Baranis Holborn, ping-pong in Holborn

Photo: Baranis

Baranis Holborn: Ping Pong in London

Free table footballPetanqueBooking requiredDate nightCocktail bar

115 Chancery Lane, London · WC2A 1PP · Tu-Fr 16:00-00:00; Sa 17:00-00:00

Baranis is a French cocktail bar in the vaulted cellars of an old Chancery Lane auction house, a short walk from Holborn and Chancery Lane stations. The pull is the games: it has the UK's only indoor petanque court, plus free table football, so you can roll boules or play Le Baby Foot between rounds of herb-driven cocktails and pastis.

One thing to flag up front: Baranis does not do ping pong, despite what some round-ups imply. If table tennis is what you came for, this is not the place. If you want a low-key Provence-by-way-of-St-Tropez bar where you can actually play something while you drink, it fits. Drinks lean French (absinthe, pastis, southern wines, signatures like a thyme daiquiri), there's charcuterie to pick at, and the brick-vaulted cellar keeps it intimate. Table football is free anytime Tuesday to Friday from 4pm; the petanque court needs booking ahead.

The games setup

Forget ping pong here, the draw is boules. Baranis runs the UK's only indoor petanque court, set down in the brick-vaulted cellar, so you can roll a few ends without leaving the bar. There is also table football, branded Le Baby Foot, which is free to play and open anytime Tuesday to Friday from 4pm. The petanque court is the bookable one: reserve it ahead to guarantee a slot, since walk-up space is not promised. If you are coming as a big group or hiring the space privately, court use is thrown in free.

Good to know

There is no door charge. Table football costs nothing; the petanque court carries a small booking fee per person, so sort that when you reserve your table. Drinks are the French aperitif sort, pastis, absinthe, southern wines and herb-led signatures like a thyme daiquiri, with charcuterie boards around £12 to pick at. Look out for weekday deals such as £5 Meteor beers on Tuesdays and £6 Aperol Spritz on Fridays. Saturdays and Sundays are often private hire only, so check before you turn up at the weekend.

Getting there

Baranis sits at 115 Chancery Lane, WC2A 1PP, in the old vaulted cellars of a former auction house on the Holborn side of the City. Chancery Lane station on the Central line is the closest, a few minutes on foot, and Holborn itself is a short walk further west. It works well as a slightly hidden spot for a date or a small group who want a drink with something to do. Weekday evenings from 4pm are your best bet for a relaxed table and free table football.

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Common questions

What is Baranis in Holborn?
It is a French Provence-themed cocktail bar in the vaulted cellars of a former auction house at 115 Chancery Lane, near Holborn. It is known for the UK's only indoor petanque court and free table football.
Does Baranis have ping pong?
No. Despite appearing in some ping pong round-ups, Baranis does not offer table tennis. Its games are indoor petanque and table football.
Is it free to play at Baranis?
Table football is free to play, anytime Tuesday to Friday from 4pm. The petanque court needs a separate booking and carries a small fee per person, though it is free for large group bookings and private hire.
Do you need to book the petanque court?
Yes. To guarantee a slot on the petanque court you make a separate booking alongside your table reservation, and a small per-person fee applies.
What are Baranis opening hours?
It opens Tuesday to Friday from around 4pm to midnight and Saturday from 5pm. Saturdays and Sundays are often private hire only, so check ahead before a weekend visit.
What is the nearest station to Baranis?
Chancery Lane on the Central line is closest, a few minutes' walk away. Holborn station is a short walk further west.

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