Lola’s Bar, Hippodrome Casino review: an all-American feast for NFL fans in London
Catch all the action and enjoy a ‘Foles Fizz’ at the Jacksonville Jaguars’s Sunday Night Lights viewing parties
Let’s talk about football. Not the round-ball variety - soccer - but the American one considered to be the most popular sport in the US.
This game of touchdowns, quarterbacks and wide receivers is enjoying huge growth in the UK since the National Football League (NFL) started hosting regular-season matches in London in 2007.
When 81,176 people watched the New York Giants defeat the Miami Dolphins 13-10 in October 2007 at Wembley Stadium the NFL’s head honchos knew they were onto a winner with the international fixtures.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Twelve years later the “London Games” series now have four sold-out fixtures on the 2019 schedule with the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium hosting two matches in October and Wembley hosting matches in October and November.
One constant in the NFL’s London Games in recent years has been the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Florida franchise has played at Wembley every year since 2013 and are committed for one match a season until at least 2020. This year the Jags return to Wembley for a “home” game against the Houston Texans on Sunday 3 November (2.30pm start).
Touch down at Lola’s
As the only NFL team committed to the UK, the Jaguars’s brand has grown thanks to its regular Wembley appearances.
The team’s official UK fans’ club - the Union Jax - was formed in 2013 and has grown to more than 50,000 members.
Jacksonville have the fastest-growing fan base in the UK of all the NFL teams and on Sunday nights you will now find many of those supporters in Lola’s Bar at the Hippodrome Casino in Leicester Square, London.
Lola’s is the new home of the Jags’ “Sunday Night Lights” NFL viewing parties and on 8 September the venue made its debut for the 2019-20 season-opener against the Kansas City Chiefs.
If you ever wanted to see proof that American football’s popularity is growing in London then Sunday nights in Lola’s is the place to go.
Order a ‘Foles Fizz’
On the season-opener Lola’s Bar was packed with hundreds of fans supporting the Jags and the other teams playing that evening. Across the brand new 10m x 2.5m big screen and five other 50+ inch screens all 6pm and 9pm matches were broadcast via the NFL Game Pass.
It’s not just the big screens and venue that were epic, but also the food and drink menus.
Food options include classic bar snacks such as buffalo wings, nachos and jalapeno poppers. But if it’s a proper feast you are after, then why not take on the “Jaguars Double Tower Touchdown Burger Challenge”?
Save some room though, because the Jaguars-themed cocktail menu will really super-bowl you over.
Particular favourites include the “Foles Fizz”, which is named after Jags’ quarterback Nick Foles, and made from Jack Daniel’s, ginger beer and Michelob.
Other tipples to enjoy include the “Jags Juice” (Jack Daniel’s, Disaronno, coca-cola) and “Laces Out” (Jack Daniel’s, lime juice, sugar syrup).
With its huge screens, great atmosphere, classic snacks and Jaguars-themed drinks there’s no doubt that Lola’s provides an all-American feast for NFL fans in the capital.
So next time you fancy heading out in London to watch some football on a Sunday, forget the round-ball version and join the Union Jax to cheer on the Jags.
Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday Night Lights NFL viewing parties
- When: every Sunday night throughout the NFL season
- Where: Lola’s Bar, Hippodrome Casino, Leicester Square, London
- Website: jaguars.co.uk/where-to-watch
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
A history of student protest at Columbia University
The Explainer Anti-Israel demonstrations at NYC's Ivy League university echo protests against Vietnam War and South African apartheid
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Trump is ruled in contempt'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
Hainault sword attack: police hunt for motive
Speed Read Mental health is key line of inquiry, as detectives prepare to interview suspect
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Silversea cruise review: a Central and North American adventure
The Week Recommends An incredible journey featuring cultural exploration, cooking classes, comfort and more
By Yasemen Kaner-White Published
-
The Westbury Hotel review: stunning suites in charming Dublin
The Week Recommends This hotel is the perfect spot to while away a weekend in Ireland's capital
By Kaye O'Doherty Published
-
Drama movies 2024: new films out this year
In Depth Latest reviews include The Boys in the Boat, One Life and Tchaikovsky's Wife
By The Week UK Last updated
-
Best new hotels and places to stay in 2024
The Week Recommends Featuring stylish island resorts, historical properties and wilderness retreats
By The Week UK Last updated
-
Albums of the year: best music of 2023
The Week Recommends A look back at the best pop, rap, jazz, dance, classical and rock releases
By The Week UK Published
-
Savoy Grill by Gordon Ramsay review: an institution reinvented
The Week Recommends Traditions are maintained and the tweaks are clever and modern
By Neil Davey Published
-
Tulum: a Mexican beach town of 'two halves'
The Week Recommends With the 'pueblo' and 'Zona Hotelera', Tulum is home to great hotels, restaurants and beach clubs
By William Leigh Published
-
La Zebra review: beach chic, perfect tacos and secret cenotes
The Week Recommends Enjoy a stylish stay in Mexico at this family-friendly beach hotel and restaurant
By William Leigh Published