A guide to the best pubs in Holborn Farringdon & Clerkenwell

Area guides
Estimated read time: 5 mins
Last updated: 19/08/2025

London’s Farringdon, Holborn, and Clerkenwell triangle represents one of the capital’s most vibrant business districts, packed with everything from cutting-edge coworking spaces to traditional City institutions. Whether you’re based at one of the Work.Life flexible office spacesAldersgate Street, St Cross Street, Holborn, or the new Clerkenwell Green location when we open in October – you’re perfectly positioned to explore some of London’s finest pubs.

This area’s rich history as a hub for journalists, lawyers, and creatives has created a pub culture that perfectly balances professional networking with genuine character. Here’s your definitive guide to the best pubs in Farringdon, Holborn, and Clerkenwell for everything from quick after-work pints to important client meetings.

Best pubs near Farringdon

The Holy Tavern (formerly Jerusalem Tavern)

Address: 55 Britton Street, EC1M 5UQ
Distance from Work.Life Clerkenwell Green: 3-minute walk
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 12pm to 11pm
What makes it special: This tiny historic pub, housed in a beautiful 18th-century building, serves exclusively St. Peter’s Brewery beers in an intimate atmosphere perfect for small team celebrations.
Perfect for: Quiet client conversations, unique venue for impressing visitors, post-meeting drinks
Business benefits: Authentic character, excellent craft beers, quiet enough for confidential discussions

The Hand and Shears

Address: 1 Middle Street, EC1A 7JA
Distance from Work.Life Clerkenwell Green: 5-minute walk
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 11am to 11pm, Saturday 12pm to 11pm
What makes it special: Traditional real ale pub with Timothy Taylor’s Landlord and other quality ales, plus an upstairs function room available for hire.
Perfect for: Team celebrations, private events, traditional pub experience
Business benefits: Function room for hire, quality ales, traditional atmosphere popular with local professionals

Best Holborn pubs

The Princess Louise

Address: 208 High Holborn, WC1V 7EP
Distance from Work.Life Holborn: 3-minute walk
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 11:30am to 11pm, Sunday 12pm to 10:30pm
What makes it special: Spectacular Victorian gin palace with stunning original 1891 interior, etched glass, and mahogany fittings. Sam Smith’s pub with excellent value drinks.
Perfect for: Impressing clients, architectural enthusiasts, budget-conscious business drinks
Business benefits: Multiple separate booths for private conversations, impressive Victorian setting, unbeatable value in central London

Cittie of Yorke

Address: 22 High Holborn, WC1V 6BN
Distance from Work.Life Holborn: 5-minute walk
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 12pm to 11pm, Sunday 12pm to 10:30pm
What makes it special: Famous for its extraordinary medieval great hall interior and claims to have the longest bar in Britain. Sam Smith’s pub with reasonable prices.
Perfect for: Large team gatherings, memorable client entertainment, architectural drama
Business benefits: Impressive unique interior, good for groups, memorable venue for important meetings

Best pubs near Aldersgate Street

The Jugged Hare

Address: 49 Chiswell Street, EC1Y 4SA
Distance from Work.Life Aldersgate Street: 3-minute walk
Opening Hours: Daily 11am to 11pm, Kitchen 12pm to 10pm
What makes it special: Award-winning gastropub specialising in seasonal British ingredients and game, with excellent food and wine selection.
Perfect for: Business lunches, client entertainment, upmarket team dining
Business benefits: Professional atmosphere, excellent food menu, popular with City professionals, pre-theatre location near Barbican

The Old Red Cow

Address: 71 Long Lane, EC1A 9EJ
Distance from Work.Life Aldersgate Street: 4-minute walk
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 11am to 11pm, Saturday 12pm to 11pm
What makes it special: Cosy and welcoming traditional pub with reasonable prices, popular with locals and Barbican theatre-goers.
Perfect for: Casual after-work drinks, budget-friendly team socials, pre-theatre drinks
Business benefits: Reasonably priced, welcoming atmosphere, good location for Barbican events

Planning your pub strategy by occasion

For client entertainment

  • The Princess Louise: Victorian grandeur at reasonable prices
  • Cittie of Yorke: Impressive architecture and memorable experience
  • The Jugged Hare: Upmarket gastropub with excellent food
  • The Crown Tavern: Perfect location and professional atmosphere

For team celebrations

  • The Hand and Shears: Function room available for hire
  • The Old Red Cow: Budget-friendly and welcoming
  • Cittie of Yorke: Good for larger groups
  • The Crown Tavern: Convenient for Work.Life Clerkenwell Green teams

For quick after-work drinks

  • The Holy Tavern: Intimate and characterful
  • The Old Red Cow: Casual and reasonably priced
  • The Crown Tavern: Literally next door to Work.Life Clerkenwell Green
  • The Princess Louise: Multiple seating areas and good value

For business lunches

  • The Jugged Hare: Excellent food and professional crowd
  • The Crown Tavern: Quality food menu and convenient location
  • The Hand and Shears: Traditional pub lunch experience
  • The Princess Louise: Historic setting with good value food

Making the most of your local pub scene

Working in the Farringdon, Holborn, and Clerkenwell area means you’re at the heart of one of London’s best pub districts. Whether you’re based at Work.Life’s flexible office spaces or just visiting the area, these pubs offer everything from quick coffee meetings to major client entertainment.

The beauty of this area is its variety. You can choose a medieval-style great hall for impressive client meetings, an intimate historic tavern for confidential discussions, or a modern gastropub for team celebrations. Many of these pubs near Farringdon and Holborn bars also offer private dining spaces and can accommodate larger groups for corporate events.

The Crown Tavern: The new Work.Life local

The Crown Tavern

Address: 43 Clerkenwell Green, EC1R 0EG
Distance from Work.Life Clerkenwell Green: Literally next door (30 seconds walk)
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 12pm to 11pm, Sunday 12pm to 10:30pm
What makes it special: Traditional pub literally next door to Work.Life’s newest location, offering the perfect blend of authentic pub atmosphere with modern amenities and a professional crowd.
Perfect for: Last-minute client meetings, team lunch breaks, after-work drinks, networking with local professionals
Business benefits: Unbeatable convenience, flexible spaces for different group sizes, reliable WiFi, all-day service from breakfast to evening drinks

When convenience meets quality, you get The Crown Tavern. It’s literally next door to Work.Life’s newest Clerkenwell Green location. This traditional pub on Clerkenwell Green has been serving the local community and offers the perfect blend of authentic pub atmosphere with modern amenities.

What makes it special for Work.Life members:

  • Unbeatable convenience: Step out of your office and you’re there
  • Flexible spaces: Quiet corners for one-on-one meetings, larger areas for team gatherings
  • Professional crowd: Popular with local businesses and creative agencies
  • All-day service: Great for breakfast meetings, lunch, or after-work drinks

The Crown Tavern represents everything great about having a Work.Life office in Clerkenwell Green. You’re not just getting a workspace, you’re joining a vibrant local community with centuries of history. The pub sits on one of London’s most historic squares, surrounded by the area’s rich heritage of craftsmanship, creativity, and commerce.

For Work.Life Clerkenwell Green members, The Crown Tavern isn’t just a convenient local. It’s an extension of your office space. Whether you’re hosting informal client meetings, celebrating team wins, or simply taking a well-deserved break, you couldn’t ask for a better local pub.

The best pubs in Farringdon area offer something for every business occasion, from the most casual team catch-up to the most important client meeting. With Work.Life’s multiple locations throughout the area (and The Crown Tavern literally next door to the Clerkenwell Green space), you’re never more than a few minutes’ walk from your next great business venue.

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