If the seemingly constant threat of train strikes has you on edge, there is a heartening escape route near Waterloo Station and it’s likely to have oenophiles particularly excited. Lower is a wine bar and cellar shop that opened in a very low-key fashion in February, giving its three local owners time to hone the concept of their first project together. You may have already spotted the steamed-up windows, candlelight, small cosy tables and merriment while heading to/from the Southbank.
Far from a soulless chain store or corporate outlet, Lower’s USP is the warm hospitality you can expect from Blaise Coley, Skye Alejandro and Alex Pitt, who all also live together nearby (perhaps chat to them about work-life balance while sipping a Domaine Raveneau Chablis). The team, who have been in the industry for a decade, met while working at Typing Room (the fine-dining restaurant owned by chef Lee Westcott that was in Bethnal Green’s Town Hall before Da Terra) and then Peg & Patriot. Blaise spent four years as General Manager at Brat, Alex was named by Harpers Wine as one of the top 25 sommeliers in the UK in 2022, and freelance drinks consultant Skye has worked at the likes of Clove Club and Kiln, in addition to launching a Filipino-cuisine-inspired pop-up called Sampa. So there's a lot of talent behind the scenes here.
The wine list offers curated by-the-glass options as well as bottles sourced by Alex on his travels, including a wine he made in Austria with Heidi Schröck. For the designated drivers, there are non-alcoholic wines, drinking vinegars and in future there will be custom-made sodas.
The snacks list is small and chalked up on a blackboard daily, with just a couple of hot dishes to slay your hunger, such as pistachio and lardo toasts or a leche flan with seasonal blood orange. As for the future, keep an eye on tastings held in the French-wine-cellar-like basement.
More about Lower Wine Bar
Where is it? 19 Lower Marsh, London, SE1 7RJ
When does it open? Open now
Find out more: Visit their website or follow them on Instagram @lowerwine.
Subscribe to be the first to get the news from Hot Dinners
