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Holborn area guide

• Discover Holborn’s best restaurants, bars and pubs
• Explore the literary history of nearby Bloomsbury or find a new favourite shop
• Use our handy map of Holborn to find plenty of things to do in WC1 and WC2

Holborn overview

Holborn starts at the western boundaries of the historic City of London, and its central location makes it a popular place to work. But that also makes it a great place to play. Holborn restaurants serve a range of international cuisine, from Korean to North American. The bars and pubs in Holborn comprise some of London's most historic hostelries as well as cutting-edge drinking spots. The shops in Holborn tend to be independent places that specialise in unusual stock. Where else can you buy an umbrella with a hickory crook when it unexpectedly rains on your way to the office?

What are your favourite Holborn haunts? Let us know

Holborn map

  • Time Out's map of Holborn plots our pick of the best bars, pubs, restaurants and things to do in the area.

View larger map of Holborn

Holborn shops and salons

  • Holborn is bursting at the seams with a fantastic range of specialist stores. Try our guide to discover where to shop in Holborn.

View the Holborn shopping guide

London by area

See other London area guides

Shopping in Holborn

Discover the best of Holborn's specialist shops with our guide

 

Holborn restaurants guide

Find the best places to eat in this central locale

 

Haunted Holborn walk

Monsters, ghostly bears and phantom hellhounds…

 

Holborn drinking guide

Looking for an after-work drinking den? Look no further

 
 

Holborn restaurants

See the Holborn restaurants guide

Holborn bars and pubs

  • Pearl Bar & Restaurant

      Chancery Court Hotel, 252 High Holborn, London, WC1V 7EN

    After passing the flunkies gesturing to chauffeured guests as they pull into this upscale Marriott outpost…
    Read Pearl Bar & Restaurant review

  • All Star Lanes

      Victoria House, Bloomsbury Place, London, WC1B 4DA

    Styling itself on stateside 'boutique' bowling alleys, this retro-themed venue is the more upmarket of Bloomsbury's two bowling dens…
    Read All Star Lanes review

  • Bar Polski

      11 Little Turnstile, London, WC1V 7DX

    This diminutive Polish hideaway stocks some 50 different vodkas, categorised according to descriptions such as 'clean and clear', 'dry and interesting' and 'nice and sweet'…
    Read Bar Polski review

See the Holborn bars and pubs guide

What's on in Holborn this week

  • Stephen Cave

    Books & Poetry Thu May 31, Conway Hall

    Philosopher and author Cave launches his new book, 'Immortality: The Quest to Live Forever and How it Drives Civilisa...

  • Square Pig Comedy

    Comedy Wed May 30, The Square Pig

    Xave Fernandez introduces nine new(ish) comics performing ten minutes each. The bill includes Prince Abdi and more.

  • Thornback and Peel pop-up

    ShoppingFree Until Thu May 31, Thornback and Peel pop-up

    A lovely range of home accessories in printed linen and cotton will be up for grabs at a special pop-up shop, includi...

  • Sir John Soane's Museum

    Museums & Attractions Sir John Soane's Museum

    Designed by architect Sir John Soane to house his own collection of paintings and architectual salvage, the museum is...

  • Shake, Rattle & Bowl's Jubilee Jamboree

    Alternative NightlifeFree Sat Jun 2, All Star Lanes

    SRB goes weekly at a different bowling hotspot with DJs Christian Laing, El Nino (Lady Luck), the Dirty DeeTees, Rich...

Find more Holborn events
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Comments

By DAVID SANCHEZ - Apr 4 2012

i would enjoy being there in Holborn.. I really want to go and stay on this amazing area of london..

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By Luz Khan - Apr 1 2012

I have lived in Holborn for 25 years, and I would not change it for any other neighborhood in London. The progress in this area is amaizing. You are just a walking distance to Covent Garden, Oxford Street, London Bridge, and theBritish Museum. At night time is tranquil, refreshing and very safe. I LOVE HOLBORN....!!!!

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