By Fiorella Lanni
Ernest Hemingway once said that wine is the most civilised thing in the world, and we couldn’t agree more!
The City brims with delicious wine bars, which showcase incredible rarities from all over the world alongside unmissable classic bottles.
If you’re tired of the same old boring glass of wine, look no further! Our team has hand-picked some of the best and most special wine bars for you.
Why not take a look below and check them out over the weekend or an evening after work?
The Winemakers (Farringdon Street)
Walk through a shabby-looking entrance under the Holborn Viaduct, down a corridor, and you’ll then see cathedral-like brick arches, and there it is – The Winemakers Club!
Born in the Italian countryside, migrated to the City of London, the Winemakers Club is the place for modest winemakers.
Proudly supporting the smaller, more diverse producers, those who embrace organic and biodynamic wines, the Winemakers Club is a fine wine bar and shop boasting wines from Australia, France, Italy, as well as earthy red wines from Eastern European countries.
With special evening events across the calendar, make sure to check their website for more info for those one-of-a-kind experiences.
Vagabond (Gracechurch Street)
Vagabond Wines opened their City branch in January 2020, with the Monument branch being the eighth Vagabond in the group, and it’s a special one.
The general idea is to serve yourself wines: just load a card with money and then use the available machines to pour your own glass. Total control.
The bar boasts 160 wines as well as 10 self-pour craft beers, alongside a great food range, which includes cured meat and cheese platters, a roast hanger steak for two, and a selection of small plates like cauliflower pakora and Sicilian aubergine dip.
What’s not to like? Get booked in and try rare wines from around the world.
Humble Grape (Devonshire Row, Bow Lane and Fleet Street)
Wine bars can often be intimidating for non-wine experts. Humble Grape, as its name suggests, thrives on its unpretentious approach to wine.
They have three locations across the Square Mile, one on Bow Lane, one near Liverpool Street and another on Fleet Street.
You don’t have to know all your wines (fortunately!)…the menu is laid out in a humorous and informative way, without sounding too condescending, and the list features approximately 30 wines by the glass or carafe and more than 200 varieties by the bottle.
If you’d like to learn more about wine, Humble Grape also offers classes, which make for a brilliant evening and give you a great excuse to have another drink, so make sure to get involved!
Grapeshots (Artillery Passage)
Located in a quiet Victorian passage, away from the hustle and bustle of Liverpool Street, once walked by Jack the Ripper, Grapeshots is a well-known wine bar and popular spot among City employees.
What makes it unique is its own character and charm – inside the bar you’ll find antique curiosities and historic wine artefacts, collected over decades by the Davy family, which contribute to the warm atmosphere.
The menu features British classic dishes for lunch and dinner, and a selection of wine bottles from old and new world. They also have a selection of premium ales which is well worth giving a try.
Grapeshots
Cabotte (Gresham Street)
Founded by Gearoid Devaney and Xavier Rousset, two Master Sommeliers with extensive London restaurant experience, Cabotte offers exquisite French cuisine paired with a unique wine list featuring classics alongside rarities from the Burgundy wine region.
Cabotte’s intention is to disclose the region’s lesser-known gems and serve them at fair prices. Named after the small huts that Burgundy winegrowers have within their vineyards, the restaurant gives you the impression of dining in a traditional local bistro in the French countryside.
The food also pays homage to the Burgundy region, you can find oysters, oeufs en meurette, and jambon persillé stuffed with fat chunks of ham. It's well worth a visit.
Satyrio (Aldgate High Street)
Situated in Aldgate, Satyrio offers top-quality, gourmet Italian food and wine. Whether you’re dropping in for a business lunch, having an aperitivo in their garden, after-work drinks, or dinner with friends and family, Satyrio offers you a fine selection of hand-picked wine.
Each wine is paired with their seasonal food menu with a little help from their sommeliers, and the venue has a spacious outdoor garden area, which is perfect to visit on those warm summer evenings!
Vinoteca (Bloomberg Arcade, Liverpool Street)
Since the opening of its first wine bar in Farringdon, Vinoteca has done more than simply make good wine accessible to all. They have a location also in Bloomberg Arcade and a wine-led dining experience in Liverpool Street, which makes Vinoteca a perfect spot for most of the City commuters.
All locations also offer a humble Italian-inspired menu for a great price, including lunch deals, and of course a HUGE wine list to match the offerings.
Next time you're on your way home, why not pop in and give it a shot?
Practical Info
If this list doesn't quite quench your thirst, we have a huge range of London's finest bars and restaurants listed on our Directory, so you'll be bound to find something for everyone!