Function Room Ground Floor at Simmons | Holborn

The ground floor at Simmons Holborn is a self-contained party space for up to 300 standing or 80 seated, with its own entrance, private bar, cocktail bartenders, DJ booth, toilets, and a projector screen. Everything your event needs is inside the room — no sharing facilities with the rest of the venue, no bleed from other bookings. It’s the larger of the venue’s two independent function rooms, and operates as a completely self-contained hire with no crossover from the lower floor.

Simmons Holborn Ground Floor — The Space

Neon lighting and retro-patterned wallpaper give the room instant atmosphere without any styling required. The aesthetic is late-night cocktail bar meets 80s party — vibrant, colourful, and photographable without being try-hard. It’s a spacious room that handles large standing events comfortably while still feeling energetic rather than cavernous when numbers are lower. The interior has a fairground-meets-vintage quality: eclectic lampshades, bold patterns, and that distinctive Simmons cocktail-bar energy that’s designed to loosen people up from the moment they walk in. The resident DJ plays disco, funk, and hip-hop from the in-house DJ booth, though you can bring your own DJ, plug in a laptop, or connect a phone to the standalone sound system for full playlist control. A built-in photobooth captures the evening without needing external hire, and the projector screen handles presentations, slideshows, or visuals during the evening. Sound levels can be controlled — useful for events that start with speeches or presentations before transitioning into a party. The bar runs the full Simmons cocktail menu, including their signature teapot cocktails served in vintage china — a quirky touch that photographs well and works as an ice-breaker at corporate socials. Cocktail masterclasses can be arranged for groups wanting a structured activity before the party opens up, with bartenders teaching techniques behind the private bar.

Events That Suit the Simmons Holborn Ground Floor

Birthday parties and corporate team socials are the natural fit. The late licence to 3am Monday through Saturday means celebrations don’t get cut short by an early close — a significant advantage over neighbouring bars that shut at midnight. Most venues in Holborn call last orders by 11pm; Simmons is still running four hours later. Christmas parties for mid-sized companies (80–250 people) get built-in atmosphere without needing any production budget. The neon lighting, retro decor, and DJ create a party environment from the start — no awkward first hour while guests wait for things to get going. The 80-person seated capacity works for team dinners that transition into dancing as tables are cleared later in the evening, and the projector screen handles awards, slideshows, or company highlights before the music takes over. Corporate networking events and after-work drinks benefit from the five-hour happy hour running 4pm to 9pm daily. An event starting at 5:30pm gets three and a half hours of reduced-price drinks before the pricing shifts — meaningful savings for companies covering bar tabs. The teapot cocktails and quirky drinks presentation give guests something to talk about beyond the usual pint-and-wine networking dynamic. Engagement parties, hen dos, and milestone celebrations suit the room’s energy. The photobooth, cocktail service, and DJ create a celebration environment with minimal planning overhead. Product launches and brand events work here too — the projector supports presentations, the neon lighting creates a social-media-ready backdrop, and the separate entrance means branded arrivals and guest list management are straightforward.

Practical Details for Simmons Holborn Ground Floor

External catering is permitted — the venue doesn’t require you to use their kitchen, though in-house food options are available. The room is air-conditioned, which matters at full standing capacity during summer events or energetic Christmas parties. Disabled access is available, including accessible toilets. Wi-Fi runs throughout. The ground floor operates completely independently from the lower floor function room below, which holds 200 standing with its own street-level entrance, private bar, mirrorball DJ booth, and toilets. Both floors can be booked separately or combined for full venue hire of up to 450 standing. For events that start on one floor and want the option to expand later in the evening, adding the lower floor mid-event is worth discussing with the venue. Holborn station is directly adjacent — the door is less than a minute from the platform exit. Covent Garden and Chancery Lane are a short walk, and Tottenham Court Road connects guests from the Northern and Elizabeth lines. The Kingsway location sits between the corporate offices of Holborn and the energy of the West End — a sweet spot for events drawing guests from both worlds.