Humble Grape, the London-based wine merchant, will open a second wine bar and shop near Fleet Street in May.
Following the success of the James Dawson-led concept’s Battersea opening last year, Humble Grape will open a second site at a 3,600sq/ft space on St Bride’s Passage.
Dawson said he started Humble Grape in 2009 with a handful of wines he had discovered on his travels.
“I ran wine tastings for my friends and family and delivered cases on the back of my motorbike,” he said.
“Now we import over two-hundred wines, and have a loyal following. Many of my customers invested in our crowdfunding raise on Seedrs enabling me to launch the first Humble Grape wine bar and shop in Battersea.
“The bar was so well received, we’re now in the position to bring the concept to central London.”
The new site is tucked down a cobbled street in the vaults of St Bride’s Church and has been unoccupied for several years.
It was formerly The Press House Wine Bar - a popular drinking den for journalists - and will be refit to allow for a 200-seat wine bar, shop, events space, private dining room and wine cellar.
Humble Grape directly imports handcrafted wine from small, sustainable, independent vineyards worldwide.
The wine list will feature around 30 wines available by the glass or carafe and over 200 wines available by the bottle to drink in or take away.
The food offer will include Galician octopus with chargrilled leeks & triple cooked new potatoes; roast bone marrow with dipping soldiers; and lamb ribollita stew.
Dawson is working with architect Jean Dumas of Trellik Design Studios on the refit with highlights including a bar crafted from old Champagne riddling racks.
