Baranis is a chic London bar that transports you in an instant to sun-kissed Provence.
The bar, named after its wide range of Pastis and Absinthe drinks, is located in the atmospheric, old vaulted cellars of a former auction house on Chancery Lane where discreet booths and the UK’s only indoor pétanque court makes it the perfect place for a leisurely lunch or a playful evening.
With a glass of chilled rosé in hand, some Corsican cured meat and a game of pétanque on the go, city life seems a million miles away.
Baranis
Bar in Holborn
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Venue Facilities
Food Served
Children Welcome
Credit Cards Accepted
Music Played
Live Music Played
Private Area
As French as a man in a striped Breton and beret with a basket full of baguettes and a string of onions around his neck. The main thing is it has an indoor petanque court.
Baranis Picture Gallery
Baranis Interior
Thyme Daquiri
Absinthe
All In London Review
Feels firmly French...
So – after a tough conference at the nearby Law Society offices - I popped in to see how it had changed. I was really delighted to find that these elements had been preserved. Furthermore, through the addition of some excellent burlesque wall images, they were somewhat enhanced. It now feels firmly French.
There is a small open area in the centre – around the bar – with space for a reasonable group of people and tables and chairs around the edges. But it’s all those large booths under brick arches that provide the charm – and the fact that there are slightly different levels so you can look out over the room.
Unusually, there’s a smooth gravel based petanque (that’s boules – where you throw hollow metal balls at a smaller wooden ball) alley to the side so team games are a possibility. But we were more than happy to sip on a chilled glass of Petit Chablis (£8.25) and listen to the very French music which was reminiscent of 1930s Paris. They provided a small dish of popcorn which had a rosemary flavour – lovely.
We had arrived just after 5pm and there were a few people already there – mostly office workers in small groups and one or two couples. But within a couple of hours the place was really buzzing. It did remind me of those fun nights all those years ago.
The place is owned by the same folk who own Club Gascon (a Michelin star restaurant in Smithfield) and Comptoir Gascon (its gourmet bistro neighbour which is a little easier on the pocket). And also the Cigalon restaurant which is practically upstairs.
We didn’t have time to try the food – but the menu looked good.with items such as pissaladière (onion tart £4.50/£8.50), pizzeta (£5/£9), pear and blue cheese crostini and even burgers (£9.50).
I shall return – probably with a group of pals so that we can try out the petanque.
Reviewed by KimT
on May 8, 2014
Published on May 8, 2014
Best For
Some of the best bars in The City of London
Great drink, food, decor - even the occasional Happy Hour
If you’re after something a little different for your after-work drinking session check out this Provençal bar which specialises in pastis and wine. Located under beautiful brick archways, there’s an indoor petanque court should you feel boisterous after several absinthe cocktails.
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