THE WINE BAR.
the 8 best wine bars in london from candlelit caverns to natural wine shrines you’ll find your oenophilic fix
THE LONDON 100 WINNER / BEST WINE BAR
● RENEGADE WINE BAR
URBAN WINEMAKING WITH SERIOUS ATTITUDE
Who says you need a countryside estate to make brilliant wine? Renegade crushes, ferments, and bottles top-tier grapes right under an East London railway arch. Sourcing fruit from small European growers, they turn out wildly creative, low-intervention wines labeled with the faces of real Londoners. Pair your glass with artisanal cheeses, charcuterie, and an atmospheric backdrop of glowing barrels and industrial chic. It’s gritty, innovative, and unapologetically cool.
Bethnal Green
renegadelondonwine.com
photos from @renegadeurbanwinery
● 107 WINE BAR & SHOP
LOW INTERVENTION ROYALTY
Formerly known as P. Franco, this legendary Lower Clapton spot is the spiritual home of London’s natural wine movement. 107 retains every drop of that cult energy: a long communal counter, chalkboard wine lists packed with rare small-scale pours, and a rotating line-up of guest chefs slinging world-class food from a tiny two-ring induction stove. It’s loud, intimate, and perpetually buzzing with off-duty chefs and wine obsessives.
Clapton
107wine.co.uk
photos from @107_e5
● DAN’S
AUSTRALIAN ENERGY, AUSSIE-LEVEL POUR
Named after founder Dan Belmont, this neighbourhood hideout brings zero-pretension, high-fun Australian wine culture right to the heart of E8. Part natural wine shop, part lively drinking spot, Dan’s shines with its ultra-curated, low-intervention bottle selection and friendly, expert team. Grab a glass of something orange, pull up a stool inside or out front, and snack on cured meats and cheeses. It feels like hanging out in a very stylish friend's living room.
NO RES
● SAGER + WILDE
THE TRAILBLAZER OF COOL WINE CULTURE
Back in 2013, Sager + Wilde rewrote the rulebook on London wine bars, swapping stuffy sommeliers for a cast-iron bar, exposed brick, and elite bottles served by the glass at accessible prices. Years later, it’s still the gold standard. Whether you’re hunting down rare European vintages or sampling biodynamic orange wines, the pour is always immaculate. Pair your bottle with their legendary grilled cheese sandwich for peak satisfaction.
Hackney
sagerandwilde.com
photos from @sagerandwilde
● WINEMAKERS CLUB
CANDLELIT VAULTS, HISTORIC POURS
Hidden inside the brick arches beneath the Holborn Viaduct, The Winemakers Club feels like a secret subterranean lair. Lit almost entirely by candlelight, this atmospheric cellar focuses on organic, biodynamic, and natural wines from independent, small-scale producers across the globe. There are no fancy gimmicks here, just passionate staff, incredible artisan bottles, and simple plates of cheese and charcuterie enjoyed in centuries-old stone vaults.
Farringdon
thewinemakersclub.co.uk
photos from @winemakersclub
● LE BEAUJOLAIS
PURE FRENCH CHARM, TOTALLY UNTAMED
Stepping into Le Beaujolais on Litchfield Street is like stumbling into a cosy Parisian bistro in 1974. As London’s oldest French wine bar, its ceilings are draped with neckties cut off from past patrons, and the walls are crammed with vintage memorabilia. Expect classic French vintages, overflowing cheese boards, and a fiercely loyal crowd of regulars chatting over carafes. It’s eccentric, delightfully cramped, and bursting with old-school character.
Soho
lebeaujolais.london
photos from @lebeaujolaiswinebar
● 40 MALTBY STREET
BERMONDSEY’S MOST ESSENTIAL ARCHWAY
Nestled into a Bermondsey railway arch, 40 Maltby Street is the ultimate wine lover's destination. Operating as the taproom for Gergovie Wines, they serve an extraordinary changing selection of natural, low-intervention European bottles alongside some of the best seasonal food in town. The atmosphere is warm and rustic, filled with the rumble of passing trains and the clinking of glasses.
NO RES
Bermondsey
40maltbystreet.com
photos from @40maltbystreet
● GORDON’S WINE BAR
THE ICONIC 1890s CAVERN
As London’s oldest wine bar, Gordon’s is an absolute rite of passage. Tucked away near Embankment, this 19th-century cellar features low, soot-stained arched ceilings, flickering candlelight, and dusty vintage bottles everywhere you look. Grab a bottle of port or sherry straight from the wood barrels, pile a wooden board high with British and French cheeses, and soak up the historic energy. It’s dark, atmospheric, and utterly iconic.
Embankment
gordonswinebar.com
photos from @gordonswinebar