Three centuries on Great Queen Street, Holborn

The Hercules Pillars

Named for the mythological gateway at the edge of the known world, The Hercules Pillars has kept its place between Holborn and Covent Garden since 1703. A Cask Marque bar watched over by a gilded Hercules, two minutes from the station.

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Real ale, Sunday roasts, live sport, and a room for a hundred

UNCHANGED & UNMATCHED

Walk in and the first thing you notice is that nothing is trying too hard. The classical columns dividing the bar have been here since before the current building went up in 1961. The wooden furnishings carry the kind of wear that takes decades to accumulate honestly. The function room holds up to a hundred people, the bar is stocked for whatever the evening requires, and the staff have been looking after this street long enough to know exactly what you need before you ask.

People clinking colourful cocktails at a restaurant table.

Heroically priced Happy Hour in central London, every weekday from four

Happy Hour in Holborn

Clock off at four and let the labours end there. Until seven, two for one on cocktails, gin and tonics and stone baked pizza, cask ale at a price from another era, prosecco by the bottle. Mondays extend the kindness to the cocktail list, all evening. Settle into a room that predates the Georgians, catch the Premier League, and let Covent Garden carry on without you. Pubs with happy hours are common. Ones like this are not.

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Cocktails being prepared at The Hercules Pillars pub bar on Great Queen Street, Holborn

Cask ale taps and the gilded Hercules figure behind the bar at The Hercules Pillars, Holborn

Sunday roast with beef, roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding and vegetables at The Hercules Pillars, Holborn

Bar staff pouring a pint at The Hercules Pillars, a traditional pub near Holborn and Covent Garden

Food, drink, and sport how it should be

YOUR PUB IN HOLBORN FOR EVERY OCCASION

Whether you are here for a weekday lunch, a stonebaked pizza and a cocktail after work, or a table for the Premier League on a Saturday afternoon, the kitchen runs until nine and the bar runs later. The menu covers British pub classics from fish and chips to sausages and mash. The projector and four HD screens mean that whatever is on, you will see every second of it.

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From the weekday lunch to the Sunday roast

DINING WORTH A DETOUR

The bar carries cask ales held to an independent Cask Marque standard, alongside wines, spirits, and cocktails chosen to suit whatever the evening calls for. We serve classic British pub food seven days a week, with a kitchen open from noon to nine daily, and a Sunday roast menu that gives you a reason to come back at the weekend.

Our Menus

Where the Holborn local watch the game

LIVE SPORT

Great sport is better in a great pub. We screen the Champions League, Europa League, FA Cup, major darts, cricket, and the World Cup throughout the season, in surroundings that have been welcoming a crowd for longer than most venues in the area have existed. No gimmicks. Just good sport, well served, in a pub that knows what it is doing.

World Cycling

21 Sep

13:00

UCI Road World Championship 2026

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Sound Off
Ultimate Pool

21 Sep

17:00

Ultimate Pool – NXTGen

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Sound Off

Watch this space

WHAT’S ON

Nations Championship 2026

Rugby live in Holborn

4th July 2026 - 29th November 2026

Group of friends enjoying drinks and celebrating outdoors at The Hercules Pillars.

Premier League

Watch the Premier League live in Holborn

21st August 2026 - 30th May 2027

Group of people enjoying a lively celebration at The Hercules Pillars pub.

Europa League

SIXTY-FOUR CLUBS. ONE PUB WORTH WATCHING THEM IN.

16th September 2026 - 27th May 2027

A foamy cocktail in a coupe glass on a wooden tray at The Hercules Pillars, Holborn

Happy Hour

At 4pm on any weekday, The Hercules Pillars becomes one of the best value pubs in Holborn.

4pm - 7pm, Monday to Friday

An Aperol spritz cocktail on a wooden tray at The Hercules Pillars, Holborn, available for £5 on Mondays

£5 Cocktails

No catch, just our mixologist's best creations at a great price.

Every Monday

Spooky skeleton decoration behind a window for Halloween at the Pillars.

Halloween at the Pillars – The Last Ride

Join us for a full weekend of Halloween thrills, devilishly good cocktails, and live music in our old and haunting venue. Dress to impress (or terrify)!

29th October 2026 - 31st October 2026

Christmas

Get into the festive spirit in Holborn's most charming venue.

2nd November 2026 - 24th December 2026

Formula 1

Its lights out at The Hercules Pillars. Watch the Formula 1 live in Holborn.

6th March 2026 - 6th December 2026

The Hercules Pillars

private hire

Great Queen Street has been hosting Londoners since long before the age of the booking form. The Hercules Pillars has been part of that history since 1982 and somewhere along the way, it built the most distinctive spaces in Holborn.

Whether you’re gathering fifteen or seventy, there’s a space with your name on it.

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Experience The Hercules Pillars

    
 
 
       Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Paul T 
 
 
 
 Verified Excellent Great location, food was excellent and the staff were even better, the evening was perfect.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Horns D 
 
 
 
 Verified Top notch experience We had a private dining event and the whole experience was amazing. The staff were welcoming and accommodating, the food was plentiful and delicious, the location was perfect. We will definitely be back. Thank you
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Mark P 
 
 
 
 Verified Well worth a visit The bar staff were exceptionally friendly and knowledgeable, offering great recommendations from an impressive selection of beers. As we were a relatively large group, we dined in the downstairs restaurant area, which had a warm and welcoming atmosphere. I have to say, the three-course meal was outstanding value for money — every course was excellent. It would be hard to find another establishment of this kind in central London offering the same quality, service, and overall experience at such a reasonable price.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Alvadura 
 
 
 
 Verified Another excellent business lunch in an outstanding venue with fantastic staff! Manager Kaan and his wonderful staff arranged and delivered an outstanding venue for a working lunch, with attentive service, sensitive to dietary restrictions and needs. The meal was sumptuous! Well done the Pillars!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   John D 
 
 
 
 Verified Great place Great pub, great vibes. Friendly efficient staff.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   kilcos01 
 
 
 
 Verified Great service Lovely pub, Charlie was very friendly and couldn’t do enough for us as a group of 10 people, asset to the pub! Good food too.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Kevin 
 
 
 
 Verified Charlie’s service was sublime. Really friendly inviting pub , we ordered some food fresh and tasty and one member of staff CHARLIE was exceptional with his service and his whole demeanour always smiling and eager to please….well done charlie we had a great evening.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   John H 
 
 
 
 Verified Good pint and good food Had to pop in for a pint and something small to eat. The place was clean and more importantly, the staff were attentive and very efficient. Please to say that the Doombar pint was good and the crispy chicken dish was a good size and tasty.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Aliden24 
 
 
 
 Verified Nice pub.. bit crowded Nice pub, well situated for Holborn Station and not far from Covent Garden. Food ( burger) was very nice… very busy and noisy on a Saturday evening with sports playing on a large screen…
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Sally B 
 
 
 
 Verified Great place to be Not the first time ive been and certainly not the last. Called for breakfast on my way to Euston and they did not disappoint. Jade and Victoria were wonderful hostesses and couldn't do enough to help. Lovely friendly atmosphere. A suitable place for any age.

    
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Ainsley Carter 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. A nice place to chillax anytime of the day...the staff are so friendly and welcoming...The atmosphere is pleasant and also have outdoor facilities for those who wants to drink and have a smoke....overall a 10 in my books..
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Ed Park 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. One of the few bars left in London that has seats at the bar. I have no idea why they got rid of bar seats in London. Do you really expect someone by themselves to sit at a table? This bar also has a big screen for football.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Daniel Teasdale 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Fantastic pub. Service is brilliant and the food is excellent. The atmosphere inside the pub is one of a kind. A well worthy stop on any trip to London
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Ajay Sharma 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Had an absolutely brilliant time at this pub. The drinks selection is excellent with plenty of choice for everyone, and the food was fresh, tasty, and really good quality. The staff are friendly, welcoming, and always make sure you’re looked after properly. Perfect place to watch live sport as they show all the big games and events, with a fantastic atmosphere every time. Great vibes, great service, and a really enjoyable place to spend the evening. Highly recommend!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Sophia C 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Good pub, good service, great for watching live sports and football
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   aaaJAKE 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Our local pub from work, staff are great and also allow you to play a game - great for sports and always welcoming. Would recommend if your in the area
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Tom Bond 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Lovely pub, lovely staff,
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Terry Hennessy 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Brilliant service as always when the staff are up against it when busy! Always friendly and attentive. Well done all
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Lionel Correya 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Dropped in for a drink, great selection of beers on tap! Was served by Jade, she and the rest of the team were very friendly and attentive. Even got a shamrock on my Guinness!

See Inside

Sharing a variety of gourmet dishes and drinks at The Hercules Pillars pub.

Deep-fried eggs with lemon and herbs served with dipping sauce.

Serving beer and food at Hercules Pillars pub with friends.

People enjoying a variety of dishes and drinks at The Hercules Pillars.

Close-up of hand holding a breaded appetizer with other snacks on a plate.

Contact

Opening Hours

Monday: 12pm – 11pm
Tuesday – Wednesday: 11am – 11pm
Thursday: 11am – 12pm
Friday – Saturday: 11am – 1am
Sunday: 12pm – 10pm

Kitchen opening hours

Monday to Sunday: 12pm – 9pm

18 Great Queen St
London
WC2B 5DG

020 7242 2218
herculespillars.co.uk

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Frequently Asked Questions

Will all games be shown live?

We show every fixture from the sports we cover — Premier League, Champions League, Europa League, FA Cup, major darts, and cricket — live as they happen. The fixture widget above is updated regularly with what is coming up. If you cannot find what you are looking for, drop us a message and we will check for you.
Can I still visit without a booking?

Walk-ins are always welcome at The Hercules Pillars. For daytime weekday visits and quieter periods you will generally find a table without any trouble. During major fixtures or events the pub fills up, so a booking is worth making if you want to be certain of a seat. Reserve online or give us a call.
Do I have to pre-order my food?

No. You can order from the full menu on the day, at your table. Pre-ordering is available for groups and private hire bookings, where it helps us make sure everything arrives together and on time. If you are coming as a larger party and want to take that option, get in touch when you book and we will send you the pre-order menu.
Can I cancel my booking?

Yes, and we ask only that you give us as much notice as you can. A table released early is a table someone else can use. Cancel or amend through the link in your booking confirmation email, or call us directly. Private hire bookings are subject to the cancellation terms in your agreement — check those if you are unsure.
I need help. Who should I call?

For table bookings, general enquiries, and anything on the day, call the pub directly on the number above. For private hire enquiries, the events team is the right first contact — reach them at party@bedsandbars.com. We are open Monday to Saturday from 11am and Sunday from noon, and someone will always pick up during opening hours.

The Hercules Pillars

UNCHANGED & UNMATCHED

Happy Hour in Holborn

YOUR PUB IN HOLBORN FOR EVERY OCCASION

DINING WORTH A DETOUR

Our Menus

LIVE SPORT

WHAT’S ON

Nations Championship 2026

Premier League

Europa League

Happy Hour

£5 Cocktails

Halloween at the Pillars – The Last Ride

Christmas

Formula 1

private hire

Experience The Hercules Pillars

See Inside

Contact

Opening Hours

Kitchen opening hours

Frequently Asked Questions

Will all games be shown live?

Can I still visit without a booking?

Do I have to pre-order my food?

Can I cancel my booking?

I need help. Who should I call?

4th July 2026 - 29th November 2026

21st August 2026 - 30th May 2027

Watch the Premier League Live in Holborn

16th September 2026 - 27th May 2027

Sixty-Four Clubs. One Pub Worth Watching Them In.

4pm - 7pm, Monday to Friday

Every Monday

29th October 2026 - 31st October 2026

2nd November 2026 - 24th December 2026

6th March 2026 - 6th December 2026