London’s 6 Best Champagne Bars
This week is National Champagne Week. What this essentially means is that, over the next six days or so, a number of venues around the UK will be partnering with some of the world’s finest Champagne houses to put on a load of fantastic events in celebration of the ultimate fizz. That said, every week is pretty much Champagne Week for us Londoners, because we’ve got no small amount of rather wonderful Champagne bars right on our doorstep. So if you can’t make it to any of this week’s events, why not hit up one of these? Your wallet may not thank you for it, but your palate will.
The Oscar Wilde Bar
The Hotel Café Royal’s Oscar Wilde Bar, in Soho, is a rather lovely-looking spot, fully restored to its 19th century Louis XVI detailing. Established in 1865, and famous for being the place where the bar’s namesake fell in love with Alfred Douglas (as well as being a particular favourite haunt of David Bowie, Mick Jagger, the Beatles and Elizabeth Taylor), the Oscar Wilde Bar serves afternoon tea during the day and Champagne in the evening. Just take a look at that image above; if you’re after genuine extravagance amidst an authentic setting taken straight out of the Golden Age of Champagne, then this is where you want to be.
St. Pancras Grand
You’ve probably seen this one. The St. Pancras Grand is that really, really long Champagne bar slap bang in the middle of (you guessed it) St. Pancras Station. 98 metres long – the longest in London – with 110 banquette-style seats and a charming Art Deco getup and a menu which includes such big names as Besserat, Searcys, Henri Giraud and Bollinger, we really can’t stress enough how much you’ll thank yourself for getting to the station an hour before your train leaves to indulge in a small bottle of pre-voyage Bolly. Or a Midas. We won’t judge.
Champagne + Fromage
If necking a load of Champers (yes, necking, don’t pretend otherwise) isn’t quite French enough for you, then Champagne + Fromage might be your best bet. With an authentic French menu – including charcuterie boards, salads, desserts, over fifty French cheeses and a Champagne list as extensive as it is surprisingly good value, this is about as French as London gets. There are branches in Covent Garden, Brixton Village and Greenwich, and they often host tastings too.
The Beaufort Bar
Champagne and Art Deco go as well together as Champagne and more Champagne, and the Savoy’s Beaufort Bar is perhaps the best proof of that around. The furnishings are decked out in black and gold, the entertainment is decidely theatrical (think burlesque and cabaret) and the Champagnes are only the best. Moët, Dom Pérignon, Tattinger, Bollinger, Veuve Cliquot, Louis Roederer – the Beaufort doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to their list. ‘A place of celebration’ indeed.
The Duck and Waffle
A personal favourite, Liverpool Street’s Duck and Waffle is one of London’s most famous restaurants, thanks largely to its unique menu, its signature dish and the fact that it’s situated at the top of a 40-storey skyscraper. As a restaurant it’s a tough one to beat, but the Duck and Waffle also has its own bar that not only boasts the largest collection of Bruno Paillard Champagne in the UK, but is also (like the restaurant) open 24 hours, so there’s really nothing stopping you from enjoying a glass as you watch the sun come up.
Bubbledogs
Because sometimes, you just really need a hot dog with your Champagne. Or Champagne with your hot dog. Bubbledog takes both of those things quite seriously (but, you know, not too seriously, because, well, come on) and, we’re pretty sure, would storm onto the short-list if ever there were a ‘Weirdest But Also Massively Best Idea Ever’ award. Oh, and they deliver. Of course they do.
