London is pretty well-stocked in its quirky wine bar department. You can swirl, sip, and savour a glass of vino in some rather peculiar places, to be quite honest with you. A former public toilet? Sure. Charles Dickens’ former publishing house? Absolutely. The crypt of one of the most historic churches in the city? You bet.
That’s right, folks. A shiny new wine bar has arrived in the City of London, and you’ll find it tucked away within the crypt of an iconic 11th-century church. The new wine bar on the block comes courtesy of Humble Grape; the lovely lot who are already responsible for six other wonderful wine bars, dotted across the capital. Their seventh spot is tucked away beneath St Mary-le-Bow, and it’s recently swung open its creaky old doors, just in time for the festive season.
St Mary-le-Bow
Fondly-known as the Church of Bow Bells; the hallowed building in question dates all the way back to 1080. The current structure is the rather impressive work of Sir Christopher Wren (the brains behind the legendary likes of St Paul’s Cathedral and Hampton Court Palace), who rebuilt the church following the Great Fire of London. The historic crypt has been kicking about since the 11th-century, too – and now, almost 1000 years later, it’s ready to be transformed into a truly sacred space for wine-loving Londoners.
Humble Grape at St Mary-le-Bow
Perched beneath the building’s original Norman arches, Humble Grape’s unique new venue has capacity for 60 guests inside, and an additional 40 guests outside on the terrace. Just like their other bars, it boasts a hefty selection of small-batch, sustainable wines from across the globe. And with over 500 bottles on offer, there’s sure to be a wine that’ll tantalise even the fussiest of tastebuds. There’s also be a European-inspired menu of sharing plates on offer at Humble Grape, featuring a whole bunch of cheese and charcuterie dishes, of course.
With fully-stacked shelves, a one-of-a-kind setting, and a team of wine-experts on-hand to help guide you in the right direction; it sounds as though the new crypt-based Humble Grape has got all of the ingredients for a perfect evening in the capital city.
“Opening our doors within such an extraordinary setting is both humbling and inspiring.” says founder James Dawson. “St Mary-le-Bow has stood for centuries as a place of gathering and community – values that resonate deeply with Humble Grape. We want Bow Lane to be more than a wine bar; it’s a place where people can connect, discover wines made with integrity, and feel part of something timeless.”
Humble Grape Bow Lane has set up shop inside St Mary Le Bow, Cheapside, EC2V 6AU. Find out more and plan your visit here.
