Wine Bars should be fun places for relaxing, eating and drinking... and some wine education if so desired. Often they are exactly the opposite. In 1972 I established the Cork & Bottle in the middle of theatreland, in the heart of London’s West End. The area was great, but the site was unlikely – next door to a fish and chip restaurant, and underneath a sex shop. Well, both have gone and the building is distinctly smarter!

Over 38 years I have presided over a number of other West End establishments. SHAMPERS (now owned and run by my good friend Simon Pearson), BUBBLES, METHUSELAHS and THE HANOVER SQUARE WINE BAR & GRILL. Now, although I am semi-retired, I still oversee my “first born” with as much enthusiasm and attention to detail as ever. I have a great management team headed by Vash Sedlak and Christelle Lecomte, who are delighted to continue the ‘Hewitson Tradition’.

My beliefs are simple – in a world full of so much terrific food and wine, why settle for a slab of quiche and a glass of boring plonk? Our food is innovative, fresh and tasty... and available at all hours. The wine list speaks for itself - ”Legendary for its iconoclastic notes. It doesn’t necessarily tell you what the wine tastes like – you have to make your mind up. It’s there to provoke interest”, says Harpers, the wine trade magazine. As Barossa wine making supremo John Glaetzer puts it so succinctly, “Don, this is not just a wine list – it’s a book”. And a readable one at that!

“Life’s too short to drink bad wine”

Reservations are accepted throughout lunch, the afternoon and early evening until 6.30pm. Don’t e-mail us, telephone the Bar directly on 020 7734-7807 or 020 7734-6592.  For the rest of the evening it is first come, first served. Why not have a drink at the Bar and wait until we have a table ready?  For any special requirements, do not hesitate to ask for one of our managers.