Problem
How do you get there?
Answer
Last time we went via Brixton and a bus and it took forever. This time we went straight to the nearby station. Up the road and there it is opposite the changing colour building.
The atmosphere is just the same as when I went there in July. The walls are covered with interesting things to look at. They manage to creat a cosy, friendly atmosphere.
You can hold wine parties or events such as an engagement party in the large downstairs room.
I spoke to three of the cheerful staff. They are all so friendly and relaxed.
The narrow waisted layout, with a row of small tables from front to back by the bar means you can easily get talking to other people around the long bar.
We know Jimmy and Beth from having done WSET courses and attended wine tastings at one of the the WSET wine school premises. (I have done level one, like an NVQ. My husband has reached the dizzy heights of the dipoma, level four, involving blind tastings, passing several exams on wines and spirits and a mini dissertation.)
They have a great selection of wines and can open a magnum for special occasions, always impressive. Most interesting talking to them about their business. They have survived the first year, which is critical for any new business, despite impending Brexit and exchange rates and wholesale prices pushing up the prices they have to charge customers. They are hoping that the building of a new block of flats nearby will provide customers who appreciate wine so that the bar will become even more of a great social centre than it is now.
I tried two different sparkling wines. That's my lot. I'm not a great drinker. Because they are all specialists you can have an in depth conversation about which wines to drink.
They have some food and can bring in extras for a special occasion, such as delicious cupcakes. But if you want more on the way home, the fish and chip shop opposite that station is great. See next review about that.
You might think that it's easy opening a wine bar. Just order bottles of wine and open them for people. Wine has to be stored and served at the right temperature. It is not as critical as perishable food but you get the same problems of supply and demand being unpredictable. Imagine - one wine sells out. Another doesn't sell at all. Having two related businesses helps. If a wine doesn't sell, they can use it for wine tastings.
It's not an all day restaurant. It's an evening wine bar. Open many days 5 pm to midnight. Check the hours. If you can get on a wine bar's email list, you will get invited to events.
Practical details
Streatham Wine House
53A Streatham Hill
London SW2 4TS.
Tel: 0208 8678 8997.
Nearest station Streatham Hill.
info@streathamwinehouse.com
www.streathamwinehouse.co.uk
Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photgrapher, author and speaker.
See my other, latest blog:
http://www.luxurytravelforless.co.uk
How do you get there?
Answer
Last time we went via Brixton and a bus and it took forever. This time we went straight to the nearby station. Up the road and there it is opposite the changing colour building.
The atmosphere is just the same as when I went there in July. The walls are covered with interesting things to look at. They manage to creat a cosy, friendly atmosphere.
You can hold wine parties or events such as an engagement party in the large downstairs room.
I spoke to three of the cheerful staff. They are all so friendly and relaxed.
The narrow waisted layout, with a row of small tables from front to back by the bar means you can easily get talking to other people around the long bar.
We know Jimmy and Beth from having done WSET courses and attended wine tastings at one of the the WSET wine school premises. (I have done level one, like an NVQ. My husband has reached the dizzy heights of the dipoma, level four, involving blind tastings, passing several exams on wines and spirits and a mini dissertation.)
They have a great selection of wines and can open a magnum for special occasions, always impressive. Most interesting talking to them about their business. They have survived the first year, which is critical for any new business, despite impending Brexit and exchange rates and wholesale prices pushing up the prices they have to charge customers. They are hoping that the building of a new block of flats nearby will provide customers who appreciate wine so that the bar will become even more of a great social centre than it is now.
I tried two different sparkling wines. That's my lot. I'm not a great drinker. Because they are all specialists you can have an in depth conversation about which wines to drink.
They have some food and can bring in extras for a special occasion, such as delicious cupcakes. But if you want more on the way home, the fish and chip shop opposite that station is great. See next review about that.
You might think that it's easy opening a wine bar. Just order bottles of wine and open them for people. Wine has to be stored and served at the right temperature. It is not as critical as perishable food but you get the same problems of supply and demand being unpredictable. Imagine - one wine sells out. Another doesn't sell at all. Having two related businesses helps. If a wine doesn't sell, they can use it for wine tastings.
It's not an all day restaurant. It's an evening wine bar. Open many days 5 pm to midnight. Check the hours. If you can get on a wine bar's email list, you will get invited to events.
Practical details
Streatham Wine House
53A Streatham Hill
London SW2 4TS.
Tel: 0208 8678 8997.
Nearest station Streatham Hill.
info@streathamwinehouse.com
www.streathamwinehouse.co.uk
Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photgrapher, author and speaker.
See my other, latest blog:
http://www.luxurytravelforless.co.uk
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