Picture of Holborn Whippet, WC1A 2QH

Historical version 5 of Holborn Whippet, WC1A 2QH (view current version)

A new pub in Holborn converted from a former restaurant, and run by the same people behind the Euston Tap.

Outside there is little indication that this is a pub aside from the A-board advertising the place, and a few trestle tables with drinkers. Undoubtedly this will change over coming months.

Inside, the space is broken up by columns and is fitted out entirely with high tables and stools, with most tables large enough for around 4-5 people. The polished floors and lack of decoration mean the noise bounces around the space and it is predictably loud with the opening night crowds, and will no doubt be busy with after-work drinkers every day. On a Wednesday evening a month after opening, it is fairly pleasant, not too crowded (and therefore not excessively noisy), with music playing not too loudly.

The bar is built around a large central pillar into the bricks of which are fitted gravity taps for cask ales, keg beers and ciders on three sides photo. These are all chalked up above the taps (repeated on each side), and are constantly changing. Standard prices for cask ales seem to be £3.40 (with higher alcohol brews such as Thornbridge Jaipur a bit more pricy). Brewers such as Williams Bros and Dark Star are heavily represented, and Ewan tried a Williams Brothers Scottish Joker and Dark Star Sussex Extra Stout on cask, as well as a Black Isle Porter and a Kostritzer Schwarzbier on keg, all of which were well-kept and served. On a return visit, a pint of Bernard Dark lager (£3.60) was excellent and nicely presented in a branded glass photo.

There is an open kitchen downstairs (which customers will pass on the way to the toilets), now serving burgers and steak sandwiches, amongst other things (as updated on their Twitter account). There is a bit more space downstairs for eating and drinking, though as of a month after opening there's still not a great deal of furniture down there.

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Last visited by Ewan, June 2012.
OS X co-ord: 530428 OS Y co-ord: 181631 (Latitude: 51.518040 Longitude: -0.119980)
This is version 5 (as of 2012-08-22 23:24:40). View current version. List all versions.