
Quick info
About Gordon's Wine Bar
Gordon's Wine Bar is a London wine bar at 47 Villiers St, established in 1890 and open daily. Seating is in an underground, candlelit cellar, where old newspapers and historical items cover the walls. The wine list is extensive, with plenty of options by the glass, and Gordon's house port comes in a tumbler-size glass. Food centres on cheese and charcuterie boards served with pickles, chutney, bread and quince, with wine pairings suggested for the cheeses. A Scotch egg is also on the menu. A queue forms at the entrance and a wait to be seated is common, especially on evenings and weekends. Dogs are welcome.
Good to know
- ParkingPaid street parking · Usually difficult to find a space
- AccessibilityWheelchair: restroom, seating
- Good for kidsGood for kids
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention cheese and charcuterie boards, extensive wine list, candlelit underground cellar and outdoor seating by river.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention cheese and charcuterie boards, extensive wine list, candlelit underground cellar and outdoor seating by river.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers return above all for the cheese and charcuterie boards, with a Brie and Dambuster cheese board, a Serrano ham board, and the tapenade named as highlights. Close behind is the extensive wine list, where diners mention an off-dry German Riesling, the bar's own Bordeaux Blanc, and a house port served in a tumbler, and say the staff guide choices without snobbery. The candlelit, cave-like cellar draws repeated praise as atmospheric and cozy, with one reviewer enjoying the trains rumbling overhead and others favoring the outdoor seating under heat lamps or by the river. The caveats are crowding and cost. Several mention queuing, and one says to allow an hour for a table on weekends. One reviewer found a cheese platter and a hummus platter small to share among four. Another called three cheese slices overpriced and the Scotch egg the worst they had tried, despite it being described as freshly made. One reviewer thought service could be a little slow, while others call the staff recommendations excellent, including a wine pairing suggested for every cheese.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers return above all for the cheese and charcuterie boards, with a Brie and Dambuster cheese board, a Serrano ham board, and the tapenade named as highlights. Close behind is the extensive wine list, where diners mention an off-dry German Riesling, the bar's own Bordeaux Blanc, and a house port served in a tumbler, and say the staff guide choices without snobbery. The candlelit, cave-like cellar draws repeated praise as atmospheric and cozy, with one reviewer enjoying the trains rumbling overhead and others favoring the outdoor seating under heat lamps or by the river. The caveats are crowding and cost. Several mention queuing, and one says to allow an hour for a table on weekends. One reviewer found a cheese platter and a hummus platter small to share among four. Another called three cheese slices overpriced and the Scotch egg the worst they had tried, despite it being described as freshly made. One reviewer thought service could be a little slow, while others call the staff recommendations excellent, including a wine pairing suggested for every cheese.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“Gordon’s Wine Bar, London: Where Time, Gravity, and Good Decisions Go to Get Properly Pickled Some restaurants strive for ambience. Gordon’s Wine Bar kidnapped ambience, dragged it underground, handed it a bottle of Bordeaux, and locked it in a candlelit cave sometime around 1890. Descending into Gordon’s feels less like entering a wine bar and more like stumbling into a secret society for people who appreciate red wine, excellent cheese, and the possibility of developing a Victorian novel subplot. The ceilings loom overhead like the inside of a pirate ship that retired comfortably and took up wine collecting. Every inch is bathed in flickering candlelight, creating the sort of flattering glow that could make a sleep-deprived commuter look like European royalty. The walls are cluttered with old newspapers, fading artwork, and enough historical oddities to convince you that Winston Churchill might emerge from a shadowy corner demanding another glass of claret. It’s atmospheric in the most wonderfully British way possible: slightly chaotic, deeply charming, and utterly unconcerned with modern trends. And then there’s the wine. The selection is so extensive that choosing a bottle feels less like ordering a drink and more like being handed custody of a small vineyard. Whether you’re a seasoned wine enthusiast or someone whose expertise begins and ends with “I like the red one,” the staff somehow guide you toward happiness without a trace of wine-snobbery. The charcuterie boards deserve their own commemorative plaque. Towering wedges of cheese, ribbons of cured meats, pickles, chutneys, and enough accompaniments to sustain a minor medieval siege arrive on rustic wooden boards that practically demand a photograph before they’re ruthlessly demolished. The Scotch egg sat there looking smugly British, as if it personally helped win the Battle of Trafalgar. The beauty of Gordon’s is that it feels simultaneously romantic and slightly mischievous. Couples lean toward each other across candlelit tables, glasses glowing ruby red in the darkness, while nearby groups laugh loudly enough to suggest someone has just made an exceptionally poor life decision and plans to tell the story in full. It is, quite frankly, romantic as hell. If you’re looking for bright lights, loud music, and cocktails served in containers resembling laboratory equipment, look elsewhere. But if your ideal evening involves disappearing into a subterranean wine cave, sipping exceptional wine by candlelight, devouring phenomenal charcuterie, and feeling as though you’ve accidentally wandered into London’s best-kept secret, Gordon’s is pure magic. Five stars. Or, as the British might say: “Absolutely brilliant. Would happily get lost underground again.” 🍷🕯️🇬🇧”
- Google user
“Beautiful place with historical interactives all around the walls, it has a unique vibe and definitely worth going for a drink and talks if you need somewhere quite and cozy.”
- Google user
“Stumbled across this expecting another tourist trap, but it's absolutely brilliant. The wine selection is next level and the cheese board is genuinely unbelievable, especially for London where value like this is hard to find. The kind of place that works for a date, work drinks, or a treat with friends. Will definitely be back.”
- Google user
“Tried out this bar which has an underground cave like dining area and extensive wine list. Decided to go for something light and went for this Riesling (off dry) from Germany with lemon, orange blossom and apricot which is lovely, and perfect to go with the food. We ordered a Serrano ham board which came with bread sticks and this two-cheese board (Brie and Dambuster) that comes with pickles, salted butter, bread and a chutney and quince jam, absolutely delicious. I particularly enjoy the combination of salted butter, a small block of quince paste and Brie on the bread (even though I’m not normally a fan of cheese!) I tried my friends’ Bordeaux Blanc, which is the bar’s own label, Vinho verde and Rioja Blanco, and they’re all equally nice. I then ordered a second glass of non-alcoholic rosé with notes of white strawberry, black currant, violet and herbs, and it’s so refreshing. Overall the bar has a good atmosphere and any wine-lovers would totally love it here! We left the bar seeing a long queue of people at the entrance and no wonder it’s so popular!”
- Google user
“Gordon’s Wine Bar is one of the most unique and atmospheric places in London. The historic, candlelit cellar creates such a cozy and authentic vibe — it really feels like stepping back in time. It’s located just at the outskirts of the Southark Bridge, right after enbankment tube station. The wine selection is excellent with plenty of options to choose from, and the cheese and charcuterie boards pair perfectly. It can get quite busy, especially in the evenings, but that just adds to the lively atmosphere. We have ordered a cheese platter as well as hummus platter, I would say they were delicious but a bit small to share for 4 people. You have to wait to be seated as it is very crowded on weekends but make sure to give an hour or so to be seated! Whether you sit inside in the cave-like cellar or outside by the river, it’s a great spot to relax and enjoy a glass of wine. Definitely a must-visit in London! Especially when the weather is good, and to have a nice London evening outside!”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
“19th-century wine bar in candlelit, vaulted cellars with original Dickensian-style decor.”
- Great wine list
- Popular for solo dining
Amenities
- Wi-Fi
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Paid street parking
- Outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed
- Dine-in
Show more amenities
- Good for kids
- Food at bar
- Cozy
- Onsite services
- Food
- Free water refills
- Offerings· 3
- Alcohol
- Hard liquor
- Wine
- Highlights· 1
- Great wine list
- Facilities· 1
- Restroom
- Planning· 1
- Usually a wait
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Atmosphere· 3
- Casual
- Romantic
- Trendy
- Accessibility· 1
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Dining options· 2
- Seating
- Table service
- Crowd· 2
- Groups
- Tourists
- Parking· 1
- Usually difficult to find a space
Location
Wine bars near Gordon's Wine Bar
- All Bar One Covent Garden4.55,3030.2 mi
cocktails, nachos, grey goose melon sour
- El Vino Fleet Street4.31620.7 mi£30–40
graham's port, history of the place, cheese plate
- Amelie's Wine House4.51640.9 mi
ham and cheese sharing platter, wine selection, parmesan truffle fries
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gordon's Wine Bar | 4.66,313 | — | £20–50 | cheese and charcuterie boards, extensive wine list, candlelit underground cellar |
| All Bar One Covent Garden | 4.55,303 | 0.2 mi | — | cocktails, nachos, grey goose melon sour |
| El Vino Fleet Street | 4.3162 | 0.7 mi | £30–40 | graham's port, history of the place, cheese plate |
| Amelie's Wine House | 4.5164 | 0.9 mi | — | ham and cheese sharing platter, wine selection, parmesan truffle fries |
The 3 nearest wine bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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