Wembley pubs for Brighton fans at the FA Cup semi final

What feels like a millions messages have come into the WAB inbox asking which pubs Brighton fans are drinking in before the FA Cup semi against Manchester United at Wembley.

This is a very good question for the circa 35,000 Albion supporters descending upon the capital to hopefully witness Brighton advance to the final for just the second time in their 122-year history.

Previously, fans could drink cans and bottles on Wembley Way. This used to be a pleasant way to soak up the atmosphere and watch the crowds arrive.

Since ticketless fans turned the area into something resembling a warzone at the Euro 2020 final however, Brent Council and the Met have enforced strict no alcohol rules around the stadium.

The only places to drink therefore are licensed venues. Brighton fans have been “allocated” their own set of pubs for the Wembley FA Cup semi final in the vicinity of the stadium, but most of them look a bit shit, excluding of course the famous Green Man.

To get back to the original question then, where to drink? Here are some of the bars you may well find fellow Brighton supporters before the big game.

Boxpark Wembley
Boxpark is located on Wembley Way and is where the club is holding its official fan party. Hosted by Richard Reynolds, there will be special guests, Q&As and music from DJ Mike Panteli. Albion supporters can eat from more than 20 different street food kiosks and drink from three licensed bars.

Tickets were priced at £10 and proved to be hotter than Glastonbury, selling out in double-quick time. Those with tickets are only guaranteed entry between 10am and 12.30pm, after which fans will be admitted on a first come, first served basis as and when there is room inside the 2,000 capacity venue.

Is is worth queueing to get in for those who do not have tickets? On the one hand, you will get to see up close what fantastic Michael Portillo-inspired outfit Senor Reynolds is wearing as master of ceremonies.

Less important than Richie’s clothing is that everyone who attend the 2019 Boxpark party before the Manchester City FA Cup semi final seemed to have a thoroughly enjoyable time.

On the other hand, your time could probably be better spent waiting around to fork out £10 to get into a bar which is free entry for England games and any other day of the week.

Oh, and before the Women’s Euro 2022 final, Boxpark ran out of beer and had only cider left two hours before kick off. Your best bet when it comes to Boxpark is seeing what the queue is like and then making a decision.

Green Man, Wembley
The Green Man is a short hop from the stadium. It was the place to be in 2019, to the point that many Brighton fans were as joyous at the prospect of returning after beating Grimsby Town in the quarter finals as they were about reaching Wembley itself.

It is a proper football pub, complete with fan stickers all over the toilets. It is fair to assume there will be a number of new Brighton additions thanks to perfect timing of the latest edition of Dogma fanzine dropping through letterboxes this week.

Aside from fan-led art, The Green Man’s walls are covered in sporting memorabilia relating to Wembley and the pub has a massive garden to gather and have a sing-song.

Staff even wander around with trays of shots so do you do not need to go to the bar to get trolleyed. 10 Jägermeister seemed necessary before the City game to numb the pain of what most Albion supporters expected to be a heavy defeat.

That sort of self-medication will not be required three years on. Brighton are more than capable of overcoming United, as they have proven by winning the past two meetings between the sides by an aggregate score of 6-1.

Market Porter, London Bridge
London Bridge was a sea of blue and white in 2019 and it will no doubt be a popular destination for pubs again with Brighton fans ahead of the 2023 FA Cup semi final at Wembley.

The Market Porter is a Albion fan favourite for games the capital, stemming largely from the fact it sold Harvey’s back in the mid-2000s when the Seagulls were taking on Leyton Orient and Millwall rather than Manchester United.

There are of course plenty of other pubs around London Bridge to frequent if The Market Porter does not tickle your trout.

And in neighbouring Borough Market, there are copious street food stalls for anyone not playing by the adage of eating being cheating.

Wembley is around 45 minutes on the underground from London Bridge on the Jubilee Line. For a quicker journey, take the Northern Line to Moorgate followed by the Metropolitan Line to Wembley Park. The Metropolitan Line has far less stops than the Jubilee between Baker Street and Wembley.

The Globe, Baker Street
Speaking of Baker Street, it too was a popular destination before the 2019 semi final. The Globe directly opposite Baker Street Station was packed with Brighton fans, the crowds spilling onto the pavement outside and creating quite atmosphere with even the odd blue flare going off.

Adjacent to the underground for anyone who fancies a 99p pint of Ruddles is a Wetherspoons. This too became packed with Albion last time, mainly because The Globe was so full.

Should you head to Baker Street, the advice would therefore be to get there early. Wembley Park is then just two stops away on the Metropolitan Line.

Sports Bar & Grill, Marylebone
If you want to avoid cramming onto the underground, then drinking around Marylebone provides a less busy and far calmer alternative.

Overground trains run frequently from Marylebone Station to Wembley Stadium Station, handily located on the west side of the ground where Brighton supporters will be sitting.

There are loads of pubs around Marylebone you could visit, including Sports Bar & Grill which is putting on a Fanzone for Sheffield United supporters before they head to Wembley for their FA Cup semi final against Manchester City on Saturday.