London's wine bar scene has been transformed over the past five years. The old model — leather banquettes, overpriced Chablis, businessmen loosening ties — has given way to something far more exciting: a diverse landscape of natural wine caves, grand cru tasting rooms, and neighbourhood spots where the list is curated with genuine passion.
Whether you prefer a biodynamic Jura alongside charcuterie or a 1990 Burgundy with white tablecloth service, London has a wine bar for you.
For Serious Wine
67 Pall Mall, St James's
The world's first fine wine members' club, with 4,000 wines available by the glass via Coravin. The cellar is extraordinary — verticals of first-growth Bordeaux, rare Burgundy, aged Barolo. Non-members can visit the ground-floor bar. If you care about wine, this is essential. Glass from £8. Bottle from £25.
Noble Rot, Bloomsbury & Soho
The team behind the wine magazine of the same name runs two of London's best wine-focused restaurants. The lists lean towards interesting producers — old-vine Chenin, skin-contact Georgian wines, aged Riesling — with exceptional food to match. The Bloomsbury original has more charm; Soho has more seats. Glass from £7.
Hedonism Wines, Mayfair
Part wine shop, part tasting room, entirely extraordinary. The collection — displayed in a temperature-controlled ground floor on Davies Street — includes bottles worth £100,000+. The tasting bar offers flights and by-the-glass pours from an ever-changing selection. Staff knowledge is exceptional. Glass from £12.
For Natural Wine
P Franco, Clapton
The tiny Hackney spot that kickstarted London's natural wine movement. No reservations, communal seating, a daily-changing menu of six dishes, and a wine list that reads like a who's who of natural winemaking. It's cramped, loud, and brilliant. Glass from £6.
Bright, London Fields
A beautiful, light-filled space from the P Franco team, with a longer menu and more comfortable seating but the same impeccable wine selection. The pasta is excellent. Natural wine without the pretension. Glass from £7.
Top Cuvée, Highbury
Half wine bar, half bottle shop, entirely charming. The selection focuses on small producers, biodynamic and organic, with a particularly strong French and Italian range. The staff are passionate without being preachy. Glass from £5.50.
For the Atmosphere
Gordon's Wine Bar, Embankment
London's oldest wine bar (established 1890) occupies a vaulted cellar beneath Villiers Street. The wines are decent rather than exceptional, but the atmosphere — candlelit, cramped, with centuries of character seeping from the walls — is unbeatable. Arrive early or join the queue. Glass from £5.
The Winemakers Club, Farringdon
A basement space focused on small-batch, independently made wines. Regular events, winemaker dinners, and a shop where you can buy everything on the list. Knowledgeable, friendly staff. Glass from £6.
Verden, Clapton
A neighbourhood wine bar that gets everything right: well-chosen natural and minimal-intervention wines, simple but excellent food (the focaccia is outstanding), and a warm, unpretentious atmosphere. Glass from £6.
For a Special Occasion
The American Bar at The Savoy
Technically a cocktail bar, but the Champagne and wine list is exceptional, and the Art Deco setting is worth the premium alone. Order a glass of vintage Champagne and pretend you're in a Noël Coward play. Glass from £18.
Berry Bros. & Rudd, St James's
Britain's oldest wine and spirit merchant (established 1698) offers tastings and events in their atmospheric cellars beneath St James's Street. The Napoleon cellar is magnificent. Book ahead for structured tastings. From £45 for a tasting event.
Sotheby's Wine Bar, New Bond Street
The auction house's ground-floor restaurant offers an extraordinary wine list — including some lots available before they go to auction. The setting, surrounded by art and luxury, is suitably glamorous. Glass from £12.
Wine Tips
Most London wine bars don't take reservations (or only for groups). Arrive between 5:30–6:30 for the best chance of a seat. Don't be afraid to ask for recommendations — staff at good wine bars live for this. And always check the by-the-glass list first — it's usually where the best value and most interesting bottles live.
For more recommendations, explore our dining directory or browse Drinks & Tastings partners.
