Novelty Automation late-night opening — Holborn

Novelty Automation is running its monthly First Thursday bar evening in Holborn on Thursday, August 6, extending access to its satirical arcade beyond its usual daytime hours. The London venue says the event runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 1a Princeton Street, about five minutes from Holborn Tube station. IanVisits lists the event as a free monthly bar night in which the store hosts a bar during its late-night opening. Novelty Automation’s own website describes the evening as a chance to “have a drink while you play the machines.” ### Where is the event and when does it start? Thursday, August 6 is the first Thursday of the month, and Novelty Automation says that is when it stages the bar evening. The venue’s First Thursdays page lists the August event for 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Holborn is the location used in IanVisits’ calendar entry, which places the event at Novelty Automation and repeats the 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. timing. (novelty-automation.com) The venue’s own site gives the full address as 1a Princeton St, London, WC1R 4AX. ### What exactly is Novelty Automation opening late for? Novelty Automation describes itself as “a collection of satirical home-made arcade machines” linked to Tim Hunkin’s Under The Pier Show in Southwold. (novelty-automation.com) A separate page on the site says the space is “a mix of humour and engineering” and a home for Hunkin’s machines along with guest works by “kindred spirits.” IanVisits says the monthly event adds a bar inside the store for the late-night opening. (ianvisits.co.uk) Its calendar entry describes the venue as a place filled with seaside-style funfair games with “an adult twist.” ### How much does it cost to get in and play? Novelty Automation says entry to the venue is free. The venue’s map page says tokens to play the machines cost £6 for five, £10 for 10 and £28 for 35, adding that 35 tokens are enough to try every machine. (novelty-automation.com) IanVisits also lists the monthly bar night itself as free. That means visitors can enter without a ticket, then decide whether to buy tokens for the machines. (ianvisits.co.uk) ### Is this a one-off or a regular monthly event? IanVisits describes the bar night as taking place on the first Thursday of the month. Novelty Automation’s own First Thursdays page uses the same framing and names the August 6, 2026 session specifically. (novelty-automation.com) IanVisits’ venue page also shows later dates, including October 1, November 5 and December 3, all scheduled for 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. (ianvisits.co.uk) That listing indicates the August event is part of an ongoing monthly program rather than a one-night special. ### What should visitors know before they go? Novelty Automation says its regular hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., with late opening on Thursdays, and its home page separately flags the “Next First Thursday bar evening Aug 6th, 5-9pm.” The venue also says it is about five minutes’ walk from Holborn or Chancery Lane Tube stations. (ianvisits.co.uk) The 17th-century building has a narrow front door measuring 650 mm wide, according to the venue’s map page, which also carries its access note. (ianvisits.co.uk) For people planning ahead, the next monthly bar nights are listed on Novelty Automation’s First Thursdays page and IanVisits’ venue calendar. (novelty-automation.com) (novelty-automation.com)