A friend used to work around there for a time, back in the 1990s. So I occasionally had a pint with him in Liverpool Street/Spitalfields area. But a long time ago at this stageâŚ
If ye want a sports pub, it sounds like the Railway Tavern, near the station, would fit the bill. But you will hardly get anything too atmospheric in there, judging by online stuff.
The Liverpool Street area pub I remember liking best, back in the day, was The Magpie (nearby in Bishopsgate). Google it and see what you think. Dirty Dicks (also in Bishopsgate) might be a good halfway house between a Railway Tavern style place and somewhere a bit more traditional. I could take or leave Dirty Dicks.
Would be a pity for ye not to visit Spitalfields, since it is so near. A niece of mine has lived there for a few years and always comments on the unusual atmosphere. Her father is also struck by the whole area when he visits. I would try to take in a few Spitalfields pub for the day in it.
Three pubs there I was in and remember liking:
The Golden Heart (Commercial Street): cross between a local boozer and a hipster joint. Had a likeable equilibrium, back then.
The Pride of Spitalfields (Heneage Street): backstreet boozer for locals. Sort of like a working class Nearyâs. Most enjoyable.
The Ten Bells (Commercial Street): lot of Jack The Ripper-related fluff and guff but has a beautiful tiled interior.
Let me know your thoughts in due course.
I very much agree, though, with comment above on the Princess Louise⌠Myself, I would divide a London session between there and The Olde Mitre. Or go on a Soho/Charing Cross one.
But you would like Spitalfields.