park,where the marathon wraps up.
It’s a fitting way to bring our pub crawl to an end,too.
Metro first published a version of this article in April 2016
United News - unews.co.za