The Lions

Les Halles / Rivoli - 1er / 2eme, Paris –

Conveniently located amid a preponderance of drinking dens that practically beg for a pub crawl, The Lions is a traditional English watering hole that doubles as a haven for sports fans.

Several flat-screens – one in nearly every corner – are reliably tuned to rugby, soccer, and cricket, while a weekly viewing schedule scrawled across one wall keeps viewers abreast of upcoming games.

Country and team flags are plastered on the ceiling, shelves, and across the bar next to trophies, soccer balls, and a collection of foreign bank notes, and though most fans are focused on the TVs, the large windows looking onto bustling Montmartre – left wide open during the summer – make for some good people-watching as well.

The regular clientele is generally a hearty mix of expats and local professionals dropping in after work to catch whatever team is playing, though quiz nights on Mondays and ladies-only discounts on Thursdays respectively draw in students and a few more festive female patrons than normal.

Although nobody would have room to play if a big event like the World Cup is on, darts and a billiard table add to the fun in the basement, while shot and Jäger-bomb specials on the weekends ensure all the young revelers magically become experts at both.

Often lively but always laid back, The Lions is a solid pub for patrons looking to loosen their ties, gather with friends, watch a game, eat a burger, and drink a beer.

Maybe a few beers.