Wine bars in the City of London are en vogue, and have been for quite some time.
Few experiences surpass that of indulging in a warming glass of red wine. It continues to be one of life’s most simple pleasures.
But sampling a great bottle of wine was once only on offer for those who could shell out; you’d have to mortgage your house for a great pinot. Thankfully, that’s not the case anymore.
Connoisseurs can certainly find a lot of these old school wine establishments dotted about the Square Mile, where they can sample some of the best bottles in the world, but new wave drinking dens have really changed the game.
Long-established wineries in Europe are no longer seen as the be all and end all of wine. Smaller producers all over the world are increasingly changing things up, concocting extra special brews which are wholly organic and sustainable – and that means far fewer hangovers.
So, in celebration of all things wine, we’ve decided to round up the best wine bars in the City of London.
Bedales at Leadenhall
Upmarket? Must be Leadenhall. In fact, it would be criminal for one of the City’s most inconic markets not to rock a top-tier wine. Set beneath the cobbles of Leadenhall, Bedales is a popular haunt steeped in history. From wine and cheese pairing workshops to WSET courses and some of the most alluring bottles in town, theis City of London wine bar is one to put on your radar, stat.
Leadenhall Market
bedaleswines.com
Bottles
This Italian wine bar, located right on the edge of Old Spitalfields Market, does everything right. First off, it specialises in sustainable, independent, organic and biodynamic producers. This means that each tipple is that extra bit special and different – you won’t be having a basic cab sav here. And, in a joint venture with the SOOD Family, staff offer wine’s favourite accompaniments; cheese and charcuterie. And if you fall in love with one of their bottles, you can easily buy one to take home.
67 Brushfield Street E1 6AA
bottleswine.bar
El Vino
This old school wine bar has a long and turbulent history. It was once the wine mecca for reporters, editors and lawyers and was famed for not serving women up until 1982. Thankfully, it’s all inclusive now. And while the wine offerings continue to be global in nature, they do focus on Spain and South America. Head into this tavern-styled wine bar for great wine and top-notch tapas served alongside it all. It’s been modernised without losing its old school charm.
47 Fleet Street EC4Y 1BJ
elvino.co.uk
Hithe + Seek
With swish views out on to the rolling waves of the Thames, Hithe + Seek is a sweet place for a sundowner in the City. The eclectic wine list – 80 tipples strong at last count – reflects the vibrancy of the bar’s crowd, and when knitted together with a considered menu of accompanying plates, you just know one glass will never suffice.
The Westin London City, 60 Upper Thames Street EC4V 3AD
hitheandseek.com
Sager + Wilde
Since opening its doors on Hackney Road in 2013, Sager + Wilde has quickly leapt into the hearts and minds of all wine lovers in London. Hosts serve a huge array of ever-changing small-producer wines all within a hyper approachable space and menu. In 2015 the bar had this recognised, scooping the coveted Best Wine Bar in Europe Award.
193 Hackney Road E2 8JL
sagerandwilde.com
Steam Wine Bar
Steam Wine Bar puts most evenings on the right track, and if you think differently, you probably need your carriage rattled. With membership brackets catering for amateurs, experts and everything between, Steam is at pains to ensure its prized bottles of plunk are perfectly paired with nibbles and a raft of entertainment include regular quizzes and belly-splitting stand-up.
1 St George’s Lane EC3R 8DJ
steamwinebar.com
St Swithin Wine Shippers
St Swithin Wine Shippers is an all-year round winery, and no, not because we at City Matters HQ can’t go a day without sipping on a dark red. This beloved destination for winos boasts an all-weather tasting terrace, meaning you can drink in the sweet stuff inside and out 12 months a year. Pretty tasty.
11-12 St Swithin’s Lane EC4N 8AL
stswithinswineshippers.com
Vagabond Wines
Sparkling, white, red, rose, orange, sweet and fortified: however you like it, Vagabond pours it. The best bit? The Vagabond subscription package means even in those bleak winter days when you can’t pull yourself from the comfort of your sofa, you’ll not be without a drop of the good stuff. The only question you will have to answer is: by the glass or by the bottle?
51 Gracechurch Street EC3V 0EH
vagabondwines.co.uk
Winemaker’s Club
Independent stores are hard to come by in the City of London, with so many chains setting up shop in the area, but the Winemaker’s Club in Farringdon is an exception to that rule. It sits within the old musty archways beneath the Holborn Viaduct and mostly sells wine to take away. But the owner John Baum always welcomes customers to sit in and drink a few glasses before heading elsewhere. Expect a whole array of different wines, both when it comes to price and unusual flavours.
41a Farringdon Street EC4A 4AN
thewinemakersclub.co.uk
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