Latest reviews for Bars & Pubs in Holborn, London, United Kingdom

Sway - Fantastic night at Sway by Pamela87

Pamela87 — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 17:43:25 +0000

Review by Pamela87

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7404 6114

I went to Sway for my birthday last weekend and had an amazing time. There was 20 of us and we all had dinner upstairs in the resturaunt where the food was very tasty, happy hour cocktails were very nice and the staff were friendly and helpful. Later we went downstairs to the club where we had a choice of two different clubs with different kinds of music. We danced all night! I will definitley be coming back to Sway!I went to Sway for my birthday last weekend and had an amazing time. There was 20 of us and we all had dinner upstairs in the resturaunt where the food was very tasty, happy hour cocktails were very nice and the staff were friendly and helpful. Later we went downstairs to the club where we had a choice of two different clubs with different kinds of music. We danced all night! I will definitley be coming back to Sway!

The Old Crown - Great for a free party! by emilyfisher100

emilyfisher100 — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 12:30:15 +0000

Review by emilyfisher100

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7836 9121

Tags: trendy, young professionals, gastro pub

I held my birthday here and it was fantastic, staff couldn't have been more helpful. There is a function room on the top floor with its own bar, and seperate toliet. There was no room hire or minimum spend, I just had to pay a Â£50 deposit which was refunded.

Central location, cheap beer.

I provided a buffet for my friends and was really impressed with the quality of food.I held my birthday here and it was fantastic, staff couldn't have been more helpful. There is a function room on the top floor with its own bar, and seperate toliet. There was no room hire or minimum spend, I just had to pay a Â£50 deposit which was refunded.

Central location, cheap beer.

I provided a buffet for my friends and was really impressed with the quality of food.

The Ship Tavern - My Favorite Pub in London by fisher6188

fisher6188 — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 03:58:32 +0000

Review by fisher6188

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7405 1992

Website: http://www.theshiptavern.co.uk

Tags: traditional pub, relaxed, friendly

I am from the U.S. - Los Angeles area. Two of my friends and I were in London for a week in May. After touring the Sloan museum, we stumbled upon the Ship Tavern. It became my favorite London pub. I have viisted London many times and been in many pubs, but this is the best. We initially had some pints in the lower floor. The next evening we came back and had dinner upstairs. We happened to be there on "pie night" - two pies for one. The steak and ale pie I had was marvelous! This is a very cozy, friendly, and beautiful pub. And they weren't playing any rock and roll music. Priceless!I am from the U.S. - Los Angeles area. Two of my friends and I were in London for a week in May. After touring the Sloan museum, we stumbled upon the Ship Tavern. It became my favorite London pub. I have viisted London many times and been in many pubs, but this is the best. We initially had some pints in the lower floor. The next evening we came back and had dinner upstairs. We happened to be there on "pie night" - two pies for one. The steak and ale pie I had was marvelous! This is a very cozy, friendly, and beautiful pub. And they weren't playing any rock and roll music. Priceless!

Guanabara - great night out (midweek) by Smileysusan

Smileysusan — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:54:41 +0000

Review by Smileysusan

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7242 8600

Website: http://www.guanabara.co.uk

Tags: cool, friendly, brazilian

Best night here is Thursday.Don't be fooled into thinking Fri and Sat nights are best as it does get very very busy and the dancefloor gets way too cramped for my liking!

Go midweek any night and they do free samba classes, and we even got free cocktails from people in the street giving out flyers! and it's free to get in! result!

Tip to eat - try their warm cheesebread soooo yummy!Best night here is Thursday.Don't be fooled into thinking Fri and Sat nights are best as it does get very very busy and the dancefloor gets way too cramped for my liking!

Go midweek any night and they do free samba classes, and we even got free cocktails from people in the street giving out flyers! and it's free to get in! result!

Tip to eat - try their warm cheesebread soooo yummy!

Cittie Of Yorke - Cheap like the budgie by beergibbon

beergibbon — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 11:43:50 +0000

Review by beergibbon

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7242 7670

Tags: traditional pub, standard pub food, relaxed

Nice old building frequented by lawyers in the week. Had two pints of Sam Smiths (one lager and one bitter) which came to £4.02. Can't ask for any more really in the centre of London!Nice old building frequented by lawyers in the week. Had two pints of Sam Smiths (one lager and one bitter) which came to £4.02. Can't ask for any more really in the centre of London!

Bar Polski - by QueenB

QueenB — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 13:01:50 +0000

Review by QueenB

Rating: 4.00

Tags: relaxed, friendly, young and fun

A* for the selection of good vodka and the delightful mix of cocktails.

I've come here for a while and is a our salvation after a hard day of work hehe or any other excuse we can find to drink

its not the flashiest of bars or trendiest but its bright< bubbly and has a good atmosphere and wont break the bank each round

NOT keen on the decor but the staff are friendly and welcoming< food is tasty andis a great escape from the surrounding typical haunts of this part of townA* for the selection of good vodka and the delightful mix of cocktails.

I've come here for a while and is a our salvation after a hard day of work hehe or any other excuse we can find to drink

its not the flashiest of bars or trendiest but its bright< bubbly and has a good atmosphere and wont break the bank each round

NOT keen on the decor but the staff are friendly and welcoming< food is tasty andis a great escape from the surrounding typical haunts of this part of town

Penderel's Oak - Above-Average Wetherspoons by kittylyst

kittylyst — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 17:24:28 +0000

Review by kittylyst

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7242 5669

Website: http://www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk

Tags: standard pub food, pub chain, food

Should really be a 3.5 - but the stars don't give us that option.

It's a Wetherspoons in the middle of town, what can you say? The real ale is reasonably well-kept, the food is standard Wetherspoons fare, and they have a downstairs part which can be hired for private events.

It's a decent place to kill some time in if you're in the area, or for large meetups, but I could never really see a pub like this becoming one of my locals.Should really be a 3.5 - but the stars don't give us that option.

It's a Wetherspoons in the middle of town, what can you say? The real ale is reasonably well-kept, the food is standard Wetherspoons fare, and they have a downstairs part which can be hired for private events.

It's a decent place to kill some time in if you're in the area, or for large meetups, but I could never really see a pub like this becoming one of my locals.

The Bountiful Cow - Beef lovers paradise. by steveblower

steveblower — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 11:30:14 +0000

Review by steveblower

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7404 0200

Tags: gastro pub, relaxed, lively

I love Bountiful Cow, and have been several times when I have one of my beef frenzies.

Wonderful steaks, fries, burgers. It really is a beef place, not much if you dont want it!

But if you do, well, fantastic.

Staff are so lovely and friendly, recorded jazz playing in the background, upstairs booths which are really cosy, downstairs open tables and you get to watch the chefs working their magic.

Do check www.toptable.co.uk as they often have special offers too.

I love Bountiful Cow, and have been several times when I have one of my beef frenzies.

Wonderful steaks, fries, burgers. It really is a beef place, not much if you dont want it!

But if you do, well, fantastic.

Staff are so lovely and friendly, recorded jazz playing in the background, upstairs booths which are really cosy, downstairs open tables and you get to watch the chefs working their magic.

Do check www.toptable.co.uk as they often have special offers too.

The Ivy House - Lovely by outdo

outdo — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 00:02:27 +0000

Review by outdo

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7831 6999

Tags: cool, posh, food

Lovely pub.....staff are great...very welcoming.
xxxLovely pub.....staff are great...very welcoming.
xxx

The Fly - by Niamheen

Niamheen — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 21:34:50 +0000

Review by Niamheen

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7691 4244

Website: http://www.fly.co.uk

Tags: lively, good value, friendly

The Fly has an upstairs bar and downstairs gig venue, both dark and intimate, it's a great place to see a live band, and is sometimes the location for secret gigs for bigger bands. It's a good spot to catch up and coming acts, like it's sister pub, The Barfly, in Camden.

I've only once popped in for a drink without going to a gig and it was a bit loud for my taste that particular evening. Not just me, but the people I was with too. Maybe we're too old! But, that could have been just that particular night, I wouldn't rule it out for future occasions.The Fly has an upstairs bar and downstairs gig venue, both dark and intimate, it's a great place to see a live band, and is sometimes the location for secret gigs for bigger bands. It's a good spot to catch up and coming acts, like it's sister pub, The Barfly, in Camden.

I've only once popped in for a drink without going to a gig and it was a bit loud for my taste that particular evening. Not just me, but the people I was with too. Maybe we're too old! But, that could have been just that particular night, I wouldn't rule it out for future occasions.

The Crown - Warm and friendly local boozer by CPaskell

CPaskell — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 14:39:25 +0000

Review by CPaskell

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7836 2752

Tags: relaxed, food, friendly

My partner and I had our first date in this pub a few years ago, so that's one reason I'm biased towards it but I had been going there for a while before this and continue to visit this lovely little pub. The food is good value for money pub-grub (particularly recommend the pie and chips!) - both the food and drinks are spectacularly cheap (yet decent quality!) for central London, compared to what's on offer around it. The pub is basic and traditional - wooden seats downstairs, with sofas and armchairs in the 'lounge' above, with a large outside seating area. The drinks are great value at just over Â£2 a pint of lager (it's a Sam Smiths pub). The staff are friendly and chatty, which gives it the 'local' feel. It does get busy after weekday business hours with local workers and then it can be hard to find a seat, but Fri and Sat evenings are good. The downside is that the toilets can get dirty and often run out of toilet paper when it is busy as there are only 2 cubicles in the Ladies' loo.My partner and I had our first date in this pub a few years ago, so that's one reason I'm biased towards it but I had been going there for a while before this and continue to visit this lovely little pub. The food is good value for money pub-grub (particularly recommend the pie and chips!) - both the food and drinks are spectacularly cheap (yet decent quality!) for central London, compared to what's on offer around it. The pub is basic and traditional - wooden seats downstairs, with sofas and armchairs in the 'lounge' above, with a large outside seating area. The drinks are great value at just over Â£2 a pint of lager (it's a Sam Smiths pub). The staff are friendly and chatty, which gives it the 'local' feel. It does get busy after weekday business hours with local workers and then it can be hard to find a seat, but Fri and Sat evenings are good. The downside is that the toilets can get dirty and often run out of toilet paper when it is busy as there are only 2 cubicles in the Ladies' loo.

Knight's Templar - Wetherspoons chic by realalelass

realalelass — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 09:28:44 +0000

Review by realalelass

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7831 2660

Website: http://www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk/pub/theknightstemplar

Tags: pub chain, posh, food

This is another large Wetherspoons pub in central London (on Chancery Lane, so as a previous reviewer has commented, populated with members of the legal profession).

The interior is very grand. Get a table upstairs on the balcony, overlooking the pub if you can. However, this pub definitely isn't posh - it's a Wetherspoons! The beer is reasonably priced and well kept, but as with all Wetherspoons, it gets very very crowded, especially on a Friday evening.

The food is typical Wetherspoons fare, cheap and cheerful (and a little bit greasy).

The toilets (in the basement), are some of the grandest I have ever seen in a pub.This is another large Wetherspoons pub in central London (on Chancery Lane, so as a previous reviewer has commented, populated with members of the legal profession).

The interior is very grand. Get a table upstairs on the balcony, overlooking the pub if you can. However, this pub definitely isn't posh - it's a Wetherspoons! The beer is reasonably priced and well kept, but as with all Wetherspoons, it gets very very crowded, especially on a Friday evening.

The food is typical Wetherspoons fare, cheap and cheerful (and a little bit greasy).

The toilets (in the basement), are some of the grandest I have ever seen in a pub.

101 Bar - loved it by annepotter1984

annepotter1984 — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:17:20 +0000

Review by annepotter1984

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7379 3112

Website: http://www.vpmg.net/101/

Tags: food

I love the decor in this place. It was very stylish and trendy and all the furniture was really cool. I wish the furniture I have in my house was that comfortable. And there was plenty of seating available, even though it was really busy when we went. All this generated a very nice atmosphere, and that, together with the fact it was open till quite late, meant that we all had a really jolly time! The beers and wines were really good in addition, and we would very much recommend this bar to anyone that wants to have a good night out. I think I would give it eight out of ten quite easily.I love the decor in this place. It was very stylish and trendy and all the furniture was really cool. I wish the furniture I have in my house was that comfortable. And there was plenty of seating available, even though it was really busy when we went. All this generated a very nice atmosphere, and that, together with the fact it was open till quite late, meant that we all had a really jolly time! The beers and wines were really good in addition, and we would very much recommend this bar to anyone that wants to have a good night out. I think I would give it eight out of ten quite easily.

Princess Louise - Wonderful old school pub by greedoe

greedoe — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 17:25:37 +0000

Review by greedoe

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7405 8816

Tags: food, friendly, glamorous

This place is awesome. All chrome and glass and cheap drink.

The fact that there are three bars you need to go onto the street to change between is awesome.

This place is awesome. All chrome and glass and cheap drink.

The fact that there are three bars you need to go onto the street to change between is awesome.

Davy's Bung Hole Cellars - Not a place for food by greedoe

greedoe — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 10:23:44 +0000

Review by greedoe

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7242 4318

Website: http://www.davy.co.uk

Tags: overpriced, air conditioning, seating area

It's a wine bar called The Bunghole and we went there for comedy effect only. Should have left right after that, but instead we ate.

Had a salmon sandwich for Â£5.75 expecting something other than two pieces of bread with a small bit of smoked salmon in between, cut into four.

I guess if you're going here for wine you only want small overpriced bits of food to accompany your wine.

Mistake made, will not be going back.It's a wine bar called The Bunghole and we went there for comedy effect only. Should have left right after that, but instead we ate.

Had a salmon sandwich for Â£5.75 expecting something other than two pieces of bread with a small bit of smoked salmon in between, cut into four.

I guess if you're going here for wine you only want small overpriced bits of food to accompany your wine.

Mistake made, will not be going back.

Ye Olde White Horse - Now Everyone Is Welcome!!! by ianburke

ianburke — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 18:43:48 +0000

Review by ianburke

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7242 5518

Tags: relaxed, food, friendly

The cranky old landlady is gone!! The new owner welcomes everyone, and the friendly staff seems to go out of their way to make all guests feel at home. They even did table service!

I hadn't been in this place for ages, but recently started working again near Lincoln's Inn Fields. None of us dared set foot in this place earlier, as the land lady was even cranky to non-students. But what a difference now!

The new owner is really using this fantastic little place to it's potential. Great selection of bitters, and not the tired usual Adnams, Greene King, Courage, but some off-the-beaten-track ones like Timothy Taylor's Landlord and the is particularly outstanding Woodforde's Wherry!

This is one of an increasingly rare breed of lovely little out of the way boozers that are being fast replaced by soulless chain pubs. Don't miss this one!!! The cranky old landlady is gone!! The new owner welcomes everyone, and the friendly staff seems to go out of their way to make all guests feel at home. They even did table service!

I hadn't been in this place for ages, but recently started working again near Lincoln's Inn Fields. None of us dared set foot in this place earlier, as the land lady was even cranky to non-students. But what a difference now!

The new owner is really using this fantastic little place to it's potential. Great selection of bitters, and not the tired usual Adnams, Greene King, Courage, but some off-the-beaten-track ones like Timothy Taylor's Landlord and the is particularly outstanding Woodforde's Wherry!

This is one of an increasingly rare breed of lovely little out of the way boozers that are being fast replaced by soulless chain pubs. Don't miss this one!!!

Truckles of Pied Bull Yard - Great for summer drinking by Sarah_W

Sarah_W — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 20:11:08 +0000

Review by Sarah_W

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7404 5338

Website: http://www.davy.co.uk/main.asp?id=80_188_3047&tid=

Tags: english, air conditioning, seating area

Let me say first that this is not a great choice for beer drinkers, as you're restricted largely to bottled beer and not a wide selection of that. But if like me you enjoy a glass (or several!) of wine, then I would certainly recommend Truckles, especially for early evening drinking on a hot summer's day. The reason? There's a large courtyard, completely enclosed by attractive (laregly) buildings, and therefore cut off from traffic fumes and noise. To sit here after work with a group of amenable colleagues and a couple of bottles of wine on the table is a very pleasant way in which to unwind. Add a bowl of tasty olives, and maybe some Mediterranean dips, and you could easily while away several hours - as I and my colleagues have done on occasion ;)

In winter the interior is a better choice (unless you're a smoker) and it's pleasant enough there, especially if you can bag one of the squishy leather sofas, but it is in the summer that Truckles really comes into its own in my view.

The wine list is extensive, and spans a wide price range. And this is also a decent lunch spot, with tasty sandwiches and some more substantial offerings.Let me say first that this is not a great choice for beer drinkers, as you're restricted largely to bottled beer and not a wide selection of that. But if like me you enjoy a glass (or several!) of wine, then I would certainly recommend Truckles, especially for early evening drinking on a hot summer's day. The reason? There's a large courtyard, completely enclosed by attractive (laregly) buildings, and therefore cut off from traffic fumes and noise. To sit here after work with a group of amenable colleagues and a couple of bottles of wine on the table is a very pleasant way in which to unwind. Add a bowl of tasty olives, and maybe some Mediterranean dips, and you could easily while away several hours - as I and my colleagues have done on occasion ;)

In winter the interior is a better choice (unless you're a smoker) and it's pleasant enough there, especially if you can bag one of the squishy leather sofas, but it is in the summer that Truckles really comes into its own in my view.

The wine list is extensive, and spans a wide price range. And this is also a decent lunch spot, with tasty sandwiches and some more substantial offerings.

Chancery Court Bar - Plush Hotel Bar For The Posh by LondonistHazel

LondonistHazel — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 11:14:16 +0000

Review by LondonistHazel

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7829 9888

Tags: posh, expensive, wine

I met a friend who was staying here for a few drinks. It was after work on a Friday and having worked from home all week, I had lost the ability to dress myself and apply make-up. So I turn up, expecting the Chancery to be at the nicer end of business hotels that wouldn't mind my scruffy trainers, unwashed jeans and baggy jumper. He had told me rather dismissively it was a place for people in London for business, not hanging out and being elegant - this hotel has good conference facilities. So they wouldn't mind a bit of unkempt freelance chic landing in the bar, right?

Well, I was greeted twice by the extremely smart looking doorman, left discreetly to my own devices in the achingly grand lobby but I knew the cluster of hotel staff were ready to leap to my aid the second I made a signal and when my friend came down to meet me I was relaxed, I felt quite welcome, but my god, I was really not dressed for it.

The bar is lit in the way that suggests a team of lighting specialists worked two months on making everyone who takes a seat look sexy and two or three kilos slimmer. The sofas and chairs are luxurious and well spaced out so every group having drinks and snacks together feels like they have their own space - it was busy but never felt crowded. Table service is swift and efficient, friendly and attentive. The wine list is superb. The complimentary snacks are the kind normal people buy as a treat from Marks and Spencer.

It's odd to recommend a hotel bar when London is so full of interesting independent bars and pubs, but this one is a rather unexpected bit of luxury, a sort of continental chic and sophistication that you can't take for granted in our city. Spend alot and enjoy it. I met a friend who was staying here for a few drinks. It was after work on a Friday and having worked from home all week, I had lost the ability to dress myself and apply make-up. So I turn up, expecting the Chancery to be at the nicer end of business hotels that wouldn't mind my scruffy trainers, unwashed jeans and baggy jumper. He had told me rather dismissively it was a place for people in London for business, not hanging out and being elegant - this hotel has good conference facilities. So they wouldn't mind a bit of unkempt freelance chic landing in the bar, right?

Well, I was greeted twice by the extremely smart looking doorman, left discreetly to my own devices in the achingly grand lobby but I knew the cluster of hotel staff were ready to leap to my aid the second I made a signal and when my friend came down to meet me I was relaxed, I felt quite welcome, but my god, I was really not dressed for it.

The bar is lit in the way that suggests a team of lighting specialists worked two months on making everyone who takes a seat look sexy and two or three kilos slimmer. The sofas and chairs are luxurious and well spaced out so every group having drinks and snacks together feels like they have their own space - it was busy but never felt crowded. Table service is swift and efficient, friendly and attentive. The wine list is superb. The complimentary snacks are the kind normal people buy as a treat from Marks and Spencer.

It's odd to recommend a hotel bar when London is so full of interesting independent bars and pubs, but this one is a rather unexpected bit of luxury, a sort of continental chic and sophistication that you can't take for granted in our city. Spend alot and enjoy it.

Pitcher & Piano - Tiny portions! by iamroninator

iamroninator — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 12:21:44 +0000

Review by iamroninator

Rating: 2.00

Phone: 020 7404 8510

Website: http://www.pitcherandpiano.com

Tags: food, modern british

Food was nice, though burger came with only around 5 chips. A bit mean for Â£10, no? Service at the bar was incredibly slow - bar staff weren't really clued into checking whose turn it was to serve etc. - waited around 10 minutes to get first drink, which wasn't that great for a tuesday night.Food was nice, though burger came with only around 5 chips. A bit mean for Â£10, no? Service at the bar was incredibly slow - bar staff weren't really clued into checking whose turn it was to serve etc. - waited around 10 minutes to get first drink, which wasn't that great for a tuesday night.

Traffic Bar - Lovely place! by tonka

tonka — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 15:52:20 +0000

Review by tonka

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 74050525

Traffic is a fantastic new place!

We have been several times now after work. Its new, modern and comfortable, the staff are really great and happy hour is 5-8pm which gives you the opportunity to try one of the yummy cocktails. There are enough seats and you can always go upstairs which is a little quieter - you can book a table if you phone up and they don't charge you a stupid fee. The loos are extremely clean and the hand-dryers are fab! All in all, its a great place to spend an evening!Traffic is a fantastic new place!

We have been several times now after work. Its new, modern and comfortable, the staff are really great and happy hour is 5-8pm which gives you the opportunity to try one of the yummy cocktails. There are enough seats and you can always go upstairs which is a little quieter - you can book a table if you phone up and they don't charge you a stupid fee. The loos are extremely clean and the hand-dryers are fab! All in all, its a great place to spend an evening!