Is Starbucks Open on New Year’s Day 2027? UK Hours, Scotland & Store Types

Last Updated On – 01-10-2026

Many Starbucks coffeehouses are likely to trade across the UK on Friday, 1 January 2027, but there is no single nationwide New Year’s Day timetable that customers can rely on.

Opening hours can differ considerably between branches. A central London coffeehouse, motorway drive-thru, railway-station outlet and airport Starbucks may all follow different schedules, while some locations could remain closed.

There is another important regional difference in 2027. New Year’s Day is a bank holiday throughout the UK, but Scotland also observes a bank holiday for 2 January.

Because 2 January 2027 falls on a Saturday, the Scottish substitute bank holiday will be Monday, 4 January 2027. GOV.UK confirms both dates in its official 2027 bank-holiday calendar.

TL;DR: Starbucks has not yet published one confirmed UK-wide schedule for 1 January 2027. Many locations are likely to trade, but exact hours should be checked for the individual branch.

Friday, 1 January is a bank holiday throughout the UK, while Scotland also has a substitute bank holiday on Monday, 4 January.

Readers planning more than a coffee stop can also check London Business Insider’s guide to shops open on New Year’s Day 2027, which covers the wider UK retail picture.

What Should Starbucks Customers Expect on 1 January 2027?

The safest expectation is that availability will depend on the individual Starbucks location.

Starbucks has not, as of 1 October 2026, published a complete list giving New Year’s Day 2027 hours for every UK coffeehouse.

Publishing fixed nationwide times such as “7am to 6pm” would therefore create a misleading impression that all branches follow the same schedule.

Starbucks’ own holiday guidance says operating hours can vary according to the location, staffing and local conditions. It also advises customers to use the Starbucks app or store locator to check individual coffeehouses.

Although the company’s holiday information is written primarily for its US audience, the branch-by-branch principle is particularly relevant in Britain because a large proportion of the UK estate is operated by licensees.

For 2027, customers should therefore treat the answer as:

Starbucks may be open on New Year’s Day, but check the exact branch before travelling.

This is particularly important for anyone visiting early in the morning or later in the evening, when reduced bank-holiday hours are more likely to matter.

Why Can Two Starbucks Branches Have Completely Different Hours?

Starbucks UK does not consist entirely of identical company-operated stores.

Its financial update for the year ending September 2025 reported 1,304 UK Starbucks stores, of which 398 were company-operated and 906 were operated by licensees at that point.

Starbucks subsequently continued developing its licensing model, describing licensed stores as a central part of its UK expansion strategy.

That structure matters on public holidays.

A standalone Starbucks high-street store can have one timetable, while a Starbucks operating inside or alongside another venue may be influenced by the opening arrangements of that location.

Starbucks’ own holiday guidance specifically notes that airport, hospital and hotel coffeehouses may operate different schedules, while licensed locations within places such as grocery stores, malls and offices can follow their host location’s hours.

As a result, customers should avoid assuming that the opening time shown for one Starbucks in their town applies to another branch nearby.

Why Are Exact 2027 Holiday Hours Not Listed Yet?

There is a simple reason: 1 January 2027 is still three months away at the time of this update.

The Starbucks UK locator currently shows ordinary weekly opening schedules for individual stores, but these should not automatically be interpreted as their confirmed New Year’s Day arrangements.

A Friday timetable is particularly easy to misunderstand this year because New Year’s Day itself falls on a Friday.

If the locator currently says a branch normally opens from 6:30am to 9pm on Fridays, that does not mean it will necessarily operate from 6:30am to 9pm on Friday, 1 January.

For greater accuracy, this article should be checked again in the final days of December 2026 and updated with actual branch-specific festive hours once Starbucks displays them.

That approach is more reliable than repeating estimates from previous years.

How Different Are Normal Starbucks Hours Across London?

Current ordinary Friday hours demonstrate why a city-wide figure for Starbucks would be unreliable.

The table below contains hours currently displayed by the official Starbucks UK locator. These are normal Friday hours visible in autumn 2026, not confirmed New Year’s Day 2027 opening times.

The official locator currently shows One Oxford Street operating from 6:30am to 9pm on a standard Friday, King’s Cross from 6am to 10:30pm and Waterloo’s main-concourse branch from 6am to 7pm.

Heathrow Terminal 2 Airside currently lists 5am to 10pm, while the St Pancras International location is listed as operating 24 hours.

The difference is substantial even before bank-holiday adjustments are applied.

These times should therefore not be copied into a “New Year’s Day hours” table unless each branch confirms the same hours for 1 January.

A stronger update in late December would check 15–20 named stores individually and record the date on which those holiday times were verified.

How Does the New Year Bank Holiday Differ Around the UK?

One of the most useful additions for 2027 is the regional distinction between Scotland and the rest of the UK.

For England and Wales, Friday 1 January is the New Year’s Day bank holiday. Northern Ireland also observes 1 January.

Scotland is different.

The country normally has an additional bank holiday for 2 January. Since 2 January 2027 falls on Saturday, GOV.UK lists Monday, 4 January 2027 as the “2nd January substitute day”.

That potentially creates a four-day New Year period from Friday through Monday for many people in Scotland, although actual working arrangements depend on employers and individual contracts.

For Starbucks customers in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dundee and other Scottish locations, it means there are two dates worth checking:

Friday, 1 January and Monday, 4 January 2027.

Saturday, 2 January itself is not the substitute bank holiday.

Which Starbucks Locations May Follow Another Venue’s Schedule?

Location type becomes particularly important over the festive period.

A supermarket-based Starbucks, for example, cannot necessarily be treated in the same way as a standalone high-street branch.

Airport branches are another special case. Heathrow’s Starbucks locations currently have long ordinary operating windows, including a Terminal 2 Airside branch listed from 5am until 10pm daily.

That reflects the environment in which the store operates, but it still should not be interpreted as a confirmed 1 January 2027 timetable until festive hours are published.

The practical rule is simple: check the Starbucks branch and, where relevant, check the venue containing it.

Where Should London Visitors Check Before Heading Out?

London deserves separate treatment because New Year’s Day is a major visitor day rather than simply a quiet bank holiday.

The London New Year’s Day Parade takes place on 1 January 2027, with the usual central London route beginning around Piccadilly, passing areas including Regent Street, Trafalgar Square and Whitehall before finishing near Westminster.

Visit London says the parade normally begins around 1pm and warns that Tube and rail services can operate to reduced schedules on the day.

That makes Starbucks locations around areas such as:

• Oxford Street and Soho
• Piccadilly and the West End
• King’s Cross and St Pancras
• Waterloo
• Paddington
• Westminster
• Heathrow Airport

particularly useful to check individually.

High visitor numbers do not guarantee that a store will extend its hours. Road closures, station arrangements, staffing and access restrictions can all affect what is practical.

People travelling into London should also check London Business Insider’s New Year’s Day train service guide and UK bus services on New Year’s Day alongside the latest official transport information.

The site’s train article currently covers 2026, so its operator-specific timetable information should also be refreshed before being relied upon for January 2027.

What Happens on New Year’s Eve and the Days After?

New Year’s Eve falls on Thursday, 31 December 2026.

It is not a UK bank holiday, although individual businesses may still reduce their opening hours.

Starbucks’ general holiday guidance says most coffeehouses are typically open on New Year’s Eve, but some locations can close earlier than normal.

Customers should therefore check the individual store rather than assuming ordinary Thursday hours will continue into the evening.

For the wider legal and workplace distinction between the two dates, London Business Insider has a separate explanation of whether New Year’s Eve is a UK bank holiday.

The important dates for this festive period are:

Starbucks branches in Scotland should therefore be checked again for Monday, 4 January rather than assuming normal Monday hours.

What Is the Best Way to Check a Branch Before Leaving Home?

The most dependable method is the official Starbucks UK store locator. It allows customers to search for a particular coffeehouse and view opening hours and available facilities.

Closer to 1 January, customers should check in this order:

1. Look up the individual branch through Starbucks UK or the Starbucks app.
2. Check whether holiday or special hours have replaced the normal Friday timetable.
3. If the Starbucks is inside a station, airport, supermarket or shopping centre, check that venue as well.
4. Look at Google Maps for any “special hours” notice as a secondary source.
5. If making a special journey, call the branch where a telephone number is provided.
6. Check again on 31 December because festive schedules can change.

Google Maps should not automatically be dismissed as unreliable. Google’s special-hours feature can be useful, particularly when businesses update their profiles for public holidays.

However, when the information conflicts, the official Starbucks listing or direct confirmation from the store should take priority.

Can You Order Starbucks Delivery on New Year’s Day?

Potentially, but only if a participating Starbucks store is open and accepting delivery orders.

Starbucks UK currently works with Uber Eats, Just Eat and Deliveroo for its Starbucks Delivers service. Delivery availability depends on participating branches and the user’s location.

That distinction matters on New Year’s Day.

A delivery platform itself may be operating while the nearest Starbucks remains closed. Alternatively, an open Starbucks may temporarily stop accepting delivery orders during busy periods.

Customers should therefore open the relevant delivery app and check what is actually available at the time rather than assuming delivery will run all day.

Do Starbucks Rewards Still Work on 1 January?

There is no general rule pausing Starbucks Rewards simply because it is New Year’s Day.

Where an open participating store accepts Starbucks Rewards transactions, the normal programme can continue.

However, Starbucks Delivers is different.

Starbucks UK states that Rewards Stars cannot be earned or redeemed on orders placed through Starbucks Delivers on Uber Eats, Deliveroo or Just Eat. Customers also cannot pay for those delivery orders using their Starbucks Card or the Starbucks UK app.

This was an important weakness in the previous version of the article, which did not clearly separate in-store/app transactions from third-party delivery orders.

Will Drive-Thru Starbucks Locations Be Open?

Some may be, but having a drive-thru does not guarantee that it will operate its standard timetable on 1 January.

Starbucks UK currently allows customers to search specifically for stores with drive-thru facilities, and many such branches offer Mobile Order and Pay as well.

For example, the Heathrow Bath Road store currently lists drive-through facilities alongside mobile ordering, but its ordinary Friday timetable should not be treated as confirmed New Year’s Day hours.

Customers should also check whether the drive-thru and café operate identical hours, because services can occasionally differ by location.

Will Seasonal Starbucks Drinks Still Be Available?

There may still be festive or winter products available around New Year, but the exact 2026–27 menu and stock position can vary.

Seasonal items are normally available for limited periods and participating stores may run out at different times.

Customers interested in a particular drink should check the Starbucks UK app or menu closer to 1 January rather than assuming that every Christmas product continues into the New Year.

This is particularly relevant at busy railway, airport and central London locations where demand can be high.

What Other Chains Could Be Open If Your Starbucks Is Closed?

Starbucks is only one option, but exact 2027 New Year’s Day schedules for competing chains should not be invented before those companies publish them.

This is a more accurate approach than publishing generic estimates such as “Costa 8am–5pm” or “McDonald’s 24/7”, neither of which can safely be applied to every location on 1 January 2027.

London Business Insider also has a separate McDonald’s New Year’s Day opening-hours guide, although its branch examples currently relate to 2026 and should be refreshed for the new year.

What Should Be Updated Again in December 2026?

This page should receive one final update once festive schedules appear.

The strongest December refresh would check at least 15–20 named UK Starbucks locations, with a deliberate mix of:

• Central London high-street stores
• King’s Cross, Waterloo, Paddington and St Pancras
• Heathrow airport stores
• Drive-thrus
• Supermarket or retail-site locations
• Manchester
• Birmingham
• Edinburgh
• Glasgow
• Cardiff
• Belfast

The resulting table should say something such as “New Year’s Day 2027 hours checked on 30 December 2026” and list the exact branch rather than a city-wide estimate.

Screenshots or dated records from the official locator would provide first-hand evidence and substantially improve the page’s trustworthiness.

Until that information exists, it is better to be transparent about what has and has not been confirmed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Starbucks likely to open on 1 January 2027?

Many Starbucks locations are likely to trade, based on Starbucks’ general holiday operating approach, but UK-wide branch hours for 2027 have not yet been confirmed. Check the individual store before travelling.

Is Starbucks open on 2 January 2027?

Saturday, 2 January is not itself the substitute bank holiday in Scotland in 2027. Individual Starbucks branches may operate their normal or adjusted Saturday schedules, so local hours should be checked.

Is Monday, 4 January 2027 a bank holiday in Scotland?

Yes. GOV.UK lists Monday, 4 January 2027 as Scotland’s substitute bank holiday for 2 January.

Will Starbucks drive-thrus operate on New Year’s Day?

Some may operate, but drive-thru opening times are branch-specific. Use the Starbucks locator to check the exact location.

Do airport Starbucks branches have different opening times?

They can. Starbucks says airport, hospital and hotel coffeehouses may follow different schedules from other stores. Heathrow branches also currently demonstrate considerably longer ordinary operating windows than some high-street locations.

Are Starbucks stores at railway stations different?

They can be. Station-based outlets may have hours suited to passenger traffic and access arrangements. Current ordinary Friday hours already differ between King’s Cross, Waterloo, Paddington and St Pancras.

Why might my local Starbucks be closed when another nearby branch is open?

Store type, staffing, local demand, licensing arrangements and the operating hours of a host venue can all affect opening times.

Can I get Starbucks delivered on New Year’s Day?

Delivery may be available from participating open stores through Uber Eats, Just Eat and Deliveroo. Availability will depend on the branch and delivery area.

Can I earn Starbucks Rewards Stars on delivery orders?

No. Starbucks UK states that Stars cannot currently be earned or redeemed on Starbucks Delivers orders placed through Deliveroo, Uber Eats or Just Eat.

Can I order ahead through the Starbucks app?

Starbucks UK supports order-ahead collection through its app at participating stores. Whether it is available on New Year’s Day will depend on the individual store being open and accepting mobile orders.

Is Google Maps useful for checking Starbucks holiday hours?

Yes, especially when a branch has added special holiday hours. However, it is sensible to compare the listing with Starbucks’ own app or store locator before making a special journey.

Will New Year’s Day affect Starbucks in central London?

Possibly. Central London is particularly busy because of the New Year’s Day Parade and other visitor activity. Transport services can also operate to special or reduced schedules, making branch and journey checks worthwhile.