Best Drinks for Match Day at Home: The Bargain Booze Guide to Beers, Cocktails and What to Serve on the Side
There is a reason watching the football at home has become as popular as going to the pub. You control the remote, nobody blocks your view, and the drinks are a fraction of the price. The only question is what to put in the fridge.
This guide covers everything you need: the best beers for a full day of football, a simple cocktail that earns its place alongside the lager, wines for anyone who would rather not drink beer for six hours straight, and the snacks that tie the whole thing together. No overcomplicating it. Just good choices that keep everyone sorted from kick-off to full time.
How to Think About Match Day Drinks
Three things to get right.
One, buy for the whole day, not just one match. If you are settling in for a double or triple header, work on the assumption that people will drink steadily over four to six hours rather than quickly over ninety minutes. That means lighter beers in bigger packs rather than heavy ales in small ones.
Two, variety matters. Not everyone in the room wants lager. A cider option, something for the non-beer drinkers and a few soft drinks will stop you fielding requests all afternoon.
Three, cold is everything. Clear fridge space the night before. If you are buying more than the fridge holds, a cool box with ice and a splash of water is the single best investment you will make. Warm lager at half time is nobody’s idea of a good day.
Best Beers for Match Day
Match day beer needs to tick three boxes: it has to be easy drinking, good value in multipacks, and something most people in the room will be happy with.
Lager is the default for a reason. Clean, cold and sessionable over a long afternoon. Budweiser is the classic tournament beer and comes in more formats than almost anything else, from pint cans for the armchair to 660ml bottles for a more occasion feel. Stella Artois and Carlsberg Export both offer a slightly more premium lager without jumping in price.
For something with a bit more character, Cruzcampo brings a Continental style that suits warmer weather, and Guinness Draught in cans is there for anyone who wants something darker and richer between matches.
Cider drinkers are sorted too. Thatchers Gold is crisp and dry, Thatchers Haze is softer and cloudier. Both work well ice cold in the sun.
The golden rule: buy one more multipack than you think you need. Leftover beer keeps. Running out at half time does not.
Match Day Cocktail: The Golden Boot
Every match day needs something that lifts the occasion beyond cans on the sofa. The Golden Boot cocktail is built for exactly that. Aperol, Gordon’s London Dry Gin, honey syrup and fresh lemon, shaken and strained into a coupe. It is short, bittersweet and ready in under five minutes.
Make one as a pre-match ritual or batch it in a jug for the group. Full recipe on the Booze Bar.
Wine and Cider Alternatives
Not everyone wants beer for four hours. Having a couple of bottles of wine in the fridge covers the rest of the room without any fuss.
White wine works best chilled and easy. A crisp Sauvignon Blanc or a light Chardonnay pairs with most of the snacks you would put out for a match and does not compete with the atmosphere.
Rosé has earned its place at the match day table. Dry, cold and refreshing, it works in the sun and goes with everything from crisps to a barbecue spread.
Red wine suits the evening kick-offs, especially in cooler weather. A Malbec or Shiraz stands up to burgers, pizza and anything coming off the grill.
RTDs are the wildcard. Pre-mixed cans of Smirnoff Ice, Jameson Ginger & Lime or Hard Rock cocktails give non-beer drinkers something interesting without anyone having to play bartender.
Snacks and Food Pairings
The best match day food is stuff you can eat with one hand while shouting at the screen with the other. Keep it simple, keep it shareable.
For lager: crisps, nachos with salsa and cheese, chicken wings, pizza slices, sausage rolls. Anything salty and easy to grab.
For cider: pork pies, scotch eggs, cheese and pickle sandwiches. Classic picnic food works brilliantly with a cold Thatchers.
For cocktails: olives, charcuterie, halloumi bites, flatbreads with dips. The Golden Boot’s Aperol base pairs particularly well with salty, savoury flavours.
For a longer session: set up a build-your-own burger or hot dog station. Prep everything in advance, let people assemble their own, and pair with whatever they are drinking. It scales easily and nobody has to miss a goal.
How Much to Buy Per Person
A rough guide for a match day session of four to six hours:
- Beer drinkers: 5 to 6 cans each (a 10-pack comfortably covers two people)
- Wine drinkers: half a bottle each
- Cider drinkers: 4 to 5 cans each
- Soft drinks: 1 litre per person, more in warm weather
Always round up. Always have ice.
FAQs
What is the best beer for watching football at home? A sessionable lager like Budweiser, Stella Artois or Carlsberg Export. You want something light enough to drink over several hours without flagging.
How far in advance should I chill the beers? Ideally overnight in the fridge. For a quick chill, submerge cans in a cool box filled with ice, water and a tablespoon of salt for 15 to 20 minutes.
What if not everyone drinks beer? Keep a bottle of white or rosé in the fridge, grab a few RTD cans, and have soft drinks available. Variety stops anyone feeling left out.
Where can I find match day deals near me? Use our store locator to find your nearest Bargain Booze, or browse the latest deals online.
