In the past, wine bars were known to have some reputation for being old-fashioned and stuffy. These days, they’re generally more casual. There’s no need to be an oenophile to appreciate visiting a wine bar: they’re an ideal spot to sit and sip one or two glasses and often with snacks. London can be full of fantastic wine bars, ranging from hip Hackney spots that concentrate on natural wines to self-serve areas hidden in Balham, as well as one that Idris Elba runs. Find out the top places to drink wine and dine in London.
The Best Wine Bars in London
Emmanuelle
The owner of the restaurant and sommelier behind the renowned Clerkenwell eatery The Drunken Butler, Yuma Hashemi, has launched an entirely new venture, a wine bar dubbed Emmanuelle. The bar is situated across the road from its Persian counterpart. The bar is focused on small-scale winemakers across the world and offers the possibility of masterclasses, tastings, and talks with producers throughout the year. The wine selection is a mixture of vintage and new world varieties along with biodynamic and natural champagnes, as well as wines. This is the ideal location to drink a cocktail after dinner at the Drunken Butler, which is a vintage bar with antique and antique furniture that gives the bar a lively vintage feel.
Heidi
This hidden gem just opposite Balham station can be a fantastic place to meet friends that has cozy lighting and a lively vibe. You can load up wine cards and dive into a wine-tasting session using self-service vending machines that fill the walls. Select from 60 wines in glass bottles – or mix it with some of the cocktails available (go prior to 7 p.m. in order to get the most out of the Happy Hour). It’s easy to be lost in the atmosphere and fill your stomach with the mouthwatering tapas-style meals available: think of camembert baked in the oven, Iberico ham croquettes, patatas bravas, and the most succulent braised chorizo. Also, there’s the breakfast menu (who is saying you can’t enjoy eggs and wine?) and a great brunch on Sundays.
Bottle & Rye
The chef Robin Gill and his wife Sarah Gill, the couple behind the acclaim of a few London restaurants, including Sorella and Darby’s, have expanded their offerings by launching the Parisian-inspired Wine Bar. It is located within Brixton; Bottle & Rye is a wine bar that focuses on low-intervention wine from all over Europe and offers a selection of different twists on French classics. Think Ogleshield Gougeres topped with Pickled Walnut, Vichyssoise Oyster Tartare, and smoke-infused Eel Brandade.
OAK N4
The small independent wine bar located in Finsbury Park has been around since the year 2016 and offers an array of wines to take a glass of or bottle. Wine lovers can sip their vino with cheese as well as charcuterie along with vegetarian platters, as well as almonds, olives, and semi-sourdough baguettes made by the local bakery. Visit on either a Sunday or Wednesday to listen to local DJs and musicians, which include music that spans from jazz to blues, as well as electric guitar.
1857 at St James’s Hotel & Club
A bar that specializes in port wine opened in the St James’s Hotel & Club in Mayfair in 1857. It was created to commemorate the rich history of the club as well as the name is a reference to the year in which it was founded in 1857 – the bar is a great choice for port lovers and newcomers to the beverage. You can choose from the largest selection of ports available in every London bar, which includes rare and unique vintage tawnies, rare wines as well as vintage ports. Port cocktails are also available, and a variety of bar snacks are chosen to complement each other, like stilton, foie gras or foie gras, tuna belly, or burrata. For those who don’t drink port, they will be served with classic cocktails and spirits.
Carousel
If you want to experience a more local atmosphere, visit Fizrovia’s sprawling Carousel and enjoy its glittering events and residencies it also houses an extremely cozy and lovely wine bar that has the floor covered in jesmonite with speckles and big tables and chairs, shelves adorned with a variety of wine bottles, as well as an array of tasty bites including snacks and large plates. Think of juicy, chunky olives followed by delicious homemade crisps, topped with anchovies and a spicy kick. Also, bite-sized chicken pieces that have been fried and garnished with habanero sauce, the gherkin slice, or the more delicate scallop crudo, topped with a green gooseberry and radish or warm pumpkin tempura. It’s all washed down by the best selection of delicious minimal intervention wines which are adorning the walls. Think of pink, fortified, or orange – whatever you want is Carousel’s request. By Olivia Emily
Porte Noire
He is most well-known for his role on screen, but lately Idris Elba has turned his attention to hospitality. The actor is partnering with Connaught Wine’s founder Cellars David Farber, to introduce a new wine shop, bar and cellar under the name Porte Noire – also the name of their well-known champagne and wine brand. The bar – which is situated in King’s Cross – has been created by the boutique hospitality agency Kanvass and has 70-covers for the bar along with an outdoor area and dining area. It is envisioned as a place to hang out for urban oenophiles, inside you’ll find 800 wine storage bins and one of the city’s biggest luxury tasting rooms. From the most rare bottles to “wines on tap’ An extensive collection of wines selected by Farber will be available for buy and drink in the house.
The Black Book
In the process of reviving the ambiance of the old-fashioned Soho, It is the Black Book on Frith Street. It was founded by two hospitality veterans The Black Book was founded by hospitality veteransGearoid Devaney MS, and Xavier Rousset MS, The Black Book is a specialist in intriguing and rare wines, including the scarcely-found Sancerre from master producer Francois Cota. The menu also includes classic brasserie meals, such as roasted onglet topped with the peppercorn sauce, hand cut chip, and pan-fried cod, topped with autumnal ratatouille and silken Tarragon sauce. This name comes from a subtle reference to the sommelier’s age-old practice of jotting down notes on tasting in black and discreet books that they carry around every time they go out.
WC Wine Bar & Charcuterie
The wine bar, candlelight, cozy booths The cozy booths, candles, and wine the Clapham‘s WC Wine and Charcuterie was created to accommodate dates. Don’t be deterred because it was once to be a toilet for the public: WC is far from an unpretentious bar and its rich history enhances its unique appeal. Wine is delicious and reasonably priced. You are able to enjoy it with platters of camembert baked and sourdough bread, dips, cheeses, and meats. This is a great option if sitting down for a meal seems too much and you’re still looking for something tasty to fuel your evening. In November, the team will launch another location in Bloomsbury that is a result of an Grade II-listed Victorian Water Closet on Lamb’s Conduit Street.
Sager + Wilde
Sager and Wilde could be the ones responsible for getting wine bars back on the map for East London cool kids. The location is in Hackney. It offers high-end wines on the glass along with delicious snacks and tasty grill cheese sandwiches. It will teach you about the latest and diverse varieties of wines on their constantly-changing wine selection, as well as regular fun-filled winemaker evenings and other events.
